For Immediate Release:

May 16, 2001

Media Contact:

Steven Zenofsky, APR

Phone: 401-275-3000, ext. 1945

FM Global and Factory Mutual Research Revise Fire Protection Guidelines for

K14 Sprinklers Following New Research Results

(JOHNSTON, RI) -- New fire protection research by industrial and commercial

property insurer FM Global and its affiliate Factory Mutual Research has

identified an uncommon but realistic scenario where K14 Early

Suppression-Fast Response (ESFR) sprinklers, used in some warehouse

protection applications, may fail to perform as intended. Specifically, the

findings revealed certain ignition scenarios can affect the K14 sprinkler's

ability to suppress a fire in buildings over 40 feet (12.2 m) high.

As a result, FM Global no longer recommends to its policyholders the use of

K14 sprinklers as an alternative to in-rack sprinklers in buildings over 40

feet (12.2 m) high. Rather, the company advises that a combination of

in-rack and ceiling sprinklers be installed according to FM Global property

loss prevention engineering guidelines.

The findings are the result of FM Global's long-range sprinkler technology

research program. Additional research has revealed that this storage

configuration issue does not affect K25 ESFR sprinklers installed in 45 foot

(13.7 m) high buildings nor K14 or K25 sprinklers installed in buildings up

to 40 feet (12.2 m) high.

This new data will be reflected in a forthcoming update to FM Global

Property Loss Prevention Data Sheet 8-9 Storage of Class 1, 2, 3 and 4

Plastic Commodities.

For additional installation guidelines on ESFR sprinklers, consult Data

Sheet 2-2, Installation Guidelines for Early Suppression-Fast Response

Sprinklers. To order either of these data sheets, visit

www.fmglobal.com/store or call FM Global Customer Services at 781-255-6681.