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PUBLICATIONS

IMBSIR 78-1571

Sprinkler-Vent and Spray Nozzle

Systems for Fire Protection of

Openings in Fire Resistive Walls and

Ceilings - The State-of-the-Art and

a Plan for Future Research Work

John G. O'Neill

Center for Fire Research

National Engineering Laboratory

National Bureau of Standards

Washington, D.C. 20234

December 1978

Final Report

Issued January 1979

Sponsored in part by: ^ ccupational Safety and Health Administration

apartment of Labor

100 /ashington, D.C. 20210

.056

78-1571

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BaWess! Bfrea*

»AAY

SPRINKLER-VENT AND SPRAY NOZZLE

SYSTEMS FOR FIRE PROTECTION OF

OPENINGS IN FIRE RESISTIVE WALLS AND

CEILINGS - THE STATE-OF-THE-ART AND

A PLAN FOR FUTURE RESEARCH WORK

John G. O'Neill

Center for Fire Research

National Engineering Laboratory

National Bureau of Standards

Washington, D C. 20234

December 1978

Final Report

Issued January 1979

Sponsored in part by:

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Department of Labor

Washington, D.C. 20210

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, Juanita M. Kreps, Secretary

Jordan J. Baruch, Assistant Secretary for Science and Technology

US national bureau of standards, Ernest Ambler, Director
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LIST OF FIGURES

Page

Figure 1. Sprinkler-curtain board method [2] 15

Figure 2. Sprinkler-vent method [11] 16

Figure 3. Spray no2;zle method for protection of escalators 17

Figure 4. Spray nozzle method for protection of fire wall conveyor

openings [9] 17

Figure 5. Spray nozzle method for protection of floor/ceiling

conveyor openings [9] 18

Figure 6. Temperature differential - spray nozzle system in wall

openings [14] 19

Figure 7. Effect of water pressure on the amount of radiant heat

absorbed by water sprays [15] 20

Figure 8 . Effect of water pressure on the amount of radiant heat

absorbed by water spray [16] 21

Figure 9. NBS open stair fire test facility 22

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1. Comparison of codes and standards - sprinkler, spray

methods for protection of openings 23

IV
SI CONVERSION UNITS

In view of the present accepted practice in this country for building

technology, common U.S. units of measurement have been used throughout this

document. In recognition of the position of the United States as a signatory

to the General Conference on Weights and Measures, which gave official

status to the metric SI system of units in 1960, assistance is given to the

reader interested in making use of the coherent system of SI units by giving

conversion factors applicable to U.S. units in this document.

Length

1 in = 0.0254* meter (m)

Temperature

Torque

1 in-lb = 0.113 meter-newtons

Exactly

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SPRINKLER-VENT AND SPRAY NOZZLE SYSTEMS FOR FIRE PROTECTION OF

OPENINGS IN FIRE RESISTIVE WALLS AND CEILINGS - THE STATE-OF-THE-ART

AND A PLAN FOR FUTURE RESEARCH WORK

John G. O'Neill

Abstract

A review of literature was conducted to determine

the state-of-the-art of automatic sprinkler, sprinklervent and spray nozzle methods of protecting openings in

fire resistive assemblies. A review of nationally used

model building codes and standards indicated that they

have varying provisions for these types of systems.

Generally, the use of these systems is only applied to

escalator openings in fully sprinklered buildings.

Previous experimental work, however, demonstrated that

these systems can also be effective in preventing passage

of heat and smoke through other types of openings in

structural assemblies.

An outline of a planned research project and a description of the test facility are given. The project will develop design parameters for sprinkler-vent

and spray nozzle methods for protecting stairways and

other openings through floor ceiling assemblies. Results

from this project may suggest improvements to current

codes and standards involving these systems and possibly

permit their wider use in unsprinklered buildings.

Key Words: Automatic sprinkler; building code; smoke

movement; spray nozzle; stairway protection; ventilated

stair.

1 . INTRODUCTION

Protection of openings in buildings against passage of heated gases and

smoke has been a primary feature in design of buildings to >make them fire

safe. Building codes establish fire resistance requirements for structural

building elements to prevent structural collapse and to contain fires for a prescribed time period to permit automatic or manual extinguishment.

Partitions and ceilings which enclose exit ways are required by codes to be

rated in order to prevent passage of heat, flames, and smoke within a given

time to allow safe evacuation of the building occupants.

