11/19/2012
AIACESProgram#:NFSATV1512
HydraulicCalculationof
InRackSprinklers
KennethE.Isman,P.E.F.S.F.P.E.
Kenneth E Isman P E F S F P E
VicePresidentofEngineering
CopyrightMaterials
ThispresentationisprotectedbyUSand
InternationalCopyrightlaws.Reproduction,
distribution,displayanduseofthe
presentation without written permission of
presentationwithoutwrittenpermissionof
TheNationalFireSprinklerAssociationis
prohibited.
NationalFireSprinklerAssociation2012
3 4
LearningObjectives
Attheendofthisprogram,participantswillbeableto:
1. Calculatethecorrectnumberofinracksprinklers
fordifferentcommoditiesbeingprotected.
2 Selectthecorrectlocationoftheinracksprinklers
2. S l t th t l ti f th i k i kl
tobecalculated.
3. Correctlyapplytherulesregardingthebalancingof
inracksprinklerdemandswithceilingsprinkler
demands.
4. Calculatethesizethepipefeedingtheinrack
systemtobemostefficient.
Provider#:G131
1.5LU/HSW
NationalFireSprinklerAssociationisaRegisteredProviderwithTheAmerican
InstituteofArchitectsContinuingEducationSystems(AIA/CES).Credit(s)
p p g p
earnedoncompletionofthisprogramwillbereportedtoAIA/CES/ forAIA
members.CertificatesofCompletionforbothAIAmembersandnonAIA
membersareavailableuponrequest.
ThisprogramisregisteredwithAIA/CES forcontinuingprofessionaleducation.
Assuch,itdoesnotincludecontentthatmaybedeemedorconstruedto
beanapprovalorendorsementbytheAIAofanymaterialofconstruction
oranymethodormannerofhandling,using,distributing,ordealinginany
materialorproduct.
Questionsrelatedtospecificmaterials,methods,andserviceswillbe
addressedattheconclusionofthispresentation
2
ProgramDescription
Thehydrauliccalculationproceduresforinrack
sprinklersareverydifferentfromtheprocedures
forceilingsprinklers.Determinationofthe
numberofsprinklersthatmightopenifthereisa
fireaswellasthelocationofthemostdemanding
sprinklerscanbeachallenge.Next,theuser
p g
needstobedetermineiftheinracksprinkler
demandneedstobeaddedto(andbalanced
with)theceilingsprinklerdemand.Procedures
willbeprovidedforallofthesestepsinthe
calculationprocessaswellasadiscussionof
decisionsthatcanbemade(sprinklerselection,
pipesizingandpipelocation)tomakethesystem
asefficientaspossible.
HydraulicCalculation
ofInRackSprinklers
Assumptions/discussion
Howmanysprinklers?
Wherearethey?
Minimum flow and pressure?
Minimumflowandpressure?
Calculationtechnique
Balancetoceilingsprinklers?
Makingthedesignmost
efficient
1

Assumptions
Youvealreadydecidedtouse
inracksprinklerstoprotectthe
commodity
Youvealreadydecidedhow
manylevelsofinrack
sprinklerstoinstall
Youvealreadydecidedwhere
thepipingisgoingtogo
HydraulicCalculations
Performedtotellyou
Whatpipesizewillbebest?
Willthewatersupplyprovidethe
flowandpressurenecessaryto
control/suppress a fire?
control/suppressafire?
NFPA13 2010
ClassIIVCommodity(Chapter16)
Storage25ftandless(16.2)
Storageover25ft(16.3)
GroupAPlastics(Chapter17)
Storage25ftandless(17.2)
Storageover25ft(17.3)
RubberTires(18.5)
11/19/2012
Assumptions
Wereusingthesectionnumbers
fromthe2010editionofNFPA
13inthisprogram
Previouseditionshavesimilar
rules just the section numbers
rules,justthesectionnumbers
havechanged
Forthe2013edition(which
mostpeoplehavenotseenyet)
therulesaresimilar,buthave
beenclarifiedwheresomeholes
existed
Howmanysprinklerswillbeopen?
NFPA13
ClassIIVCommodity
GroupAPlastics
Rubbertires
NFPA30 Flammableand
l bl d
CombustibleLiquids
NFPA30B Aerosols
Willdependon:
Numberoflevelsofinracks
Typeofsprinklersattheceiling
ClassIIVCommodity
Storageupto25ft(16.2.4.3.1)
IfspraysprinklersorCMSA
sprinklersattheceiling
1levelprotectingClassI,IIorIII:6
sprinklers
1levelprotectingClassIV:8sprinklers
2ormorelevelsprotectingClassI,II
orIII:10sprinklers(5onthetoptwo
levels)
2ormorelevelsprotectingClassIV:
14sprinklers(7onthetoptwolevels)
2
 11/19/2012

