#119 — Fire Alarm Detector Layout Part 2: Irregularly Shaped Areas © February 15,2019 MF Fire Alarm, Fire Alarm Detector Layout, Fire Tech Tips by Shawn Lee References to NEPA 72 refer to the 2016 edition When we previously discussed fire alarm detector layout, we went through a series of square rooms/spaces to demonstrate how to place spot type fire alarm detectors, as shown in the example below. Following the spacing rules of NFPA 72 Following the spacing rules of NFPA 72, Chapter 17, specifically Section 17.6.3.1.1, we know our detector layout must follow one of the two requirements below. 30ft (1) The distance between detectors shall not exceed their listed spacing, and there shall be detectors within a distance of one-half the listed spacing, measured at right angles from all walls or partitions extending upward to on within the top 15 percent of the ceiling height. (2) All points on the ceiling shall have a detector within a distance equal to or less than 0.7 times the listed spacing (0.75). Assuming we have a heat detector that has a listed spacing of 30 feet, the illustration above shows that we have followed both requirements. The detector is no more than one-half its listed spacingfrom any wall measured at a right angle. In addition, no space on the ceiling is more than 0.7 x the detector’s listed spacing, in this case 21 feet. + ¥ + asft asft 15 ft Up to this point we have been | ne wi : J. a5t G) 225k _G ash _) 15k working with square rooms, but this is just as applicable to rectangular 2or 2ofe aor sof spacesas illustrated. feAb A (py _2zsit _(gy) _2zsit_ _)) 15h. What if the space the T ae * anf detector needs to be + + 75 ft placed in is an irregular shape? As you can see, there is no real difference other than a longer dimension in width. The idea is the same, but what if the space the detector needs to be placed in is an irregular shape? A space that is not square or rectangular, or perhaps rectangular and narrow. In those cases, we go on to the next requirement in the fire alarm code, 17.6.3.1.2. Itis appropriately titled “Irregular Areas” and states “For irregularly shaped areas, the spacing between detectors shall be permitted to be greater than the listed spacing, provided that the maximum spacing from a detector to the farthest point of a sidewall or corner within its zone of protection is not greater than 0.7 times the listed spacing.” To give us an idea of how to apply 17.6.3.1.2 to our detector layouts, NEPA 72 provides diagrams and detector curve charts in Annex A. What we need is located on pages 206 and 207 of the 2013 edition and pages 213 and 214 of the 2016 edition. The figures we are looking for are A.17.6.3.1.1(e) and A.17.6.3.1.1(h). Let's start with A.17.6.3.1.1(e). To make things a little easier, | will focus on the 30-foot detector curve, however the same methodology can be used with all detector curves. If you are working in an area that uses the metric system please use Figure A17.6.3.1.1(f). Look at the detector curve illustrated, we see that there are different dimensions on the curve that start with the standard spacing of 30-foot by 30-foot and works its way down to the 42.4 dimension for very narrow spaces. So, here's the quick explanation on how we can use this curve to our advantage. Let’s say we have a space that has a dimension of 10 feet wide and 150 long 20 Detector curve with a ceiling 10 feet or less. We'll call it a long narrow tunnel. We'll also say that this tunnel requires heat detectors in it because of local building codes. Now assuming wehave heat detectors listed for this environment and those heat detectors have a listed spacing of 30 feet, here’s how it would look if we use the requirements of 17.6.3.1.1 as we did in the Detector Layout Part 1. Shp 3oR Gy sok Gy sok ya0k a Idi sft 150 ft As you can see we followed the requirements and “luckily” we ended up with a detector layout that is perfectly spaced at 30-foot intervals. Now let’s apply the detector curve to the same tunnel to see what that looks like. | want to call your attention to the number “41.2.” In this narrow 10-foot space, our 30-foot detector spacing is now allowed to be 41.2 feet. You may be thinking...30 feet and 41.2 feet are NOT the same and the spacing won't work out so what gives?!? Well, there's a little geometry magic going on. It becomes clearer when you get it all on a scaled drawing and measure out