FM Global Research in Sprinkler...
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FM Global Research in Sprinkler Development Bruce Bromage Senior Consultant International Codes and Standards 1
Transcript of FM Global Research in Sprinkler...
FM Global Research in
Sprinkler Development
Bruce BromageSenior Consultant International Codes and
Standards
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2LOGO ORADOR
350th Anniversary “Great Fire of London”
Closer to Home
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25th August 1988. Lisbon
History of Sprinklers and FM Global’srole.
• Sprinklers were not invented by FM Global!
• British invention 1812. Installed at Drury Lane
Theatre, London.
• First “automatic” design 1874. Henry Parmalee.
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History of Sprinklers and FM Global’srole.
• Sprinklers were not invented by FM Global!
• British invention 1812. Installed at Drury Lane
Theatre.
• First “automatic” design 1874. Henry Parmalee.
• Grinnell refined the Parmalee design and basic
system unchanged for next 60 years.
•
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History of Sprinklers and FM Global’srole.
• Sprinklers were not invented by FM Global!
• British invention 1812. Installed at Drury Lane
Theatre.
• First “automatic” design 1874. Henry Parmalee.
• Grinnell refined the Parmalee design and basic
system unchanged for next 60 years.
• FM involved in testing sprinklers from 1884.
• Not a life safety device. Property protection with the
benefit of reducing insurance premiums.
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History of Sprinklers and FM Global’srole.
• First major FM Global invention 1953 “Spray
Sprinkler”
– Storages higher thanks to the forklift truck!
– More combustible content: plastics.
– Spray sprinkler pushes more water down.
• Change in warehousing provoked the new
design!
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History of Sprinklers and FM Global’srole.
• 1979 - Large Drop Sprinkler
• 1983-1988 - ESFR Sprinkler
• 1991 – Extended Coverage Sprinkler
• 2003 – FM Global Research Campus
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ESFR Sprinkler
• Research driven by customer feedback.
– Too much damage with conventional sprinklers
– Dislike of in-rack sprinklers
• Extinguishment rather than control.
• Further benefits:
– Smaller water storage (1 hour)
– Reduced smoke damage.• (video)sidebyside Portuguese.mp4
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What drives sprinkler research?
• Industry innovation:
– Products
– Packaging
– Material Handling
• Individual client problem.
• Uncertainty of fire/sprinkler interaction.
• Unexplained large fires.
• Cost Reduction
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Examples of recent sprinkler researchLithium ion batteries
Examples of recent sprinkler researchRoof slope
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Other recent research
• Rolled Paper
• Whiskey in Barrels
• AS/RS
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Computational Analysis of Fire Suppression Physics
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Left: model, Right: reality.
Top: unsprinklered, Bottom: sprinklered
SMART Sprinklers – the future?
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Conclusions
• Continued growth of knowledge of automatic
sprinklers.
• Driven by our clients’ needs.
• Looking to drive down protection costs.
• Better awareness of sprinkler limitations.
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Obrigado!
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