Trent Fearnley Reliability of Sprinkler Systems Reliability of

Trent Fearnley Reliability of Sprinkler Systems

Reliability of Sprinkler Systems

Reliability of Sprinkler Systems Definition of Efficacy ‘The probability that the sprinkler system will affect the development of the fire as specified in the system design objectives, given that it operates’ Frank et al 2013 ‘The degree to which the system achieves an objective given that it operates’ Thomas 2002

Reliability of Sprinkler Systems Definition of Reliability ‘The probability that the system when required’ Thomas 2002 ‘The likelihood that it operates and delivers the designed amount of water to the fire’ Moinuddin et al 2009

Reliability of Sprinkler Systems Efficacy Reliability Effectiveness

Reliability of Sprinkler Systems Previous Studies There have been many studies carried out on sprinkler system effectiveness and the results have varied considerably.

Reliability of Sprinkler Systems Recent studies in Australia using fault tree analysis have produced the following sprinkler reliability results: Shopping Centres (Bennetts et al) • Sprinkler zones associated with specialty shops 98. 50% • Sprinkler zones associated with major stores 99. 50% Office Buildings between 86. 6% and 97. 9% (Moinuddin and Thomas)

Reliability of Sprinkler Systems Recent New Zealand studies on buildings produced the following results: • Gravestock 2008 mean effectiveness of 95% for office buildings • Frank et al 2012 effectiveness of 86% based on fire service incident data.

Reliability of Sprinkler Systems • • • International Studies on Offices fires with wet pipe systems Hall J. R. 2005 - Sprinklers operated effectively 92% of the time Yoshiro Y et al – 97. 2 Hall J. R. 2010 - Sprinklers operated effectively 96% of the time Hall J. R. 2011 - Sprinklers operated effectively 87% of the time Hall J. R. 2013 - Sprinklers operated effectively 87% of the time

Reliability of Sprinkler Systems Why a new study? • Discrepancies between reports • Comparisons between Australian data and New Zealand data • Accuracy of data

Reliability of Sprinkler Systems The difference in results in the Australian studies raised questions on the reliability of the data. My thesis will replicate the Australian studies however the data will be collected from New Zealand buildings. The buildings used are office buildings (Risk Group WB) with an escape height greater than 25 m.

Reliability of Sprinkler Systems To maintain consistency so that a comparison can be made between this report and the previous reports, I intend to use the same questionnaire method which consists of questions based on the follows topics:

Reliability of Sprinkler Systems • Asset registry • Schematic diagram of the sprinkler system • Records of sprinkler component repair/replacement works • Records of informing fire brigade and insurer about sprinkler isolation of certain floors (system impairment). • Records of periodic testing of sprinkler components.

Reliability of Sprinkler Systems I will be using the NZFS incident and building data to confirm the data collected from the building. In addition I will analyse the NZFS incident to compare reliability results with those collected from the individual buildings.

Reliability of Sprinkler Systems Methodology The methodology approach to be adopted for this thesis will be relatively close to the previous two Australian sprinkler reliability projects to maintain consistency for comparison and will also include the parts below:

Reliability of Sprinkler Systems • Understand the requirement of the New Zealand Building Act 2004 and the related document which refer to the building process in New Zealand. • Undertake a study of the life type of the building selected which will include activities within the building and hours of occupation and construction. • Review the sprinkler and maintenance standard in New Zealand

Reliability of Sprinkler Systems • Review the historical fire data on the types of building. • Review the historical data on the sprinkler systems in the buildings and the quality of the maintenance regimes including the legislative maintenance requirements and auditing process, sprinkler companies internal auditing process and 3 rd party companies auditing processes. • Use fault tree analysis to determine the reliability of the sprinkler systems within the buildings based on the data provided over a 10 year period.

Reliability of Sprinkler Systems Fault Tree The constructed fault tree will be used to determine the reliability of the sprinkler system in the office buildings. The following basic fault tree, similar to that used in the Australian studies, will be used based on the sprinkler system shown.

Reliability of Sprinkler Systems Current Progress Data has been collected from 25 buildings. At least 3 years data on each building if not more. The level of detail in the data provided has meant that the reliability figures for each component can be more accurately gauged rather than the conservative approach used in Moinuddin’s study.

Reliability of Sprinkler Systems Current Progress Unfortunately at the time of this presentation the data is still being complied and put into the fault tree analysis. Preliminary results should be out by the end of this year.

Reliability of Sprinkler Systems Post Study • Data and methodology used will be consistent with that used in the Australian studies thus allowing comparisons • The same study will be used for other sprinklered buildings in New Zealand to allow for comparison • Highlighted areas for failures will be looked into to reduce the rate of failure and improve reliability