NFPA Journal - May/June 2019 - 80

25
releasing panel equipped with fire
detection and sprinkler selection algorithms. Based on the algorithms, the
panel selects the number of sprinklers
and which sprinklers to activate. By
using a detector as the initiating device,
water can be delivered to a fire much
sooner than sprinklers equipped with
fixed temperature thermal response eleElectric sprinklers:
ments, reducing the number of active
What will they think
sprinklers and thereby increasing
of next?
water-use efficiency. This technology
Electric sprinklers are a newly recogwas developed as another option for
nized technology in the 2020 edition of
addressing high-hazard fires such as
NFPA 25, and as a result several new
those presented by exposed expanded
requirements have been generated.
group A plastics, typically found in
warehouse storage arrangements.
NFPA 25 leans
heavily on the
manufacturers'
requirements or
ITM activities
as they relate
to the sprinkler
portion of the
device. Any ITM
activities related
to the detection
portion would
still fall under
the ITM requirements in NFPA
72®, National Fire
Alarm and Signaling Code®, rather
than NFPA 25. As
this technology is
newly introduced
into NFPA 25, I
suspect that, in
The 2020 edition of NFPA 25 includes
new requirements for electric sprinklers,
the next revision
developed for use in high-hazard storage
cycle of NFPA 13,
applications.
we will begin to
see requirements
Unlike traditional sprinklers
proposed for sprinkler system installaequipped with a thermal response
tions similar to the approach used on
element that activates at a fixed
automated inspection and testing.
temperature, electric sprinklers are
activated by an electric signal sent to
Should I open an
energized controller?
an actuator. The actuator releases the
mechanisms holding back the water,
When dealing with fire pump controlallowing the sprinkler to discharge.
lers, electrical safety is not a matter
Each sprinkler is equipped with its
to be taken lightly. Through much
own detector as the initiating device.
debate, the technical committee has
When a fire is detected, the initiating
determined that the benefit of opening
device sends a signal to the addressable an energized controller to take voltage

80 | NFPA JOURNAL * M A Y / J U N E 2 0 1 9

and ampere readings or to check connections does not outweigh the risks of
possible arc flash or shock exposure.
This was in light of the 2017 edition
of NFPA 25 already issued with a tentative interim amendment (TIA) on this
issue. TIA 17-2 was issued limiting the
opening of fire pump controllers. The
TIA applied to the 2017 edition, and
the 2020 edition of NFPA 25 will only
allow the opening of a controller when
it can be safely de-energized; once
de-energized, the connections can be
safely checked.
Additionally, although voltage and
ampere readings can no longer be
taken internally where a controller
is equipped with an external digital
readout screen, the voltage and ampere
readings can still be taken. The 2020
edition of NFPA 25 also has added
requirements for a new controller,
where the controller disconnect is
located in a separate rated enclosure
within the fire pump controller enclosure. This allows the controller to be
de-energized so that it can be opened
and work can be performed safely. Also,
the 2020 edition now clearly states
that NFPA 70E®, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace®, or an
approved equivalent must be followed
should any work need to be conducted
on electrical equipment.

The next time you're sitting in the auto
repair shop waiting for the service on
your vehicle to be completed, think
about these key takeaways from the
2020 edition of NFPA 25. If you'd like
your water-based fire protection system
to have as long a life as my parents'
300,000-mile-plus Cavalier and Regal,
your system needs to be maintained
properly to function as intended during
an emergency. It's important to stay
on top of key changes in the field. The
most up-to-date edition of NFPA 25
should be used for all inspection, testing, and maintenance activities, as it
will contain the most current information on technology and inspection and
testing methods.
CHAD DUFFY is a principal fire protection engineer
at NFPA and staff liaison for NFPA 25.

POTTER ELECTRIC SIGNAL COMPANY, LLC

2019 editions of all of the NFPA waterbased standards, including NFPA 13,
Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems; NFPA 14, Standard for
the Installation of Standpipe and Hose
Systems; and NFPA 20, Standard for
the Installation of Stationary Pumps
for Fire Protection.
NFPA Journal - May/June 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NFPA Journal - May/June 2019