the distance from the upper left corner to the closest detector. That distance will not be more than 0.7 x the detector’s listed spacing of 30 feet or 21 feet. 30 Detector curve That is the beauty of using this curve. Let’s see how the same tunnel will look using the curve and spacing from the model above. [20 G)—sktin GSE GRR GBA | ay sft 150 ft To make ita little easier, I decided to use no more than 40-foot spacing for my detectors. That made the spacing between all four of the detectors a lot better. However, even if| would have gone with 41.2 feet as my spacing per the detector curve, it would have still worked out close to what | laid out above: 4 detectors and no spot on the ceiling more than 21 feet away from the closest detector. How do | know no spot on the ceiling is farther than 21 feet away from a detector in our tunnel? | can test it using the Pythagorean Theorem. In case you are unfamiliar with the theorem, it is c? = a+b? Using the theorem, | can figure out the distance from the upper left corner of our tunnel to the center point of the closest detector. We already have two of the measurements just from looking at our layout. The first measurement, which we will designate as “a” is 5 feet from either the north or south walls. The second measurement, which we will designate as “b” is 20 feet from thedetector’s center point to the far-left wall. Using those two measurements we can use the theorem to solve for “c” (our measurement from the corner of the space to our heat detector) to see if we have violated NFPA 72 detector spacing rules. eo nate? 0 a5? 4207 (5x5) + (20x20) © = 254400 2 2-425 To find “c” we'll need the square root of 425 NFPA 72 Detector Spacing Rules Using the theorem, we find that the farthest spot on the ceiling is approximately 20.61 feet away from the closest heat detector in our very narrow tunnel. According to 17.6.3.1.2, we are code complaint because that distance is less than the heat detector’s listed 30-foot spacing x 0.7 (21 feet). There are detector curves for other listed spacings. The range goes from 15 feet up to 50 feet (4.6 meters to 15.2 meters) for heat detector spacing. The process we followed works the same. Find the detector curve you need for your detector spacing and use the closest dimensions to what your space is. Then layout your detectors. Our last example was for an irregular space, but it was still a rectangular space. What about a non-square or non-rectangular space? Believe it or not, that’s a little easier because it’s just measurements. In most scenarios, there will be no need to use the Pythagorean Theorem. You'll just need to do some quick multiplication to get the information you need and then you can place your heat detectors where you need them Please open your NFPA 72 to Annex A and look at the Figure A.17.6.3.1.1(h) on page 207 of the 2013 edition or page 214 in the 2016 edition. As you can see, the top portion of the figure has some irregular shaped areas. You will also notice that no space on the ceiling is more than 21 feet from a detector. That is based upon a detector with a listed spacing of 30 feet. If the detector hada listed spacing of 40 feet, then the distance from the closest detector would need to be 28 feet or less (40 feet x 0.7 = 28 feet). When it comes to heat detector layout, there are some scenarios that are complicated and some that are less complicated. NFPA 72, 17.6.3.1.2 does what it can to make heat detector layout in irregularly shaped areas less complicated. When you find yourself doing a layout for spot type heat detectors in an area that isn’t square or rectangular, don’t forget 17.6.3.1.2 provides you with some options. ire Alarm Detector Layout Part 3: Solid Joists ‘To read the next article in this series, Link to: #127 To read the previous article in this series, Link to: #114 — Basic Fire Alarm Heat Detector Layout #118 — Math Tips 190520 ~ Inspection & Testing of Fire Pumps & Sprinkler Systems Workshop ~ Atlanta Info Page > About Us Contact Us Fags Fire Tech Tips NICET Exam Practice Session Calendar (PDF) State Fire Marshal Exam Standards & Fire Tabs Reference Texts 2022 Workshop Calendar NICET Prep Online Courses NICET Prep Online Summits Associates Program Partners Online Course Login WBENC Certificate WOSB Certificate a Copyright © 2023, Fire Tech Productions, Inc, 7976 Clyo Rood, Centerville, OH 45459,Powered by Tempera & WordPress.