9/23/14 -FM Global and NFPA 13
Requirements
-FM Approvals Certification
Process and Listings
Presented by Richard Dunne & Gary Keith
To receive credit for this seminar, you must
1) sign in on Sign-In sheet,
2) attend seminar in its entirety, and
3) submit a completed evaluation form.
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Paper-Lite
In an effort to be environmentally
responsible and to increase the quality
and timeliness of training resources,
AFSA is reducing the amount of paper
used at our conventions.
The handout file for this seminar can be
downloaded at:
www.firesprinkler.org/convention
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Instructor
¡  Gary Keith: Vice President, Engineering Standards Manager
¡  Responsible for the development of all FM Global Data Sheets.
¡  FM Global: 1980-1995
¡  Field Engineer to Operations Manager
¡  NFPA: 1995-2013
¡  Vice President, Field Operations
¡  gary.keith@fmglobal.com
¡  781-255-4710
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Instructor
¡  Richard Dunne: As Manager, Fire Protection Group within
FM Approvals LLC, Rick is responsible for managing the
product testing and certification of equipment for use in
fire protection systems and has been with the company
since 2005. He holds a bachelor’s degree in metallurgical
and materials engineering from Lehigh University,
Bethlehem, PA, USA, and has a master’s of business
administration from Babson College, Wellesley, MA, USA.
¡  richard.dunne@fmapprovals.com
¡  401-567-5701
DISCLAIMER
This seminar and its content is not a formal interpretation
issued pursuant to NFPA regulations. Any opinion expressed is
the personal opinion of the author and presenter and does
not necessarily present the official position of the NFPA and
its Technical Committees.
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First Installation Guidelines - 1891
2 9/23/14 Early Design Guidelines
Pipe Schedule Systems
Pipe schedule was categorized based
on occupancy hazard as either:
–  Light Hazard
–  Ordinary Hazard
–  Extra Hazard
Early Design Guidelines
Pipe Schedule Systems
Changes in Industrial Practices
Circa 1940 - 1950:
–  Steel construction for
buildings (collapse)
–  Invention of forklift truck
(higher storage)
–  Change from wood,
metal and glass materials
to plastic materials
(higher heat release fires)
3 9/23/14 Warehouses Fires – 1970’s &1980’s
FM Global Innovation in 1950’s
K5.6 Upright Standard Spray Sprinkler
FM Global Innovation in 1950’s
Density over Demand Area Concept
4 9/23/14 FM Global created Data Sheet 2-8N in 1971,
which was based on the 1971 version of NFPA 13
In 2004, FM
Global updated
the last version of
Data Sheet 2-8N,
which was based
on the 1996
version of
NFPA 13
If we fast
forward to 2010,
a new edition of
NFPA 13
replaced the
2007 edition
5 9/23/14 At the same time, FM Global
released new or revised versions of data
sheets including:
At the same time, FM Global
released new or revised versions of data
sheets including:
Let’s take a look at some of the
differences between NFPA 13 and
FM Global Data Sheets 2-0 and 8-9
6 9/23/14 Comparison of FM Global - NFPA 13
§  Sprinkler Listings
NFPA 13:
Categorizes sprinklers
based on their assumed
performance:
•  Control Mode Density
Area (CMDA)
•  Control Mode Specific
Application (CMSA)
•  Suppression Mode
(ESFR)
Data Sheets 2-0 and 8-9:
Categorizes sprinklers
based on their intended
use:
•  Non-Storage
•  Storage
•  Special Protection
Comparison of FM Global - NFPA 13
§  Sprinkler Listings
We have tests where:
Control Mode sprinklers can suppress fires
Suppression Mode sprinklers only control
fires
Sprinklers don’t always perform according
to their assumed performance
Comparison of FM Global - NFPA 13
System Area Limitations
¡
NFPA 13: Section
8.2.1
Established by system
sizes when using the
pipe schedule method
¡  Data Sheet 2-0: Section
2.4.1.6
•  Hydraulics of sprinkler
system, and
•  Water flow alarm received
within 60 seconds
Basically allows the user
to follow the sprinkler
system area limitations
outlined by their local
codes.
