HomeMy WebLinkAboutAMCON FPE AnalysisShelby,
I wanted to follow up with you regarding the FPE Analysis Report that I submitted for the AMCON expansion and existing storage areas. The areas being expanded into were never intended
for or designed for the storage of uncartoned expanded plastic commodities and therefore the sprinkler systems need to be designed to meet current code. As the 2016 NFPA 13 does not
specifically address the storage of uncartoned expanded plastics, I used 2022 NFPA 13 design criteria based on previous discussions between you and Escape Fire Protection for the expansion
areas.
The existing storage areas were designed in 2014 to meet the requirements of 2010 NFPA 13 for the storage of exposed expanded plastics up to 15’-0 in height with a 20’-0 ceiling. The
exposed expanded plastic commodities being stored and the storage configuration has not changed since the 2014 sprinkler system upgrades were completed. However, it was determined
during this analysis that a smoke and heat removal system should have been required in 2014 when the upgrades were made as an ESFR system was not installed. To meet the intent of the
2010 system requirements in 2014, AMCON and Future Foam have agreed to upgrade the existing systems to ESFR systems to eliminate the need for a smoke and heat removal system.
After extensive conversations and review with AMCON and Future Foam for the existing areas, it has been determined that major modifications to the existing sprinkler systems installed
originally and in 2014 would be required to meet the specified design criteria in the FPE report using the 2022 NFPA 13 requirements.
Is the City of Fridley open to the possibility of using FM Global Design Criteria for the existing storage areas? Data Sheet 8-9 provides design criteria in Table 6 for ceiling level
protection of Uncartoned Expanded Plastic commodities in solid piles.
The design criteria in Data Sheet 8-9, in my opinion, is better suited for the existing building height and storage conditions as the ceiling heights in the existing areas are 18’-0
and 22’-0. The 2022 NFPA 13 Table 23.3.1 only addresses ceiling heights starting at 30’-0 which is considerably different from the existing conditions.
I have completed several hydraulic calculations using both the 2022 NFPA 13 criteria as well as the FM Global design criteria and determined the following:
1. The modifications needed to meet the FM Global design criteria would include replacing the existing 11.2K sprinkler heads with 16.8K sprinkler heads. Some modification to the existing
sprinkler main and branchline piping may be needed where tree systems are currently installed. This would be verified with hydraulic calculations performed for each system by the contracted
sprinkler contractor.
2. The modifications needed to meet the 2022 NFPA 13 design criteria would require all of the sprinkler branchlines with 3/4” outlets to be replaced to facilitate installing the 1” orifice
25.2K sprinkler heads as well as change all of the tree systems into gridded sprinkler systems.
I would like to modify the AMCON FPE report to address the expansion storage areas separately from the existing storage areas if you are open to using the FM Global design criteria for
the existing storage areas. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Regards,
Linda D. French
Coastwise Fireguard, Inc.
Linda@cw-fg.com <mailto:Linda@cw-fg.com>
(651) 248-5148