2.6        Fire Suppression Systems

2.6.1            General

A.     Fire sprinkler systems are to be designed to meet the requirements of NFPA 13 Hazard and NFPA 415 Classifications, as follows:

1.       All areas within the BWI terminal are to be considered as “Ordinary Hazard, Group II”.

2.       Cargo Buildings and Freight Terminals are to be designed for “Extra Hazard”.

3.       Areas outside of the BWI terminal (MTN, CRCF, MAC Building, etc.) shall be designed in accordance with NFPA 13.

B.       “Fuel Farms” are to be protected with sub-surface automatic foam fire suppression systems.

C.       Although there are existing CO2, clean agent, and Halon 1301 systems in some protected areas, they are not to be used in new construction without the approval of the Office of the Fire Marshal. When performing work in such an existing area, consult with the Office of the Fire Marshal for guidance.

D.       Concealed sprinklers are not permitted. Exceptions shall require OFM approval.

E.       Isolation valves shall be provided for each concession and/or future concession space.

F.        Isolation valves shall be provided for every cooler/freezer or group of coolers/freezers.

G.       All piping in wet and dry pipe systems, shall be Schedule 40 black steel. Piping installed in exterior locations shall be painted.

H.       Fire sprinkler shop drawings shall follow NFPA 13 requirements for submittals.  The shop drawings shall also include the following:

1.      The geographical location of sprinkler zone control valve(s) and flow switch locations for new and existing devices.

2.      The fire alarm address of the existing zone valve tamper switch and the flow switch.

For location assistance designers/contractors should contact OFM or MAA Office of Utilities.

I.         Listed sprinkler head guards shall be installed per NFPA 13 requirements and are required for all sprinklers that meet any of the following conditions.

1.      All sprinklers in baggage areas, spaces with low ceilings, industrial/mechanical spaces, electrical rooms, telecommunications rooms, and rack storage regardless of height.

2.      All sprinklers that are at or less than 7’-6” above the finished floor.

3.      All sprinklers that are subject to damage from a power-driven source such as a forklift or baggage tug.

4.      The OFM inspector will determine if any additional sprinkler guards are required at the time of final inspection due to field conditions.

J.        Where baggage belts penetrate a fire-resistance wall, the flow switch to the sprinklers on each side of the penetration shall be programmed to initiate closure of the fire door/shutter upon activation of water flow.

Sprinkler system types shall be installed per the Table below.

NOTES FOR TABLE “AUTOMATIC FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS REQUIRED” (MUST BE COMPARED WITH OT MANUAL)

1.      Examples of critical communications rooms are those related to:

a.      Airfield Lighting.

b.      Emergency Paging Systems.

c.      Emergency Communications for consolidated Police and Fire (BWI Marshall Dispatch).

d.      Computer Servers.

e.      Main Telephone Rooms.

f.       Critical Computer Systems.

g.      Fire Alarm Servers.

h.      “IDF” Emergency Paging Rooms (fiber optics in/out and data routers for networks).

i.       Other rooms, or spaces, as may be designated critical to operations or life safety by Office of the Fire Marshal or MDOT MAA or FAA.