7 9/23/14 Comparison of FM Global - NFPA 13
§  Suppression Mode Sprinkler
Obstructions
NFPA 13:
Obstructions are
qualified as either:
Data Sheet 2-0:
Obstructions are qualified
as either:
•  At or near ceiling
•  Isolated below sprinklers
•  Continuous below
sprinklers
•  Obstructions to umbrella
discharge pattern, or
•  Obstructions to inner core
discharge pattern
Comparison of FM Global - NFPA 13
Umbrella
Pattern
Inner
Core
Comparison of FM Global - NFPA 13
§  Sprinkler Deflector Orientation
NFPA 13:
Deflectors of
sprinklers shall be
aligned parallel to
ceilings, roofs or the
incline of stairs
Data Sheet 2-0:
Deflectors of sprinklers
should be aligned parallel
to the floor unless the
ceiling angle is 5° or less
8 9/23/14 Comparison of FM Global - NFPA 13
§  Commodity Class Tables
NFPA 13:
Data Sheet 8-9:
Protection tables are available
for the following commodities:
•  Class I
•  Class II
•  Class III
•  Class IV
•  Cartoned unexpanded
plastics
•  Cartoned expanded plastics
•  Uncartoned unexpanded
plastics
•  Uncartoned expanded
plastics
Protection tables are available for
the following commodity
groupings:
•  Class I, II and III
•  Class IV and cartoned
unexpanded plastics
•  Cartoned expanded plastics
•  Uncartoned unexpanded
plastics
•  Uncartoned expanded plastics
Comparison of FM Global - NFPA 13
§  Allowable K-Factor of Ceiling Sprinklers
NFPA 13:
Sprinklers at ceiling level can be:
•  K5.6 (K80) if required density is
0.20 gpm/ft² (8 mm/min) or
less
•  K8.0 (K115) if required density
is 0.34 gpm/ft² (14 mm/min) or
less
•  K11.2 (K160) or larger if
required density is greater than
0.34 gpm/ft² (14 mm/min)
Data Sheet 8-9:
Sprinklers at ceiling level
should be:
•  K11.2 (K160) or larger
Testing has shown K5.6
(K80) and K8.0 (K115)
sprinklers aren’t efficient
at ceiling level for the
protection of storage
hazards
Comparison of FM Global - NFPA 13
§  Protection Parameters
NFPA 13:
Sprinkler protection
designs for a given
commodity hazard and
storage arrangement are
based on:
§  Storage Height, and
§  Ceiling Height
Data Sheet 8-9:
Sprinkler protection designs
for a given commodity
hazard and storage
arrangement are based on:
§  Ceiling Height only
9 9/23/14 Comparison of FM Global - NFPA 13
§  Density vs. Pressure Designs
NFPA 13:
Sprinkler protection
designs for storage can
be based on density,
which allows the design
pressure to be lower than
what was tested in the
labs
Data Sheet 8-9:
Sprinkler protection designs
for storage are based on
design pressures that
match what they were
tested to in the labs
Comparison of FM Global - NFPA 13
§  Designs Based on Sprinkler Attributes
By the mid-2000’s, it was becoming apparent that the
results of full-scale fire tests were being impacted by
key attributes of the sprinkler at ceiling level. Key
attributes include:
K Factor
K 25.2
(K360)
K 5.6
(K80)
10 9/23/14 Orientation
Pendent
Upright
Response Time Index
QR
SR
SRQR
Temperature Rating
160°F (70°C)
280°F (140°C)
11 9/23/14 Comparison of FM Global - NFPA 13
§  In-Rack Sprinkler Arrangements
NFPA 13:
In-rack sprinkler
installations
incorporate vertical
and horizontal
stagger
arrangements
Data Sheet 8-9:
In-rack sprinkler
installations do not
incorporate vertical or
horizontal stagger
arrangements
Comparison of FM Global - NFPA 13
§  In-Rack Sprinkler Locations
NFPA 13:
In-rack sprinklers
need to be located:
§  At the intersection
of the longitudinal
and transverse
flues
Data Sheet 8-9:
In-rack sprinklers need to be
located:
§  Within 3 in. (75 mm)
horizontally of the flue
space intersection they are
intended to protect, and
§  Not located directly behind
any rack uprights when
IRAS are located in the
longitudinal flue space only
Thank You!
