NFPA 17 Provides Details on Proper Inspection and Installation
Dry-chemical fire suppression systems can be utilized for the protection of paint spray booths to gas station canopies. The systems range in size and capacity based on the hazard they are going to protect.
Dry-chemical fire suppression systems have multiple types which can be utilized in varying applications. This may include a fixed system in a paint spray booth, a hand application in a processing area, or the protection of a stand alone hazardous materials room. The basis for many designs can be found in NFPA 17, Standard for Dry Chemical Fire Suppression Systems (2009 is the most current addition). This standard includes minimum requirements for dry chemical fire-extinguishing systems that discharge dry chemical from fixed nozzles or hand hose lines by means of expellant gas.
Did you know you can view the NFPA standards for free? Check out this link to the version of NFPA 17.
The standard indicates that
1.2 Purpose
This standard is prepared for the use and guidance of those charged with the purchasing, designing, installing, testing, inspecting, approving, listing, operating, or maintaining of dry chemical fire-extinguishing systems in order that such equipment will function as intended throughout its life.
Keeping that in mind, many of these systems are pre-engineered. Therefore the manufacture will design a specification which becomes a part of the listed assembly for proper installation. This would include total length of allowable pipe, fittings, nozzle type or location, and description on determining the total agent involved to protect the area.
The standard has several main chapters based on the type of system you are working to install. These sections include total flooding, local application, hand hose lines, and pre-engineered systems. Chapter 10 provides the requirements for plan submittal and acceptance testing. Below are many great resources that are available for use in the plan review and inspection process:
Resources
- City of Kent, Washington, Dry Chemical Checklist
- City of Covington, Washington, Dry or Wet Chemical Checklist
- City of Aurora Building Division, Wet and Dry Checklist
- Workplace Safety Checklist
- City of Yakima, Code Division, Minimum Requirements For Dry-Chemical Supression Systems
- OSHA Egress requirements for fixed systems
{ 4 comments… add one }
sir,
What standard chemical installed kitchen hood with fry oil.
dry dhemical or wet chemical can you pls me give an idea,
Thank you,
Rey
Rey, the code may vary in your town but it is wet chemical in the major building and fire codes. The product is very specific to the manufacture but here is the standard http://www.nfpa.org/aboutthecodes/AboutTheCodes.asp?DocNum=17A&cookie%5Ftest=1
I am looking to install a dry chemical system in my auto spray booth. Is this something I can do on my own or do I have to have this done by a certified fire suppression company?
Chris,
Typically these systems are installed by an approved fire suppression company. First they are approved by the State or Local AHJ (Authority having Jurisdiction) and second they have been trained in installing the system by the manufacture. NFPA 17 would require that of the contractor as the systems are typically pre-engineered.