AN ANALYSIS OF FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM FAILURES DURING THENORTHRIDGE EARTHQUAKE AND COMPARISON WITH THE SEISMIC DESIGNSTANDARD FOR THESE SYSTEMS

摘要

This study analyzes fire sprinkler system failure data from the Northridge Earthquake and compares thefindings with the primary seismic design standard applied to sprinkler systems, National Fire ProtectionAssociation (NFPA) 13, Installation of Sprinkler Systems. The intent of this paper is not to perform arigorous examination of the data as compared to NFPA 13 requirements, but to instead present theapplicability of this type of loss data when quantifying the seismic design requirements applicable to firesprinkler systems.