automatic fire extinguishing systems

•Building Capacity • Enhancing Capabilities • Globally•Building Capacity • Enhancing Capabilities • Globally

Automatic Fire Automatic Fire Extinguishing SystemsExtinguishing Systems

•Building Capacity • Enhancing Capabilities • Globally

ScopeScope•• IntroductionIntroduction

•• Automatic Sprinkler SystemsAutomatic Sprinkler Systems

•• Water Spray SystemWater Spray System

•• Foam SystemFoam System

•• Halon SystemsHalon Systems

•• Carbon Dioxide SystemCarbon Dioxide System

•• Dry Chemical SystemDry Chemical System

•• ConclusionConclusion


Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives

•• Know the Know the operation of operation of various automatic various automatic fire extinguishing fire extinguishing systemssystems


Automatic Sprinkler Automatic Sprinkler SystemSystem


What are the advantages of What are the advantages of Automatic Sprinkler SystemAutomatic Sprinkler System

•• Gives warning / alert Gives warning / alert

•• Fights fire & access seat of fireFights fire & access seat of fire

•• Early responseEarly response

•• Lowers smoke levelLowers smoke level

•• Cools smokeCools smoke


BenefitsBenefits

• Prevents /reduces loss of life & property

• Reduces interruption to business

• Lesser water damage compared to hose streams


AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEM

• Main components

• breeching inlets• water storage tank.• Sprinkler pumps• Sprinkler control valves.• Sprinkler pipe network, sprinklers• Fire alarm system.

Water supply

Alarm & monitoring unit

Controlvalves

External

Internal

Breeching Inlet

Sprinkler Pump


Types of Sprinkler SystemsTypes of Sprinkler Systems

• Wet pipe system

• Dry pipe system

• Pre-action system

• Deluge system


Wet Pipe Sprinkler SystemWet Pipe Sprinkler System

• Sprinklers attached to pipes

• Contains water under pressure

• No danger of water freezing


Wet Pipe Sprinkler SystemsWet Pipe Sprinkler Systems


Dry Pipe Sprinkler SystemDry Pipe Sprinkler System

• Sprinklers attached to pipes

• Contains air or nitrogen under pressure

• Upon activation, pressure reduces

• Pressure on supply side forces open valve

• Freezing environment


Dry Pipe Sprinkler SystemsDry Pipe Sprinkler Systems


Preaction Sprinkler SystemPreaction Sprinkler System

• Pipes contain air

• Upon fire occurence, fire detector activates

• Water control valve opens & water flows into pipes

• Water discharges upon activation of sprinkler

• Designed for accidental damage to sprinklers & broken pipes



PrePre--Action Sprinkler SystemsAction Sprinkler Systems



Deluge Sprinkler SystemsDeluge Sprinkler Systems• Upon fire occurence, fire detector

activates

• Water control valve opens & water flows into pipes

• Water discharges through all the open sprinklers simultaneously

• Used for high hazard areas


Deluge Sprinkler SystemsDeluge Sprinkler Systems


Design ConsiderationsDesign Considerations

• Type of Sprinkler System

• Type of Hazard Occupancy

• Location of Sprinklers


Hazard TypesHazard Types3 CLASSIFICATIONS3 CLASSIFICATIONS

• Light hazard - schools, prisons

• Ordinary hazard -– Group 1- offices, restaurants

– Group 2 – bakeries, laundries

– Group 3 - departmental stores, cinemas

– Group 3 Special – exhibition halls, film/ TV studios


• High hazard– Process Risks - aircraft hangars, plastic

/ rubber factories

– High Piled Storage Risks• Category 1 – carpets, electrical

appliances

• Category 2 – wooden furniture, flammable liquids

• Category 3 – rubber goods

• Category 4 – foamed rubber / plastics


High Hazard OccupancyHigh Hazard Occupancy

• High hazards result in rapid fire spread

• Causes opening of many sprinklers

• Require large quantities of water supply and high pressure

• Sprinkler system has to be appropriately designed according to the severity of the hazard


•• Water discharge density Water discharge density (mm/min)(mm/min)

•• Area of operation (mArea of operation (m22))

•• Water supply duration (min)Water supply duration (min)

Design parametersDesign parameters


Standard SpacingStandard Spacing

Hazard group Spacing of sprinklers on pipe S (max)

m

Distance between pipes

D (max) m

SxD (max)

m2

Light 4.6 4.6 21

Ordinary 4.2 4.2 12

High 3.7 3.7 9


Design DataDesign Data

Design density (mm/min)

Max area coverage per sprinkler

(m2)

Assume area of operation

(m2)

