We consulted directly with Underwriters Laboratories (UL), FM Global - Testing Division and with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for their advice regarding the development of a testing protocol.
We also consulted with several nationally recognized material testing and fire safety laboratories, including MET Laboratories and Product Safety Consulting, Inc., whose principals were intimately familiar with the individual requirements of both the UL and NFPA testing procedures and their specific protocols.
Additionally, we conducted an extensive review of literature associated with the testing and approvals obtained by non-removable products designed by several manufacturers with the intent of protecting their specific sprinkler head assemblies in industrial applications.
Our research indicated that the appropriate test protocol would be compliance testing of coverUPS® to the NFPA 90 Standard. This in turn required the completion of a testing regimen executed in accordance with the requirements of the UL-199D Testing Program Standards, where and as applicable.
The results of this testing program verify the performance and value of coverUPS® when installed as a supplement to an existing fire protection system.
TEST PROGRAM
As a result of the research described above, it was concluded that a testing protocol comprised of three separate protocols would be required.
Protocol 1 is associated with heat transference from the environment, through the coverUPS®, to the sprinkler head fusible link. This test is commonly referred to as an "Oven Test" or as an "Operating Temperature Activation Test". This procedure is a Factory Mutual described methodology and standard (FM 2030, Section 4.9).
Protocol 2 involved testing for the possibility of a delay in the response time of the sprinkler fusible link assembly due to the positioning of the coverUPS® around the sprinkler head. This test is commonly referred to as a "Response Time Indicator" test (RTI) or a "Plunge Test". This procedure is also a UL described methodology and standard (UL 1767, Sections 18 and 19 and FM 2030, Section 4.28).
