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Field test and evaluation of residential sprinkler systems: Part II

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Abstract

A series of National Fire Protection Association full-scale tests involving sprinkler installations was conducted in a two-story residence in Los Angeles, CA, and in a mobile home in Charlotte, NC. Previous laboratory tests, including full-scale room fire tests, had indicated that a prototype “quick-response” sprinkler was effective in controlling residential home fires. More full-scale fire tests under less controlled and more operational conditions were considered necessary to confirm or deny this conclusion. Part I of this three-part series (November 1983) explained the objectives of the tests and the test procedures that were to be followed. This second part describes the criteria used to evaluate the effectiveness of sprinkler systems using the “quick response” sprinkler in the series of seventy-six tests and the results of those tests. Part III will cover that phase of the test program that focused on a comparison of sprinkler and smoke detector activation times in the mobile home test structure.

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National Fire Protection Association

Mr. Cote is Assistant Vice President (Engineering & Technical Services) for the NFPA. He served as project manager for the test series insofar as the NFPA had overall management responsibilities for the program.

Reference: Cote Arthur E., “Field Test and Evaluation of Residential Sprinkler Systems: Part II” Fire Technology, Vol. 20, No. 1, February 1984, p. 48.

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Arthur, E., Cote, P.E. Field test and evaluation of residential sprinkler systems: Part II. Fire Technol 20, 48–58 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02390047

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02390047

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