1
Openings through key barriers should be minimized; however, they are obviously necessary for passage of personnel, commodities, and utility

services. Adequate protection of openings through the wall and ceiling

assemblies is essential if the assemblies are expected to prevent passage of

heated gases and smoke. The most commonly used methods for protection of

openings are automatic or self-closing fire doors, fire windows, fire resistive

shafts and fire dampers in air ducts. Building codes permit use of water

spray systems and sprinkler systems combined with exhaust systems or curtain

boards'^ as alternatives for protection of some openings.

The purpose of this report is to review code requirements concerning

these alternative methods of protection and to review the available literature

concerning any experimental work which serves as design bases for these

systems. Further experimental work is planned by the Center for Fire Research

at the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) . A description of the NBS facility

for this work is also provided in this report.

2 . PURPOSE

Reliable fire protection for openings through fire resistive construction

assemblies is essential if the assemblies themselves are to serve their

purpose. Failure to prevent passage of heat and combustion gases through

openings can result in uncontrolled fire spread throughout the building,

thereby jeopardizing the safe means of egress for building occupants. In

effect, the value of all essential fire resistive barriers may be seriously

compromised if openings are not protected. This report assesses the provisions of the codes which permit sprinkler and curtain board, sprinklervent, and spray nozzle methods, and it reviews previous experimental work

which addresses these methods of protection.

3. EXISTING CODES AND STANDARDS

A literature survey of nationally used standards and building codes

reveals that alternative methods are specifically permitted for enclosing

escalators and stairways. These codes and standards are individually

examined and referenced later in this section. The methods basically

consist of the following;

A curtain board is a rigid noncombustible screen hung from a ceiling to

block convective heat flow across a ceiling.

2
a. Sprinkler-curtain board method . Sprinklers and curtain boards at

the ceiling are located around the perimeter of the opening (see

figure 1) . The purpose of this method is to direct the flow of

hot fire gases across the ceiling at the draft curtain so that the

sprinklers will activate along the perimeter of the opening and

limit the heat flow upward to the next floor.

b. Sprinkler-vent method . This method consists of open sprinklers or spray nozzles around the perimeter of the opening. Water flow to

sprinklers is controlled by a heat actuated valve. An exhaust

system is also installed with inlets around the perimeter of the

opening at the ceiling. At the top of the open shaft an inlet is

provided for makeup air. The concept is to establish a water

curtain around the opening to reduce the transmission of heat

while the exhaust system operates only on the fire floor to remove combustion gases before they spread to other floors (see figure 2).

c. Spray nozzle method . This method uses conical shaped spray nozzles

which are located in the opening and directed downward through

vertical openings. The purpose of this method is to cool the

heated gases entering the opening and also to develop air flows in

the stairwell to prevent the upward passage of convected heat.

The high velocity nozzles tend to entrain air to a greater intent

than standard sprinklers. With this capability the spray can induce air flow to counter or reverse the flow of hot gases from a fire on the lower level. Draft curtains are installed around the

opening to enhance the counter flow action of the nozzles (see

figure 3)

The survey of codes and standards indicates that for escalator openings

through floor-ceilings, these methods are permitted as alternates to a complete fire-rated enclosure. In general, the alternate methods are only

permitted if the escalator or stairway does not serve as a required exit and

if the building or at least the interconnected floors are protected completely

with automatic sprinkler systems. The codes and standards vary greatly,

2 however, in which method is permitted. The Life Safety Code (NFPA 101) [1]

2 Numbers in brackets refer to literature references at the end of this

paper

3
permits use of either sprinkler-vent method or spray nozzle method for

escalator openings. Specific design parameters are established for flow

rate of sprinklers, nozzle pressures, orientation of spray nozzles, and flow

rates for exhaust systems. By reference to NFPA 13, Standard for Installation

of Sprinkler Systems [2]

NFPA 101 also recognizes the sprinkler-curtain

board method detailed in NFPA 13 (see figure 1)

Model building codes recognize sprinkler-vent and spray nozzle methods

as alternate protection for some openings in fire resistive assemblies. The

BOCA Basic Building Code [3] permits use of the sprinkler-vent method,

basically as described in the Life Safety Code for both escalator and open

supplemental stairways not included as a required exit way. The occupancy

types in which this method can be used, however, are more limited. The

sprinkler-vent method cannot be used in what the code classifies as Group

A-4 and I occupancies. These include schools and institutional occupancies

(hospitals and nursing homes)

The Uniform Building Code [4] recognizes only the sprinkler-curtain

board method as an alternate to enclosure of escalators in what it calls

Group B occupancies, i.e., office, industrial, mercantile and storage

buildings. The design parameters vary from those in NFPA 13 in that the

depth of the required draft curtain is less (12 in from ceiling) and there

are no water flow density requirements. (See table 1 for summary of design

requirements .

