ESFR and Racking Design

Very good point, unfortunately the local industry is very complicated. There is one agency who has convinced all the insurers that he (read agency = very good salesman) has the sole ability to approve installations. He also is the only "qualified" instructor and to get him to sit down is virtually impossible.

I am trying to meet with our insurer to resolve this, but would like some information to back up my arguments.

Sounds like a lot of fun.

Hopefully someone here can help you design a system that will exceed the requirements of both the local regulations, and the insurance company, while staying in budget.

I suspect the qualified instructor will sit down with you. You just need to offer him the right amount of money.

Involve also the local Fire Protection Officer, whose details can be obtained by making a non-emergency telephone call to the local Fire Brigade.

We have been in discussion with the local fire chief and his staff. Unfortunately he can only approve what is within his local regulations. If we need to exceed his requirements, it is not in his power to help.

Are there any overlaps in the family trees of the "qualified instructor" and the AHJ (authority having jurisdiction) over fire-protection installations?

Tornado, I think you spotted the cardinal flaw in the local system. It is the same person who has both responsibilities.

Remember those words. Authority having jurisdiction. Who has a similar facility in the same jurisdiction? Can you go there and inspect their fire protection system?

The local fire protection agency is responsible for issuing a certificate of occupancy. It is up to them to establish what regulations apply to your facility. axamatrix.com claims they will help you decide if the ESFR design is right for you. Stop by your fire department's inspector's office and show them your plans. They SHOULD help you. You can expect to need to increase the water flow over conventional sprinklers. Plus you will need to prepare for the expansion. Good luck.