How to Sprinkler Plastic Bag Art Installation?

9/16/2022

I have a unique situation. I have no idea how to approach this design since this is a big fire hazard to me.

Maybe it's not as bad as I think.

We have a project where there are art installations that are made from plastic bags. Picture something like elephant legs (bigger at the ceiling, smaller at the bottom) throughout a space. They are made from plastic bags. They are attached to the ceiling on a steel grid apparatus and the steel is attached to the deck (I believe the deck is to be non-combustible).

They have a similar installation in Vegas and from pictures it looks like they installed high temperature pendants 12" or more from the ceiling. I would think this is not going to help put a fire out but maybe I am wrong.

Any advice would be great. Thanks in advance.

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10 Comments

Jesse

9/16/2022 08:08:14 am

Its hard to tell from the rendering; does the material effectively cove he ceiling? Are the pendents above that between that and the deck?

Glenn Berger

9/16/2022 08:17:51 am

The "good part" of your situation is that you really do not have storage installation. The "bad part" is that art museums and galleries tend to have questionable commodities being displayed constantly. I would recommend ceiling sprinklers design for OH2 and if possible provide some type of early warning detection that can see below the artwork to alert personnel and the fire department.

Dan Wilder

9/16/2022 08:44:31 am

This is a perfect example where a qualified FPE would be needed for establishing the design criteria and overall life safety.

This looks to fall outside of the basics of NFPA 13 however the building may be setup for this type of broad approach (would need the building's design to start to answer that). This is likely more than just a sprinkler approach, you have detection, notification, and egress issues to contend with (maybe not you specifically, but there are broader issues here best served by a qualified FPE).

CJ Bonczyk

9/16/2022 10:01:42 am

Agree with Dan here that a licensed FPE should provide the criterion here AND coordinate with the local AHJ.

This situation needs to have multiple factors brought in to determine the best hazard classification definition. The building group classification, which IBC & IFC Editions are being used fire resistance ratings, egress means, construction type, which NFPA 13 Edition, local adopted building codes, etc. Much of this information is provided on the Building Code Summary and Life Safety construction documents.

I will say just a quick glance (this is obviously not a formal recommendation), it appears you are not dealing with any type of high piled storage so that is to your benefit. Additionally the plastic bags would be in my humble opinion a moderate to high combustible with a moderate heat release rate. I would lean toward a Ordinary Hazard Group 2 classification. I would also consider the use of standard response sprinklers in this area for two reasons. One I wouldn't want QR style sprinklers to activate too quickly and over running the system, but rather have SR sprinklers activating controlling this type of higher combustible load / higher heat release rate fire scenario. Two, SR sprinkler only need to be tested every 50 years, saving costly maintenance. *Note: Reference your adopted IBC Edition on this project because this can also prevent the use of SR sprinklers (if deemed as a light hazard occupancy or other occupancies in some instances).
Lastly I don't think I would use 286° heads and would still implement 155°/165° SR (if you can utilize SR type) unless there is something I am missing?

Again, obviously this is not a formal interpretation, but rather maybe helps provide you with a little bit extra info and items to consider as you proceed.

Franck

9/16/2022 11:48:28 am

This is a tricky situation.
Plastic bags will burn very quickly, that's for sure.
And may not activate the sprinklers, or activate them once they have burnt and there is nothing left to burn.

2 possible consequences: if sprinklers operates very quickly, the fire will spread even more quickly and your sprinklers will run after the fire. At the end, you would have burn all the plastic bags and open all the sprinklers.
Both a fire and flood hazard.

If they don't open too quickly, they might not open. Except where you may have more accumumation of bags as for the legs of the elephant you mentioned. Which would be not bad.
I'm afraid there is no real technical answer to that question.
For industrial facilities, we definetely refuse to use lastic films below or above sprinklers for that same reason (spread too quick).

For that reason I agree with CJ for not using QR. Little benefit to control the fire, on the contrary.

But would that result in a big fire issue ? It all depends on the plastic quantity.
The fire will spread quickly, but the fire load will probably be quite limited (unless there are packs of bags).

The bigger issue is a health issue. As you won't properly control the fire, you will have huge amount of toxic smoke released and a high contamination of the entire area.
Plus potential difficult emergency evacuation due to the smoke.

Now I know why I don't like modern art...
I hope they make control at the entrance to avoid matches and ligthers...

