Ceiling-only dry sprinkler systems and methods for addressing a storage occupancy fire

Abstract

A ceiling-only dry sprinkler system configured to address a storage occupancy fire event with a sprinkler operational area sufficient in size to surround and drown a fire. The system and method preferably provide for the surround and drown effect by activating one or more initial sprinklers, delaying fluid flow to the initial activated sprinklers for a defined delay period to permit the thermal activation of a subsequent- one or more sprinklers so as. to form the preferred sprinkler Operational operational area. The sprinklers of the operational area are preferably: configured so as to provider provide sufficient fluid volume and cooling to address the fire event with a surround and drown configuration,. The defined delay period is of a defined period having a maximum and a minimum. The preferred sprinkler system is adapted for fire protection of storage commodities and provides a ceiling only ceiling-only system that eliminates or otherwise minimizes the economic disadvantage disadvantages and design penalties of current dry sprinkler system design designs.

What we claim is: 
     
       1. A dry ceiling-only storage occupancy fire protection system comprising:
 a grid of control mode sprinklers defining a sprinkler-to-sprinkler spacing ranging from eight feet to twelve feet (8 ft.-12 ft.) so as to define a coverage area per sprinkler ranging from about eighty square feet (80 sq. ft.) to about one hundred square feet (100 sq. ft.), each sprinkler including a sprinkler body having an inlet and an outlet with a passageway disposed therebetween defining a K-factor of at least one of about 17, 19, 22 and 25, a closure assembly, a thermally rated trigger assembly to support the closure assembly adjacent the outlet of the sprinkler body, the trigger assembly having a temperature rating of about 286° F., and a deflector spaced adjacent the outlet to define an upright configuration of the sprinkler; and 
 a network of pipes including at least one main pipe and a plurality of spaced apart branch lines interconnecting the grid of control mode sprinklers, the network of pipes locating the grid of sprinklers relative to a fluid source in which about eighteen to twenty-six (18-26) hydraulically remote sprinklers in the grid of control mode sprinklers define a hydraulic design area of the system, the network of pipes that delivers upon activation of a first hydraulically remote sprinkler a minimum operating pressure ranging from about fifteen to about forty-five pounds per square inch (15 psi. to 45 psi.) of fluid from the fluid source to each of the hydraulically remote sprinklers within twenty-five to thirty seconds (25-30 sec.) to protect a commodity of at least Class I and Class II stored beneath a ceiling having a maximum ceiling height ranging from thirty feet to forty-five feet (30 ft.-45 ft.), the commodity having a storage configuration of any one of rack, palletized, bin box, and shelf storage, the rack storage being any one of single-row, double-row and multi-row rack storage. 
 
     
     
