Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

SMART Sprinkler Protection for Highly Challenging Fires—Part 2: Full-Scale Fire Tests in Rack Storage

  • Published:
Fire Technology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

An experimental study was conducted to demonstrate the concept of a new sprinkler protection system using Simultaneous Monitoring, Assessment and Response Technology (SMART). Part I of this study focuses on the system design and function evaluation at the component level. The present work is Part II of the study, focusing on full-scale suppression tests to evaluate the performance of SMART sprinkler technology in protecting rack storage fires. The selected fuel was cartoned unexpanded plastic (CUP) commodity representing an intermediate level of fire hazard. The storage height increased from 3 tiers (9.1 m) to 5 tiers (10.7 m) to 7 tiers (12.2 m) in the three tests. The sprinkler activation was initiated by a smoke detector and a ceiling temperature rise threshold. The fire location was calculated as the thermal centroid based on ceiling temperatures. A group of six sprinklers, closest to the calculated fire location, was activated simultaneously. Subsequent fire development was monitored through visual observation as well as ceiling temperature data. Test results show that the SMART sprinklers can provide adequate protection for the CUP commodities stored up to 7-tiers (12.2-m) high within a rack storage under the tested conditions. The water densities used in these tests were approximately 50% of those in existing protection recommendation. These results lay the foundation for exploring potential applications of the SMART sprinklers to Highly Challenging Fires.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7
Figure 8
Figure 9
Figure 10
Figure 11
Figure 12
Figure 13
Figure 14

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. FM Global (2014) FM global loss prevention data sheets, 8–21—Roll paper storage. Norwood, MA 02062, USA

  2. Xin Y, Burchesky K, de Vries J, Magistrale H, Zhou X, D’Aniello S (2017) SMART sprinkler protection for highly challenging fires—Part 1: System design and function evaluation. Fire Technol. doi:10.1007/s10694-017-0662-2

  3. Xin Y, Burchesky K, de Vries J, Magistrale H, Zhou X, D’Aniello S (2016) SMART sprinkler protection for highly challenging fires—Phase 2: full-scale fire tests in rack storage configurations. FM global technical report, https://www.fmglobal.com/research-and-resources/research-and-testing/research-technical-reports

  4. FM Approvals LLC. (2006) Class Number 2000—Approval standard for automatic control mode sprinklers for fire protection. Norwood, MA 02062, USA

  5. Xin Y, Tamanini F (2008) Assessment of commodity classification for sprinkler protection using representative fuels. In: 9th international symposium of fire safety science, pp 527–538. doi:10.3801/IAFSS.FSS.9-527

  6. Xin Y (2014) Estimation of chemical heat release rate in rack storage fires based on flame volume. Fire Saf J 63: 29–36. doi:10.1016/j.firesaf.2013.11.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. FM Global (2011) FM global loss prevention data sheets 8–9—Storage of class 1, 2, 3, 4 and plastic commodities. Norwood, MA

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. FM Global, 1151 Boston-Providence Turnpike, Norwood, MA, 02062, USA

    Yibing Xin, Kyle Burchesky, Jaap de Vries, Harold Magistrale, Xiangyang Zhou & Stephen D’Aniello

Authors
  1. Yibing Xin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Kyle Burchesky
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jaap de Vries
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Harold Magistrale
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Xiangyang Zhou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Stephen D’Aniello
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yibing Xin.

Appendix: Additional Results of Test 2 and 3

Appendix: Additional Results of Test 2 and 3

See Figures. 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20.

Figure 15
figure 15

Sprinkler activation in Test 2. The dotted circle is the calculated instantaneous fire location (T = 32.13°C); the blue squares denote activated sprinklers; and the value in each square is the local temperature (°C) (Color figure online)

Full size image
Figure 16
figure 16

Fire development in Test 2 (K200, 26.5 mm/min). The text above each panel explains the fire development stage and the time recording starts for the ignition event

Full size image
Figure 17
figure 17

Plan view of fire damage (red hachures) limited to the 1st and 2nd tiers in Test 2 (Color figure online)

Full size image
Figure 18
figure 18

Sprinkler activation in Test 3. The dotted circle is the calculated instantaneous fire location (T = 27.74°C); the blue squares denote activated sprinklers; and the value in each square is the local temperature (°C) (Color figure online)

Full size image
Figure 19
figure 19

Fire development in Test 3 (K360, 36.6 mm/min). The text above each panel explains the fire development stage and the time recording starts for the ignition event

Full size image
Figure 20
figure 20

Plan view of fire damage (red hachures) at the bottom tier in Test 3 (Color figure online)

Full size image

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Xin, Y., Burchesky, K., de Vries, J. et al. SMART Sprinkler Protection for Highly Challenging Fires—Part 2: Full-Scale Fire Tests in Rack Storage. Fire Technol 53, 1885–1906 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10694-017-0659-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10694-017-0659-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation