Blogs

Fire Department Connections on Large Sprinkler Systems

By Terin Hopkins posted Jul 08, 2022
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To understand when a sprinkler system fire department connection (FDC) needs to be supplemented vs supplied, we must first discuss the widely used term, system demand . This term is not defined in any of the fire sprinkler standards, but National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 13 Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems does require a system to have a hydraulically calculated water demand flow rate, and this term is defined by NFPA 13. The waterflow rate for a system must be calculated using acceptable engineering practices and is commonly referenced as the system demand. 3.3.109 Hydraulically Calculated Water Demand Flow Rate ...
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Sprinkler System Demand Flows Greater than 500gpm?

By Terin Hopkins posted Jun 17, 2022
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To understand when a sprinkler system fire department connection (FDC) needs to be supplemented vs supplied, we must first discuss the widely used term, system demand . This term is not defined in any of the fire sprinkler standards, but National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 13 Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems does require a system to have a hydraulically calculated water demand flow rate, and this term is defined by NFPA 13. The waterflow rate for a system must be calculated using acceptable engineering practices and is commonly referenced as the system demand. 3.3.109 Hydraulically Calculated Water Demand Flow ...
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The Travels of the Trailers

By Vincent Powers posted Jun 14, 2022
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The first half of 2022 has been the busiest six months for the National Fire Sprinkler Association’s Live Fire Sprinkler Demonstration Training Trailer(s). Before we get to the travels of the trailer, let us discuss why the trailers where created and what they can provide. Valve trailers are not a new concept for NFSA as we have many other trailers with different systems installed in them that are located all around the country. The Live Fire Sprinkler Demonstration Training Trailers, as there are two were one of the first projects I worked on after joining NFSA. The concept of the valve trailer is live fire service training, but the trailer has expanded capabilities. ...
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2022 NFPA Technical Meeting and NFPA 25

By Vincent Powers posted Jun 14, 2022
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This is the first in person meeting for the Annual NFPA Conference and Expo since 2019 and it did not disappoint. The attendance was great with over one hundred ten live education sessions over three days and more than two hundred exhibitors. This conference and expo also are a fantastic opportunity to network with some of the industry leaders from all over the world as well as see some of the latest products. This is also where the technical meeting is held for the current codes and standards in cycle. The technical meeting is where the CAMs are debated and a final vote is made on the amending motions. Only NFPA members in attendance can vote on the amending ...
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NFSA’S GUIDE TO NFPA’S 2022 ANNUAL TECHNICAL MEETING

By Jeffrey Hugo posted May 24, 2022
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NFSA Participation in the NFPA Codes and Standards Process The fire sprinkler industry relies heavily on NFPA codes and standards to ensure fire protection systems are installed correctly, and that the performance of these systems will save lives and property. The National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA) and the activities of the Engineering and Standards Committee (E&S) and Code Development Team (CDT) performs a very active role in the codes and standards revision process with over 80 member and staff representatives on dozens of NFPA technical committees An important step in the codes and standards revision process is the Technical Meeting (also ...
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The Magic Number is Three

By Terin Hopkins posted Apr 25, 2022
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The Magic Number is Three Signage Requirements for Fire Department Connections (FDC’s) Frist, we must address who the signage is for, and it’s intended use. The reason for placing signage on a fire department connection (FDC) is to provide the end user or fire department some basic information about the fire protection system installed within a building or structure. This allows them to properly understand what type of system is in the building, pressure requirements needed to properly supplement, or supply that system demand, and which areas are being served during an emergency. Many jurisdictions see this as an opportunity ...
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Tiny Fires in Tiny Homes

By Terin Hopkins posted Mar 15, 2022
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One might assume that the size of a home is a direct indication of survivability from fire. The concept is simple, we can safely egress from smaller spaces, but the reality is many of the fire protection features found in larger or more crowded spaces are not applicable to these smaller spaces. This means no fire sprinklers systems, passive fire protection or even early warning systems. That is strange because fires start in the same places regardless of the size of the home and quickly spread toxic gases through the home, no matter the size. In fact, toxic smoke can fill small spaces even faster, with the same rules of physics applying to fire spread and the ...
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What is your sign

