Predicting the Suppression Capability of Quick Response Sprinklers in a Light Hazard Scenario: PART 1: Fire Growth and Required Delivered Density (RDD) Measurements

Bill, Robert G.; Kung, Hsiang-Cheng; Brown, Willis E.; Hill, Edward E.; Spaulding, Robert D.

doi:10.1177/104239159100300302

Cited by 12 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Three types of fire behavior were observed in the fire tests: (1) a reduction in fire size after sprinkler actuation followed by fire regrowth; (2) In Tests 1 and 5, observations indicated that the fire size was reduced when water was applied, but fire regrowth occurred. Figure l0a shows the ceiling gas temperature for Test 1.…”

Section: Test Setupmentioning

confidence: 93%

Predicting the Suppression Capability of Quick Response Sprinklers in a Light Hazard Scenario: PART 2: Actual Delivered Density (ADD) Measurements and Full-Scale Fire Tests

Bill¹,

Kung²,

Vincent³

et al. 1991

Journal of Fire Protection Engineering

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An apparatus to determine the Actual Delivered Density (ADD) of quick response and residential sprinklers under light hazard conditions was constructed and calibrated. The plume of a burning chair at different stages of fire development was simulated by the apparatus using five convective heat release rates: 110, 160, 250, 300 and 390 kW (6300, 9100, 14,200, 17,100, and 22,200 Btu/min). The ADD as a function of the convective heat release rate was determined for a residential sprinkler at ceiling heights ranging from 2.4 m to 4.6 m (8 ft to 15 ft). ADDs were obtained for single and multiple sprinklers installed using a 3.6 m x 3.6 m (12 ft x 12 ft ) spacing. The ADD of a 12.7 mm (1/2 in.) orifice, quick response sprinkler was determined for a single sprinkler directly over the ADD apparatus at a ceiling height of 3 m (10 ft). Previously reported Required Delivered Density (RDD) measurements for the reclining chair allowed suppression predictions to be made. Seven full-scale fire tests were conducted to evaluate the ADD/RDD approach to suppression prediction. Predictions were verified in five tests; suppression, however, occurred in two tests with ADD < RDD. The results of the seven tests indicate that the ADD/RDD approach used provided a conservative means for predicting suppression. I NTRODUCTIONThe Actual Delivered Density (ADD) concept was developed at Factory Mutual Research Corporation (FMRC) as a means of predicting sprinkler performance in its Early Suppression Fast Response (ESFR) Program, The ADD of a sprinkler is &dquo;the density of water actually penetrating the fire plume and delivered onto the top of the burning array.&dquo;l In order to predict the performance of a sprinkler from ADD tests, it is necessary to compare the ADD results with the Required Delivered Density (RDD) for a particular commodity at the convective heat release rate for which first sprinkler actuation occurs. The RDD is the water application density delivered to the top surface of the burning commodity which will cause suppression. A discussion of the ADD/RDD approach to predicting suppression and its development in the ESFR Program is given in Part 1 of this study.2 In the ESFR program, a series of full-scale fire tests indicated that when the ADD provided by all the operating sprinklers was larger than the RDD value, early suppression was achieved.1 It is interesting to note that in some tests in which the commodity was between two or four sprinklers, suppression occurred even though ADD was less than RDD. Presumably the existence of other suppression mechanisms (e.g., droplet impingement on the side) not simulated by the RDD tests was responsible for this outcome.

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Section: Test Setupmentioning

confidence: 93%

Predicting the Suppression Capability of Quick Response Sprinklers in a Light Hazard Scenario: PART 2: Actual Delivered Density (ADD) Measurements and Full-Scale Fire Tests

Bill¹,

Kung²,

Vincent³

et al. 1991

Journal of Fire Protection Engineering

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“…27 Details covering the burning characteristics of the upholstered chair are given in Refs. [23] and [28]. A listing of contents of the FMRC residential fuel package&dquo; is given in Table 2.…”

Section: Fire Test Packagesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Water Mist (Fine Spray) Fire Protection in Light Hazard Occupancies

Bill¹,

Ferron²,

Braga³

1999

Journal of Fire Protection Engineering

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The capability of impingement type water mist (fine spray) nozzles, with operating pressures lower than 12 bar, was investigated in full-scale fire tests using light hazard scenarios. In these tests, four prototype nozzles were evaluated; however, only one of the nozzles (Nozzle A) provided satisfactory protection. The results of the tests, with Nozzle A, are reported as an indication of the capabilities of impingement type water mist nozzles in light hazard occupancies. Nozzle A was typically operated at a flow rate of 15 Lpm and a pressure of 10 bar. The fire tests were conducted in a room 5.5 m x 5.5 m with openings to two adjacent rooms (and in one test, an opening to a corridor). The fuel packages used in the fire tests were: the residential fuel package of Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a living room fuel package, a bedroom fuel package, and a shielded heptane pool fire. The UL and the living room fuel packages were used in a room corner and along a wall between two nozzles. Gas temperature measurements indicated that Nozzle A provided acceptable protection in the fire tests of this study with a total water flow rate of 45 Lpm. Based on the results of this study and a review of previous work with water mist systems, recommendations for approval testing and installation standards have been made for light hazard scenarios.

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“…Past research in residential automatic fire sprinkler technology has identified sprinkler characteristics necessary to provide reliable life safety in residential occupancies [1][2][3]. This research further resulted in a standardization of the requirements for reliably certifying and installing residential hardware to meet desired performance requirements [4][5][6][7][8][9][10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…FM Global's Data Sheet 2-5, Installation Guidelines for Automatic Sprinklers in Residential Occupancies, requires a minimum of 4.1 mm/min (0.1 gpm/ft 2 ) [10]. In regard to the density requirement, it is noteworthy that Bill et al [3] report that the required density for suppression of the vinyl-covered polyurethane reclining chair used in the original FM Approvals residential fire test was bracketed between 3.7 mm/min and 6.6 mm/min (0.09 gpm/ft 2 and 0.16 gpm/ft 2 ). The research reported in Ref.…”

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confidence: 99%

Environmental Impact of Automatic Fire Sprinklers: Part 1. Residential Sprinklers Revisited in the Age of Sustainability

et al. 2010

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A recent study on the environmental impact of automatic fire sprinklers is documented in a two part series. The current paper provides a background on residential sprinkler technology from its inception until the present, and analyzes the contribution of risk factors, such as fire, on the total lifecycle carbon emissions of one-and two-family dwellings and the reduction to that contribution achieved via the use of automatic fire sprinklers. The analysis shows that the risk of fire increases the carbon emissions of a building over its' lifecycle. The results illustrate that sound risk management is necessary to achieving sustainability and avoiding unintended consequences. These findings are especially important as society seeks to design and build more energy-and resource-efficient, environmentally sustainable buildings.

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Predicting the Suppression Capability of Quick Response Sprinklers in a Light Hazard Scenario: PART 1: Fire Growth and Required Delivered Density (RDD) Measurements

Cited by 12 publications

References 5 publications

Predicting the Suppression Capability of Quick Response Sprinklers in a Light Hazard Scenario: PART 2: Actual Delivered Density (ADD) Measurements and Full-Scale Fire Tests

Predicting the Suppression Capability of Quick Response Sprinklers in a Light Hazard Scenario: PART 2: Actual Delivered Density (ADD) Measurements and Full-Scale Fire Tests

Water Mist (Fine Spray) Fire Protection in Light Hazard Occupancies

Environmental Impact of Automatic Fire Sprinklers: Part 1. Residential Sprinklers Revisited in the Age of Sustainability

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