Automatic sprinklers were installed in all of the apartments, storage and other
occupied spaces. The installation in the apartments followed a modified NFPA Standard
No. 13D wet pipe automatic sprinkler design. This system was designed and installed
before NFPA Standard No. 13R was adopted. (See Appendix D for an explanation of
NFPA 13, 13D and 13R.) The residential sprinkler systems were supplied by a 1-1/2-
inch metered domestic water connection into each of the four wings. Each wing had a
separate, single 1-1/2-inch hose connection for the fire department to supplement the
sprinkler water supply. These connections were located in the first floor walkway which
surrounded the core area. There were no standpipes or hose valves connected to any of
the automatic sprinkler systems.
The sprinkler system used residential, quick-response sprinkler heads supplied
by polybutylene piping in the apartments. The installation employed Underwriters
Laboratories listed products and connection methods utilizing heat fusion rather than the
mechanical type connections used with polybutylene plumbing.
An NFPA Standard No. 13 compliant wet pipe automatic sprinkler system was
installed in the core offices and social function room. Residential quick response
heads were used in the third and fourth floor apartments; regular sprinkler heads supplied
by steel piping were installed in the offices and social room. This system had a
separate code-complying fire protection water supply connection with a fire department
connection located at a pit in front of the building. This water supply was also
connected to the residential sprinklers in the four apartments on the third and fourth
floors of the core section.
The combustible concealed spaces, including the attic, floor/ceiling space and
vertical shafts were not protected by automatic sprinklers. The outside wooden walkways
and balconies were also unprotected, except for some selected core areas. At these
core areas, the two open stairways were protected by dry-type sidewall automatic sprinkler
heads located on the wall opposite the stairways. Evidence indicates that one of
these sprinklers operated to extinguish the fire at the point of origin. However, by the
time the sprinkler operated, the fire had spread beyond the sprinkler head’s reach.
Each apartment was also provided with a hardwired single station smoke detector
located outside the sleeping areas. Alarm bells for occupant notification were operated
by water flow switches in the automatic sprinkler system. Manual pull stations
were not provided.
Automatic Sprinkler Water Supply
The automatic sprinkler systems and fire hydrants in the Old Buckingham
Station complex were supplied by an 8-inch ductile iron water main loop that was connected
to a 12-inch circulating water main under Midlothian Turnpike. Because of the
rolling type hills in the county, water system pressure varies significantly. Water flow
test information from 1988 indicates that 1800 gpm was available at 20 psi in the area
of the complex. Static water pressure for this test was recorded at 58 psi for a higher
elevation. Adjusted to the Lodge Building elevation, this pressure would have been
about 68 psi. The modified sprinkler system was tested after installation by flowing
water from four remote heads. This test indicated that the supply met or exceeded NFPA
requirements.
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