1.

FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS

1.1. FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM DESIGN REFERENCES

1.1.1. Applicable Codes
 IBC International Building Code 2009 Edition
 IFC International Fire Code 2009 Edition
 NFPA 101 Life Safety Code® 2009 Edition
1.1.2. Applicable Standards
 NFPA 10 Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers 2006 Edition
 NFPA 12 Standard on Carbon Dioxide Extinguishing Systems 2005 Edition
 NFPA 13 Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems 2010 Edition
 NFPA 14 Standards for the Installation of Standpipe, Private Hydrant and
 Hose Systems 2010 Edition
 NFPA 20 Standard for the Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection
 2007 Edition
 NFPA 70 National Electrical Code 2006 Edition
 NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm Code® 2006 Edition
 NFPA 2001 Standard on Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems 2000 Edition
 ASTM American Society for Testing of Materials
 UL Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
 FM Factory Mutual, Inc.
1.1.3. Applicable Design Guidelines
 RC Engineering Manual
1.2. FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
1.2.1. Code Requirements:
The different facilities included in this project and there occupancy classification as per
International Building Code is as given below:
 Community Building : This Building is classified as Group B in IBC. Refer IBC 304.1.
 RC Staff Building : This Building is classified as Group B in IBC. Refer IBC 304.1.

Sprinkler system Requirements are as follows:

 Community Building : Automatic sprinkler system is not required in this building as the
building Height is less than 55ft. Refer IBC [Link].
 RC Staff Building: Automatic sprinkler system is not required in this building as the
building height is less than 55ft. Refer IBC [Link].

Standpipe Requirements are as follows:

 Standpipe is not required in any of the buildings as the floor level of highest storey above
the lowest level of fire department access is less than 9.144m in all buildings. Refer IBC
905.3.1. Hose stream allowance is required in Warehouse building as per NFPA 13 Table
[Link].
  Fire extinguishers are required in the buildings as follows:
 Portable fire extinguishers are required in Group B, Group F, Group H , Group I and
Group M occupancies. Refer IBC 906.1.
1.2.2. Standards Requirements
 Fire extinguishers shall be in accordance to NFPA 10.
 Water demand for sprinkler system shall be in accordance with NFPA 13.

1.2.3. End Users Requirements

 All the facilities in this project are required to have Automatic sprinkler system irrespective
of the code requirements as per end user.

FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

1.2.4. Systems Overall Description
 The Occupancy Classification, Code requirements and end-user requirements are
summarized below for all the buildings:
BUILDING OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION
OCCUPANCY
BUILDING SPRINKLER SYSTEM
CLASSIFICATION
[Link] CODE END USER
AREA HEIGHT CODE CODE
NAME GROUP REQUIR- REQUIR-
(m²) (m) REFERENCE REFERENCE
EMENT EMENT
Community IBC
1 1694 4.4 Group B IBC 304.1 No Yes
Building [Link]
IBC
2 RC Building 1684 4.4 Group B IBC 304.1 No Yes
[Link]

Electrical and telecom rooms

 Electrical room and Telecom room in all buildings shall be provided with a carbon
dioxide type UL rated (5B: C) Portable Fire Extinguisher.

1.2.5. Systems Operational Philosophy & Controls Description

General
The wet fire suppression water sprinkler system includes an array of individual fire sprinklers
which are supplied with water through a main conduit and various branch conduits.
Operation
The individual fire sprinklers are provided with a fusible link that melts when the ambient
temperature reaches a predetermined level indicative of a fire. In this way, the extent of water
damage may be minimized.
The melting of the member opens the fire sprinkler to spray water in order to suppress the fire.
Alarm
 Fire suppression systems often times have one or more alarms that detects the flow of water
through the main conduit and indicates that a fire has started. The alarm typically triggers an
audible signal to warn occupants of the building that a fire has started and may also send an
appropriate signal directly to a fire department.
Flow of water, even from a single sprinkler is sufficient to move the member and trigger the
alarm. Often times, such water flow indicator alarms are electronically connected to an audible
alarm single generator as well as to light panels to indicate the area in which the fire has
occurred.
Community Water Supply System
Fire suppression systems which include water sprinklers are oftentimes in fluid communication
with the community water supply system or with whatever source of potable water is available
in the vicinity. The water within the fire suppression system itself, however, can remain within
the piping for a considerable period of time and is considered to be stagnant water.
Note: Water supply lines to building are to be provided with back flow preventers. Refer to civil
site drawings for fire and potable water drawing.
Fire Department
In addition, a pump provided by the fire department will be connected to an inlet in
communication with the fire suppression system in order to provide additional water and/or
pressure in the event of a fire.
In case of fire, a fire alarm system sends an alarm, at which time the trained occupants shall
use fire extinguishers to fight fire while the others execute the evacuation plan, until fire
department officials arrive.
1.3. FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS DESIGN CALCULATIONS, METHODS & TOOLS
1.3.1. Fire Water Building Total Demand
Based on the occupancy classification and above mentioned codes & standards, the fire
water demand and pressure demand for each building is summarized below which is based
on hydraulic calculations.

BUILDING NAME DEMAND FLOW DEMAND PRESSURE

RC Staff Building 260 gpm 3.35 bar
Community Building 235 gpm 3.63 bar

 Fire water demand for each building is provided by a common pump. Refer ME-2500
for Pump details.

1.3.2. Calculation to be prepared

Hydraulic calculations are performed to estimate the total demand flow & demand pressure
required for each facility in the project.
1) Fire Suppression System Design Criteria
 The calculations are performed for Automatic wet sprinkler system by Hydraulic
calculations method as per NFPA13 - 11.2.3
 The building is Light Hazard. Refer NFPA13 - A.5.2.
 The water density for light hazard = 0.1gpm/ft² and
 Design area of sprinkler operation = 1500ft² (139m²). Refer NFPA13 [Link].1.
 Maximum sprinkler coverage area = 20.9m², Refer NFPA13 - [Link].1(a).
 Actual sprinkler coverage area = Design area / no. of sprinklers in design
area
= 1500 / 14
= 107ft²
 The calculations shall be performed for the most remote sprinkler in the operation
area.
 Sprinkler K factor = 5.65 and sprinkler orifice diameter = ½ in.
2) Fire Suppression System Demand (Flow & Pressure)
 Calculations are carried out for Demand Flow rate (Q) and Demand Residual
Pressure (P).
a) Demand Flow Q = Sprinkler flow requirement (from Elite program) + Inside &
Outside Hose allowance.
Thus Q = 260+ 0
Q = 260 gpm

b) Demand Residual Pressure P = P1 + P2

Where P1 = Pressure calculated at inflow node (by Elite program)
P2 = Additional pressure required at Most remote hose connection
(To get the pressure of 4.5bar for 1 1/2 in. Hose connection.)
Thus P1 = 48.56 PSI
P2 = 0 (Since the Standpipe is not required in the building. Refer IBC
905.3.1.)
Therefore P = 48.56 PSI = 3.34 BAR