New National Fire Protection Agency Guidelines Support Use of HVLS Fans in Warehouses with Automatic Sprinklers |
Rite-Hite
8900 N. Arbon Dr., P.O. Box 245020
Milwaukee, WI, 53224
USA
Press release date: August 24, 2011
Based on extensive testing, the National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA) Research Foundation has established guidelines for the installation and use of HVLS (High Volume Low Speed) fans in buildings with ESFR (Early Suppression Fast Response) automatic sprinklers. In a significant vote of confidence for the products, the testers concluded that HVLS fans, without additional fire, smoke, or heat detecting equipment, did not prevent the sprinkler systems from meeting the established "pass" criteria for any of the tests.
The guidelines were made upon the completion of the second phase of a two-part study analyzing the impact of HVLS fans on automatic sprinkler systems protecting stored commodities. The study was sponsored by six risk management companies and three HVLS fan manufacturers and was comprised of a series of ten full-scale fire tests. Testing was done at FM Global and Underwriters Laboratories, under the supervision of AON Fire Protection Engineering. The project was conducted in conjunction with the Property Insurance Research Group (PIRG), whose technical panel oversight committee includes industry experts, consultants and sprinkler association members.
"This is a long-awaited moment for the HVLS fan industry," said Dan Anderson of Rite-Hite Fans. "We are glad that the HVLS fan manufacturers could work together with NFPA, FM Global, UL and sprinkler industry representatives to help establish these application guidelines. Building owners/managers who follow them should have no hesitation about using HVLS fans in warehouse applications."
Although local fire marshals or building managers may prefer to have HVLS fans automatically shut down when sprinklers are activated, the new NFPA guidelines call out only two specific sprinkler/storage combinations in which automatic shutdown is required within 90 seconds of sprinkler activation. Rite-Hite's Revolution and Revolution SP fans both include a variable frequency drive that facilitates fan shutdown (from an existing fire panel) in such situations.
If you would like more information or industry perspective on the National Fire Protection Association's study on HVLS fans and installation guidelines, please contact Andy Larsen at 414/271-0101 or alarsen@boelterlincoln.com.
ABOUT RITE-HITE
Rite-Hite Fans, headquartered in Milwaukee, WI, is a subsidiary of Rite-Hite, a recognized world leader in the manufacture and sale of loading dock and industrial door safety products. Rite-Hite has historically placed a strong emphasis on research and development, leading to new products that pioneer the industry. It was this focus that lead to the development of the Revolution HVLS (high volume/low speed) industrial ceiling fan in 2006 and in 2010 the Revolution SP HLVS fan designed for commercial spaces.
CONTACT:
Andy Larsen
alarsen@boelterlincoln.com
414/271-0101 x119
414/840-0891
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 