       2. A dry ceiling-only storage occupancy fire protection system comprising:
 a grid of control mode sprinklers defining a sprinkler-to-sprinkler spacing ranging from eighty eight feet to twelve feet (8 ft.-12 ft.) so as to define a coverage area per sprinkler ranging from about eighty square feet (80 sq. ft.) to about one hundred square feet (100 sq. ft.), each sprinkler including a sprinkler body having an inlet and an outlet with a passageway disposed therebetween defining a K-factor of at least one of about 17, 19, 22 and 25, a closure assembly, a thermally rated trigger assembly to support the closure assembly adjacent the outlet of the sprinkler body, the trigger assembly having a temperature rating of about 286° F., and a deflector spaced adjacent the outlet to define an upright configuration of the sprinkler; and 
 a network of pipes including at least one main pipe and a plurality of spaced apart branch lines interconnecting the grid of control mode sprinklers, the network of pipes being filled with a gas of pressurized air or nitrogen and locating the grid of sprinklers relative to a fluid source in which about eighteen to twenty-six (18-26) hydraulically remote sprinklers in the grid of sprinklers define a hydraulic design area of the system, the network of pipes that delivers upon activation of a first hydraulically remote sprinkler a minimum operating pressure ranging from about fifteen to about forty-five pounds per square inch (15 psi. to 45 psi.) of fluid from the fluid source to each of the hydraulically remote sprinklers within twenty-five to thirty seconds (25-30 sec.) to protect a commodity of Class III stored beneath a ceiling having a maximum ceiling height ranging from thirty feet to forty-five feet (30 ft.-45 ft.), the commodity having a storage configuration of any one of rack, palletized, bin box, and shelf storage, the rack storage being any one of single-row, double-row and multi-row rack storage. 
 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the network of pipes includes a main riser pipe including a control valve for controlling the flow of fluid between the fluid source and the grid of sprinklers. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the network of pipes define for the system a maximum fluid delivery delay period and a minimum fluid delivery delay period, each sprinkler having a fluid delivery delay period between the maximum fluid delivery delay period and the minimum fluid delivery delay period. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the hydraulic design area comprises about twenty-five (25) hydraulically remote sprinklers. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the hydraulic design area is less than about 2600 square feet (2600 ft. 2 ). 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the commodity defines a storage height ranging from about twenty feet to about forty feet (20 ft.-40 ft.). 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the system is configured as a double-interlock preaction system, the system further including one or more fire detectors spaced relative to the grid of sprinklers such that in the event of a fire, the fire detectors activate before any sprinkler activation, the system including a releasing control panel in communication with a control valve, the control valve being a solenoid actuated control valve, the releasing control panel being configured to receive signals of a fire detection to appropriately energize the solenoid valve for actuation of the control valve. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the system is configured as one of a single-interlock and double-interlock preaction system, the system further including a releasing control panel in communication with a control valve, the control valve being a solenoid actuated control valve, the releasing control panel being configured to receive signals of a pressure decay to appropriately energize the solenoid valve for actuation of the control valve; and a quick release device in communication with the releasing control panel capable of detecting a small rate of decay of gas pressure in the network of pipes to signal the releasing control panel of such a decay. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the storage occupancy is a freezer storage occupancy. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the grid of control mode sprinklers comprises a plurality of upright control mode specific application sprinklers. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 11 , wherein the minimum operating pressure is any one of 15, 22 and 30 psi. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the network of pipes define a maximum fluid delivery period of about thirty seconds (30 sec.) and a minimum fluid delivery period of about eight seconds (8 sec.), the maximum fluid delivery period being the maximum time for fluid delivery at the minimum operating pressure to the four most hydraulically demanding sprinklers and the minimum fluid delivery period being the time for fluid delivery at the minimum operating pressure to the four least hydraulically demanding sprinklers. 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the network of pipes delivers upon simultaneous activation of the four most hydraulically remote sprinklers the minimum operating pressure of fifteen pounds per square inch (15 psi.) of fluid from the fluid source to each of the hydraulically remote sprinklers defining the design area within twenty-five seconds (25 sec.). 
     
     
       15. A method of dry ceiling-only fire protection for a storage occupancy the method comprising:
 identifying a maximum ceiling height ranging from thirty feet to forty-five feet (30 ft.-45 ft.) of a ceiling of the storage occupancy in which to store a commodity of any one of Class I, II and III beneath the ceiling in a storage configuration of any one of rack, palletized, bin box, and shelf storage, the rack storage being any one of single-row, double-row and multi-row rack storage; and 
 verifying that a network of pipes in a dry ceiling-only fire protection system that includes at least one main pipe coupled to a fluid source and a plurality of spaced apart branch lines delivers a minimum operating pressure ranging from about fifteen to about forty-five pounds per square inch (15 psi. to 45 psi.) of fluid from a fluid source to at least one hydraulically remote sprinkler defining a hydraulic design area of the system within 25 seconds upon activation of a first hydraulically remote sprinkler, the hydraulic design area being defined by about eighteen to twenty-six (18-26) hydraulically remote sprinklers in a grid of control mode sprinklers coupled to the branch lines, the grid of sprinklers having a maximum sprinkler-to-sprinkler spacing ranging from eight feet to twelve feet (8 ft.-12 ft.) with each sprinkler having a coverage area per sprinkler ranging from about eighty square feet (80 sq. ft.) to about one hundred square feet (100 sq. ft.) and including a sprinkler body having an inlet and an outlet with a passageway disposed therebetween defining a K-factor of at least one of about 17, 19, 22 and 25, a closure assembly, a thermally rated trigger assembly to support the closure assembly adjacent the outlet of the sprinkler body, the trigger assembly having a temperature rating of about 286° F., and a deflector spaced adjacent the outlet to define an upright configuration of the sprinkler relative to the ceiling. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , wherein verifying the delivery of fluid includes using a software program and simulating the activation of the first hydraulically remote sprinklers as a simultaneous activation of four hydraulically remote sprinklers. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 15 , wherein verifying the delivery of fluid includes ensuring that the network of pipes provides a maximum fluid delivery period of about thirty seconds (30 sec.) and a minimum fluid delivery period of about eight seconds (8 sec.), the maximum fluid delivery period being the maximum time for fluid delivery at the minimum operating pressure to the four most hydraulically demanding sprinklers and the minimum fluid delivery period being the minimum time for fluid delivery at the minimum operating pressure to the four least hydraulically demanding sprinklers. 
     
