Full-scale fire tests and the development of design criteria for sprinkler protection of mobile shelving units

Abstract

In early 1991, a new sprinkler system was planned for the existing National Archives/National Library of Canada building in Ottawa. A major challenge in the design and installation of the sprinkler systems was to protect mobile compact shelving units located in the three levels below grade. Storage of documents in these shelving units is typically within 178 mm of the concrete slab ceiling. The minimum clearance permitted by the sprinkler system installation standard is 457 mm from the sprinkler deflector to the top of the storage. To conform with the sprinkler design standard, the top level or levels of storage would have had to be removed and additional storage space acquired. Because of the annual cost of this additional storage, an investigation was begun to determine feasible alternatives that would permit a reduction in clearances between sprinklers and storage, while maintaining an acceptable level of fire safety. This paper describes the series of five full-scale fire tests that were conducted to assess various fire protection options. Based on these tests, design criteria were developed for a sprinkler system using quick response horizontal sidewall sprinklers to protect the mobile shelving units. An overview of this technically based fire protection system for use in protecting shelving units with reduced clearance is also presented.