Jessica

9/20/2022 08:31:10 am

I think my biggest concern was using a quick response sprinkler head and not something more like an ELO so more water would be on the fire should it happen.
This is definitely a health issue during a fire. I would not want to be in that area should it happen.

Thank you for your input.

Greg

9/16/2022 12:45:03 pm

I've worked with art museums and artists in the past and it is common for some of the works to present unique fire challenges. I would recommend starting with your objectives and working directly with the artist first. In this case we have a fuel type that will not match the traditional requirements for Class A rating on wall and ceiling. So, this must be addressed. Working with the artist, present fire retardant options that can be included on the materials. I found one such product that might have merit but will likely need some testing by the AHJ and artist (see link below). Will this result a test that's 'listed' ? No, but working together to achieve a flame spread objective is very important. Communicate with the artist that success with fire retardants will make it easier when this venue moves to another museum. When you have completed a test with a fire retardant product, what is your evaluation of the fire retardant performance and flame spread. Will it extinguish within 2 seconds when a flame is removed. How rapidly does the material burn when a flame is left against the material. What would you classify it's flame spread with the applied FR materials.

Obtain an understanding with the artist as to how the FR material will be applied, drying time and quality assurance. Engage in collecting samples to ensure that the performance in the test will match what is being installed as the art venue.

Following success with a fire retardant choice and quality assurance plan, the next consideration is occupancy levels. After your fire 'test' with the retardant product, compare how the product will burn and its smoke development with the venue and patrons. This all must be translated into occupant safety and ....ergo occupancy number. Talk with the artist and the previous venue about the flow of patrons. Discuss with the new venue what they are anticipating for patrons, the number "inside" at one time, and how that can be controlled to ensure an occupancy number.

Ignition control is very important. Understand the electrical layout proposed for this venue, lighting, ventilation and any unique electrical components the artist is proposing for this venue. Use a firefighter's thermal imager and map the venue. Talk with the venue about the proposed lighting and if the lighting type is present in another venue, image it and understand proximity of the lighting and incorporation into the bag-art. Are there any battery charging stations being proposed for use with motion devices? Ensure battery charging is performed outside of the venue. Suggest all motion machines be hard wired by an electrician.

Venue staffing and fire watch. Is your location and fire marshal supportive of a fire watch ? Can you ensure ushers will be present at all times and have received instruction on exiting procedures and directing persons to exits. Will the museum provide additional fire extinguishers in key locations and will ushers receive instruction as to their use ? How will fires be reported (radio to security ? , phone ? ) and does the venue have a security center with the ability to sound a fire alarm, provide voice instruction, if necessary?

Regarding the traditional fire protection systems. Additional or adjustment of sprinkler position will likely be necessary. Other chat comments pointed to the engagement of an FPE. Will pull stations remain available? How will visual and audible alarms be impacted? Will exit signs remain and will there be a clear pathway for exiting. Can the "house lights" be brought up if an emergency occurs. Does the facility have smoke detection ? Can smoke detection be added ? Consider wireless detection and annunciation, work with the fire marshal to create a "local alarm zone" for the art area, or surrounding area to ensure early and prompt evacuation. Create an exiting and emergency plan that describes how emergencies will be handled for this venue.

In summary, reduce the burn characteristics of the artwork, manage occupancy limits and safe egress to that of the resulting FR art. Ensure ignition controls are well understood and mitigated. Work with the fire marshal to improve human interaction with training, communication and emergency procedures. Make sure engineered fire systems remain intact to perform their function of suppression, detection, alarm and provide for egress. Add protections such as detection, wireless technology, radio communication and ensure suppression systems match the combustible art pattern and account for mesh or other fixed frameworks.

Example FR clear treatment for plastic. Try many and find the best product in coordination with the artist and find agreement with all interested parties; fire marshal, venue owner, insurer, sponsor, and the artist.

https://rdrtechnologies.com/fpcc-clear-retardant-for-styrofoam-plastic-polystyrene-1-gallon/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMImcq1tduZ-gIVF8LCBB2OCwFxEAYYASABEgLNoPD_BwE

Jessica

9/20/2022 08:28:49 am

Thank you Greg for this insight. I will mention this to our contractors and designers. Much appreciated.

schulman

9/19/2022 07:28:10 am

i'm not going in there.

Jessica

9/20/2022 08:28:07 am

HAHAHA! That is exactly what I said when I saw it. I do not want to be in there should there be a fire. They also have another room with paper ceilings.

How to Sprinkler Plastic Bag Art Installation?

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