Sprinkler Protection Criteria for Fireworks Store?

4/16/2021

We have a client that is looking at building a fireworks retail store on the edge of town. The county is requiring the store to be sprinklered, but no one can give any direction on how to protect it and NFPA does not call out coverage for this type of business.

It is an H-3 occupancy, covering roughly 10,000 sqft.

Is there a standard that offers guidance on how to go about protecting a facility like this?

Thanks in advance.

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9 Comments

Glenn Berger

4/16/2021 08:07:24 am

You will not be able to protect the facility if the fireworks are ignited.

I would recommend entering a discussion with the AHJ and other interested parties in determining the proper design criteria. Possibly and OH criteria would work acknowledging the hazard posed by the current contents.

Craig Hanson

4/16/2021 08:12:52 am

Type 1.4G fireworks are covered under NFPA 1124, CPSC 16 CFR parts 1500 and 1507. Also you can look at the IFC chapter 56 for other information that will mostly mirror the above regulations

Mark A Sornsin

1/3/2024 08:42:19 am

As of today, NFPA dos not have a prescriptive solution for the protection of retail fireworks. NFPA 1124 has not provided a prescriptive solution since the 2006 edition, after which it was intentionally removed.

Jesse

4/16/2021 08:33:59 am

That's outside the scope of NFPA 13. Look to NFPA 1124 for storage requirements.

matt

4/16/2021 08:34:25 am

check out NFPA.org

the fire protection research foundation published a report called "Sprinkler protection criteria for consumer fireworks storage in retail facilities."

Sounds like exactly what you need! by the way... the requirements are really not that bad. I think it is a class 4 commodity... if I recall correctly (I may not recall correctly though, be sure to check the report!)

CJ Bonczyk

4/16/2021 08:51:56 am

Be advised currently NFPA 13 does not have a definitive protection criteria. Both NFSA and AFSA recommend a Fire Protection Engineer should be consulted and hired to determine the protection criterion on a case by case basis. NFPA 1124 Code for the Manufacture, Transportation, Storage, and Retail Sales of Fireworks and Pyrotechnic will provide some guidance. Also IFC Chapter 56 covers Pyrotechnics. If any of the fireworks are a Division 1.3G, they are categorized with explosives in the IFC and it requires storage to be in magazines.

Per an informal interpretation from AFSA:
As stated in IFC section 202 Definitions: 1.3G fireworks include, but are not limited to, firecrackers containing more than 130 milligrams (2 grains) of explosive composition, aerial shells containing more than 40 grams of pyrotechnic composition and other display pieces which exceed the limits for classification as 1.4G fireworks. You should be dealing with Division1.4G since the IFC actually prohibits fireworks (see 5601.1.3) then has an exception (#4) allowing Division 1.4G fireworks when allowed by local ordinances and the building complies with NFPA 1124 as well as the CPSC and DOT standards. The IFC also assigns an occupancy classification for Division 1.4G consumer fireworks has an Extra Hazard, Group H-3.

Hope that helps a bit.

chad

4/16/2021 11:10:19 am

NH requires retail fireworks shops to be sprinklered. It will stop small fires in them as long as it doesnt involve a mass amount of the products:

https://m.facebook.com/NHFMO/photos/a.514738741917453/2034465176611461/?type=3&source=48

You can contact the state fire marshal's office to find out the design criteria. I don't have access to it.

chad

4/16/2021 11:17:38 am

By the way that facebook post eludes to an "high hazard" system. I assume this refers to EH2 design curve or something like that.

Tony

5/4/2021 01:31:21 pm

I am assuming you are under the IFC, if you are under NFPA 1/101 check NFPA 400.

IFC 5004.5 only applies when you are over the MAQ for hazardous materials per IFC 5004.1.Since you are an H-3, you are over the MAQ and absolute minimum criteria needs to be 0.2 over 3,000 square feet.

A quick look at IFC Chap 56 NFPA 1124, and NFPA 495 do not give a specific criteria.

Go with 0.2 over 3,000 as that is the code minimum. I agree with everyone else who is saying that a sprinkler system won't really protect fireworks. But in you need to sprinkler it 0.2 over 3,000 is the answer.

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Sprinkler Protection Criteria for Fireworks Store?

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