     
       18. A method of protecting a commodity of at least Class I and Class II stored beneath a ceiling having a maximum ceiling height ranging from thirty feet to forty-five feet (30 ft.-45 ft.), the commodity having a storage configuration of any one of rack, palletized, bin box, and shelf storage, the rack storage being any one of single-row, double-row and multi-row rack storage, the method comprising:
 providing a plurality of control mode sprinklers, each of the sprinklers including a sprinkler body having an inlet and an outlet with a passageway disposed therebetween defining a K-factor of at least one of about 17, 19, 22 and 25, a closure assembly, a thermally rated trigger assembly to support the closure assembly adjacent the outlet of the sprinkler body, the trigger assembly having a temperature rating of about 286° F., and a deflector spaced adjacent the outlet to define an upright configuration of the sprinkler; and 
 interconnecting the plurality of sprinklers with a network of pipes to define a grid of sprinklers having a sprinkler-to-sprinkler spacing ranging from eight feet to twelve feet (8 ft.-12 ft.) so as to define a coverage area per sprinkler ranging from about eighty square feet (80 sq. ft.) to about one hundred square feet (100 sq. ft.) for a commodity of at least Class I and Class II stored beneath a ceiling having a maximum ceiling height ranging from thirty feet to forty-five feet (30 ft.-45 ft.), the commodity having a storage configuration of any one of rack, palletized, bin box, and shelf storage, the rack storage being any one of single-row, double-row and multi-row rack storage, the interconnecting includes interconnecting the plurality of sprinklers with at least one main pipe and a plurality of spaced apart branch lines filled with a gas of pressurized air or nitrogen so as locate the grid of sprinklers relative to a fluid source such that about eighteen to twenty-six (18-26) hydraulically remote sprinklers in the grid of control mode sprinklers define a hydraulic design area of the system where upon activation of a first hydraulically remote sprinkler a minimum operating pressure ranging from about fifteen to about forty-five pounds per square inch (15 psi. to 45 psi.) of fluid from the fluid source is delivered to each of the hydraulically remote sprinklers within twenty-five to thirty seconds (25-30 sec.). 
 
     
     
       19. A method of protecting a commodity of Class III stored beneath a ceiling having a maximum ceiling height ranging from thirty feet to forty-five feet (30 ft.-45 ft.), the commodity having a storage configuration of any one of rack, palletized, bin box, and shelf storage, the rack storage being any one of single-row, double-row and multi-row rack storage, the method comprising:
 providing a plurality of control mode sprinklers, each of the sprinklers including a sprinkler body having an inlet and an outlet with a passageway disposed therebetween defining a K-factor of at least one of about 17, 19, 22 and 25, a closure assembly, a thermally rated trigger assembly to support the closure assembly adjacent the outlet of the sprinkler body, the trigger assembly having a temperature rating of about 286° F., and a deflector spaced adjacent the outlet to define an upright configuration of the sprinkler; and 
 interconnecting the plurality of sprinklers with a network of pipes to define a grid of sprinklers having a sprinkler-to-sprinkler spacing ranging from eight feet to twelve feet (8 ft.-12 ft.) so as to define a coverage area per sprinkler ranging from about eighty square feet (80 sq. ft.) to about one hundred square feet (100 sq. ft.) for a commodity of Class III stored beneath a ceiling having a maximum ceiling height ranging from thirty feet to forty-five feet (30 ft.-45 ft.), the commodity having a storage configuration of any one of rack, palletized, bin box, and shelf storage, the rack storage being any one of single-row, double-row and multi-row rack storage, the interconnecting includes interconnecting the plurality of sprinklers with at least one main pipe and a plurality of spaced apart branch lines filled with a gas of pressurized air or nitrogen so as locate the grid of sprinklers relative to a fluid source such that about eighteen to twenty-six (18-26) hydraulically remote sprinklers in the grid of control mode sprinklers define a hydraulic design area of the system where upon activation of a first hydraulically remote sprinkler a minimum operating pressure ranging from about fifteen to about forty-five pounds per square inch (15 psi. to 45 psi.) of fluid from the fluid source is delivered to each of the hydraulically remote sprinklers within twenty-five to thirty seconds (25-30 sec.). 
 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 18  or  19 , wherein interconnecting the plurality of sprinklers with the network of pipes includes installing a main riser pipe including a control valve for controlling the flow of fluid between the fluid source and the grid of sprinklers. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 18  or  19 , further comprising defining for the system a maximum fluid delivery delay period and a minimum fluid delivery delay period wherein interconnecting the plurality of sprinklers with the network of pipes is such that each sprinkler has a fluid delivery delay period between the maximum fluid delivery delay period and the minimum fluid delivery delay period. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 18  or  19 , wherein interconnecting the plurality of sprinklers with the network of pipes is such that the hydraulic design area comprises about twenty-five (25) hydraulically remote sprinklers. 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 18  or  19 , wherein interconnecting the plurality of sprinklers with the network of pipes is such that the hydraulic design area is less than about 2600 square feet (2600 ft. 2 ). 
     
