How to Layout Sprinklers Near Car Stackers?

8/27/2021

We have five, two-car-high stacking units in a basement area. We have a smoke exhaust system but also need an active protection system.

NFPA 13 categorizes such arrangements as Extra Hazard (Group 2).

Does anyone have experience of what would be an acceptable layout around these areas as the NFPA 13 guidance is not extensive?

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6 Comments

Alex

8/27/2021 07:33:52 am

Hi Anonymous,

This is another area in the code that is in desire need of a revamp. My company has designed and installed a few systems to protect a lift system and have received push back from different directions. After working with the AHJ (Boston, MA), we designed EHII at the ceiling with sidewalls designed for OHII installed to spray underneath the lift. The sidewalls are tricky since the lifts are not always smooth/solid.

I had previously found an article for lift systems out of California. Even if it is outside your jurisdiction, its worth a look.

Link: https://sf-fire.org/425-car-stackinglift-systems

Hopefully NFPA 13 will be amended with better design criteria or a separate standard will be published on how to protect lift systems. It seems that they are becoming more and more popular.

Best of luck with your design,
Alex

Pete

8/27/2021 07:34:28 am

Everything I've read basically says this often ends up varying from AHJ to AHJ.

San Francisco made a pretty decent additional write-up for their jurisdiction that's widely available.

https://sf-fire.org/425-car-stackinglift-systems

Casey Milhorn

8/27/2021 08:51:56 am

The couple we have done, we were only directed to provided EH2 at the roof. I agree with Alex, definitely in need of more clarification on this in NFPA. Not sure, but might be worth checking if FM has any additional requirements. Our main challenge was making sure we arranged the piping and sprinklers to avoid any clearance issues with the 2nd tier cars. I'm not familiar with the systems but you can be sure that if they tell a valet that no SUVs, only cars, someone will stick a taller vehicle in there (if that's even possible).

Brian Gerdwagen FPE

8/27/2021 09:06:27 am

Look at FM Data Sheet 3-26 Section 2.3.1.14. It has provisions for shielded fires. Similar to RV and boat manufacturing where you have combustible material inside a vehicle but do not have the ability to install sprinklers below the shield.

FM may not apply, but it does give good guidance for areas not covered by NFPA 13.

Jon R Corbett PE link

8/27/2021 10:00:04 am

I'm a FPE and ME who worked for the SFFD for over 14 years, I retired June 2021, and also have been in the fire sprinkler business for over 20 years prior. Now I have my own engineering firm. I'm licensed in multiple states.

I've written many (6+) Car Lift Fire Sprinkler Design Reports for owners-contractors in California to assist AHJs in approving the fire sprinkler design for car lifts. I provided CFD modeling in my reports to address the lack of testing information and support the fire sprinkler design criteria.

The July interim amendment of the 2019 California Codes defined a name for car lift as an "Mechanical-Access Enclosed Parking Garage".

The SFFD bulletin was written by my mentor Fred Stumpp FPE~2003~ using a conservative approach to provide guidance where codes and standards lacked. Although NFPA 13 does include a reference in the appendices to an EHII design for car lifts many people have misapplied this and it typically ends with overdesigning a fire sprinkler system and taxing the available water supply. There are many issues like a requirement for a fire pump and/or water tank and large pipe sizes.

The CBC and CFC were amended July 2021 to specifically address car lifts and now require a "specially engineered automatic fire sprinkler system" amongst other requirements. The 2021 IBC will include the requirements for "Mechanical-Access Enclosed Parking Garage" which are in the 2019 California Codes and require a "specially engineered automatic fire sprinkler system".

Jon Corbett PE
(925) 566-4160
[email protected]

Tom Hughes

8/27/2021 10:05:32 am

We found the same issue when reviewing NFPA 13 for specific design criteria. In our case we utilized the information from San Francisco along with other commentary. Our approved solution was as follows:

This project is designed as an Extra Hazard Group II and includes the installation of 15 ELO upright heads (VK530) and 8 ELO pendant heads (VK536). System includes the installation of a new 3” branch line to a control valve in the room. The room is then protected by upright heads at the ceiling and pendant heads secured to the vehicle rack columns.

This design was reviewed by XXXX (property insurer) and XXX (architectural firm) as NFPA 13 (through the 2016 edition) only covers vehicles stacked two cars vertically. As such the design by XXXX was based on 0.40 gpm/sq.ft. density as well as the installation of additional sprinklers at each level of the rack.

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How to Layout Sprinklers Near Car Stackers?

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