The National Building Code [5] permits only the sprinkler-curtain board

method as an alternative to enclosure of escalators. No occupancy restrictions

are stated. The design requirements are equivalent to those in NFPA 13.

The Standard Building Code [6] refers to the American Safety Code for

Elevators, Dumbwaiters, Escalators and Moving Walks, ANSI A. 17.1 [7], for

alternative methods to the enclosing of escalators. This standard recognizes

the sprinkler-curtain board method, a variation of the sprinkler-vent method,

and the spray nozzle method as alternatives. The sprinkler-curtain board is

described basically the same as NFPA 13; however, no specific guidance is

given for water flow densities and spacing of sprinklers. The code has a unique requirement that in buildings of 1415 m^ (50 000 ft^) or less it is

recommended that the sprinkler-curtain board method be supplemented by an automatically controlled exhaust system to create a down draft through the

opening. No design specifications are given for this method. The code also

recognizes by direct reference the spray nozzle method as described in the

Life Safety Code (NFPA 101)

4
One large city code, the Chicago Building Code [8] was also examined

for the alternatives to escalator enclosures. This code permits escalators

which are not required as a means of exit to be unenclosed if "effective

means are provided which will prevent the spread of fire or gases from one floor to another in the event of fire". By this statement it is inferred

that any of the previously mentioned systems are acceptable. This code

differs from previously mentioned model codes and standards in that no specific requirements for sprinklers in other parts of the building are mentioned in relation to this provision. Table 1 summarizes the provisions

of the codes and standards concerning the alternate methods of protection

for stairways and escalators.

In addition to stairways and escalators, spray nozzle methods for

protecting openings through fire walls and fire resistive floors for conveyors

or other mechanical material movement are contained in the NFPA Fire Protection

Handbook [9] and the Factory Mutual Handbook of Industrial Loss Prevention

[10] . Specific design criteria are contained in these references including

nozzle types, location, orientation, flow densities, nozzle pressures and

arrangement of draft boards. Figures 4 and 5, taken from the references,

illustrate this type of protection for horizontal and vertical openings.

The Minimum Property Standards (MPS) of the U.S. Department of Housing

and Urban Development (HUD) for multifamily [11] and care type [12] housing

require automatic sprinklers in corridors. The requirements apply to

multifamily structures four stories or more in height and care type housing

of fire resistive or noncombustible construction regardless of height. The

purpose of the requirement is to prevent a fire originating in an apartment

from spreading along a corridor past an adjacent apartment entrance door.

The sprinkler system is intended to limit the rise in temperature in the

corridor, and to permit use of the corridor as an exit.

4. PREVIOUS RESEARCH WORK

A survey was also made of the available sources of information on research work which developed data bases for the alternate methods permitted

in the codes. The most extensive experimental work was conducted by the

Grinnell Automatic Sprinkler Corporation in cooperation with Westinghouse

and Otis Elevator Corporations in 1945 and 1946. Results of this fire test

program are contained in an unpublished report provided by the Grinnell

Corporation [13] . Over 40 full-scale fire tests were conducted to determine

empirically the essential design parameters needed to prevent heat and smoke

from passing from one floor to another through an escalator opening. The

5
fire energy sources for the test series consisted of pans of alcohol ranging

in area from 1.4 to 3.5 (15 to 38 ft^) . Smoke was produced by smoke

bombs and oil soaked cellulosic materials. The fires were allowed to burn

uncontrolled and there was no attempt to extinguish fires while the fire

protection systems for the escalator opening were being evaluated. Two

basic concepts were examined, namely, spray nozzle and sprinkler-vent methods.

Various design parameters were tested including nozzle types, pressures,

orientations, flow densities, exhaust system arrangements and flow rates.

Orientation refers to the location and direction of the nozzles relative to

escalator and surrounding construction. Test results indicated that five

nozzles with conical shaped spray patterns operating at a nozzle pressure of

172 k Pa (25 Ibs/in^) and with total flow of 341 5,/min (90 gal/min) were

able to create down draft effects sufficient to counter the buoyancy forces

of hot gases from fire below. Fire nozzles were located in the soffit of

the escalator opening. Essentially, a local pressure differential was established between the first and second floors in the vicinity of the

escalator. The report emphasized the importance of nozzle location and

direction, flow rate and nozzle pressure for the optimum down draft effect.

