SIST EN 14972-4:2024

Fixed firefighting systems - Water mist systems - Part 4: Test protocol for non-storage occupancies for automatic nozzle systems

This document specifies the evaluation of the fire performance of water mist systems for lightly loaded non-storage and non-manufacturing occupancies with ordinary combustibles, such as offices, schools, hospitals and hotels.
This document is applicable to ceiling mounted and sidewall automatic nozzles to be used in restricted and/or unlimited areas.
This document is applicable for horizontal, solid, flat ceilings with heights of 2 m and above, up to the maximum tested ceiling height.

Ortsfeste Brandbekämpfungsanlagen - Wassernebelsysteme - Teil 4: Prüfprotokoll für Nicht-Lager-Belegungen für automatische Düsensysteme

Dieses Dokument legt die Bewertung des Verhaltens von Wassernebelsystemen bei Brandeinwirkung für leicht beladene nicht-lagernde und nicht-herstellende Nutzungen mit normalen Brandstoffen, wie Büros, Schulen, Krankenhäuser und Hotels, fest.
Dieses Dokument ist anwendbar für deckenmontierte und automatische Seitenwanddüsen, die in begrenzten und/oder unbegrenzten Bereichen eingesetzt werden.
Dieses Dokument ist anwendbar für waagerechte, massive, ebene Decken von 2 m Höhe und darüber bis zur höchsten geprüften Deckenhöhe.

Installations fixes de lutte contre l'incendie - Systèmes à brouillard d'eau - Partie 4 : Protocole d'essai des systèmes à buses automatiques pour locaux non destinés au stockage

Le présent document spécifie l’évaluation de la performance au feu des systèmes à brouillard d’eau pour locaux à faible charge non destinés au stockage ni à la fabrication, contenant des charges calorifiques ordinaires, tels que les bureaux, les écoles, les hôpitaux et les hôtels.
Le présent document est applicable aux buses automatiques montées au plafond et dans les parois latérales, à utiliser dans des zones d’accès restreint et/ou non limité.
Le présent document est applicable aux plafonds horizontaux plans et solides d’une hauteur supérieure ou égale à 2 m, jusqu’à la hauteur de plafond maximale soumise à l’essai.

Vgrajeni gasilni sistemi - Sistemi s pršečo vodo - 4. del: Protokol preskušanja za neskladiščne prostore za sistem z avtomatskimi šobami

Ta dokument določa vrednotenje požarnih lastnosti sistemov s pršečo vodo za manj zasedene neskladiščne in neproizvodne prostore s prisotnostjo običajnih gorljivih materialov (npr. pisarne, šole, bolnišnice in hoteli).
Ta dokument se uporablja za stropne in stenske avtomatske šobe, ki se uporabljajo v območjih z omejitvami in/ali brez njih.
Ta dokument se uporablja za vodoravne, masivne in ravne strope višine 2 m in več do največje preskušene višine stropa.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Public Enquiry End Date: 03-May-2023
• Publication Date: 18-Apr-2024
• ICS: 13.220.10 - Fire-fighting
• ICS: 13.220.20 - Fire protection
• Technical Committee: POZ - Požarna varnost
• Current Stage: 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 18-Apr-2024
• Due Date: 23-Jun-2024
• Completion Date: 19-Apr-2024
• Ref Project: EN 14972-4:2024 - Fixed firefighting systems - Water mist systems - Part 4: Test protocol for non-storage occupancies for automatic nozzle systems

Overview - EN 14972-4:2024 (CEN)

EN 14972-4:2024 is the CEN test-protocol standard for evaluating the fire performance of water mist systems in lightly loaded, non-storage and non-manufacturing occupancies (offices, schools, hospitals, hotels). It defines the test arrangements and acceptance criteria for automatic nozzle systems (ceiling-mounted and sidewall nozzles) used in restricted and/or unlimited areas under horizontal, solid, flat ceilings with heights ≥ 2 m up to the maximum tested ceiling height.

