BUILDING UTILITIES 2

FIRE PROTECTION and SUPPRESSION

SYSTEMS
Part 3
INTRODUCTION TO FIRE SUPPRESSION
 Fire suppression is achieved by cooling the combustible
material to below its ignition temperature or by
preventing oxygen from interacting with the
combustible material.
 The most popular medium for building fire suppression
is _____, which is readily available and relatively low in
cost. It cools, smothers, emulsifies and dilutes. As it
turns to vapor, it removes 970BTU/lb of latent heat,
and its volume increases 1700 times – a process that
helps push away the oxygen needed by the fire.
 Disadvantages
− Damages most contents of the building
− Conducts electricity readily as a stream
− Flammable oils float on its surface as it continues to burn
− As it vaporizes rapidly, it can harm people, especially
firefighters
CLASSIFICATION OF FIRE SUPPRESSION
 According to the medium – water, foam,
chemicals, halogenated gas, etc.
 According to action of the device - portable
extinguisher, standpipe-and-hose, sprinkler
system
 According to method of the operation of the
device – manual or automatic
CLASSIFICATION OF FIRES
• Class A – fires of ordinary combustible materials such
as wood, cloth, paper, rubber, and many plastics
• Class B – fires in flammable liquids, oils, greases, tars,
oil-based paints, lacquers, and flammable gases
• Class C – fires that involve energized electrical
equipment. In such fires, it is important that the
extinguishing medium not be a conductor of
electricity.
• Class D – fires in combustible metals such as
magnesium, titanium, zirconium, sodium, lithium, and
potassium
WHAT IS A STANDPIPE-and-HOSE SYSTEM
 Standpipe-and-hose systems are a series of
pipes and valves which connect a water supply
to hose connections and allied equipment that
are designed to provide a pre-piped water
system for fire suppression purposes for
building occupants or the fire department.
 They are provided with separate water
reserve, up-feed pumping, or fire department
connections.
 They are listed in 3 classes and 5 types (class
assignment)
CLASSIFICATION OF STANDPIPE SYSTEMS BY
THEIR USAGE
 Class I for heavy stream
applications
 Class II as “first aid fire
appliances”
 Class III which has the features of
both Class I and Class II.
FIVE TYPES OF STANDPIPES
 Automatic-Wet standpipe, filled with water at all times, is
connected to a permanent water supply that is capable of meeting
flow and pressure requirements.
 Manual-Wet standpipe, filled with water at all times, is connected
to a water supply that is not capable of meeting flow and pressure
requirements. The purpose of the water supply is to maintain
water within the system, thus reducing the time it takes to get
water to the hose station outlets. Manual-wet standpipe systems
need water from a fire department pumper (or the like) to be
pumped into the system in order to meet flow and pressure
requirements.
 Automatic-Dry standpipe, filled with pressurized air, is connected to
a permanent water supply that is capable of meeting flow and
pressure requirements. It uses a device, such as a dry pipe valve, to
admit water into the system piping automatically upon the opening
of a hose valve.
 Semi-automatic-Dry standpipe, with empty pipe, is connected to a
permanent water supply that is capable of meeting flow and
pressure requirements. It uses a device, such as a deluge valve, to
admit water into the system piping upon activation of a remote
control device located at a hose connection. A remote control
activation device shall be provided at each hose connection.
 Manual-Dry standpipe, with empty pipe, is not connected to a
water supply. Manual-dry standpipe systems need water from a
fire department pumper (or the like) to be pumped into the system
in order to meet flow and pressure requirements.
STANDPIPE-and-HOSE SYSTEMS
DESIGN FACTORS