Example1 Example1
ClassIII,2LevelsofInRacks ClassIII,2LevelsofInRacks

PlanView
PlanView

ElevationView ElevationView
DoubleRowRacks DoubleRowRacks

Example1
ClassIIVCommodity
ClassIII,2LevelsofInRacks
Storageover25ft(16.3.4.3)
IfspraysprinklersorCMSA
PlanView sprinklersattheceiling
1levelprotectingClassI,IIorIII:6
sprinklers
1levelprotectingClassIV:8sprinklers
2ormorelevelsprotectingClassI,IIor
III:10sprinklers(5onthetoptwo
levels)
2ormorelevelsprotectingClassIV:14
sprinklers(7onthetoptwolevels)
ElevationView Calculate10sprinklers:5onthetoptwolevels
DoubleRowRacks

ClassIIVCommodity GroupAPlastics
Anystorageheight(16.3.3.5) Storageofanyheight(17.2.4.3
IfESFRsprinklersattheceiling forupto25ft;17.3.4.3for
Calculate8sprinklersononelevel over25ft)
IfspraysprinklersorCMSA
sprinklers at the ceiling
sprinklersattheceiling
1level:8sprinklers
2ormorelevels:14sprinklers(7onthe
toptwolevels)
IfESFRsprinklersattheceiling:
calculate8sprinklers(onone
level)

3
 11/19/2012

RubberTireStorage
18.5.3and18.5.1
If1levelofinracksprinklers,
calculate12sprinklers
Ifmorethan1level,calculate
like plastics (Chapter 17)
likeplastics(Chapter17)
14sprinklers(7onthetoptwo
levels)
Whatifyoudonthaveenough
inracksprinklersonalevel?
Calculateallofthesprinklers
withinarack,including
sprinklersonotherlevels,but
youarenotrequiredtojump
theaisle
SeeExample2
SameasExample1
Supposedtocalculate10
sprinklers,5oneachlevel
Only7sprinklersineachrack

Example2
MinimumFlowandPressure?
ClassIII,2LevelsofInRacks
NFPA13
ClassIIVCommodity
Calculate7 GroupAPlastics
Sprinklers Rubbertires
NFPA30 Flammableand
l bl d
CombustibleLiquids
NFPA30B Aerosols
Aisle Willdependon:
Typeofsprinklersattheceiling
ElevationViewDoubleRowRacks

Example1
ClassIIVCommodity
ClassIII,2LevelsofInRacks
Storageupto25ft(16.2.4.4)
IfspraysprinklersorCMSA
sprinklersattheceiling PlanView

15psiminimum 21.7gpmat15psi

21.7gpmfork5.6sprinkler
31.0gpmfork8.0sprinkler
43.4gpmfork11.2sprinkler

Whichwouldyouchoose? ElevationView Calculate10sprinklers:5onthetoptwolevels

DoubleRowRacks

4
 11/19/2012

ClassIIVCommodity
Storageover25ft(16.3.4.3.1)
IfspraysprinklersorCMSA
sprinklersattheceiling
Minimum30gpm
ClassIIVCommodity
Anystorageheight(16.3.3.5)
IfESFRsprinklersattheceiling
50psi,mustusek8.0sprinklers

56.6gpmat50psi
56 6 t 50 i
28.7psifork5.6sprinkler
14.1psifork8.0sprinkler
7.2psifork11.2sprinkler

Whichsprinklerwouldyou
choose?

GroupAPlastics GroupAPlastics
SpraySprinklersatCeiling ESFRSprinklersatCeiling
Forstorageupto25ft,depends
ontheinrackconfiguration Mustusek8.0
selectedfromtheFigures: 60gpm(17.3.3.4.1)
Figure17.2.1.2.1(b)&(f):15psi 56.3psi
Figure17.2.1.2.1(c),(d)and(e):
Figure 17 2 1 2 1(c) (d) and (e):
15psiwhensprinklersareatevery
otherflueintersection
15psifork8and30psifork5.6
whensprinklersareateveryflue
Forstorageover25ft:
30gpmregardlessofsituation

HydraulicCalculation
RubberTireStorage
ofInRackSprinklers
18.5.4 Assumptions/discussion
30psi
Howmanysprinklers?
Wherearethey?
30.7gpmfork5.6sprinkler
43.8gpmfork8.0sprinkler
43 8 f k80 i kl Minimum flow and pressure?
Minimumflowandpressure?
61.3gpmfork11.2sprinkler Calculationtechnique
Balancetoceilingsprinklers?
Makingthedesignmost
efficient

5
 11/19/2012

Example1
CalculationTechnique
ClassIII,2LevelsofInRacks
Justlikewithceilingsprinklers
Startatmostremotesprinkler
PlanView
withflowandpressure
21.7gpmat15psi
Workbackwardstothewater
supply adding pressure
supplyaddingpressure C B
increasesduetofrictionloss 54321
Addflowsfromotheropen A
sprinklersencounteredonthe 109876
way
Adjustforelevationchanges
ElevationView Calculate10sprinklers:5onthetoptwolevels
DoubleRowRacks