Key topics and requirements

• Scope and applicability: Lightly loaded non-storage occupancies with ordinary combustibles; ceiling and sidewall automatic nozzles.
• Test configurations: Three main fire scenarios addressed:
  • Small compartment (3 m × 4 m, 2.4 m high) with bunk beds and a 1.2 m × 1.2 m lavatory opening to a 12 m × 1.5 m corridor.
  • Large compartment (minimum 37 m², 2.4 m high) sized for four nozzles at maximum manufacturer spacing.
  • Open space tests (ceiling area simulating uninterrupted spaces of at least 80 m²).
• Nozzle and system requirements:
  • Use manufacturer’s maximum nozzle spacing and specified ceiling heights.
  • Nozzles must have fusible or glass-bulb elements, meet quick-response criteria, and nominal operating temperature ≤ 107 °C.
  • Up to five nozzles retained post-test for verification.
  • System pressures must be repeatable to ±5 %; tests use minimum operating pressure with defined pressure/flow behaviour when activating.
• Test conduct:
  • Fire load conditioned and placed immediately before testing.
  • Tests run for 10 minutes after first nozzle activation; remaining fire is then manually extinguished.
  • Environmental controls: ambient (20 ± 10) °C prior to test, RH ≤ 70 %, oxygen concentration average ≥ 20 % in test hall.
• Instrumentation and construction: Specifies thermocouple locations (e.g., embedded 6.5 mm above ceiling panel bottom, 75 mm below ceiling) and construction materials (plywood per EN 636, A2-class ceiling panels per EN 13501-1).

Practical applications and users

Who uses EN 14972-4:2024:

• Fire protection system designers and specifiers validating water mist performance for offices, schools, hospitals, hotels.
• Manufacturers of automatic water mist nozzles for product certification and R&D testing.
• Third‑party testing laboratories and notified bodies conducting compliance tests.
• Building owners, fire safety engineers, and authorities assessing suitability of water mist systems for non-storage occupancies.

Benefits:

• Provides harmonised test methods for comparing system performance.
• Supports compliant design and installation per the EN 14972 series.
• Helps demonstrate safety performance for regulatory approval and insurance purposes.

Related standards

• EN 14972-1 (Design, installation, inspection and maintenance)
• Other EN 14972 parts (Parts 2–17) covering different occupancies and nozzle types
• EN 13501-1 (fire classification)
• EN 636 (plywood specifications)
• ISO 5660-1 (reaction-to-fire heat release testing)

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-junij-2024
Vgrajeni gasilni sistemi - Sistemi s pršečo vodo - 4. del: Protokol preskušanja za
neskladiščne prostore za sistem z avtomatskimi šobami
Fixed firefighting systems - Water mist systems - Part 4: Test protocol for non-storage
occupancies for automatic nozzle systems
Ortsfeste Brandbekämpfungsanlagen - Wassernebelsysteme - Teil 4: Prüfprotokoll für
Nicht-Lager-Belegungen für automatische Düsensysteme
Installations fixes de lutte contre l'incendie - Systèmes à brouillard d'eau - Partie 4 :
Protocole d'essai des systèmes à buses automatiques pour locaux non destinés au
stockage
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 14972-4:2024
ICS:
13.220.10 Gašenje požara Fire-fighting
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN 14972-4
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
April 2024
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 13.220.20
English Version
Fixed firefighting systems - Water mist systems - Part 4:
Test protocol for non-storage occupancies for automatic
nozzle systems
Installations fixes de lutte contre l'incendie - Systèmes Ortsfeste Brandbekämpfungsanlagen -
à brouillard d'eau - Partie 4 : Protocole d'essai des Wassernebelsysteme - Teil 4: Prüfprotokoll für Nicht-
systèmes à buses automatiques pour locaux non Lager-Belegungen für automatische Düsensysteme
destinés au stockage
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 29 January 2024.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2024 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 14972-4:2024 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 3
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 General requirements . 5
5 Test hall requirements . 6
6 Test enclosure requirements . 7
6.1 Small compartment . 7
6.2 Large compartment . 9
6.3 Open space .11
7 Fuel packages .11
7.1 Bunk beds .11
7.2 Corner crib and simulated furniture .12
7.3 Sofas .14
8 Instrumentation requirements .17
9 Fire test requirements .17
9.1 Small compartment with bunk beds .17
9.1.1 Criteria .17
9.1.2 Test Procedure .17
9.2 Large compartment with corner crib .18
9.2.1 Criteria .18
9.2.2 Test Procedure .18
9.3 Open space with sofas.18
9.3.1 General .18
9.3.2 Criteria .18
9.3.3 Test Procedure .18