• Minimum flow rates for standpipes and fire
hoses
• Minimum pressure
• Maximum pressure
PRELIMINARY DESIGN GUIDELINES
• Class I and III standpipes not exceeding 30m in height must be a
minimum of 100mm nominal pipe size
• Class I and III standpipes exceeding 30m in height must be a
minimum of 150mm nominal pipe size (although the topmost
30m may be a minimum of 100mm nominal pipe size)
• For combined standpipe and sprinkler systems regardless of
height, a minimum of 150mm nominal pipe size is required
• For Class I and III systems, a minimum hose pressure of 100psi is
required. Maximum hose pressure (also for sprinklers) is 175psi
• Water from a public system or from an alternative source shall be
adequate for a minimum of duration of 30 minutes.
• Fire standpipes and their hoses (for full-scale fire fighting) are to
be located on the landings of stairs, from which personnel or fire
fighters can approach a fire with charged hoses.
PRELIMINARY DESIGN GUIDELINES
• Class I and III standpipes shall be sized for 500gpm for the first
standpipe and 250gpm for each additional standpipe, but
normally not more than 1250gpm for the total system, including
the sprinkler water demand for buildings that have a limited-area
sprinkler system
• Class II standpipe sizes shall be based on 100gpm for each riser
and not more than 500gpm for the total system
• For office buildings, multi-family dwellings, one or two family
dwellings, and with an automatic sprinkler system, the flow rate
may be sized for 250gpm for each standpipe and not more than
750gpm for all standpipes. The demand for the automatic
sprinkler system shall be calculated independently
• There shall be fire hose connections on each side of fire
enclosures so that hose connections can be made inside or
outside of the stairway enclosure
PRELIMINARY DESIGN GUIDELINES
• Fire department connection shall be provided outside of the
building. A minimum of two connections shall be installed for
high-rise buildings. Hoses may be installed on racks, on reels, or
in cabinets containing portable fire extinguishers and tools. The
cabinet door will be latched
• A water flow alarm shall be provided for the automatic and semi-
automatic standpipe systems. Valves shall be provided for
isolation of piping, prevention of back pressure and shutoff
purposes. All valves shall indicate, at a distance, whether they are
open or close. Isolation valves shall be locked in open position
• Each standpipe shall be provided with a means of draining. The
drainpipe shall be 20mm for a 50mm standpipe and up to 50mm
for a 100mm or larger standpipe. Standpipes with pressure-
regulating devices shall have a 75mm drainpipe
PRELIMINARY DESIGN GUIDELINES
• Standpipe system shall be limited to vertical height of 84 meters.
For high-rise buildings, separate standpipe systems shall be
provide for each 84 meters of vertical height
• Standpipe risers at some stairways may be omitted if:
• All parts of the building can be reached by a 9-meter “hose stream” (water
stream) at the end of a 30-meter fire hose from other risers. (Note: The
distance shall be the actual developed length measured along a path of
travel originating from the hose connection), or
• All parts of the building are within 122 meters from access to fire
department vehicles and not more than 61 meters from another hose
connection
• As a general rule, standpipe systems installed in all buildings shall
be of the wet variety, except when the highest floor of the
building is:
• Lower than 23 meters, or
• Lower than 45 meters and the building is protected by an automatic
sprinkler system, or
• Lower than 45 meters and the building is an open parking structure
STANDPIPE-AND-HOSE SYSTEM
COMPONENTS
Hose rack with 64mm valve and Hose rack with 38mm valve and
38mm hose (up to 38 meters) 38mm hose (up to 30 meters)

