Protocol 3 A multi stage protocol that involved an actual Fire Room test program combined with 72 in house blow off tests conducted directly by the principals of coverUPS®. This protocol involved the testing of coverUPS® at the Hughes lab in a real time environment, where the unit would be subjected to the actual heat of a fire and in the coverUPS® testing lab under actual minimum discharge pressures and actual spray patterns associated with typical, generic, sprinkler head types as manufactured by Viking and Tyco.
These tests were accomplished using a configuration that is identical to that found in a typical, occupied space, using an actual sprinkler heads and piping assemblies, acting at a pressure of 5 psi, as described in protocols found in NFPA literature.
This pressure is the minimum allowable in sprinkler system used in any type of residential occupancy. Although, in reality, most if not all sprinkler systems operate at pressures substantially higher than 5psi.
OTHER CONSIDERED TESTING
We also evaluated another testing protocol, commonly referred to as a "Pan Test" that measures the distribution of water from the sprinkler head across a floor area of a fixed dimension (related to the coverage area listed for the head). After viewing the initial cover ejection testing, it became apparent to all parties that this "Pan Test" was unnecessary.
This conclusion was based on the test verification that the coverUPS® product disengaged from its mounting ring in less than 1.2 seconds after the activation of the sprinkler system. As a result, coverUPS® had no impact on water distribution from the sprinkler. This conclusion is physically confirmed by the results of the fire room tests as shown in the videos found on the coverUPS® home page.
TESTING RESULTS
On three separate occasions, beginning in late 2009, the principals of coverUPS® travelled to Baltimore, Maryland to conduct the Protocol 1, Protocol2 and Protocol 3-Stage 1 testing regimes described above. These protocols were performed at the Fire Safety testing facility of Hughes