European foreword
This document (EN 14972-4:2024) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 191 “Fixed
firefighting systems”, the secretariat of which is held by BSI.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by September 2024, and conflicting national standards shall
be withdrawn at the latest by September 2024.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
The EN 14972 series, published under the general title Fixed firefighting systems — Water mist systems,
consists of the following parts. This list includes standards that are in preparation, and other standards
can be added. For the current status of published standards, refer to www.cencenelec.eu.
— Part 1: Design, installation, inspection and maintenance;
— Part 2: Test protocol for shopping areas for automatic nozzle systems;
— Part 3: Test protocol for office, school classrooms and hotel for automatic nozzle systems;
— Part 4: Test protocol for non-storage occupancies for automatic nozzle systems;
— Part 5: Test protocol for car garages for automatic nozzle systems;
— Part 6: Test protocol for false floors and false ceilings for automatic nozzle systems;
— Part 7: Test protocol for commercial low hazard occupancies for automatic nozzle systems;
— Part 8: Test protocol for machinery in enclosures exceeding 260 m for open nozzle systems;
— Part 9: Test protocol for machinery in enclosures not exceeding 260 m for open nozzle systems;
— Part 10: Test protocol for atrium protection with sidewall nozzles for open nozzle systems;
— Part 11: Test protocol for cable tunnels for open nozzle systems;
— Part 12: Test protocol for commercial deep fat cooking fryers for open nozzle systems;
— Part 13: Test protocol for wet benches and other similar processing equipment for open nozzle systems;
— Part 14: Test protocol for combustion turbines in enclosures exceeding 260 m for open nozzle systems;
— Part 15: Test protocol for combustion turbines in enclosures not exceeding 260 m for open nozzle
systems;
FprEN 14972-4:2023 (E)
— Part 16: Test protocol for industrial oil cookers for open nozzle systems;
— Part 17: Test protocol for residential occupancies for automatic nozzle systems.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards body.
A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN website.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organisations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia,
Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland,
Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North
Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and the United
Kingdom.
1 Scope
This document specifies the evaluation of the fire performance of water mist systems for lightly loaded
non-storage and non-manufacturing occupancies with ordinary combustibles, such as offices, schools,
hospitals and hotels.
This document is applicable to ceiling mounted automatic nozzles to be used in restricted and/or
unlimited areas.
This document is applicable for horizontal, solid, flat ceilings with heights of 2 m and above, up to the
maximum tested ceiling height.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 636:2012+A1:2015, Plywood — Specifications
EN 13501-1:2018, Fire classification of construction products and building elements — Part 1:
Classification using data from reaction to fire tests
EN 14972-1, Fixed firefighting systems — Water mist systems — Part 1: Design, installation, inspection and
maintenance
ISO 5660-1, Reaction-to-fire tests — Heat release, smoke production and mass loss rate — Part 1: Heat
release rate (cone calorimeter method) and smoke production rate (dynamic measurement)
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN 14972-1 apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
4 General requirements
4.1 Up to a maximum of 5 nozzles used in the fire tests shall be kept for later verification.
4.2 The water mist system, operating without manual intervention, shall successfully complete all
described performance fire tests for their specific applications.
4.3 The fire load shall be taken from the conditioning area and arranged into the test area just before
conducting the test.
4.4 All fire tests shall be conducted for 10 min after the activation of the first nozzle. After this 10 min
period, any remaining fire shall be extinguished manually.
4.5 System components, component locations, operating conditions and test enclosure details shall
remain unaltered throughout all of the fire tests for a given application.
FprEN 14972-4:2023 (E)
4.6 All fire tests shall be conducted using the manufacturer instructions in regard to automatic nozzle
placement, spray flux, and operating pressure. Sprays shall not be intermittent.
4.7 The minimum operating nozzle pressure (as specified by the manufacturer) shall be used for all
tests. System operating pressures shall be repeatable to within ±5 %. If the system pressures cannot be
controlled within the specified tolerance, fire tests shall be conducted at the minimum and maximum
pressure by using external means to control the system pressure.
4.8 For all fire tests, the system shall be either:
a) Pressurized to the minimum operating pressure specified by the manufacturer. Following activation
