NEHRP Clearinghouse
- Title
- Analysis of Fire Sprinkler System Performance in the Northridge Earthquake.
- File
- PB99105165.pdf
- Author(s)
- Fleming, R. P.
- Source
- National Inst. of Standards and Technology (BFRL), Gaithersburg, MD., January 1998, 68 p.
- Abstract
- The performance of nonstructural building components in the January, 1994 Northridge earthquake has received a considerable attention, especially building mechanical systems. Fire sprinkler systems are of special interest since they are expected to remain functional following earthquakes so as to address post-earthquake fire hazards, and because of the potential for significant water damage that can take place if the system is compromised in a building which otherwise remains structurally intact. The project was recommended to include two parts: (1) An analysis of the performance of fire sprinkler systems in the Northridge earthquake in relation to the specific earthquake protection measures employed in their design and construction, and (2) Development of proposed changes to the national installation standard, NFPA 13, which would improve future system performance by bringing brace fastener details and other aspects of the protection rules up to current levels of technology.
- Keywords
- Sprinkler systems; Damage assessment; California; Earthquake damage; Performance evaluation; Earthquake engineering; Fire hazards; Fire suppression; Improvements; Northridge Earthquake; Fire protection