Eventually, the higher buoyancy forces at the first floor level from the 3.5 m^

(38 ft^) alcohol fire overcame the downward air currents and forced some smoke up. Quantitative values for the smoke density or concentration of

combustion gases were not reported. Apparently the program objective was to

develop a system which completely blocked the passage of any visible smoke,

and there was no attempt to determine if the quantities of smoke passing

through the water spray reached levels to limit human tenability in the

upper floor areas. At this stage in the project an exhaust system was introduced in combination with both spray nozzles in the opening and later

open sprinklers were added to form a curtain around the perimeter of the

opening (sprinkler-vent method) . The optimum arrangement and flow rate

consisted of a duct with slotted inlets installed around the escalator

opening at the first floor ceiling. The exhaust system provided an average

air velocity of 91.5 m/min (300 ft/min) down through the opening. Makeup

air was provided at the top level of the escalator opening.

Similar full-scale fire tests were conducted by Thompson at the Factory

Mutual Laboratories (FM) to develop spray nozzle methods for protecting

conveyor openings [14] . Thompson noted that results of the experimental

work indicated that high air movements were created by commercial spray

nozzles with a high velocity, cone shaped discharge consisting of a high

concentration of water droplets. At 50 psi nozzle pressure, nozzles of 8 mm

(5/16 in) diameter produced a free air movement of approximately 226 m^/min

6
(8000 ft^/min) , while 9.5 mm (3/8 in) diam nozzles generated around 283

m^/min (10 000 ft^/min) , 12.5 mm (1/2 in) diam nozzles around 368 m^/min

(13 000 ft^/min) , and 20 mm (3/4 in) diam nozzles around 509 m^/min (18 000

ft^/min) . There was no reference provided for this data. Results of this

experimental work prompted Factory Mutual Laboratories to study the feasibility

of using spray nozzles to protect openings through fire walls and floors for

conveyor systems. Such openings are commonly protected with fire doors but

such doors, even if closed, may permit the passage of considerable heat and

smoke while nominally maintaining their integrity according to the test

requirements. Results of FM tests indicated that it was possible to counter

the flow of heated gases through an 2. 4x2. 4m (8x8 ft) wall opening with

four spray nozzles with 9.5 m (3/8 in) orifices directed toward the opening.

Nozzles were placed in a tunnel with cross sectional dimensions of 2.4 x 2.4 m

(8 X 8 ft) and heated gases were produced with gasoline pan fires located in

a burn room adjacent to one end of the tunnel. At the opposite end of the

4.9 m (16 ft) long tunnel an exhaust fan created a draft in the tunnel and

increased the convective heat flow from the burn room. (See figure 6 for

temperature reduction relative to varying nozzle pressures and air flow

rates.) Exposure side temperatures were measured at the entrance to the

burn room and were varied by relocating the gasoline pan fire around the

burn room relative to the opening into the tunnel. The pans varied from 1.4

to 3.3 m^ (15 to 36 ft^) in area. Tunnel air flow rates were varied by

changing the fan speed. Data from approximately 16 tests developed the

performance curves shown in figure 6. The tests indicated that the position

of the nozzles and the shape of the spray cone were important design con- siderations to insure optimum coverage of the opening with the water spray.

Thompson noted that, by themselves, "ordinary" sprinklers, designed to

provide a curtain over the doorway, were not effective in countering the

flow of hot gases through the opening. No further details, including air

flow rates or design details, were provided for the sprinklers used. The

"ordinary" sprinklers used in those experiments were old style sprinklers

which were designed to project water above, as well as below, the sprinkler.

A spray nozzle method of protection for al.2x2.1m (4x7 ft) opening

through a ceiling was also examined. Two 12.5 mm (1/2 in) diam orifice

spray nozzles operating at 172 k Pa (25 Ib/in^) nozzle pressures placed

above the opening and directed downward through a 6 ft deep draft tunnel

(4x7 ft area of opening) were effective in reversing the flow of heat and

smoke (see figure 5) . Two "ordinary" sprinklers placed just below the roof

of the opening were ineffective in countering the flow, even at nozzle

pressures of 517 k Pa (75 Ib/in^). Thompson included some important observations which must be considered in use of the spray nozzle systems. The

7
pressure from the spray nozzle system forced air from the protected area

into the fire area, and it might also force hot gases and smoke from the

fire area through any other openings. Openings to other areas must be

protected and openings to the exterior of the building may be essential to

vent the combustion gases. A flow density of 81.5 to 163 £./min/m^ (2 to 4 gal/min/ft^) was recommended for wall and ceiling openings with the same areas used in this project.