     
       24. The method of  claim 18  or  19 , wherein interconnecting the plurality of sprinklers with the network of pipes above the commodity defines a storage height ranging from about twenty feet to about forty feet (20 ft.-40 ft.). 
     
     
       25. The method of  claim 18  or  19 , further comprising configuring the interconnection of the plurality of sprinklers with the network of pipes as a double-interlock preaction system having one or more fire detectors spaced relative to the plurality of sprinklers such that in the event of a fire, the fire detectors activate before any sprinkler activation, the configuring including placing a releasing control panel in communication with a solenoid actuated control valve such that when the releasing control panel receives signals of a fire detection, the control panel energizes the solenoid valve for actuation of the control valve. 
     
     
       26. The method of  claim 18  or  19 , further comprising configuring the interconnection of the plurality of sprinklers with the network of pipes as one of a single-interlock and double-interlock preaction system, the configuring including placing a releasing control panel in communication with a solenoid actuated control valve such that when the releasing control panel receives signals of a pressure decay, the control panel energizes the solenoid valve for actuation of the control valve; and the configuring including placing a quick release device capable of detecting a small rate of decay of gas pressure in the network of pipes in communication with the releasing control panel to signal the releasing control panel of such a decay. 
     
     
       27. The method of  claim 18  or  19 , wherein interconnecting the plurality of sprinklers locates the plurality of sprinklers in a freezer storage occupancy. 
     
     
       28. The method of  claim 18  or  19 , wherein providing a plurality of control mode sprinklers comprises providing a plurality of upright control mode specific application sprinklers. 
     
     
       29. The method of  claim 18  or  19 , wherein interconnecting the plurality of sprinklers with a network of pipes provides that the minimum operating pressure is any one of 15, 22 and 30 psi. 
     
     
       30. The method of  claim 18  or  19 , wherein interconnecting the plurality of sprinklers with a network of pipes defines a maximum fluid delivery period of about thirty seconds (30 sec.) and a minimum fluid delivery period of about eight seconds (8 sec.), the maximum fluid delivery period being the maximum time for fluid delivery at the minimum operating pressure to the four most hydraulically demanding sprinklers and the minimum fluid delivery period being the time for fluid delivery at the minimum operating pressure to the four least hydraulically demanding sprinklers. 
     
     
       31. The method of  claim 30 , wherein the minimum and maximum fluid delivery periods provide that the plurality of sprinklers define a sprinkler operational area to surround and drown a fire. 
     
     
       32. The method of  claim 18  or  19 , wherein interconnecting the plurality of sprinklers with a network of pipes provides that upon simultaneous activation of the four most hydraulically remote sprinklers, the minimum operating pressure being fifteen pounds per square inch (15 psi.) of fluid is delivered from the fluid source to each of the hydraulically remote sprinklers within twenty-five seconds (25 sec.). 
     
     
       33. The method of  claim 18  or  19 , wherein providing the plurality of control mode sprinklers provides that the K-factor is about 25. 
     
     
       34. The method of  claim 33 , wherein providing the plurality of control mode sprinklers provides that the plurality of sprinklers are control mode specific application sprinklers. 
     