Hose reel with 38mm valve and

38mm hose (up to 30 meters)
 Fog-type hose nozzle for use on
an electrical fire
Hose cabinet with 38mm valve
and 38mm hose and fire
extinguisher, enlarged detail of
the hose clamp

High-capacity (up to 250gpm)

direct connection nozzle
 Wall-mounted surface type
2-way Siamese connection
Sidewalk-type, freestanding
2-way Siamese connection

Automatic pressure-reducing
valve to limit the water
pressure at the nozzle under
both flow and no-flow
conditions
WHAT IS AN AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER
SYSTEM
• Integrated fire suppression system consisting
of a water supply, a network of pipes,
sprinkler heads, and other components to
provide automatic fire suppression in areas of
a building where the temperature or smoke
has reached a predetermined level.
TYPES OF AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER
SYSTEMS
• Wet-pipe system
 Most common type, have water, under pressure,
in the pipes at all times
 Water is supplied either from a roof tank or from a
ground level tank and automatic pump system
that maintains pressure in the system
 Each sprinkler head acts individually, i.e., sprinkler
heads in the affected area only are activated
TYPES OF AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER
SYSTEMS
• Dry-pipe system
 These systems are filled with compressed air (or nitrogen)
rather than with water.
 Used in unheated areas, cold-storage areas including
loading docks
 As soon as sprinkler head opens, the compressed air
rushes out, allowing water to enter the formerly dry-pipe
system through a dry-pipe valve. It then functions like a
wet-pipe system
 A maximum system capacity of 2,840 liters is
recommended
 Require pitching of all piping to allow thorough drainage
after usage
DRY PIPE VALVE
TYPES OF AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER
SYSTEMS
• Deluge system
 This system is a dry-pipe system that has open
sprinkler heads.
 Responds to abnormally high temperature anywhere
in the protected area by opening a deluge valve that
supplies water to all the heads. As a result, all
sprinkler heads operate simultaneously.
 The purpose of the design is to prevent the extremely
rapid spread of fire, as in buildings with highly
flammable materials. It is also used where fire can
produce noxious or poisonous fumes, as in chemical
plants.
 A. Deluge valve
B. Clapper seal
C. Detector
D. Pneumatic actuator
E. Relief valve
F. Alarm
G. Sprinkler head

The upper chamber of the deluge valve (A)

