FM Global recently updated their Property Loss Prevention Data Sheet 8-9, Storage of Class 1, 2, 3, 4 and Plastic Commodities (July 2019 edition), to include ceiling-only sprinkler designs for ceiling heights up to 50 and 55 ft.
Sprinkler designs for up to 50 ft. high ceilings are now available using K22.4, K25.2 and K28.0 quick response, 160°f nominally rated, standard-coverage storage pendent storage sprinklers (12 heads at 63, 50 and 50 psi, respectively).
Sprinkler designs for up to 55 ft. high ceilings are now available and limited to using K28.0 quick response, 160°f nominally rated, standard-coverage storage pendent storage sprinklers (9 heads at 80 psi design).
FM Global categorizes “storage sprinklers” as automatic sprinklers that have been tested and Approved for protecting storage-type occupancies. The aforementioned quick response storage sprinklers are also known as suppression mode or Early Suppression Fast Response (ESFR) sprinklers.
NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems (2019 edition), currently limits ceiling-only sprinkler designs for ceiling heights up to 45 ft. high; however, there are specific UL Listings/Approvals for use of the K25.2 Tyco Model ESFR-25 (SIN TY9226) pendent ESFR sprinklers (12 heads at 45 psi design) and K28.0 Viking VK514 pendent ESFR sprinklers for ceiling heights up to 48 ft. high (12 heads at 35 psi). These UL Listed/Approved ceiling-only designs are considered acceptable to NFPA 13.
It is important to note that each approval/listing also requires a hose stream allowance and has certain conditions relating to commodity type (worst case is cartoned unexpanded plastics), storage arrangement, storage height, aisle spaces, sprinkler spacing, etc. This is in addition to the normal installation guidelines/conditions (i.e., ceiling slope, obstruction criteria, clearance to storage, etc.) regarding ESFR sprinklers.
Risk Logic can help you design ceiling-only sprinkler protection for your warehouse facility. Please contact us for additional information.
Reference Documents:
- FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheet 8-9, Storage of Class 1, 2, 3, 4 and Plastic Commodities (July 2019 edition)
- NFPA Standard 13 (2019), Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems