Massive fires at the Jupiter Aluminum rolling mill in
Hammond, IN, and Sofa Super Store in Charleston, SC, reinforce the need for
sprinklered buildings.
Last
month, the author began a discussion of how tubing depth affects the thermal
performance of heated slabs by noting computer simulations that show the effect
is significant. This month he looks at bare
slabs, as well as some details for protecting tubing where it passes
beneath sawn control joints.
Through
all of the discussions about a single plumbing code, the third code in the
group, the PHCC-NA National Standard Plumbing Code (NSPC), seems to be the
forgotten code. The NSPC, however, is alive and kicking.
What doesn’t make the news, for some reason, are instances where fire sprinkler systems spare lives, prevent injuries and minimize property damage. And if reported,
the existence of a fire sprinkler system barely makes it into the storyline.
The
International Code Council (ICC) code change hearings in Rochester, NY, were
abuzz over one change: Mandating residential sprinklers in all one- and
two-family dwellings, including townhouses. When the proposed code change to
the International Residential Code (IRC) was called to the floor, the hearing
room was packed.