By Vincent Powers posted Mar 04, 2022
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NFPA 25, Standard for the Inspection Testing and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems , provides the minimum requirements for properly maintaining water-based fire sprinkler systems. Within this standard are several requirements for maintaining proper signage. Many in the industry are unaware of the requirements for proper signage. Of course, the requirements do change from edition to edition. In this blog we will cover the requirements for these signs. Let us start with what is not required. Many technicians cite the building owner for not having signs such as main drain, inspector’s test connection, and alarm line signage. These signs are required ...
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Unsinkable Buildings

By Terin Hopkins posted Feb 25, 2022
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On April 10 th , 1912, the White Star Liner, RMS Titanic, set sail from Southampton, England, on her first transatlantic crossing. At 883 feet and 52 tons, she was the largest, fastest moveable manmade object ever constructed to date. The White Star Line had produced an advertising brochure claiming the Titanic and her twin sister Olympic as being designed to be unsinkable. She was loaded with 3400 total onboard and included 2240 of the wealthiest passengers of the day. This passenger manifest included Margaret Molly Brown, an American born socialite and philanthropist. Molly was one of the 706 people to survive this tragedy and would come to be known as ...
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Fire Sprinklers with Hose Connections

By Terin Hopkins posted Jan 31, 2022
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NFPA 13 Hose Connections This use of hose connections on sprinkler systems has caused confusion in the fire service by not recognizing that not all hose connections in a building are created equal. Some are hose connections simply installed on sprinkler systems with an added inside hose stream allowance. This allowance only provides a minimal additional water supply not intended to provide the required flow for fire operations. It is intended for ancillary occupant use or for mop-up after a fire Inside hose stream allowance is the amount of additional water that is added to the sprinkler hydraulic calculation design ,  when ...
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Understanding Hose Stream Allowance

By Terin Hopkins posted Jan 31, 2022
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Hose Stream Allowance Hose stream allowance or demand is the amount of additional water that is added to the sprinkler hydraulic calculation design , when hose connections are added to sprinkler systems. This allowance is not required for most hose connections installed as part of a combined sprinkler-standpipe system using NFPA 14 Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems , designed as a Class I, II or III standpipe system. While sprinklers and standpipes can be supplied by a common riser in combined systems, the hydraulic system demands are done separately to the individual standard. NFPA 14 Section 7.10.1.3.1.1 ...
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To Replace or Not to Replace - System Gauges

By Vincent Powers posted Jan 11, 2022
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NFPA 25, The Standard for Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Sprinkler Systems is the minimum standard for building owners to properly maintain their buildings’ fire sprinkler systems. The requirement for inspection and testing of gauges can be found in Chapter 13 of the 2020 edition. Section 13.2.5 provides the inspection requirements, stating that water pressure gauges are inspected quarterly, and if constantly monitored, air or nitrogen gauges are also inspected quarterly. If not monitored, then these gauges must be inspected monthly. There are some other inspection requirements that can be found in this section for specific situations. ...
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Calculating Standpipe Branch Lines

By Terin Hopkins posted Nov 29, 2021
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Standpipe Branch Lines A standpipe branch line is simply a horizontal pipe connecting a standpipe to a single hose connection. Branch lines are typically added to meet travel distance requirements or where it is impracticable to install an additional vertical standpipe in a building. This pipe must be sized for the required flow and be at least 2 ½ inches in diameter. If the pipe extends more than 40 feet, measured along the pipe from the standpipe to the hose connection, a control valve must be provided. This control valve allows for isolation of the branch line for testing and maintenance without causing interruption to the rest of the system. Calculating ...
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Standpipe System Working Pressure

By Terin Hopkins posted Oct 25, 2021
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Standpipe system working pressure definition has changed over the last few editions of NFPA 14 Standard for the Installation of Standpipes and Hose Connections . The original intent was to clarify maximum system working pressure, exclusive of surge pressure but inclusive of system design pressure required at the fire department connection (FDC). Simply speaking, the working pressure is the anticipated design pressure needed to meet system demand and must be included in the complete design aspect, including the FDC. While the intent of why the defined term was originally added has remained, the definition was incomplete, and the clarifying of ...
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ICC Cycle A OGCV Voting Guide - Fire Protection