InRackCalculation InRackDemand
AtPointC
235gpmat71psi

1.2 15.4 22.0

CeilingSprinklerDemand CeilingSprinklerDemand
Assumptions Aftercalculation,ceilingsprinkler
ClassIIICommodity Encapsulated demandatPointCis:
4ftaisles 665gpmat84psi
HighTemperaturek8.0sprinklers
NFPA13requirements
NFPA 13 requirements
Figure16.2.1.3.2(f);CurveC
0.345gpmpersqftover2000sqft
Reduceby20%duetoextralevelof
inracksprinklers(see16.2.1.3.4.4)
Finaldensity/area:0.276gpm/sqft
over2000sqft

6
 11/19/2012

PutDemandsTogether BalancingtheFlows
Ceiling BasicProcedure
665gpmat84psi 1. Calculatethetwodemands
separatelyfromthemost
InRack remotepointtothenode
235gpmat71psi wheretheyconnect
Cantaddflowsunlessthe 2. Getthekfactorforthelower
pressuresituation: Q
pressureisthesame K
P
Adjustingthelowerpressure 3. Applythekfactortothe
situationtothehigherpressureis higherpressuretogetthenew
calledBalancingtheFlows flow: Q K P
4. Addthetwoflowstogether

Example1 NodeC
1. Calculatethetwodemands
separately ToCeilingSprinklers
a. InRacks:235gpmat71psi ToInRackSprinklers
b. Ceiling:665gpmat84psi
Ceiling:
Ceiling:
2. GettheKfactorforthelower 665gpm
pressuresituation at84psi
Whichisthelowerpressure
situation?
C InRacks:235gpmat71psi

Example1 Example1
1. Calculatethetwodemands 3. ApplytheKfactortothe
separately higherpressure
a. InRacks:235gpmat71psi
b. Ceiling:665gpmat84psi
Q K P 27.89 84
2. GettheKfactorforthelower
pressuresituation Q 256
InRacksarethelowersituationin
thiscase
Q 235
K 27.89
P 71

7

Example1
4. Addtheflowstogether
InRacks:256gpmat84psi specificallysaysnotto
Ceiling:665gpmat84psi Happensforsomeflammableand
Total:921gpmat84psi aerosol(NFPA30B)arrangements
HydraulicCalculation
ofInRackSprinklers
Assumptions/discussion
Howmanysprinklers?
Wherearethey?
Minimum flow and pressure?
Minimumflowandpressure?
Calculationtechnique
Balancetoceilingsprinklers?
Makingthedesignmost
efficient
CanwemakeExample1 CanweMakeExample1
moreefficient?
IndividualDemands
InRacks:235gpmat71psi
Ceiling:665gpmat84psi
11/19/2012
AddingFlowsFromInRack
SprinklerstoCeilingSprinklers
Alwaysdoitunlessthestandard
combustibleliquids(NFPA30)and
Manyinracksprinklers
Manybarriersintheracks
Ceilingsprinklersdontbecome
involvedinfightingthefireunlessthe
verytopoftherackisburning
MakingtheDesign
MostEfficient
Systemswithinrackand
ceilingsprinklersaremost
efficientwhentheinrack
demandmatchestheceiling
p p
sprinklerdemandatthepoint
ofconnection
Issuesthateffectefficiency
Sprinklerselected
Pipingsizes
Distancespipeneedstoberun
MoreEfficient?
IndividualDemands
InRacks:235gpmat71psi
Ceiling:665gpmat84psi
Couldincreasepipesizeinthe
ceilingsprinklersystemtoget
thedemanddownto71psi
Coulddecreasethepipesizein
theinracksystemtogetthe
demandupto84psi
8
 11/19/2012

InRackSprinklerSystem FrictionLoss
10ftof2inchpipe Flowtoinracksprinklers:
235gpm
196ftof2-inchpipeandfittings
FrictionLossin2inch:
0.456psi/ft
More
More22inch
inchandless2
and less 2-inch
inchwill
will FrictionLossin2-inch:
Friction Loss in 2 inch:
makethesystemmoreefficient 0.192psi/ft
0.264psi/ftdifference
Buthowmuchmore?
Needtomakeupa
differenceof13psi
(84 71=13)

FrictionLoss FlowComparison
Totaldemandwith10ftof
13
49 2inch:921gpmat84psi
0.264
Replace
Replace49ftof2
49 ft of 2inch
inch Totaldemandwith59ftof
pipewith2inchpipeand 2inch:665+235=900gpm
thepressuredemandfor at84psi
bothwillbe84psi
Saved21gpmbychanging49
ftof2inchpipeto2inch

HydraulicCalculation
ofInRackSprinklers
Assumptions/discussion
Howmanysprinklers?
Wherearethey?
Minimum flow and pressure?
Minimumflowandpressure?
Calculationtechnique
Balancetoceilingsprinklers?
Makingthedesignmost
efficient