SMART Sprinkler Protection for Highly Challenging Fires—Part 2: Full-Scale Fire Tests in Rack Storage

Abstract

An experimental study was conducted to demonstrate the concept of a new sprinkler protection system using Simultaneous Monitoring, Assessment and Response Technology (SMART). Part I of this study focuses on the system design and function evaluation at the component level. The present work is Part II of the study, focusing on full-scale suppression tests to evaluate the performance of SMART sprinkler technology in protecting rack storage fires. The selected fuel was cartoned unexpanded plastic (CUP) commodity representing an intermediate level of fire hazard. The storage height increased from 3 tiers (9.1 m) to 5 tiers (10.7 m) to 7 tiers (12.2 m) in the three tests. The sprinkler activation was initiated by a smoke detector and a ceiling temperature rise threshold. The fire location was calculated as the thermal centroid based on ceiling temperatures. A group of six sprinklers, closest to the calculated fire location, was activated simultaneously. Subsequent fire development was monitored through visual observation as well as ceiling temperature data. Test results show that the SMART sprinklers can provide adequate protection for the CUP commodities stored up to 7-tiers (12.2-m) high within a rack storage under the tested conditions. The water densities used in these tests were approximately 50% of those in existing protection recommendation. These results lay the foundation for exploring potential applications of the SMART sprinklers to Highly Challenging Fires.