By Jeffrey Hugo posted Oct 05, 2021
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ICC Group A - OGCV October 2021 Fire Protection Voting Guide This short guide highlights the top positions for fire sprinkler systems in the proposed 2024 editions of the IBC and IFC. ICC validated code officials are encouraged to support these positions for life safety and property protection in their communities. The Cycle A Online Governmental Consensus Vote (OGCV) agenda and voting period is scheduled to open October 15 and close November 1, 2021. For more information on the voting period and how to register your vote, go to the www.cdpaccess.com website. F1-21 – Support As Modified by Public Comment 1 Automatic sprinkler system ...
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Sprinkler Systems-Winter is Coming!

By Vincent Powers posted Oct 04, 2021
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Sprinkler Systems-Winter is Coming! Lack of proper maintenance is one of the leading reasons for fire sprinkler system failures. Fire sprinkler systems shall be properly inspected, tested, and maintained (ITM) in accordance with NFPA 25, The Standard for Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems. Systems exposed to cold weather are especially vulnerable. During cold months, these systems are more susceptible to catastrophic failure. Frozen sprinkler pipes are among the more common service calls throughout winter months. Maintaining a minimum of 40 degrees (F) is imperative in ensuring the sprinkler pipes do not freeze. ...
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NFSA Hosts Successful Area 2 Seminar; Inducts Five Members into Mid-Atlantic Region Hall of Fame

By Michael Wilson posted Sep 21, 2021
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Pictured above, from left to right: Robert Gagnon, Dave Oliver, Kent Mezaros, Shane Ray, Walt Steinel Sr., Pat Conklin The National Fire Sprinkler Association’s 2021 Area 2 Mid-Atlantic Seminar was a success! Over 100 members attended the conference at the scenic Crystal Springs Resort in Hamburg, New Jersey. The agenda included presentation from a variety of guest speakers, including @Sher Grogg , Common Voices; Russ Fleming, Northeast Fire Suppression Associates; Dale Florio, Princeton Public Affairs Group; NFSA President @Shane Ray ; Gregory B. Cade of NFPA; Gary Lewis, City of Summit; and Dr. Charles Jennings, John Jay College of Criminal Justice. ...
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Supplemental vs. Supply

By Terin Hopkins posted Aug 30, 2021
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Fire Department Connections We talk a lot about the requirements for the installation of Fire Department Connections (FDC), but often leave out their intended use and the priority of pressurizing or supplying systems from those FDCs. There are very different considerations as to why we install an FDC on a building. Simply speaking, we have them for two different reasons; supplement and supply. Supplemental NFPA 13 Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems requires the installation of an FDC to allow the fire department to provide supplemental pressure. The connection is not intended to deliver a ...
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Protecting Accessory Uses in the 2021 IBC

By Andrew Bevis posted Aug 24, 2021
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What are accessory uses and how are they regulated? Accessory uses are considered minor uses in the overall occupancy of the building. These uses are often necessary or complimentary to the function of the building’s major use. The accessory occupancy is assigned to the occupancy based on its own unique characteristics. There are two considerations when accessory uses are present. They are allowable building height and allowable building area. While there are a few requirements that accessory uses must follow, they are still subject to permittable building heights and areas of Section 504 of the 2021 IBC. Additionally, the allowable area of the ...
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The Automatic Truth about Manual Wet Standpipes

By Vincent Powers posted Aug 05, 2021
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Many in the fire protection industry, as well as the fire service, do not fully understand what a manual wet standpipe is and how it works. This blog will focus on the basic installation and testing requirements and shed some light on this rarely understood topic. First, let’s learn what a manual wet standpipe is. NFPA 25 , The Standard for Inspection, Testing and Maintenance for Water-Based Fire Protection Systems , does not specifically define a manual wet standpipe. However, the standard breaks it into two definitions. First, a wet standpipe is defined in Section 3.3.43.5 and it states that it is a system that always contains water. A manual standpipe ...
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