Wet fire protection systems and methods for storage

A fire protection system for protection of a storage occupancy having a ceiling defining a nominal ceiling height, the system comprising:

• a plurality of fluid distribution devices disposed beneath the ceiling and above a high-piled storage commodity in the storage occupancy having a nominal storage height greater than twelve feet (12 ft.), each of the plurality of fluid distribution devices being arranged for selective identification and controlled actuation in response to a fire;
• wherein the system is configured to identify a select number of the fluid distribution devices above and about the fire and operate the identified fluid distribution devices to effectively address the fire, wherein the system is configured to supply a maximum amount of fluid to meet a maximum hydraulic demand caused by operation of the identified fluid distribution devices, and wherein the system experiences the maximum hydraulic demand when at least one of:
• (i) the identified fluid distribution devices have an operational area of less than 768 square feet;
• (ii) the identified fluid distribution devices include standard coverage sprinklers, and the number of identified fluid distribution devices is less than twelve;
• (iii) the identified fluid distribution devices include extended coverage sprinklers on 12 ft.×12 ft. spacing, and the number of identified fluid distribution devices is less than eight;
• and
• (iv) the identified fluid distribution devices include extended coverage sprinklers on 14 ft.×14 ft. spacing, and the number of identified fluid distribution devices is less than six.