Light

2.25

21

84

OH I OH II OH III

OH III special

5 5 5 5

12

72 144 216 360

Process Risk

Piled storage

7.5 - 12.5

7.5 - 30

9 260

260 - 300


Design Fire SizeDesign Fire SizeHazard Class Occupancy

AO[m2]

sprinklers operating

design density

[mm/min]

light hazard hotels, hospitals, offices, schools 84 4 2.25

ordinary hazard 1restaurants, brewery, cement

works 72 6 5

ordinary hazard 2bakeries, retail shops, food

manufacturers, light metal works, motor garages 144 12 5

ordinary hazard 3aircraft factories, departmental

stores, manufacture paper goods & plastic goods 216 18 5

ordinary hazard 3 special

distilleries, film studios, match factories, flax, hemp mills, oil mills 360 30 5

high hazard process aircraft hangars, 260 30 7.5-10

high hazard storage categories 1-4 260-300 30+ 7.5-30


AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEM

• Water supply - pressure/ flow rate• Depends on

Hazard Minimum Running Flow rate of InstallationGroup Pressure of Installation Control Valve (l/min)

Control Valve (kPa)

LH 220 + Height equivalent 225170 + Height equivalent 400

OH I 100 + Height equivalent 37570 + Height equivalent 540

OH II 140 + Height equivalent 725100 + Height equivalent 1000

OH III 170 + Height equivalent 1100140 + Height equivalent 1350

OH III special 200 + Height equivalent 1800150 + Height equivalent 2100

HH – subjected to individual calculation depending on design density of discharge and operations area.

• Hazard Group• Height of sprinkler above control valve.


Water SupplyWater Supply-- DurationDuration

Hazard Duration (mins)

Light 30

Ordinary 60

High 90


Ordinary Hazard ClassOrdinary Hazard ClassOccupancy

Group Maximum height of

highest sprinkler above lowest sprinkler in building or stage

(m)

Minimum capacity

(L)

I 15 30 45 60 75

55,000 70,000 80,000 90,000 100,000

II 15 30 45 60 75

105,000 125,000 140,000 160,000 175,000


Location of SprinklersLocation of Sprinklers

• Chapter 6 of Fire Code stipulates buildings requiring sprinkler protection. Such buildings are to be fully sprinkler protected throughout.

• Location of sprinklers on a line of pipe & location of lines determine size of area protected by each sprinkler. In turn determined by type of hazard.

• Clearance from beams, ducts, walls, ceiling and other obstructions. Refer to CP 52.

• Other spaces such as concealed areas (ceiling, raised floor) and shafts eg lift shaft. Refer to Fire Code.


Supplementary ProtectionSupplementary Protection

•• Roof spaceRoof space

<< 400 mm in depth, no need protection400 mm in depth, no need protection

> 400 mm > 400 mm << 800 mm shall be protected by 800 mm shall be protected by sprinkler installed on the extended basis sprinkler installed on the extended basis (using (using light hazard group concept)light hazard group concept)

> 800 mm in depth shall be fully protected> 800 mm in depth shall be fully protected


What is an Automatic Sprinkler ?What is an Automatic Sprinkler ?

Thermosensitive device designed to react to a predetermined temperature by automatically releasing a stream of water & distributing it in a specified pattern & quantity over a designated area


Parts of Automatic SprinklerParts of Automatic Sprinkler• Frames & releasing devices

• Cap is held tightly against orifice by releasing devices

• Deflector

• Water discharge is restrained by the Cap

• Amount of water discharge depends on– Water pressure

– Size of sprinkler orifice


Type of Sprinkler Operating ElementsType of Sprinkler Operating Elements

• Fusible type sprinkler

• Frangible type sprinkler


Fusible type sprinkler• Combination of levers, struts &

links

• Held together by metal alloy of predetermined melting point

• Fusible metal alloy of smallest practical amount for effective operation




Frangible type sprinkler• Small bulb (pyrex glass) containing

liquid with small bubble

• When heated, liquid expands & absorbs bubble

• Pressure increases & bulb shatters

• Cap is released and water flows through orifice


Fusible type Colour of yoke arms Frangible type Colour of bulbsoC oC

68/ 74 Uncoloured 57 Orange

93/100 White 68 Red

141 Blue 79 Yellow

182 Yellow 93 Green

227 Red 141 Blue182 Mauve204/260 Black

• Selection: > 30 oC above expected max ambient air temperature.