An essential feature of any water spray system in protection of the

openings is the ability of the spray to prevent transmission of radiant and

convective heat energy. Heselden and Hinkley measured the transmission of

3 radiant heat energy through water sprays from a flat spray nozzle and a standard pendant sprinkler [15] . They demonstrated experimentally that the

transmission of radiant heat energy was reduced as the flow rate per unit

width of opening (or as the nozzle pressure) was increased (see figure 7)

In their paper, reference is made to work by Schuler who demonstrated that

increased nozzle pressure which creates smaller size water droplets reduced

the transmission of radiant energy at constant water flows [16] (see figure

8). Heselden and Hinkley concluded that with the proper nozzles, i.e.,

properly designed flow and nozzle pressure, a water curtain capable of

absorbing a large fraction of the radiant heat could be produced from flows

comparable to typical sprinkler installations.

Based on the requirements contained in the HUD Minimum Property Standards

[11,12], a research project was initiated at the Center for Fire Research to

evaluate those criteria and to recommend improved designs for corridor

sprinkler systems. In a report by Liu [17] the results of theoretical and

experimental investigations were given concerning the effects of a corridor

sprinkler system on the cooling and suppression of a fire in an adjacent

apartment connected by an open doorway. The full-scale and reduced scale

model tests showed that the water spray produced by ceiling-mounted sprinkler heads in the corridor was effective in reducing gas temperatures in the

corridor to a level low enough for safe passage. Both the theoretical and

experimental work showed that for the purpose of cooling heated gases, a spray with a large droplet diameter (larger than 0.5 mm) was not efficient.

The report further concluded that a smaller orifice sprinkler which produces

a smaller mean droplet size at the same water flow rate was more effective

in both the cooling of the combustion products and in reducing the burning

rate of the fuel.

A flat spray-sprinkler has a paraboloid water distribution directed towards

the ground for a definite protection area, while some of the water sprays

the ceiling.

8
5. SUMMARY ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION

It is apparent that codes and standards differ considerably concerning

acceptance of the sprinkler and spray nozzle methods of protecting openings.

The types of acceptable systems, the degree of engineering design guidance

and the applicability of these systems to types of buildings are all con- sidered differently in the national codes and standards examined. The only

position common to all national codes reviewed is that the systems can be

used only for escalators wh:it^:h are not required exit ways and systems can be

used only where buildings are fully sprinklered. The current situation in

the codes clearly indicates a lack of confidence in these systems by the

code-making officials. In prescribing a fully sprinklered building, it is

assumed that a fire would be controlled by the sprinkler system before

serious exposure to any openings through fire-resistive assemblies could

occur (except possibly for fires directly under the opening in the short

time before sprinkler operation) . Therefore, the role of fire protected

openings in walls and ceilings is much less significant than in buildings

without automatic sprinklers. Design parameters established in NFPA 101 for

the sprinkler vent and spray nozzle methods appear to be based on the work

done by Grinnell Corporation [13]. Variations of the sprinkler vent methods

permitted in the BOCA Basic Building Code [3] and in ANSI A. 17.1 [7] are not

based on any experimental work as far as could be determined by the survey

for this report. The sprinkler-curtain board method is the most widely

accepted approach among the codes surveyed. Also, it is apparently not

based directly on any research work. The incorporation of a draft curtain

around the opening simply insures operation of the sprinklers near the

curtain before sprinklers operate on the floor above.

The work done by Thompson [12] served as the basis for the spray nozzle

methods used for protection of conveyor openings contained in the Fire

Protection Handbook [9] and Handbook of Industrial Loss Prevention [10].

The survey of the codes and standards indicated that there has been no further accepted applications of his work for the protection of other types

of openings such as stairways and passageways through wall assemblies.

The full-scale fire tests conducted by Grinnell and FM examined the

capabilities of these systems against selected uncontrolled heat sources. The work empirically developed suitable systems incorporating sprinkler-vent

and spray nozzle methods for countering the flow of hot gases from the

uncontrolled energy sources. The codes and standards, however, generally do

not recognize these systems in unsprinklered buildings as alternatives to

fire resistive enclosures of stairways.

