Hot Aisle/Cold Aisle Containment Issues Presented March 1, 2011
Posted by shawnpci in Fire Protection, Fire Systems, FSSA.Tags: clean agent, clean agents, fire, fire protection, fire suppression, Fire Systems, FSSA, hot aisle cold aisle, NFPA
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Example of HACS/CACS solution
Challenges created by hot aisle/cold aisle containment systems (HACS/CACS) to effective fire suppression system design were presented at FSSA’s Framing for Success Annual Meeting by Jeffery Kidd of New England Fire Systems.
Kidd presented the variety of HACS/CACS solutions that are being implemented in data centers to deal with increasing heat loads. He cited recent studies that showed average data center operating temperatures rising from an average of 72 degrees before 2004 to 81 degrees in 2008. He also noted that it’s not uncommon for hot aisle temperatures to reach well over 100 degrees.
Proposals are currently being presented to the technical committees of NFPA 75 and NFPA 76 to recognize the challenges posed to fire suppression systems by these HACS/CACS efforts.
Kidd noted several items to consider when designing or modifying a fire suppression system where HACS/CACS systems are used including: detection for high air flows; agent design considerations for higher ambient temperatures and obstacle interference for nozzle placement.
FSSA’s annual meeting concludes on March 1.
Non-fire Related System Releases Discussed February 28, 2011
Posted by shawnpci in Fire Protection, Fire Systems, FSSA.Tags: alarm, clean agent, clean agents, fire protection, fire suppression, Fire Systems, FSSA
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Non-fire related system releases were discussed during a presentation at FSSA’s Framing for Success Annual Meeting in San Juan. Installers Division chair, Eric Burkland, presented a review of six top reasons for non-fire related system releases.
The top six discussed were: (1) dirty smoke detectors, (2) products of combustion caused by HVAC heating elements, (3) freon leaks, (4) unintentional manual release activation, (5) end-user hazard modifications with no regard on system impact and (6) power surges such as lightning strikes.
HFC-227-ea System Discharge
The top six were a result of a non-scientific survey conducted among FSSA installer members prior to the annual meeting. Burkland also discussed several preventative measures that would help to prevent unwanted system releases.
Those preventative measures included: routine system maintenance by qualified personnel; HVAC maintenance; signage installation; personnel training; installation of surge suppressors and notification of qualified personnel when modifying a hazard area.
FSSA’s Framing for Success annual meeting continues through March 1.
Technical Chair Hubert Highlights Activities February 28, 2011
Posted by shawnpci in Fire Protection, Fire Systems, FSSA.Tags: clean agent, clean agents, Data Centers, fire alarm, fire protection, fire suppression, Fire Systems, FSSA, NFPA
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FSSA’s technical committee chair, Dan Hubert, presented highlights of the technical committee’s work over the past year during a session yesterday at FSSA’s Framing for Success Annual Meeting.
Hubert provided details on a variety of efforts underway with the committee including major contributions to the NFPA comment cycles for 2001 and 72. He noted that FSSA is represented on over 37 NFPA standards committees.
Additionally, he announced the third in a series of Carbon Dioxide design guides covering total flooding applications. It forms a trilogy of documents with the previously published guides for local application rate-by-volume and local application rate-by-area.
Other topics being worked on are design considerations for data centers with hot aisle/cold aisle arrangements, and a possible white paper discussing Class C design concentration applications.
Hubert unveiled a unique software program developed by the committee that quickly and easily correlates all of the NFPA occupancy standards with all of the NFPA design standards. Free copies of the software will be distributed to all meeting attendees on a jump drive.
FSSA’s annual meeting continues in San Juan through March 1.
Erik Wahl Keynotes FSSA’s 2011 Framing for Success February 19, 2011
Posted by shawnpci in Change Leadership, Fire Protection, Fire Systems, FSSA, Good Stuff to Share.Tags: alarm, Change Leadership, clean agent, fire protection, fire suppression, Fire Systems, FSSA
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Erik Wahl, groundbreaking artist and communicator, challenges organizations to transcend mediocrity through creativity and originality. Drawing upon his experiences and understanding as an artist, Wahl passionately leads individuals to innovation and ingenuity.
Wahl will be the featured keynote presenter at the Fire Suppression Systems Association 2011 Framing for Success annual meeting on Sunday, February 27 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
His program, The Art of Vision, is uniquely designed to channel innovative strategies to create extraordinary results. By breaking apart the traditional rules, Erik Wahl challenges and inspires organizations to re-define their commonly held assumptions and misconceptions about vision, goals, success and creativity. And, ultimately, each program ends with a live, dynamically choreographed painting that leaves the audience in awe.
For more information or to register, click here.
<p><a href=”http://vimeo.com/12166946″>Art of Vision</a> from <a href=”http://vimeo.com/user3935308″>Tasha Moffitt</a> on <a href=”http://vimeo.com”>Vimeo</a>.</p>Framing For Success Is FSSA’s 2011 Forum Theme February 2, 2011
Posted by shawnpci in Fire Protection, Fire Systems, FSSA.Tags: clean agents, fire protection, fire suppression, Fire Systems
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The Fire Suppression Systems Association’s annual meeting is set for February 25 – March 1, 2011 at the Gran Melia Golf Resort in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
This year’s theme of Framing for Success encompasses many keynote speakers and presentations including Erik Wahl and his presentation “The Art of Vision.” In addition, several technical related sessions and committee reports will fill the two and a half days of programs.
