If there is one thing that is easy to agree upon, it is that fire sprinklers save lives and property. Those in the fire sprinkler industry have always known this. So why are there still homes and commercial structures without sprinkler systems? And so many without fully up-to-date systems? A …
Read More »Growth to Continue, Gain Strength
Sprinkler Industry 2016 Review and 2017 Forecast What a year 2016 turned out to be! With the presidential election result, some are wondering what does the New Year hold for the economy, and in particular, the fire sprinkler industry? However, market forecasters are holding onto their initial forecasts, saying foundations put in place in …
Read More »Here Is Your Sign
Part 1: NFPA 13 Requirements The comedian Bill Engvall made the saying “Here is your sign” well known. When Bill said it, it was directed at someone who just said something that was obvious or just plain stupid. One story I remember Bill telling at a comedy show was about a gentleman who was …
Read More »Temperature Change and Dry Pipe Systems
Fluctuations Can Cause Problems Temperature fluctuations can wreak havoc on certain types of systems in certain configurations. The most susceptible type of system to temperature fluctuations are dry-type systems, specifically dry-type systems which utilize a direct differential style dry valve. By direct differential style dry valves, it is understood to …
Read More »Sprinkler Protection and the 3,000 ft2 Modifier
Wood Joist Versus Composite Wood Joist NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, allows the omission of sprinkler protection from some combustible, concealed spaces for both wood joist and combustible wood joist construction. (See section 8.15.1.2.) Historically, though, only the composite wood choice had to apply a 3,000 …
Read More »AHJ Perspective: Living in Glass Houses
They say that people who live in glass houses should never get involved in a rock throwing contest. On the other hand, if you do live in a glass house, you should take certain precautions like removing all the loose rubble from the outside so that malcontents cannot do damage. …
Read More »Sidewall Sprinklers and Ceiling Obstructions
Can They be Near the Sprinkler? When using sidewall sprinklers can there be obstructions at the ceiling within 4 ft of standard sprinklers or 8 ft for extended coverage and residential sprinklers? Since the 2002 edition of NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, it has been fairly …
Read More »Step Into the Shadows
Satisfactory Sprinkler Performance Can be Achieved An integrated architecture and engineering firm, Clark Nexsen is recognized nationally as a leader in student life design. With multiple student housing projects in design and under construction simultaneously, we are continuously working with code reviewers and Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) to resolve any …
Read More »Spot the Dot
Part 1: What About the Z Dimension? So, there I was, trying to enjoy a nice meal with my family. The restaurant was chosen by my princess because it was “fun” and had “cool things” in it. I should have known. Little did I know that I was going to …
Read More »Residential Sprinklers in Hawaii
State Fire Council Fights the BIA to Protect its Residents Since the mid ‘70s, fire sprinklers have been required in large capacity public and commercial occupancies by national building codes. Retroactive compliance to new codes requiring sprinklers is not normally applied, unless a state or local regulation was enacted or an incentive is provided. The MGM Grand and Las …
Read More »