9
heat flux and oxygen depletion will be considered. With the spray nozzle

protection scheme, the depth of curtain boards will be varied to study the

effect on cooling. The instrumentation will record the percent reduction in

heat flow, heat transfer and pressure differentials created by heat energy

source and sprinkler and spray nozzles. The primary function of these tests

will be to measure temperature and gas flow into the stairway at selected

levels of water flow and nozzle pressure of the sprinklers and spray nozzles.

It is expected on the basis of previous work that the systems will not

totally prevent passage of combustion products. However, with an optimum

system design, the quantity of products which escape through the opening may

be sufficiently restricted to maintain a tenabld environment for persons on upper floors.

7 . CONCLUSIONS

A survey of nationally used standards and model building codes revealed

that there are varying provisions among these references concerning sprinkler

and spray nozzle methods of protecting openings in fire resistive assemblies.

Most of these references restrict use of these alternate methods to protection

of escalator openings through floors of fully sprinklered buildings only.

However, the limited research work in this subject area indicates the following

a. Flow of heat from a free burning fire through horizontal and

vertical openings can be reduced by spray from an automatic

sprinkler or spray nozzle.

b. Small droplet size in the spray is important in reducing transmission

of radiant heat energy and in cooling hot gases and subsequently

reducing the buoyant forces of convective heat flow. (There is a limiting size, however, where droplets which are too small and too

few are carried away by the fire and the buoyant forces and

will not prevent the passage of heated gases.) For a given flow

rate, higher nozzle pressures produce smaller diameter droplets

than lower nozzle pressures. This provides more efficient cooling

of the heated gases.

c. Air entrainment in the spray also acts to counter buoyant forces

in convective heat flow. Higher nozzle pressures for a given flow

rate also creates greater air movement than lower nozzle pressures

at the same flow rate.

12
d. The air movement from a spray nozzle system can be increased by

directing the nozzle into a partial enclosure surrounding the

opening (see figure 5)

Most of the previous experimental work was conducted about 30 years ago

and the data did not include measurements of the mass flow rate of air

through the openings. In the planned research work, this rate will be

measured as a function of nozzle flow rates, pressures and orientations, so that design parameters can be established for these sytems. Performance

curves will be developed for the sprinkler and nozzle systems. Tenability

levels will be considered in establishing these parameters whereby a fire

protection engineering designer could establish a quantitative value to the

protection method and incorporate it into an overall fire safety model or system for the building. By refining the previous experimental work with

modern sprinkler and spray nozzles and by clarifying the engineering design

parameters for these systems, the experimental work has the following

objectives

a. To provide codes and standards making groups the needed technical

input to improve the guidance contained in their documents.

b. To enhance more widespread acceptance and use of these systems

particularly in unsprinklered buildings.

c. To provide more flexibility in the design of fire protected

enclosures, stairways and vertical openings.

8 . ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The author extends appreciation to Mr. Philip Merdinyen of the Grinnell

Fire Protection Systems Company, Inc. and the staff of the Factory Mutual

Research Library who provided valuable information on earlier fire tests

conducted by their respective organizations.

9. REFERENCES

[1] Life Safety Code, NFPA No. 101, National Fire Protection Association,

Boston, MA (1976 Edition)

[2] Installation of Automatic Sprinkler Systems, NFPA No. 13, National Fire

Protection Association, Boston, MA (1976 Edition)

[3] The BOCA Basic Building Code, Building Officials and Code Administrators

International, Inc., Chicago, IL (1978 Edition).

13
[4] Uniform Building Code, International Conference of Building Officials,

Whittier, CA (1976 Edition with 1977 amendment)

[5] National Building Code, American Insurance Association, New York, NY

(1976 Edition)

[6] Standard Building Code, Southern Building Code Congress International,

Inc., Birmingham, AL (1976 Edition with 1977 amendments).

[7] American Safety Code for Elevators, Dumbwaiters and Moving Walks,

American National Standards Institute (ANSI) No. A. 17.1, American

Society of Mechanical Engineers, (1976 Edition)

[8] City of Chicago Building Code, Chicago, IL (1973 Edition)

[9] Fire Protection Handbook, National Fire Protection Association, Boston,

MA (14th Edition)

[10] Handbook of Industrial Loss Prevention, Factory Mutual Engineering

Corporation, Norwood, MA (2nd Edition)

[11] Minimxim Property Standards for Multifamily Housing, HUD 4910.1, Dept,

of Housing and Urban Development, Washington, D.C. (1973 Edition).

