[dd251] Water Mist Systems, DD251:2000, the R.S.A. and Misinformation.
- From: "John Moore" <admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "Dd251@Freelists. Org" <dd251@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 14 Jan 2003 08:48:04 -0000
Water Mist Systems, DD251:2000, the R.S.A. and Misinformation.
For some time now The Residential Sprinkler Association has had on its Web
Site some misinformation about water mist suppression systems.
We cannot speak for other Companies that produce water mist systems; we can
only give you the facts about LP. 2000 the system developed and marketed by
Aqua-Mist Fire Technology Ltd. of Wakefield, West Yorkshire.
1. The RSA claims the following: -
DD251:2000 requires a delivery of 60 l/min over an area of 15 sq. meters.
This equates to a density of 4mm/min. The rest of the world accepts a
minimum density of 2.02mm/min. under NFPA and UL standards.
Water mist systems (as are currently being marketed for domestic use)
deliver considerably less water than 2.02mm/min.
CORRECT Water mist systems work completely differently to sprinklers with a
far more efficient use of water. FACT.
2. The RSA claims the following: -
DD251:2000 requires a delivery of water for a minimum of 10 minutes in a
single-family property and 30 minutes in a multi-family property. Water
mist systems (as are currently being marketed for domestic use) only deliver
water for a maximum of 4 minutes - if that.
INCORRECT. LP 2000 runs until turned off, LP 2000 guarantees pressure and
water for 4 mins. What guarantee does DD251 give? Nothing. It cannot even
guarantee water pressure.
3. The RSA claims the following: -
DD251:2000 requires a delivery of a significant amount of water onto the
walls of the compartment at high level to aid cooling of the compartment.
Water mist systems (as are currently being marketed for domestic use)
provide no wall wetting.
INCORRECT LP2000 has passed all relevant IMO Fire Tests and easily passed
the UL1626 test as required in DD252.
4. The RSA claims the following: -
DD251.2000 requires the system to deal with a wide variety fires in a wide
variety of locations within the property.
Water mist systems (as are currently being marketed for domestic use) are
risk specific and not versatile.
INCORRECT LP2000 will extinguish or control all types of fires - fabric,
wood, paper, even petrol and chip pan fires in ventilated and unventilated
spaces. How much more versatile would the RSA like them to be?
5. The RSA claims the following: -
DD251:2000 requires the systems to be installed to a known specification
using products independently tested to acknowledged international standards.
Water mist systems (as are currently being marketed for domestic use) have
no published specification or independent test data available.
INCORRECT IMO-NFPA,750 are amongst the highest specifications you can get.
There is much Independent Test Data available. We suggest that Mr. Piggott
obtains a copy of FPT Code of Practice.
6. The RSA claims the following: -
DD251: 2000 requires the system to be installed by an experienced sprinkler
contractor who is suitably qualified and experienced and has independent
documentation providing evidence of this.
Water mist systems (as are currently being marketed for domestic use) have
no training or certification schemes in place at this time.
INCORRECT. Aqua-Mist Fire Technology has a well-documented training scheme
for their Installers. The RSA scheme is hardly independent and for
reference, some of the so-called, RSA Trained Installers failed the LP 2000
course.
7. The RSA claims the following: -
DD251:2000 requires that only components that have been tested and approved
to internationally recognised standards - such as British Standards DD252 or
Underwriters Laboratories UL1625 be used.
There is currently no published specification for the water mist systems (as
are currently being marketed for domestic use) and no approvals of the
components used in those systems, to be used in domestic/residential
properties.
INCORRECT The specification for water mist is far more onerous than DD251
which in itself is only a draft for development and has many flaws and
anomalies i.e. use in kitchens, and, where pumps and tanks are required
because of inadequate water supply one of the first things affected in a
fire is that the electricity gets cut off. No electricity - No Pump - No
System.
In conclusion, The RSA has one observation correct out of seven, so rather
than churn out incorrect commercial scare mongering as above, we would
suggest that the RSA Technical Committee visit one of the International Test
facilities and see these systems tested, and also obtain a IMO Code of
Practice to see what is required of a water mist system and its components.
Just like some of the Fire Service Personnel and Building Control Officers
have in order for them to make a judgment on water mist suitability.
Note: The test quoted in DD252, the UL1626 test, was extinguished completely
in 20 seconds by the LP2000 system with little or no damage to the simulated
furniture or wood crib, and no damage to the walls.
How many UK Domestic Sprinkler Companies have submitted their systems to the
UL1626 Test ?
Eric Cranswick. Technical Director, Aqua-Mist Fire Technology Ltd.
---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.441 / Virus Database: 247 - Release Date: 09/01/03
=====================================================================
Residential Sprinkler Forum
Archives: //www.freelists.org/archives/dd251
WebSite: www.dd251.org.uk
To unsubscribe from the list, send an email to
dd251-request@xxxxxxxxxxxx with ?unsubscribe? in the Subject line or
unsubscribe from the website www.dd251.org.uk
Other related posts:
- » [dd251] Water Mist Systems, DD251:2000, the R.S.A. and Misinformation.
