Water Curtain Fire Protection
When the water curtain is located in an otherwise un sprinklered area the design shall include all the sprinklers located in each fire separation area being protected i e.
Water curtain fire protection. Well testing safety process the water curtain is an engineered radiant heat attenuation system that is primarily used to reduce the hazardous effects of extreme heat during flaring operations associated with well testing and flow back projects oil and gas. If sprinklers are installed nearby isn t that adequate fire protection. As the name itself defines if forms a curtain to prevent spread of smoke heat flame from fire. Design calculations shall include a design area selected to include ceiling sprinklers adjacent to the water curtain section 11 3 3 3 nfpa 13.
Its testing limits and trying out new often radical ideas that a water curtain could be defined as fire barrier in the application of the building safety codes. If a water curtain is installed what is the equivalent fire separation rating. In accordance with 2016 edition of nfpa 72 section 23 13 7 each. Water curtain nozzles are generally installed with orifice slot pointing downwards direction.
However the application of a water curtain system particularly the design of a fire detection system initiating the water curtain system has not been explicitly regulated in the current codes and standards e g ibc and nfpa 72 4 101 and 5000 5. Nfpa 13 does not specify an equivalent fire separation rating for water curtains installed in accordance with section 8 15 4 1 and designed in accordance with section 11 3 3. These fire zones fire compartments must have fire rated self closing doors to prevent spreading the fire from one zone to another. The portion bounded by fire area.
The answer may be a resounding no true some tests indicate that non fire rated glass will remain intact if a fire does not originate near the surface of the glass if the sprinklers and supporting systems are operational and function early in the fire and if they completely and continuously bathe the surface of the. Hd water curtain nozzles are non automatic open outside sprinklers intended for the protection of windows walls steel beams columns roofs and any other structures against exposure fire and heat penetration. Fire barriers in nfpa code have a specific meaning for the use in its application of the codes.