Fire resisting glass and sprinkler information request

[Shaun Doyle]

Dear All,
I am trying obtain information on sprinklers and how water from a sprinkler head operating may affect fire resisting glazing?

Fire resisting glass (FD30) used to separate an apartment & corridor used for means of escape in proposed moden aparment block.

If the apartment has sprinkler system, (BS 9251) I am trying to obtain information on how does fire resisting glass behave when hit by cold water from the sprinkler head operating and the room temperature being higher than normal and approaching 68 centigrade? (Or around the temprature for the sprinkler head to operate, as there has been enough heat from the fire to also heat up the room and any glazing present).

Information on whether the glazing , can still perform its fire resisting qualities, or would it be affected by the cold water and the elevated temperature and crack, drop out etc? (Thus not providing its fire resisting seperation).
Is there likley to be any difference with insulated glass behaviour as opposed to intergrity glass only? (Georgian wired glass may crack but the wire will mean it would not drop, perhaps?)

I appreciate this is technical but I wanted to pick some brains out there? I would be gratful for any information / opinions etc both on the board or direct by e mail. (I have also e mailed Pilkington Glass tonight asking same info).

Thanks in anticpation. Shaun Doyle

[kurnal]

Where a compartment wall is breached by a penetration such as a door or a glazed panel, if sprinkler protection is applied to one side of the wall then a cut off sprinkler will be provided on the other side. The sprinkler head is there to protect the opening and will operate at a low temperature far below that at which the integrity of the glass is threatened- typically 68 degrees. The local area will be cooled even if the unprotected compartment reaches flashover.

So glass will not be jeopardised at these low temperatures if cooled. I cannot suggest a temperature at which it will be a problem but you have contacted the right people.

I imagine the scenario you are considering is a sprinkler protected apartment and no sprinkler protection to the common escape route. If the escapa route is in common use then any glazing between apartment and escape routes must be to at least FR60 and protect the escape route against radiated heat.  

You could then dispense with the cut off sprinkler.

Similarly if the escape route is internal to the apartment and only a room is protected by sprinklers then a similar argument applies but to a FR30 standard. Hwever this would be in breach of BS9251 as the whole of an apartment should be covered. Is this a local  installation to cover a specific problem?

[wee brian]

Kurnal - 68 degree sprinklers don't activate at fire temperatures of 68 degrees.

They operate when the sprinkler itself gets that hot. The gas temperatures can be anything up to about 200.

[kurnal]

Oversimplistic I know but I hope some practical help.

Bit like saying solder melts at 260 degrees so you need a 260 degree blowlamp for plumbing work. Yes, perhaps but the hourly rate may be a problem.

[jayjay]

See the links below for more info on fire resisting glazing. It would appear that the USA and Canada require fire resisting glass to be tested with a water hose after heating.

http://www.fireglass.com/press-room/articles/myths.aspx

Also a link to the best practice guide of FR glazing but no mention of sprinklers.


http://www.ggf.co.uk/learn/view_doc_members_info_postings.phtml?id=26

[wee brian]

The hose stream test used to be part of the UK fire resistance test for all constructions. But it got dropped ages ago.

[Shaun Doyle]

Thank you for the information posted.

I have infact two versions of the same issue, one with FD60 glazing between aparment & corridor outside apartment. The other is inside an apartment with FD30 glazing being used in a wall in part for a kitchen. I am awaiting further information of location of sprinkler heads.

The only good thing, this hasn't been built yet, but may affect costings!

I thought it wise to trawl for information. Thanks again.