Next:
FM Approvals
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Process for Obtaining FM
Approval
¡  FM Approvals:
¡  Wholly owned subsidiary of FM Global
(commercial & industrial property insurance
company)
¡  Established in 1897
¡  “specialty” product testing and certification
organization
¡  Unique focus on products/services that
support property loss prevention
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Process for Obtaining FM
Approval
¡ The Process….
¡ relatively simple
¡ 5-step process
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Process for Obtaining FM
Approval
¡ Step 1: Manufacturer Request
¡ MFGer submits letter/fax/email
requesting possible FM Approval for
product or assembly
¡ Also provides scope of work, model
numbers, technical info and
specifications, facility location(s), and
applicable sales literature
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Process for Obtaining FM
Approval
¡  Step 2: Proposal Issue and Manufacturer
Authorization
¡  FM Approvals develops and sends Proposal
letter with:
•  scope of work
•  cost estimates
•  schedule
•  required tests
•  sample requirements
¡  “Master Agreement” (1-time contractual
agreement/terms and conditions) also
provided
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Process for Obtaining FM
Approval
¡ Step 2: Proposal Issue and Manufacturer
Authorization
¡ MFGer then Authorizes Proposal in writing
¡ Submits all requested material and info
outlined within Proposal
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Process for Obtaining FM
Approval
¡ Step 3: Review, Testing, and First Audit
¡ Drawings/Specifications reviewed
¡ Testing scheduled & conducted
¡ First/Surveillance Audit conducted at
customer facility (if new customer, or new
MFGing facility)
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Process for Obtaining FM
Approval
¡  Step 4: Report, FM APPROVED Mark, and
Listing
¡  Once testing completed (successfully),
Approval Report developed/finalized
¡  Sent to customer
¡  Samples retained/archived, returned to
customer, or disposed of; per customer request
¡  Approval is effective as of date of report
¡  MFGer may label product as FM Approved
¡  Product is listed in on-line Approval Guide
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Process for Obtaining FM
Approval
¡ Step 5: Follow-Up Audits
¡ MFGer facility audits are required to maintain
FM Approved status
¡ Generally Quarterly…
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Process for Obtaining FM
Approval
15 9/23/14 FM Approvals - Approval
Guide Listings
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*On-Line since 2008
*Over 60,000
Approved Products
Listed
*Over 70,000 worldwide registrants
*Free Access
*Updated weekly…
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FM Approvals - Approval
Guide Listings
To access:
www.approvalguide.com
FM Approvals - Approval
Guide Listings
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Once registered (1-time only), simple log-in:
16 9/23/14 FM Approvals - Approval
Guide Listings
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FM Approvals - Approval
Guide Listings
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Search via
“Content
Trees”
FM Approvals - Approval
Guide Listings
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Search via “Content Trees”
17 9/23/14 FM Approvals - Approval
Guide Listings
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Search by “Country”
FM Approvals - Approval
Guide Listings
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Search by “Certification Type”
FM Approvals - Approval
Guide Listings
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Keyword Search
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FM Approvals - Approval
Guide Listings
¡  Search Capabilities Include:
¡  Division (Content Trees)
¡  Certification-Type
¡  Country
¡  Keyword Searches (Text/Company/Product)
¡  Access Links to MFGer’s websites
FM Approvals - Approval
Guide Listings
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FM Approvals - Approval
Guide Listings
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19 9/23/14 CONCLUSION
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¡  Questions & Answers
¡  Evaluations: Paper or Mobile Device
¡  Attendee ID#: 5-digit number located on your badge
¡  Paper: SEMINAR ID# 00467
¡  Mobile Device:
¡  Use Guidebook App to submit evaluation, or
¡  QR Scan application on your mobile device to scan the
QR code (below right) before leaving.
¡  To receive credit for this seminar, make sure
you’ve signed the Sign-In sheet and completed a
course evaluation (paper or mobile device).
SEMINAR ID#
00467
¡  Handouts: www.firesprinkler.org/convention
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