[12] Minimum Property Standards for Care Type Housing, HUD 4920.1, Dept, of

Housing and Urban Development, Washington, D.C. (1973 Edition)

[13] Unpublished test data from research oroiect entitled. Fire protection

for escalators and moving stairs, Grinnell Automatic Sprinkler Corp.

Providence, RI

[14] Thompson, N. J., New method of protecting conveyor openings, NFPA

Quarterly, Vol. 41, p. 9-18, (July 1947).

[15] Heselden, A. J. and Hinkley, P. L. , Measurement of the transmission of

radiation through water sprays. Fire Technology, Vol. 2, p. 130-137

(May 1965)

[16] Schuler, G., Experimental and theoretical investigations of water

curtains, V.F.D.B. Zeitschrift, Vol. 10, p. 65-68, (May 1961).

[17] Liu, S. T., Analytical and experimental study of evaporative cooling

and room fire suppression by corridor sprinkler systems, Nat. Bur.

Stand. (U.S.), NBSIR 77-1287 (1977).

14
15

Figure

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method

[2]
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DAMPER

CLOSED

DAMPER

Figure 2. Sprinkler-vent method [11]

16
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19

Figure

6-

Temperature

differential

-

spray

nozzle

system

in

wall

openings

[14]
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=

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lN33)l3d - NOISSIWSNVMl NOIlViaVH

i

20

Figure

7

.

Effect

of

water

pj^pssure

on

the

amount

of

radiant

heat

absorbed

by

water

sprays

[15]
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22

Figure

9.

NBS

open

stair

fire

test

facility
Table

1.

Comparison

of

codes

and

standards -

sprinkler,

spray

methods

for

protection

of

openings

Type

of*

Type

of

Occupancy

General

Requirew

in 4J

UV c in

0) 0) 4J c •H 3 0 C 04^4 0) 03 N -H >v E pH JZ D N fO ? c X3 0) •H X

03 0 -•-» 0 -H <D

g TD Jh 3 0) jC C M E in o> Q) -H XJ

CP >1 3 44 \ 0 in 3 U 3 Xi •H 0 rH pH in 0 cr 44 -H 0 4-» in C <0 a >1 pH 03 M 4J

Ui '0 ^ a •H CP

M in

O iH 01 JS D \ yu E <U • E

rH

C

m 10 ro pH O' 4-» - 5 in 0

iH »H <N

M c in 0 34 4J

C 0 £ T3 in *. c •H 3 G rH 03 3 \ •b U >1-H •H <0 •H 44 rH 03 g r-H fSJ 01 -P M •H JS rH X \ C c p -H a <y X •H 0 C 0)

4-> 0 tJ' 44 0 c in (0

U (U 03

C •H 03 03

U-l

u o c U 34

H T3

m

C 4J o <u s 5 - 1 a > 0 o in •H «3 -O 0 0 in E tn 0 u o Vh U-4 E •• pH pH V4 0 in 34 m (i) 0 \ C 4J •> 0) 0) 0 ^ iH ? a >1

f—

r-t 0) <44

C -P 44 <D pH 0 p- 4J

0) ^ >1 fO -H •H c +J • pH *^03 0 0 c ^ CP Vh E C C <D c c OJtn d3 44 3 -H H 0 \*H •H 0 •H 0) rH Xi 4J -H 03 'd in CN in <H 0 < 44 44 to 0 a c 03 M lO 00 00 4J (N C -H < ^ in 0) U-l i-l (U •H 44 rH V M •H O 0 0

cu

a xJ 0 N rH 44 rH to

O 0) 44 c P) m c C V£> C z to o a •H z M 0) 5 >1 0 C »H -H •H -H to < in

in

a 0 4JC •H <0 03 03 ou

d o

U) 3 0^ •H J4 •• 4J 4J in 4J in !h tn 34 lA

C in

0) E 'w in »-

aM

HU P 34 iH Z 03d CP 0 o • \ C (U in 0) 3 3 0) 3 0) u 0 V 1-H 0 c 4-> O' 5 (D U C •H 0 U ^ 0 rH in c 13 in c

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0) 03

C > 3 in o in

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X: OJ r-H 0 O 0 M

m 03U 03U E 44 fO r4 0 44

0)

