Esfr Sprinkler Protection for Warehouse Storage of Flammable Liquids in Small Metal Containers

Abstract

Fire testing was performed to determine if Early Suppression-Fast Response (ESFR) sprinklers could be used to protect warehouses containing flammable liquids in small metal relieving-style containers.

A total of seven large-scale fire tests was performed using heptane in 3.8 L (1 gallon) or 18.9 L (5 gallon) relieving-style metal containers stored 6.1 m (20 ft) and 7.6 m (25 ft) high under a 9.1 m (30 ft) high ceiling. Three of these tests evaluated sprinkler protection for 6.1 m (20 ft) and 7.6 m (25 ft) high double row rack storage arrangements of 3.8 L (1 gallon) containers packaged in corrugated paper cartons. The remaining four fire tests were performed using uncartoned 18.9 L (5 gallon) metal containers in a 7.6 m (25 ft) high double row rack arrangement (three tests) and in a 3.7 m (12 ft) high palletized storage arrangement (one test) under a 9.1 m (30 ft) high ceiling.

Sprinkler protection consisted of either ESFR sprinklers installed at the ceiling only, or a combination of ESFR ceiling sprinklers and in-rack sprinklers installed within the longitudi nal flue space of the double row rack storage arrangements.

The results of the tests indicated that flammable liquid in relieving-style metal containers packaged in corrugated paper cartons were more easily protected than when the contain ers were stored uncartoned. The tests also showed that the most effective protection for both cartoned and uncartoned containers consisted of the combination of ESFR ceiling sprinklers and quick-response, large-orifice in-rack sprinklers installed within the longitudi nal flue space of the rack storage arrangements. Ceiling-only ESFR sprinklers proved to be adequate protection for palletized storage configurations.

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