Evaluation of an Extended Coverage Sidewall Sprinkler and Smoke Detectors in a Hotel Occupancy

Twelve fire tests were conducted in a simulated hotel guest room and corridor to evaluate the performance of one model of an extended coverage horizontal sidewall sprinkler equipped with a fast-response link and the performance of smoke detectors. Eight of the tests were flaming-started fire tests using either a chair or a bed as the fire source. In four tests, smoldering combustion was initiated in a bed. Five different ventilation condi tions were investigated. In all of the flaming-started tests, the fire was suppressed by the sidewall sprinkler. In the four smoldering-started tests, smoldering was sustained for at least five hours. A tenability criterion based upon the time integrated concentration of carbon monoxide was exceeded in all four smoldering tests. In only one of these tests did the smoldering phase progress to flaming combustion. In that test the fire was extin guished by the sidewall sprinkler. In all twelve tests, guest room smoke detectors responded sufficiently early to increase the escape potential of room occupants. The per formance of the corridor smoke detectors was substantially influenced by the ventilation conditions and whether the entry door to the guest room was open or closed.