     
       35. The method of  claim 34 , wherein interconnecting the plurality of sprinklers with the network of pipes is such that the minimum operating pressure is 20 psi. 
     
     
       36. The method of  claim 35 , wherein interconnecting the plurality of sprinklers with the network of pipes locates the plurality of sprinklers beneath the ceiling wherein further the maximum ceiling height ranges from thirty feet to forty feet (30 ft.-40 ft.). 
     
     
       37. The method of  claim 36 , wherein interconnecting the plurality of sprinklers with the network of pipes locates the plurality of sprinklers beneath the ceiling wherein further the maximum ceiling height is thirty feet. 
     
     
       38. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the K-factor is about 25. 
     
     
       39. The method of  claim 38 , wherein the grid of control mode sprinklers are control mode specific application sprinklers. 
     
     
       40. The method of  claim 39 , wherein the minimum operating pressure is 20 psi. 
     
     
       41. The method of  claim 40 , wherein identifying the maximum ceiling height comprises identifying the height ranging from thirty feet to forty feet (30 ft.-40 ft.). 
     
     
       42. The method of  claim 41 , wherein identifying the maximum ceiling height comprises identifying the height as being thirty feet. 
     
     
       43. The system of  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the K-factor is about 25. 
     
     
       44. The system of  claim 43 , wherein the grid of control mode sprinklers are control mode specific application sprinklers. 
     
     
       45. The system of  claim 44 , wherein the minimum operating pressure is 20 psi. 
     
     
       46. The system of  claim 45 , wherein the maximum ceiling height ranges from thirty feet to forty feet (30 ft.-40 ft.). 
     
     
       47. The system of  claim 46 , wherein the maximum ceiling height is thirty feet. 
     
     
       48. The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the K-factor is about 25 and the storage configuration is rack storage. 
     
     
       49. The system of claim 48, wherein the maximum ceiling height ranges from thirty feet to forty feet (30 ft.-40 ft.), and wherein the ceiling height is greater than thirty feet (30 ft.). 
     
     
       50. The system of claim 3, wherein the K-factor is about 25 and the storage configuration is rack storage. 
     
     
       51. The system of claim 4, wherein the K-factor is about 25 and the storage configuration is rack storage. 
     
     
       52. The system of claim 5, wherein the K-factor is about 25 and the storage configuration is rack storage. 
     
     
       53. The system of claim 52, wherein the maximum ceiling height ranges from thirty feet to forty feet (30 ft.-40 ft.), and wherein the ceiling height is greater than thirty feet (30 ft.). 
     
     
       54. The system of claim 6, wherein the K-factor is about 25 and the storage configuration is rack storage. 
     
     
       55. The system of claim 54, wherein the maximum ceiling height ranges from thirty feet to forty feet (30 ft.-40 ft.), and wherein the ceiling height is greater than thirty feet (30 ft.). 
     
     
       56. The system of claim 7, wherein the K-factor is about 25 and the storage configuration is rack storage. 
     
     
       57. The system of claim 56, wherein the maximum ceiling height ranges from thirty feet to forty feet (30 ft.-40 ft.), and wherein the ceiling height is greater than thirty feet (30 ft.). 
     
     
       58. The system of claim 8, wherein the K-factor is about 25 and the storage configuration is rack storage. 
     
     
       59. The system of claim 58, wherein the maximum ceiling height ranges from thirty feet to forty feet (30 ft.-40 ft.), and wherein the ceiling height is greater than thirty feet (30 ft.). 
     
     
       60. The system of claim 9, wherein the K-factor is about 25 and the storage configuration is rack storage. 
     
     
       61. The system of claim 60, wherein the maximum ceiling height ranges from thirty feet to forty feet (30 ft.-40 ft.), and wherein the ceiling height is greater than thirty feet (30 ft.). 
     
     
       62. The system of claim 10, wherein the K-factor is about 25 and the storage configuration is rack storage. 
     
     
       63. The system of claim 11, wherein the K-factor is about 25 and the storage configuration is rack storage. 
     
     
       64. The system of claim 12, wherein the K-factor is about 25 and the storage configuration is rack storage. 
     
     
       65. The system of claim 64, wherein the maximum ceiling height ranges from thirty feet to forty feet (30 ft.-40 ft.), and wherein the ceiling height is greater than thirty feet (30 ft.). 
     