X

a 03 iH

U .H

a

Mu

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cc

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D in

Q in to a:

Q > ^ DC

U1 in in in in in in in in

o» QJ 0) 0) 0) o 0 > > > >• iH >H iH iH

in in 0 0 0 0 o> 0) 0 0 0 z z z z JH z z z

<p0 rH

03

u Wi 34 4J 34 34 34 34 0 0 0 0 0 C 0 0 0 0

4J +J 4J 4J 0) 4J 4J 4J

03 03 <0 03

g in 03 03 03 03

r-H pH rH rH 0) 34 rH rH rH r4

fO XJ lO 03 03 rH *rl 03 01 0) 03 o U u U u a 03 U 0 u U

in in in in in

a 4J 10 in in in

uu

u

uU 3 COu U] cu tu

to c c 0 IN 0 IN •H •H

4J HS 4J <N rn pH 03 rH rH 3 m

•H iH •H rH U 34

OS 44 03 44 > 0 0) > 0

03

M CT* 0

0» <D

C

u 'O »H •H 0 T3 • CJ c 0) 0) rH O' •H X3 X3 •H T3

>t

u 0 0 3 pH

4J

a 0 u

u ffi CQ rH

w •r| IM X3 in O' 0> pH 03 m U 03 C E C 03 34 rH

to rH <0 (3

H 34H

C 03 <

XJ ^ 'O 0 T3 0 X3

0) < c pH 4H rH •H 0)

C

M

(X rO 0 H •H *H X3 01 to

H [l. 4-»

O 3 C 3 03 0 4J Z CO 03 m D CQ z u CO 2

23

Chicago -

Escalator

No

No

None-refers

only

to

"effective

means"

to

be

Building

Code

used

when

escalators

are

not

enclosed *

1.

Sprinkler-curtain

board;

2.

Sprinkler-vent;

3.

Spray

nozzle
NBS-114A (REV. 9-78)

U.S. DEPT. OF COMM.

BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATA

SHEET

1. PUBLICATION OR REPORT NO. NBSIR 78-1571

4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE

SPRINKLER-VENT AND SPRAY NOZZLE SYSTEMS FOR FIRE

PROTECTION OF OPENINGS IN FIRE RESISTIVE WALLS AND

CEILINGS -THE STATE-OF-THE-ART AND A PLAN FOR

FUTURE RESEARCH WORK

5. Publication Date December 1978

7. AUTHOR(S)

John G

8. Performing Organ. Report No. 0 ' Neill

9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

WASHINGTON, DC 20234

two. n

11. Contract/Grant No. 7528376

12. SPONSORING ORGANIZATION NAME AND COMPLETE ADDRESS rsrreet. City, State, ZIP)

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Department of Labor

Washington, D,C. 20210

13. Type of Report & Period Covered

Final

15. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES

1 J Document describes a computer program; SF-185, FIPS Software Summary, is attached.

16 . ABSTRACT (A 200-ivord or less {actual summary of most significant information. If document includes a s;gn///canf bibliography or

literature survey, mention it here.) A review of literature was conducted to determine the state-of-the

art of automatic sprinkler, sprinkler-vent and spray nozzle methods

of protecting openings in fire resistive assemblies. A review of

nationally used model building codes and standards indicated that they

have varying provisions for these types of systems. Generally, the

use of these systems is only applied to escalator openings in fully

sprinklered buildings. Previous experimental work, however,

demonstrated that these systems can also be effective in preventing

passage of heat and smoke through other types of openings in

structural assemblies.

An outline of a planned research project and a description of the

test facility are given. The project will develop design parameters

for sprinkler-vent and spray nozzle methods for protecting stairways

and other openings through floor ceiling assemblies. Results from

this project may suggest improvements to current codes and standards

involving these systems and possibly permit their wider use in " unsprinklered buildings.

17, KEY WORDS (six to twelve entries; alphabetical order; capitalize only the first tetter of the first key word unless a proper name,

separated by semicolons)

Automatic sprinkler; building code; smoke movement; spray nozzle;

stairway protection; ventilated stair

18. AVAILABILITY ^^Unlimiteij

[ For Official Distribution. Do ftot Release to NTIS

' Order From Sup. of Doc., U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC

20402, SD Stock No. SN003-003-

|x I Order From National Technical Information Service (NTIS), Springfield, VA. 22161

19. SECURITY CLASS

(THIS REPORT)

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21. NO. OF

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22 . Price $4.50

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i