TEMPERATURE RATING AND C0LOUR CODINGOF SPRINKLERS


OrdinaryIntermediateHighUltraHigh

Orange: 57 oC

Red: 68 oC

Yellow: 79 oC

Green: 93 oC

Blue: 141 oC

Mauve: 182 oC


Types of SprinklersTypes of Sprinklers

• Standard sprinkler

• Recessed sprinkler

• Flushed sprinkler

• Concealed sprinkler

• Ornamental sprinkler

• Dry sprinkler

• Large drop sprinkler

• Sidewall sprinkler

• Extended coverage sidewall coverage

• Open sprinkler

• Intermediate level sprinkler

• Quick response sprinkler


Standard SprinklerStandard Sprinkler

• Deflector

• umbrella shaped spray (half sphere)

• uniform distribution

• upright & pendent


WATER DISCHARGE PATTERN STANDARD PENDENT HEAD

FLAT CEILING


Recessed SprinklerRecessed Sprinkler

• Part or most of body mounted within a recessed housing

• Operation same as standard sprinkler


Flushed SprinklerFlushed Sprinkler

• Same water discharge pattern as pendent

• Min projection of parts for appearance

• Upon a fire, thermosensitive device operates & deflector drops & water discharges


Concealed SprinklerConcealed Sprinkler

• Entire body above cover plate

• Upon fire occurence, plate drops & exposes thermosensitive assembly


Dry SprinklerDry Sprinkler

• Freezing areas

• Attached to a drop or riser pipe to a dry pipe system

• Seal is provided to prevent water from entering


Sidewall SprinklerSidewall Sprinkler

• Discharges water to one side

• One quarter of sphere

• Desired direction


WATER DISCHARGE PATTERN SIDEWALL SPRINKLER

Horizontal range greater than standard pendent

SIDEWALL


Open SprinklerOpen Sprinkler

• Standard or sidewall

• without valve cap & heat responsive element

• deluge systems


Intermediate Level Intermediate Level SprinklerSprinkler

• Rack storage

• Large protective disc to prevent cooling of thermosensitive element

• Suspended at higher level


Quick Response SprinklerQuick Response Sprinkler

• More sensitive element

• Operation same as standard

• Responds more quickly


Duties of FSMDuties of FSM• Check that sprinkler system is regularly

maintained – check maintenance records.

• Ensure that sprinkler system is in good operating condition for Fire Certificate (FC) renewal.

• Check renovation works by tenants affecting sprinklers. Check for plan submission to FSSD.

• Ensure sprinklers are not blocked by goods, painted over, used for hanging decorations, etc.


Water Spray SystemWater Spray System


What is a Water Spray System What is a Water Spray System

A designed fixed water pipe system connected to a steady water supply & equipped with water spray nozzles for specific water discharge & distribution over a surface or area to be protected



• Connected to water supply thru’automatic or manual actuated valve

• Water fog

• Differs from normal sprinkler only in the form of spray

• Can serve both purposes


Water Spray NozzleWater Spray Nozzle


Purpose of Water Spray Purpose of Water Spray SystemSystem

• Extinguishment

• Controlled burning

• Exposure protection

• Prevention of fire


ExtinguishmentExtinguishment

• Cooling

• smothering from steam produced

• dilution

• combination


Controlled BurningControlled Burning

• Burning materials not easily extinguished by water spray

• Extinguishment not desirable –product on fire to be totally burned off


Exposure ProtectionExposure Protection

• Application of water spray on exposed structures or equipment

• Can be used as water spray curtain – but less effective


Water curtain


Prevention of FirePrevention of Fire

• Dissolve

• Dilute

• Disperse

• Cooling

Flammable & Combustible material



Suitable Areas Of ProtectionSuitable Areas Of Protection• Ordinary combustible materials

• Electrical Equipment Installation

• Flammable gas and liquids

• Flammable liquids and gas tanks

• Open cable trays and runs containing electrical cables or tubing


Foam SystemFoam System


What is Fire Fighting What is Fire Fighting Foam ?Foam ?

An aqueous solution containing specially formulated concentrated foam agents for fighting flammable liquid fires


Types of Fire Fighting Types of Fire Fighting Foam AgentsFoam Agents

• Aqueous film-forming foaming agents (AFFF)

• Fluoroprotein foaming agents (FP)

• Film-forming fluoroprotein agents (FFFP)

• Protein foaming agents (P)

• Alcohol type foaming agents (AR)


How Foam is produced?How Foam is produced?

•• Foam ConcentrateFoam Concentrate

•• WaterWater

•• AirAir

•• Foam bubble structureFoam bubble structure


Foam generation thru’ pump

Water +pump

ProportioningProcess (liquid) Foam

Generation (air)

Foam distributionFoam


Cuts off Cuts off OxygenOxygen

How Foam Extinguishes a How Foam Extinguishes a Flammable Liquid FireFlammable Liquid Fire

OX

YG

EN H

EA

T

FUEL

Suppresses Suppresses VaporsVapors

Cools the Fuel Cools the Fuel and Surrounding and Surrounding Objects (tanks) Objects (tanks)


What happens when foam is What happens when foam is applied on flammable liquid fire ?applied on flammable liquid fire ?