of the first nozzle, the flowing water pressure shall be maintained at the minimum system operating
pressure; or
b) Pressurized to the minimum stand-by pressure specified by the manufacturer. Following activation
of the first nozzle, the flowing water pressure shall be gradually increased to the minimum system
operating pressure specified by the manufacturer. The delay time until the minimum system
operating pressure is reached shall correspond to the delay time expected in an actual installation.
The delay time recorded during the tests shall be documented and included in the system
specifications.
4.9 The maximum nozzle ceiling height and spacing (as specified by the manufacturer) shall be used
for all tests. This includes utilizing the maximum ceiling spacing of the nozzles from the walls.
4.10 The ceiling nozzle arrangement shall have uniform spacing. The ceiling nozzle spacing from the
wall shall be uniform, preferably one half of the main spacing.
4.11 The individual nozzles shall include either a fusible or glass bulb assembly and meet quick response
nozzle criteria. The heat responsive element and temperature rating of the nozzles used in all fire tests
shall be identical for evaluating the specific rating. The nominal operating temperature of the nozzle shall
not exceed 107 °C.
4.12 The fire test protocol may also be applied for evaluating multiple temperature ratings
simultaneously by using nozzles having the highest nominal temperature rating for the open space tests,
and a combination of nozzles having the lowest and highest nominal temperature ratings for the small
and large compartment tests as described in the respective test procedures in Clause 9.
5 Test hall requirements
5.1 The fire test hall shall be of adequate size with natural or minimal ventilation so as not to interfere
with the fire testing within the enclosure or about the mock-up or test fuel package in the hall.
5.2 For the open space tests the test area shall include a ceiling of at least 80 m in order to simulate
an uninterrupted open space. There shall be a minimum gap of 1 m from the ceiling rim to the wall of the
fire test hall, sufficient ventilation or space, to guarantee sufficient O concentration over the entire test
period.
5.3 For all fire tests, the ceiling, floor, and walls shall be as dry as possible, with only the permissibly
moisture content of the environment. The relative humidity in the test enclosure shall not significantly
differ from that of the ambient relative humidity of the environment. Maximum room relative humidity
shall not be more than 70 % prior to the test.
5.4 The test enclosures or the fire test hall shall be at an ambient temperature of (20 ± 10) °C prior to
the start of the test. The enclosure or hall shall be at as uniform an ambient temperature as reasonably
possible. All non-fire induced drafts shall be eliminated.
5.5 Oxygen concentration shall not decrease below 20 % as an average value inside the test hall. If these
conditions are not met, the water mist system shall only be installed in rooms with a maximum size equal
to the limits of the facility they are tested in.
6 Test enclosure requirements
6.1 Small compartment
The small compartment shown in Figure 1 shall measure 3 m × 4 m and shall be 2,4 m in height. A
1,2 m × 1,2 m compartment shall be built within this space to simulate a lavatory. The compartment shall
be fitted with a doorway with dimensions of 0,8 m wide and 2,2 m high. This doorway shall not include a
door. The doorway leads to a 12 m long and 1,5 m wide corridor.
The walls of the compartment and the corridor shall be fabricated from a 13 mm nominal thickness non-
combustible wall board. The compartment walls shall be backed with 45 mm nominal thickness of
mineral wool insulation and covered with 3 mm to 4 mm thick uncoated plywood panelling according to
EN 636:2012+A1:2015 with no fire retardant treatment.
The ceiling of the compartment shall be constructed of acoustical panels. The panels shall be 12 mm
to 16 mm thick and of A2 class according to EN 13501-1:2018. For each fire test, new acoustical panels
shall be installed in the 2,4 m × 2,4 m area directly over the fire source.
Two thermocouples shall be centred directly over the ignition source as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2.
One thermocouple shall be embedded within the ceiling panels, such that the thermocouple bead is
located 6,5 mm above the bottom surface of the ceiling. A second thermocouple shall be located 75 mm
below the ceiling surface. The nozzle locations are shown in Figure 1. Only the compartment nozzle is an
active nozzle, the corridor nozzles are target nozzles to determine their potential operation.
FprEN 14972-4:2023 (E)
Dimensions in metres
Key
1 corridor minimum length 12 m 7 half x spacing between nozzles
2 lavatory 8 ignition point
3 bunk bed 9 embedded surface thermocouple
4 corridor nozzle 10 gas temperature thermocouple 75 mm below ceiling surface
5 centre nozzle 11 corridor
6 sidewall nozzle
Figure 1 — Small compartment test room with bunk beds.
Dimensions in metres
Key
1 embedded ceiling surface thermocouple 3 ignition point
2 gas temperature thermocouple (75 mm below ceiling surface)
Figur
...