FPRF Sprinkler Protection Criteria for Consumer Fireworks Storage in Retail Facilities

Garner Palenske, P.E.

AON FPE Vice President | US Western Region

Fire Protection Engineering

Fire Protection Engineering

Overview

This study had two primary objectives: To conduct/oversee a field survey of the

configurations of fireworks storage in retail facilities to develop a design basis for hazard assessment

To develop a research plan with associated preliminary cost estimate to evaluate required sprinkler design criteria for consumer fireworks storage in these facilities

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Field Survey Locations

Phantom Fireworks – Pahrump, NV

TNT Fireworks– Londonderry, NH

Atlas Fireworks– Londonderry, NH

Phantom Fireworks– Londonderry, NH

Sparks Fly Fireworks– Chichester, NH

Big Daddy’s Fireworks– Lenoir City, TN

Fireworks Supermarket– Lenoir City, TN

Fireworks Supermarket– Bristol, TN

Phantom Fireworks– Holland, OH

Phantom Fireworks– Fayette, OH

Motor City Fireworks– Monroe, MI

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Field Survey Findings – Retail Areas

Similar to Grocery Stores– Layout– Product distribution– Organization

Displayed in Original Packaging Removal of Damaged Products

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Field Survey Findings – Retail Areas

Fuse Covers / Protective Packaging Shelving Sizes & Types Varied

– Gondolas (up to 5 shelves)– Pallets– Single level bins

Storage Heights & Lengths Varied– Most shelving ≤ 72 inches tall– All shelving ≤ 32 feet long

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Field Survey Findings – Retail Areas

Product Quantity – Greatest to Least: Cakes Mine / Shell Devices Assortments Aerial Shell Kits Roman Candles Fountains Sparklers / Dipped Sticks Other (Sky / Bottle Rockets, Missiles,

Helicopters, Firecrackers, Wheels) Novelties

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Field Survey Findings – Storage Areas

Storage Protection– Sprinkler System– Building Separation

DOT Approved Packaging Shelving Sizes & Types Varied

– Predominant Method: Solid Pile– Rack Storage in Five Stores

Storage Heights Varied– 120 Inches for Solid Pile– 166 Inches for Racks

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Proposed Testing Concept – Reduced Scale Testing

Use Calorimeter Testing Address Fireworks Characteristics

– Energy release from fire– Deflagration potential– Spark spray– Launching projectiles

Determine Worst Case Products– Baseline for full scale testing

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Proposed Testing Concept – Full Scale Testing

Storage Configurations– Rack storage array– Palletized array

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Retail Configurations– Shelf storage arrays– Palletized arrays– Influence of projectiles– Influence of spark spray

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Proposed Fire Test Parameters

Fire Tests Shelf Storage Palletized Comments

Test Room Size( sq ft) 3,000-5,000 3,000-5,000 Size of TypicalRetail Store

Storage Type Shelf (Gondola) Palletized Open ArrayCommodity Type Consumer Fireworks Consumer FireworksNominal Storage Height (ft) 6 6Nominal Ceiling Height (ft) 12-17 12-17Nominal Clearance (ft) 6-11 6-11Array length(ft) 32 21 UL 199Aisle Width (in) 48 N/ALongitudinal Flue (in) N/A 12Longitudinal/Transverse Divider

Longitudinal at24 inches NA UL 199

Ignition Location Between 2 Sprinklers(Centered)

Between 2 Sprinklers(Centered)

Igniter Details 2 Half Igniters - 3" by 3"Each with 4 oz Gasoline

2 Half Igniters - 3" by 3"Each with 4 oz Gasoline

Sprinkler Type/Temperature Rating (oF) CMDA 165 CMDA 165

Sprinkler Orientation Pendent PendentSprinkler Response Quick Response Quick Response

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Test Concept Summary

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Description of Test Product Type Number of Tests

Mock Building Construction of 3,000-5,000 ft2 mock building To be used in all full scale tests

Calorimeter –Fuel Package Tests

Samples from categories defined by NFPA 1124, Appendix C

12 - One from each category plus three more

Full scale retail tests (described in Table 1)

Highest heat-release rate products, plus worst case projectile launching products

6 - gondola array,2 - palletized array

Full scale storage tests Highest heat-release rate products in DOT approved packaging

1 - rack storage, 1 - palletized array

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Questions?