is pressurized to keep the clapper seal (B)
on the inlet. When the detector (C) detects
a fire, the pneumatic actuator (D) opens by
an air pressure drop, venting the upper valve
chamber and permitting the valve to open.
The pressure-operated relief valve (E) continues
Venting. Alarm (F) sounds, and water flows to
the sprinkler heads.
DELUGE VALVE
TYPES OF AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER
SYSTEMS
• Preaction system
 This system is a dry-pipe system filled with air and
having a supplemental detection system installed in
the area. The detection system may be sensitive to
either temperature or the density of smoke.
 Actuation of the detection system opens a valve that
permits water to enter into the system and to be
discharged from any of the sprinkler heads that may
be open.
 Used in areas where water damage may be extremely
detrimental to the property or may interfere with
business operations.
TYPES OF AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER
SYSTEMS
• Circulating closed-loop system
 This system is a wet-pipe system that uses rather large
sprinkler piping to circulate water for heating and
cooling operations of the HVAC system.
 Water is not removed from the system, merely
circulated. Water temperature must not exceed 49oC
or fall below 4oC.
 The operation of the HVAC system should not
interfere with the water flow from the sprinkler when
the automatic sprinkler function is activated.
SPRINKLER PIPING TYPES
• Ferrous piping (welded and seamless) – can either be black steel,
galvanized, or wrought steel pipe that are manufactured in various wall
thickness. Most common for sprinkler systems are schedules 40, 30
and 10. NFPA Standard 13 notes minimum wall thickness for steel pipe
depending on the method of joining the pipe.
• Copper tube (drawn and seamless)
• Nonmetallic [polybutylene and chlorinated polyvinyl chlorinated
(cPVC)] piping – lightweight and has favorable hydraulic characteristics
for water flow. Special installation requirements are as follows:
– For use in light hazard occupancies only
– Limited to indoor wet-pipe systems
– Must have a protective membrane
– Can be exposed when quick-response or residential sprinklers are
installed
MAJOR SPRINKLER SYSTEM
COMPONENTS
Components of an Automatic Fire Sprinkler
System
 Stop Valve - The Stop Valve is used to isolate the water supply, it may
also be called the isolating valve. It is often painted RED in colour with
a large black circular handle, and is locked in the OPEN position,
allowing the free flow of water. The stop valve is used to isolate (stop)
the water supply coming in to the fire sprinkler system.
 Valve Monitor that is used to monitor the state (open or closed) of
the Stop Valve. The water within an automatic fire sprinkler system
can be divided into two parts;
Water Supply or Mains - This is the water being fed into an automatic
fire sprinkler system from a water supply such as the town mains or a
static water supply such as a tank, up to the Stop Valve
Installation - The water after the stop valve forms part of the
installation.
Components of an Automatic Fire Sprinkler
System
 Alarm Valve - The Alarm Valve is used to control the flow of water into
the fire sprinkler system. This is accomplished by providing a one way
valve that is normally closed when the water pressure on the fire
sprinkler side of the valve exceeds the water supply pressure. When
the pressure equalises or falls below the water supply pressure, the
valve opens to enable water flow.
 Automatic Fire Sprinkler - The Fire Sprinkler is also used to control the
flow of water. It is essentially a valve that when exposed for a
sufficient time to a temperature at or above the temperature rating of
the heat sensitive element (glass bulb or fusible link) releases, allowing
water to flow from only the affected sprinkler. The operation and
subsequent water flow of an automatic fire sprinkler will lead to a drop
in pressure within the fire sprinkler system after the alarm valve.
Components of an Automatic Fire Sprinkler
System
 Alarm Test Valve - The alarm test valve is a small valve, normally
secured in the closed position. The alarm test valve is fitted between
the sprinkler system side of the alarm valve and the drain. The purpose
of the alarm valve is, when opened, to simulate the flow of water from
a single automatic fire sprinkler.
 Motorised Alarm Bell or Gong - The motorised alarm bell or gong is a
mechanical device, operated by the flow of water oscillating a hammer
that strikes a gong, causing an audible alarm signal.
Components of an Automatic Fire Sprinkler
System
 Pressure Switch - The pressure switch is an electro-mechanical device that
monitors a fire sprinkler system for a fall in water pressure after the alarm