Unique opportunities for professional and personal networking are hallmark of every annual meeting of the FSSA.
For registration information and a complete listing the exciting schedule visit: www.fssa.net
Does Recent EPA Ruling Affect Fire Protection Systems? January 10, 2011
Posted by shawnpci in Fire Protection, Fire Systems, FSSA.add a comment
The Environmental Protection Agency issued regulations effective December 31, 2010 to require monitoring and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions from additional sources of fluorinated greenhouse gases, including electronics manufacturing, fluorinated gas production, electrical equipment use, electrical equipment manufacture or refurbish, as well as importers and exporters of pre-charged equipment and closed-cell foams. 
This rule requires monitoring of greenhouse gases for these source categories only for sources with carbon dioxide equivalent emissions, imports, or exports above certain threshold levels. This rule does not require control of greenhouse gases.
Many fire protection professionals have asked if these new regulations apply to fire protection systems and fire extinguishers.
The Fire Suppression Systems Association recently announced that its review of the regulations indicated that it appears that the rule only covers refrigeration appliances and would not include fire protection systems or extinguishers.
For a more details, contact the Fire Suppression Systems Association at www.fssa.net
Oct 1 Starts Fire Protection Installer & Maintenance Worker Licensing September 24, 2010
Posted by shawnpci in Fire Systems, FSSA, Uncategorized.add a comment
October 1, 2010 marks the start of new licensing requirements in the State of Iowa for Fire Protection Installers and Maintenance Workers. After almost three years of back and forth with the Iowa legislature and the State Fire Marshal’s office, the new requirements are finally in place and ready to take effect.
Individuals who work with various fire protection systems including fire sprinklers, special hazards systems (including pre-engineered kitchen and industrial systems) and residential water-based fire protection systems will need to be licensed. The requirements do allow for a Fire Protection and Maintenance Worker Trainee license as well.
For more information and to download a PDF copy of the application form visit: http://www.dps.state.ia.us/fm/building/fesccp/forms.shtml
Proposed Rules Hearing Date Set for July 6, 2010 May 27, 2010
Posted by shawnpci in Fire Systems, FSSA, Uncategorized.add a comment
The Iowa State Fire Marshal’s office is planning to hold a public hearing on July 6, 2010 at 9 a.m. on proposed rules for the “Licensing of Fire Protection System Installers and Maintenance Workers.”
The proposed rules would provide for the establishment and administration of the licensing program, including licensing requirements, license fess, insurance and bonding requirements, disciplinary action against licenses, application forms, examination procedures, and procedures for reporting violations of the rules.
Persons who wish to make oral presentation at the public hearing should contact the Agency Rules Administrator at least one day prior to the public hearing. Any written comments or information regarding these proposed rules may be directed to the Agency Rules Administrator at the hearing or by 4:30 p.m. the day of the hearing.
The address for the State Public Safety Headquarters Building is 215 East 7th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319. Additional contact information is available at http://www.dps.state.ia.us/fm/index.shtml
Protex Central Fires Up Clean and Green Demo April 24, 2010
Posted by shawnpci in Fire Systems, FSSA.Tags: clean agent, fire suppression, NFPA, Protex Central
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We’re expanding our popular Clean and Green Fire Suppression Demonstrations to our Omaha, Nebraska location. Our next Clean and Green demonstration dates are set for Tuesday, May 4 in our Urbandale, IA location and on Wednesday, May 5 in our Papillion, Nebraska offices.
If you’ve never experienced a clean agent fire suppression event, here’s your chance.
You can learn more by visiting:
Protex Central, Inc. or see a video clip at: PitchEngine
Dry-Pipe Doesn’t Mean Clean Agent April 2, 2010
Posted by shawnpci in Fire Systems, FSSA.Tags: Data Centers, Fire Systems, NFPA
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Here are a couple of my comments regarding a recent entry found at: http://www.colocationblog.org/
Friend, you’re exactly correct. The notion of “dry-pipe” is a misnomer for inferring that clean agent fire suppression is in place. Moreover, the installation of fire sprinklers is to meet a building code – not the operational objectives of a datacenter (how many 9’s is it?)
One point of clarification – neither Halon 1301, FM-200, Novec 1230 or other clean agents listed for total flooding applications deplete oxygen in a protected space. In the case of Halon 1301, it chemically interrupts the chain of combustion (See NFPA 12A appendix for more information). The other noted agents essentially absorb heat to suppress the fire (See NFPA 2001 for more information).
The idea that all gaseous agents deplete oxygen to suppress the fire flows from the way the Carbon Dioxide (CO2) systems work and, to some extent, the way Hollywood portrays the technology. CO2 is NOT recommend for total flooding applications where personnel may be present (See NFPA 12 for important safety requirements).
This topic is very timely. Read more about Google’s recent datacenter fire at my blog: shawnpci.wordpress.com
Onward and Upward 