Ceiling-Only Sprinkler Grid for 55-Foot High Piled Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automatic fire sprinkler systems face limitations in providing effective ceiling-only suppression mode fire protection for high-piled storage at heights exceeding 45 feet, particularly for high-hazard commodities like cartoned unexpanded plastic, as existing standards and commercial systems are not sufficient to ensure reliable fire suppression beyond 45 feet without the use of in-rack sprinklers.
Innovation Solution
A suppression-mode ceiling-only storage occupancy fire protection system is designed with a grid of pendent sprinklers, featuring a sprinkler-to-sprinkler spacing of 8 to 12 feet, a nominal K-factor of 25.2 to 36.4, and a thermally responsive trigger assembly with an RTI of 50 or less, connected through a network of pipes to provide a minimum flowing pressure of 80 psi, allowing for effective suppression protection up to 55 feet ceiling height and 50 feet storage height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If ceiling-only sprinkler systems are used for high-piled storage, then the system complexity is reduced and installation is simplified, but the effective protection height is limited to 45 feet or below
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the thermally responsive trigger assembly characteristics (RTI ≤ 50) and sprinkler K-factor (25.2 to 36.4) to enable ceiling-only suppression mode operation at heights exceeding 45 feet. These parameter adjustments allow the system to maintain suppression effectiveness at higher ceilings without requiring in-rack sprinklers, thus resolving the contradiction between system simplicity and protection height.
2Quantity of substance
If sprinkler spacing is increased to cover larger areas, then the number of sprinklers is reduced, but the water flow distribution and suppression effectiveness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies a sprinkler spacing range of 8 to 12 feet and combines this with high K-factor sprinklers (25.2 to 36.4) to optimize water flow distribution. This parameter combination allows for reduced sprinkler quantity while maintaining suppression effectiveness through enhanced individual sprinkler performance and optimized spacing, resolving the contradiction between quantity reduction and reliability maintenance.
3Length of stationary object
If the ceiling height is increased to accommodate higher storage, then the storage capacity is improved, but the fire protection coverage and water flow pressure are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables ceiling heights up to 55 feet by implementing specific parameter changes: minimum flowing pressure of 80 psi, high K-factor sprinklers (25.2 to 36.4), and responsive trigger assemblies (RTI ≤ 50). These parameter adjustments compensate for the increased height by ensuring sufficient water flow pressure and thermal responsiveness, thereby maintaining fire protection coverage reliability despite the increased ceiling height.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes hydraulic principles by specifying a minimum flowing pressure of 80 psi and high K-factor values to ensure adequate water flow delivery to sprinklers at elevated heights. The hydraulic design parameters are optimized to maintain sufficient water flow and pressure throughout the system, resolving the contradiction between increased ceiling height and maintained fire protection coverage.
4Ease of manufacture
If standard response sprinklers are used, then the system cost is reduced, but the response time and suppression speed are insufficient for high-hazard commodities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies thermally responsive trigger assemblies with RTI ≤ 50 and sprinkler K-factors of 25.2 to 36.4, which represent optimized parameters for quick response performance. These parameter specifications enable faster response times suitable for high-hazard commodities while maintaining cost-effectiveness through standardized component selections, resolving the contradiction between cost reduction and response speed improvement.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively provides ceiling-only suppression mode fire protection for high-piled storage, including high-hazard commodities, by ensuring that the sprinklers can activate and deliver sufficient water flow to suppress fires at heights not previously covered by commercial systems or industry standards, with full-scale fire tests demonstrating containment of fires and compliance with industry standards.
Implementation Method 1
thermally responsive trigger assembly with an RTI of 50 or less
Implementation Method 2
thermally responsive trigger assembly
Implementation Method 3
deliver sufficient water flow to suppress fires
Implementation Method 4
suppress fires at heights
Data Source
AI summary
System and methods to provide ceiling-only suppression fire protection of up to fifty feet (50 ft.) of rack storage of cartoned unexpanded plastic commodities and less hazardous commodities, such as for example, Class 1, Class 2, Class 3, Class 4 and/or combinations thereof beneath a ceiling having a maximum ceiling height up to fifty-five feet (55 ft.). The systems and methods provide for hydraulic and system parameters that include a hydraulic design area based upon five to no more than twelve hydraulically most remote sprinklers spaced at a preferred sprinkler-to-sprinkler spacing of eight to ten feet (8-10 ft.) coupled to two to four branch lines tied to a common cross main supply pipe of firefighting fluid.