valve. The purpose of monitoring a fall in pressure is to activate a switch that
is monitored by a fire alarm panel or alarm signalling equipment, as
the primary method for signalling an alarm to the fire brigade.
 Flow Switch - The flow switch is an electro-mechanical device that monitors
the flow of water through a section of pipe within an automatic fire sprinkler
system. Flow switches are often fitted with a mechanical delay (up to six
minutes) preventing small or minor water flow fluctuations from signalling an
alarm. When sustained water flow is detected by a flow switch, a signal is
transmitted to a fire indicator panel. This signal is then used to determine
which section (floor) of a fire sprinkler system has water flow. Note: Most flow
switches fitted to automatic fire sprinkler systems are NOT set to
automatically call the fire brigade
Components of an Automatic Fire Sprinkler
System
 Jacking Pump - Jacking are manual (hand) or electric (semi-automatic or fully
automatic) pumps are not always fitted to an automatic fire sprinkler system.
They however provide a method of pumping (boosting) water from the water
supply to the fire sprinkler system after the alarm valve. This leads to an
increase in water pressure in the fire sprinkler system, thus forcing the alarm
valve into the closed position. Jacking Pumps have a secondary function of
maintaining the water pressure within a fire sprinkler system reducing the
likelihood of false alarms caused by low pressure, caused by small water leaks.
 Pressure Gauge - A pressure gauge us a mechanical device that is usually
fitted to an automatic fire sprinkler system. There are usually two gauges
fitted to a system, one showing the water supply pressure and the second
showing the installation pressure. Normally the pressure differential should
be not less than 200 KPa.
SPRINKLER PIPING COMPONENTS
• Branch lines – the pipelines in which the sprinklers are installed
directly
• Cross main – the pipes that directly supply the branch lines
• Feed main the piping that supplies the cross main.
• Riser – the main supply to the system that feeds from the water supply
source.
– Must be accessible and properly identified as to what area it is
protecting
– Large buildings may have several separate risers supplying different
parts of the building
– The size of the riser will be determined hydraulically by calculating
the maximum number of sprinklers expected to operate on one
floor during a fire, or by the pipe schedule system that is
determined by the maximum number of sprinkler heads supplied
by the riser on one floor
SPRINKLER PIPING COMPONENTS
• Alarm
– an alarm gong mounted on the outside of the building warns of water flow through
the alarm valve on the actuating of a sprinkler head.
– This warning gives the building occupants an opportunity to make additional fire
fighting arrangements that can minimize loss and speed up the termination of fire;
in this way, the sprinklers can be turned off to prevent excess water damage to
building contents after the fire is put out.
– All public buildings, as well as other buildings as required, should be provided with
fire detection and alarm systems that indicate the location of the fire.
SPRINKLER PIPING COMPONENTS
• Valves
Valves are required to allow the sprinkler system to be shut off for
maintenance, system modification, or replacement of all sprinkler
heads that have operated after a fire. Indicating valves of various
types are required so that it is always immediately obvious whether
this crucial valve is open (as always should be) or closed.
SPRINKLER PIPING COMPONENTS
• Valves
–Supply valves control connections to water supplies and supplying
pipes to sprinklers. These types of valves must be of the listed
indicating type. When water pressures exceed 175psi, the valves shall
be used in accordance with their pressure rating.
SPRINKLER PIPING COMPONENTS
• Valves
–Drain valves and test valves shall be of an approved type and
provided with permanently marked identification signs.
•All systems shall be provided with a main drain valve and inspector test valve and
connection.
•Valves shall readily accessible and provided with adequate discharge that can
handle the drain discharge flow
SPRINKLER PIPING COMPONENTS
• Valves
–Water flow alarm valves are to be listed for the service and designed
to detect water flow from one sprinkler head within 5 minutes
maximum after such flow begins. These can be either mechanical or
electrical in operation or both.
SPRINKLER PIPING COMPONENTS
• Valves
–Water flow detecting valves are determined by the type of sprinkler
system provided. These valves send an alarm when a continuous flow
of water occurs from a leak in the system.