• Foam solution floats on & blankets flammable liquid on fire – cuts off oxygen

• Foam solution breaks down

• Water in foam solution is vaporized by heat & flame – cooling effect

• To be applied in sufficient volume & rate


Range of FoamRange of Foam

• Low expansion foam- expansion up to 20:1

• Medium expansion foam- expansion 20:1 to 200:1

• High expansion foam- expansion 200:1 to 1000:1


Production of Mechanical FoamProduction of Mechanical Foam

Water

FoamConcentrate

ProportioningEquipment

FinishedFoam

FoamSolution

Air


Foam generation thru’ portable means

Pick-up tube

waterFoam con

foam

Foam BranchInlineinductor


Foam InstallationsFoam InstallationsFixed Foam SystemFixed Foam System



Foam InstallationsFoam InstallationsSemiSemi--fixed Foam Systemfixed Foam System



Total FloodingTotal Flooding


Total Flooding SystemTotal Flooding System

• Protect enclosed hazard area

• Discharge of extinguishing medium to provide uniform concentration over the enclosed area


TOTAL FLOODINGTOTAL FLOODING


Local Application SystemLocal Application System

• Need only protect a specific object or installation and not the entire area

• Object surrounded locally by fire extinguishing system of suitable agent

• Enclosure not suitable for total flooding


Local ApplicationLocal Application


Halon SystemsHalon Systems


What is Halogenated What is Halogenated Extinguishing Agents ?Extinguishing Agents ?

Hydrocarbons in which one or more hydrogen atoms have been replaced by atoms from halogen series : fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine


Halogenated Extinguishing Halogenated Extinguishing Agents Agents

• Gases or liquids

• Vaporize

• Non-corrosive

• Non-conductor of electricity

• Protection of electrical & electronic equip

• Petroleum production facilities

• Engine compartments


Total Flooding Total Flooding SystemSystem


Halon Systems

• New installations of Halon systems not allowed since 1990


Carbon Dioxide SystemCarbon Dioxide System


Properties of CO2• Cooling effect

• Non combustible

• Noisy

• Reduce visibility

• Does not react with most substances

• Provide its own pressure

• Penetrate & spread to all parts

• Will not conduct electricity

• No residue


Extinguishing Capabilities of CO2

• Reduce oxygen content

• Dilution to a point where atmosphere no longer support combustion

• Smothering

• Cooling


Components and Application Systems• Main components

– CO2 supply

– Discharge nozzle

– Piping system

– Control valves

– Detecting devices

• Total Flooding System

• Local Application


CO2 System CO2 System Total Flooding Total Flooding

SystemSystem



Exposure of Human Being Exposure of Human Being to COto CO22

Up to 9% Most people can withstand without losing consciousness within a few minutes

> 9% Can render a person helpless almost immediately


Other Fire Extinguishing Gaseous systems

• FM 200– new generation of clean, safe

suppression system

– does not damage ozone layer

– low toxicity


• Inergen– 40% argon + 52% nitrogen + 8% CO2

– non-corrosive gas

– does not support combustion

– does not react with most substances

– does not damage ozone layer

– Reduce oxygen level to 12.5%

Other Fire Extinguishing Gaseous systems


Dry Chemical Dry Chemical SystemSystem


Principles of Dry Chemical Systems Principles of Dry Chemical Systems

• Contains a dry chemical powder which is effective as a fire extinguishing agent

• When discharged it extinguishes fires by smothering, cooling & radiation shielding


Dry Chemical Dry Chemical Extinguishing AgentsExtinguishing Agents

• Sodium bicarbonate

• Monoammonium phosphate

• Potassium chloride

• Potassium bicarbonate

• Urea-potassium bicarbonate


Components of Dry Chemical Components of Dry Chemical SystemsSystems

• Dry chemical supply

• Expellant gas

• Activating devices

• Piping system

• Discharge nozzles

• Total Flooding

• Local application


Uses of Dry Chemical SystemsUses of Dry Chemical Systems

• Flammable liquid

• Kitchen hood

• Ducts

• Electrical equipment

• Transformers



ConclusionConclusion

•• Types of Sprinkler SystemsTypes of Sprinkler Systems

•• Hazard classificationHazard classification

•• Main components of sprinkler systemMain components of sprinkler system

•• Other types of auto fire extinguishing Other types of auto fire extinguishing systemssystems

automatic fire extinguishing systems

Documents

environmentbuilding

pipesbuilding capacity

activation of sprinkler

dry pipe sprinkler systems

wet pipe sprinkler systems

alarm system

sprinkler pipe network

preaction sprinkler