Research Investigation for Determination of Residential Sprinkler Performance.
Research Investigation for Determination of Residential
Sprinkler Performance.
(1738 K)
Underwriters Laboratories, Incorporated
NIST GCR 05-875; 70 p. February 2004.
Sponsor:
National Institute of Standards and Technology,
Gaithersburg, MD
Keywords:
sprinklers; residential buildings; fire investigations;
fire research; sprinkler systems; test facilities; test
methods; water flow; fire tests; scenarios; UL 1626;
fire growth; fire suppression; thermocouples
Abstract:
A total of 22 fire tests were conducted to generate data
and information relative to the performance of specific
residential sprinklers when a total flow of 1.4 times
the Listed flow rate of one sprinkler was supplied to
the system. The flow rate provided to the system was
maintained at this value regardless of whether one or
two sprinklers operated. The fire scenarios used in this
test series were similar to those described in UL1626
except that 7 of the tests were conducted with the
simulated furniture fuel package located along a wall
centered between two sprinklers. In each of the 15 tests
involving the corner fire scenario, only one sprinkler
operated which limited the room temperatures as follows:
a) The maximum temperature 3 inches (76 mm) below the
ceiling described in this report did not exceed 600DGF
(316DGC). b) The maximum temperature 5-1/4 feet (1.60 m)
above the floor did not exceed 200DGF (93DGC), nor more
than 130DGF (54DGC) for more than any continuous 2-minute
period. c) The maximum ceiling material temperature 1/4
inch (6 mm) behind the finished ceiling surface did not
exceed 500DGF (260DGC). In each of the 7 tests conducted
with the fire source located between two sprinklers, at
least two sprinklers operated which resulted in a flow
provided to each operated sprinkler of approximately 0.7
times the Listed flow.