Wet-type check valves Dry-type check valves

SPRINKLER PIPING COMPONENTS
• Valves
–Check valves can be found in various parts of the sprinkler system.
These valves must be listed for fire protection service and installed in
the correct position in accordance with the designed water flow
direction.
SPRINKLER PIPING COMPONENTS
• Valves
– Pressure-reducing valves provide a steady pressure into a system that
operates at a lower pressure than the supply system. A reducing valve can
normally be set for any desired downstream pressure within the design limits
of the valve. Once the valve is set, the reduced pressure will be
maintained regardless of changes in supply pressure (as long as the supply
pressure is at least as high as the reduced pressure desired) and regardless
of the system load, provided the load does not exceed the design capacity of
the reducer.
SPRINKLER PIPING COMPONENTS
• Water supply
Every sprinkler system must have at least one automatic water supply
of adequate pressure, capacity and reliability. An automatic supply is
one that is not dependent on any manual operation to supply water at
the time of a fire.
– Types of supplies
• Connection to waterworks system
– is the preferred single or primary method of supply if the system is
reliable and of adequate capacity and pressure. Check valves are
required to prevent backflow and protect the potable water supply
to be contaminated.
• Gravity (overhead) tanks
– provide an acceptable supply adequate capacity and pressure if the
local waterworks system is not reliable. The elevation of the tank
takes advantage of gravity to supply the pressure. They should
provide enough water to operate 25% of the total number of
sprinkler heads for 20 minutes. This provision gives the fire
department a chance to arrive and take over.
SPRINKLER PIPING COMPONENTS
• Water supply
– Types of supplies
• Suction tanks
– should be provided in all large buildings to store a supply of water on the
premises to provide against shortage should water be temporarily shut off
from the street mains. If large steam pumps, such as are used for fire pumps
and to fill house tanks on tall buildings, were allowed to pump water direct
from the city mains, they would cause considerable annoyance while
operating by reducing the pressure and thus decreasing the flow of water in
other supply systems in the neighborhood. Furthermore, the operation of the
pump might cause water ram in the mains that would be annoying to other
water consumers and damaging to the water supply system.
• Fire pumps
– are used to boost the pressure to the necessary level when the residual
pressure at the most remote sprinkler head of an automatic sprinkler system
or at the hose outlets of a standpipe system cannot be met by the water
supply system.
– Selected on the basis of its flow rate (GPM), pressure differential required,
control features and driving equipment – electric motor or engine.
SPRINKLER PIPING COMPONENTS
• Water supply
– Types of supplies
• Fire pumps
– Usually of the split-case centrifugal variety for either horizontal or vertical
mounting
– The control system is designed to start the pump whenever the system
pressure drops below the required operating pressure
• Jockey pumps
– A small pressure maintenance pump installed in parallel with fire pumps to
avoid frequent starting of the fire pumps.
– When the system pressure drops below preset level due to drainage or
leakage, a pressure switch will first start the jockey pump to maintain the
system pressure. If the system pressure drops rapidly, the fire pumps will
start automatically.
SPRINKLER PIPING COMPONENTS
• Water supply
– Types of supplies
• Pressure tanks
– Gives a good starting point for the first sprinklers to operate where adequate
volume of water is available but pressure is not sufficient
– Can be used in tall buildings where local water pressure is too low for
effective supply to the highest sprinkler
– Limitation is the small volume of water that can be stored
• Fire department connections
– A connection that allows the fire department to pump water into the sprinkler
system
– Should be readily accessible at all times
– Should be properly marked
– Should be fitted with a check valve, not with a gate valve, to prevent it from
being inadvertently shut off
SPRINKLER PIPING COMPONENTS
• Pipe fittings and attachments
– Pipe fittings are installed by means of:
• Screwed
• Flanged
• Mechanical joint
• Brazed
• Welded
• Flexible coupling
– Pipe hangers
• Used to attach sprinkler piping to substantial structural elements of a building
• Type of hangers should be of the approved standard as tested and listed by testing
laboratories
SPRINKLERS
• Major component of an automatic sprinkler system
which discharges water in a specific pattern for
controlling or extinguishing a fire
• Sprinkler head consists of 3 major components:
– Nozzle
– Heat detector
– Water spray pattern deflector
SPRINKLERS
• Nozzles are classified as:
– Standard
– Large orifice
– Extra large orifice
SPRINKLERS
• Heat detectors are classified into:
– Fusible link type – constructed of a “eutectic alloy”, which
has a single melting point rather than gradual softening.
– Frangible bulb type – glass bulb that contains a colored
liquid and an air bubble
SPRINKLERS
• Water spray pattern deflectors are classified as:
– Pendent deflector
– Upright deflector
– Sidewall horizontal deflector
TYPES OF SPRINKLERS BASED ON
PERFORMANCE DATA
• Spray pattern may be symmetrical or asymmetrical spray, a
fine mist, or water droplets
• Response may be of the quick-response, extended-coverage,
early-suppression, and early-suppression fast-response
varieties
• Heat-sensing elements may be fusible links or frangible bulbs,
open type (with no heat-sensing element) or the dry type
(with a built-in seal at the end of the inlet to prevent water
from entering the nipple until the sprinkler operates
TYPES OF SPRINKLERS BASED ON
PERFORMANCE DATA
• Temperature rating of fusible links is divided into 7 groups,
starting with ordinary up to extra high. They are color-coded
for ease of identification
TYPES OF SPRINKLERS BASED ON
PERFORMANCE DATA
• Flow rate of a sprinkler depends on the size of its orifice and the residual
pressure of the water supply. Residual pressure is the remaining pressure
at the outlet when water is discharging at the rated flow.
PLANNING GUIDELINES
LIGHT HAZARD OCCUPANCIES
Occupancies or portions of other occupancies where the quantity and/or
combustibility of contents is low, and fires with relatively low rates of heat
release are expected.
The Light Hazard classification is intended to encompass residential
occupancies, however, this is not intended to preclude the use of listed
sprinklers in residential occupancies or residential portions of other
occupancies.
Light Hazard Occupancies include occupancies having conditions similar to:

Churches Museums
Clubs Nursing or convalescent homes
Eaves and Overhangs* Offices, including data processing
Educational Residential
Hospitals Restaurant seating areas
Institutional Theaters and Auditoriums, excluding stages
Libraries (except large stack rooms) and prosceniums
*if combustible construction with no combustibles beneath Unused attics
ORDINARY HAZARD OCCUPANCIES
Group 1: Occupancies or portions of other occupancies where combustibility
is low, quantity of combustibles is moderate, stockpiles of combustibles do
not exceed 2.40m, and fires with moderate rates of heat release are
expected.
Ordinary Hazard Occupancies (Group 1) include occupancies having
conditions similar to:
Automobile parking and showrooms Electronic plants
Bakeries Glass and glass product manufacturing
Beverage manufacturing Laundries
Canneries Restaurant service areas
Dairy products manufacturing and processing
ORDINARY HAZARD OCCUPANCIES
Group 2: Occupancies or portions of other occupancies where quantity and
combustibility of contents is moderate to high, stockpiles do not exceed
3.70m, and fires with moderate to high rates of heat release are expected.
Ordinary Hazard Occupancies (Group 2) include occupancies having
conditions similar to:

Cereal mills Paper and pulp mills

Chemical plants – ordinary Paper process plants
Confectionary products Piers and wharves
Distilleries Post offices
Dry cleaners Printing and publishing
Feed mills Repair garages
Horse stables Stages
Leather goods manufacturing Textile manufacturing
Libraries – large stack areas Tire manufacturing
Machine shops Tobacco products manufacturing
Metal working Wood machining
Mercantile Wood products assembly
EXTRA HAZARD OCCUPANCIES
Occupancies or portions of other occupancies where quantity and
combustibility of contents is very high and flammable and combustible
liquids, dust, lint, or other materials are present, introducing the possibility of
rapidly developing fires with high rates of heat release. Extra hazard
occupancies involve a wide range of variables that may produce severe fires.
Extra Hazard Occupancies (Group 1) include occupancies with little or no
flammable or combustible liquids.
Extra Hazard Occupancies (Group 1) include occupancies having conditions
similar to:
Aircraft hangars (except as governed by NFPA Printing using ink having flash points below
409 37.9oC
Combustible hydraulic fluid use areas Rubber reclaiming, compounding, drying,
Die casting milling, vulcanizing
Metal extruding Saw mills
Plywood and particle board manufacturing Textile picking, opening, blending, garnetting,
carding, combining of cotton, synthetics,
wood shoddy, or burlap
Upholstering with plastic foams
EXTRA HAZARD OCCUPANCIES
Extra Hazard Occupancies (Group 2) include occupancies with moderate to
substantial amounts of flammable or combustible liquids, or where shielding
of combustibles is extensive.
Extra Hazard Occupancies (Group 2) include occupancies having conditions
similar to:
Asphalt saturating Open oil quenching
Flammable liquids spraying Plastics processing
Flow coating Solvent cleaning
Manufactured home or modular building Varnish and paint dipping
assemblies ( where finished enclosure is
present and has combustible interiors)
Obstructed: depth, spacing and openness of structural members impede heat flow
to the sprinkler head and/or disrupt the spray pattern
Unobstructed: structural members do not impede the operation of the sprinkler head
OTHER PLANNING GUIDELINES
• When sprinklers are spaced less than 6 feet on centers, baffles shall be
located between the sprinklers to prevent non-activated sprinklers from
being cooled off by the water discharge from adjacent sprinklers.
• The distance of a sprinkler from a wall shall be no more than half of the
allowed distance between sprinklers – not more that 9 feet or less than 4
inches from the wall.
• The distance between vertical obstructions and the sprinkler shall not be
less than that given on the table below.