D4010 Sauna Steam Room Sprinklers

TECH TIPS

Sprinkler Selection In Saunas And Providing compete Steam Rooms construction specifications documentation, systems By Stephen J Preis, PE, CSI, CCS, CCCA, SCIP and performance Summary placed over the sprinkler heads. The descriptions, and risk and caps placed over sprinkler heads are quality advisory services. Fire suppression sprinklers are constructed with solder that melts at a designed to release water when heat lower temperature than the fusing Conspectus's Tech Tips received the from fire is detected. Hot spaces like temperature of the sprinkler head. national Communications Award from saunas and steam rooms present These plates will fall off before the Construction Specifications the sprinkler releases. Institute. problems in sprinkler selection, as high ambient temperatures can cause ABSTRACT: sprinkler release. Sprinkler spacing is mandated by Article is a primer on fire suppression code, based on the occupancy and sprinkler selection for spaces with This Tech Tips article is a primer on type of hazard in the space. In high ambient temperatures, like sprinkler selection for spaces with commercial buildings, it is common to saunas and steam rooms. space sprinkler heads to cover 100 - 12/21/09 Revision added separate high ambient temperatures, like 400 square feet (9 - 37 square operating temperatures for saunas saunas and steam rooms. and steam rooms meters).

FILING: Discussion For saunas and steam rooms, it is UniFormat™ necessary to select a sprinkler head D4010 Fire Protection Sprinkler The Sprinkler Head: In essence, a T- that includes the correct combination Systems. fitting in a pipe with an orifice opening of fusing temperature, coverage area, held closed by a thermally activated configuration, and aesthetics to suit MasterFormat™ fuse consisting of a metal link that 21 13 00 Fire-Suppression Sprinkler the code and Owner's requirements. melts or liquid filled glass bulb that Systems. Saunas and Steam Rooms: Saunas bursts. When a fire starts, its heat and steam rooms are small spaces, KEYWORDS: reaches the sprinkler heads closest usually less than 200 square feet (18 Wet sprinklers, high temperature to the fire causing the fuse or bulb to square meters). They typically sprinklers, sprinkler head, upright, break, allowing the orifice to open operate at elevated temperatures pendant, sidewall, sauna, steam and spray water on the fire. Fire room. approaching 180 deg. F for saunas sprinkler manufacturers have refined and 120 deg. F for steam rooms, and the technology so that "fusing can see considerable temperature temperature" at which the sprinkler fluctuation as the heater cycles and opens can be closely calibrated, the door opens and closes. In some giving very repeatable fusing cases, saunas remain dry, but it is temperatures. common to have high moisture levels in saunas, as well as steam rooms. Typical Sprinkler Applications: Typical sprinkler installations include The simplest sprinkler head selection upright sprinklers on top of pipes, is a pendant sprinkler (Figure 1). pendant sprinklers through ceilings, These are readily available with and sidewall sprinklers mounted on Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or walls. In finished spaces, many Factory Mutual Global (FMG) installations include recessed approval for elevated fusing sprinklers, which are mounted in a temperatures. cup and concealed in the ceiling. For For a sauna or steam room, a recessed installations, flush caps are sprinkler head that fuses at a TECH TIPS

temperature higher than the standard ambient temperature. Fire Protection Contractors may not 135 deg. F (57 deg. C) is required. always realize that the box shown on The higher fusing temperature one Sidewall sprinklers can be placed high the drawings as a sauna will require selects, the less likely there will be an on a wall, where they are unlikely to different sprinklers than the rest of the unintended sprinkler release. be in anyone's way, and still provide building. the coverage necessary to conform to Saunas and steam rooms frequently code requirements. UL and FMG Few things aggravate a Client more have limited overhead clearance. approved sidewall sprinklers are than an unintended sprinkler system They often have raised floors, which readily available. release, so take that little bit of extra further reduces headroom. Finally, time to verify the sprinkler design they have raised seating around the How to Tell the Temperature at Which submittals for specialty spaces. It can perimeter of the room. a Sprinkler will Fuse: Fusible pay off with a happier Client. elements are color coded to make it These geometric considerations possible to tell the fusing temperature combine to render undesirable any without inspecting the head. design that includes a pendant Sprinklers With Fusible Links: sprinkler head sticking out of the - Uncolored: 135 - 170 deg.F ceiling. Generally, it's bad for - White: 175 - 225 deg.F business when clients are banging - Blue 250 - 300 deg.F Add Your Comments their heads on the sprinklers. - Red 325 - 375 deg.F We invite your comments. Visit our blog - Green 400 - 475 deg.F and add your comments. Sprinkler Head Selections: Recessed - Orange 500 - 575 deg.F sprinkler heads (Figure 2) can be applied when a pendant head will not Sprinklers With Frangible Bulbs: Like it? Share it! do, provided that there is a recessed - Orange: 135 deg.F Tweet or Email your friends head assembly that is UL or FMG - Red: 155 deg.F approved for the required fusing - Yellow: 175 deg.F temperature. - Green: 200 deg.F - Blue: 250 - 300 deg.F The information contained in this document is offered for educational purposes, only, If the selected fusing temperature is - Purple: 325 - 375 deg.F and not as technical advice suitable for any above 290 deg. F (143 deg. C), it may - Black: 400 deg.F & Higher particular project or specific condition. be difficult to find a UL or FMG Conclusion Technical consulting is unique to the facts approved, recessed sprinkler head. Because sprinkler systems are often of a particular condition, and Conspectus Flush caps are not appropriate for installed as design-build turnkey recommends that a specialist be consulted elevated temperatures, as they fuse systems, design professionals can to determine solutions for each specific and fall off due to the elevated overlook the needs of specialty condition.