     
       66. The system of claim 13, wherein the K-factor is about 25 and the storage configuration is rack storage. 
     
     
       67. The system of claim 14, wherein the K-factor is about 25 and the storage configuration is rack storage. 
     
     
       68. The system of claim 67, wherein the maximum ceiling height ranges from thirty feet to forty feet (30 ft.-40 ft.), and wherein the ceiling height is greater than thirty feet (30 ft.). 
     
     
       69. The method of claim 15, 16, or 17 wherein the identifying is for a storage configuration consisting of rack storage, and the verifying the network of pipes delivers the minimum operating pressure to each sprinkler of the hydraulic design area, wherein the K-factor is about 25. 
     
     
       70. The method of claim 18 or 19, wherein providing the plurality of control mode sprinklers provides that the K-factor is about 25, and the interconnecting is for a storage configuration consisting of rack storage. 
     
     
       71. The method of claim 70, wherein the interconnecting provides that the maximum ceiling height ranges from thirty feet to forty feet (30 ft.-40 ft.), and the ceiling height is greater than thirty feet (30 ft.). 
     
     
       72. The method of claim 22, wherein providing the plurality of control mode sprinklers provides that the K-factor is about 25, and the interconnecting is for a storage configuration consisting of rack storage. 
     
     
       73. The method of claim 72, wherein the interconnecting provides that the maximum ceiling height ranges from thirty feet to forty feet (30 ft.-40 ft.), and the ceiling height is greater than thirty feet (30 ft.). 
     
     
       74. The method of claim 23, wherein providing the plurality of control mode sprinklers provides that the K-factor is about 25, and the interconnecting is for a storage configuration consisting of rack storage. 
     
     
       75. The method of claim 74, wherein the interconnecting provides that the maximum ceiling height ranges from thirty feet to forty feet (30 ft.-40 ft.), and the ceiling height is greater than thirty feet (30 ft.). 
     
     
       76. The method of claim 24, wherein providing the plurality of control mode sprinklers provides that the K-factor is about 25, and the interconnecting is for a storage configuration consisting of rack storage. 
     
     
       77. The method of claim 76, wherein the interconnecting provides that the maximum ceiling height ranges from thirty feet to forty feet (30 ft.-40 ft.), and the ceiling height is greater than thirty feet (30 ft.). 
     
     
       78. The method of claim 25, wherein providing the plurality of control mode sprinklers provides that the K-factor is about 25, and the interconnecting is for a storage configuration consisting of rack storage. 
     
     
       79. The method of claim 78, wherein the interconnecting provides that the maximum ceiling height ranges from thirty feet to forty feet (30 ft.-40 ft.), and the ceiling height is greater than thirty feet (30 ft.). 
     
     
       80. The method of claim 26, wherein providing the plurality of control mode sprinklers provides that the K-factor is about 25, and the interconnecting is for a storage configuration consisting of rack storage. 
     
     
       81. The method of claim 80, wherein the interconnecting provides that the maximum ceiling height ranges from thirty feet to forty feet (30 ft.-40 ft.), and the ceiling height is greater than thirty feet (30 ft.). 
     
     
       82. The method of claim 27, wherein providing the plurality of control mode sprinklers provides that the K-factor is about 25, and the interconnecting is for a storage configuration consisting of rack storage. 
     
     
       83. The method of claim 28, wherein providing the plurality of control mode sprinklers provides that the K-factor is about 25, and the interconnecting is for a storage configuration consisting of rack storage. 
     
     
       84. The method of claim 29, wherein providing the plurality of control mode sprinklers provides that the K-factor is about 25, and the interconnecting is for a storage configuration consisting of rack storage. 
     
     
       85. The method of claim 84, wherein the interconnecting provides that the maximum ceiling height ranges from thirty feet to forty feet (30 ft.-40 ft.), and the ceiling height is greater than thirty feet (30 ft.). 
     
     
       86. The method of claim 31, wherein providing the plurality of control mode sprinklers provides that the K-factor is about 25, and the interconnecting is for a storage configuration consisting of rack storage. 
     
     
       87. The method of claim 32, wherein providing the plurality of control mode sprinklers provides that the K-factor is about 25, and the interconnecting is for a storage configuration consisting of rack storage. 
     
     
       88. The method of claim 87, wherein the interconnecting provides that the maximum ceiling height ranges from thirty feet to forty feet (30 ft.-40 ft.), and the ceiling height is greater than thirty feet (30 ft.).