FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM

DESIGNS
By Chandimal Jayakody
BSc.(Eng), CEng., MIE(SL)., MLABSE.
 Fire Protection System

Active Passive
Detection Structural
Means of Escape
Fire suppression
systems
 Fire Suppression Systems
The suppression system can be categorized as
1. Fire Extinguisher
2. Hose Reel system
3. Dry Riser System
4. Wet Riser Systems
5. Sprinkler Systems
6. Gas suppression system
7. Foam systems
Fire Extinguishers
 Fire Extinguisher Overview
1. Fire Extinguisher Classification 3. Extinguisher Size & Placement
& UL Ratings - Hazard / Hazard Area
- Class A - Rating & Coverage Area
– Class B - Allowable Travel Distance
– Class C
- Class D
- Class E 4. Maintenance & Inspection
- Class K - Monthly Inspection
2. Hazard Classification - Annual Maintenance
- Light - 6 Year Maintenance
- Ordinary – Hydrostatic Test
– High
CLASS “A” FIRES - Ordinary combustibles such as wood,
paper, cloth.
CLASS “B” FIRES - Flammable liquids such as oil, grease
CLASS “C” FIRES - Flammable Gases
CLASS “D” FIRES - Flammable Metals
CLASS “E” FIRES - Energized electrical equipment
CLASS “K” FIRES - Fires in Cooking Appliances
Summery
 Rating in UL Classification
• The A rating is a water equivalency
rating. Each A is equivalent to 1.25
gallons of water. 4A=5 gal. of water.

• The B rating is equivalent to the

amount of square footage that related
to the degree of training and
experience of the operator, the
extinguisher can cover.
20 B =20 sq. ft. of coverage.

• C indicates it is suitable for use on

electrically energized equipment.

The UL rating is found on the

extinguisher label or nameplate band.
Fire Class Vs Extinguishers Types
Class Nature Example Extinguisher Type
A Carbonaceous Wood , paper, textiles Water
Flammable Adhesives Dry power
B liquids Flammable liquid stores Dry power or foam
Bitumen boilers, Dry power foam carbon
petrol or diesel dioxide
Powered equipment Dry power carbon, dioxide
Cooking range fires or fire blanket

C Flammable gases LPG, acetylene Carbon dioxide, dry power

D Reactive metals Magnesium, sodium etc. Dry power specially

developed for particular
metals

E Electrical Any material where there Carbon dioxide, dry power

is a danger of live
electricity
K Fires in Cooking That involves combustible Dry power, Foams
Appliances cooking media (vegetables,
animal oil & fats)
Fire Extinguisher Color Code
 Water Extinguishers
• APW (Air pressurized water) Cool burning material by absorbing heat.
• Effective on Class A fires
• The advantage
. of being inexpensive, harmless, and
relatively easy to clean up.
• The disadvantages of water is, it is harmful to modern electronic office
equipment
 Carbon Dioxide
• Generally red, have a LARGE
"tapered“ nozzle (horn) and are
VERY HEAVY (15-85 lbs).
• These are all high- pressure
cylinders.
• CO2 cylinders do not have
a pressure gauge - they
must be weighed to
determine the amount of contents.
• Suitable for class B,C & E fires
 Dry Chemical
• Sodium bicarbonate, "regular" or
"ordinary" used on class B and C
fires, was the first of the dry
chemical agents developed.
• It interrupts the fire's chemical
reaction, and was very common
in commercial kitchens before
the advent of wet chemical
agents.
 Dry Chemical
Cartridge Units
Cartridge extinguishers
differ from “stored” pressure
units by utilizing a gas
cartridge to pressurize the
extinguisher. The unit can
be exposed to an impact or
puncture without discharging
the contents.
Discharge hose and nozzle must be
completely free of agent after use.

Classes: ABCD
 ABC Dry Chemical
ABC-rated multipurpose dry
powder extinguishers are the
most common. They are almost
always RED in color and have
either a long narrow hose or no
hose (just a short nozzle).
 Class D Extinguisher
• There are several Class D fire extinguisher
agents available, some will handle multiple
types of metals, others will not.

• Sodium Chloride
• contains sodium chloride salt and thermoplastic
additive.
• Plastic melts to form an oxygen-excluding
crust over the metal, and the salt dissipates
heat.
• Useful on metals including
sodium,potassium, and other metals
including magnesium, titanium, aluminum,
and zirconium.
• Most Class D extinguishers will have a
special low velocity nozzle or discharge
wand to gently apply the agent in large
volumes to avoid disrupting any finely
divided burning materials
Class K Extinguisher
• Class K fire extinguishers are wet chemical extinguishers
that contain a potassium acetate based,
low PH agent that was originally developed for use in
pre-engineered cooking equipment fire extinguishing
systems.
• The Class K extinguishers are tested on
commercial deep fat fryers using the same type of fire
test as UL300 pre-engineered restaurant fire
extinguishing systems. The agent discharges as a fine
mist which helps prevent grease splash and fire reflash
while cooling the appliance.
• When hazard areas include deep fat fryers, listed Class
K portable fire extinguishers shall be provided as
follows:
• For up to four fryers having a maximum
cooking medium capacity of 80 pounds (36.3 kg) each:
One Class K portable fire extinguisher of a minimum 1.5
gallon ( 6 L) capacity
.
 Water Mist
• Water Mist uses a fine misting
nozzle to break up a stream of
deionized water to the point of not
conducting electricity back to the
operator.
• Class A and C rated.
• It is used widely in hospitals for the
reason that, unlike other clean-
agent suppressants, it is harmless
and non-contaminant.
• These extinguishers come in 1.75 and
2.5
gallon units, painted white.
 Halon & Replacement
Agents
• Halon (including Halon 1211 and Halon 1301),a gaseous
agent that inhibits the chemical reaction of the fire.
• Banned from January 1, 1994 as its properties contribute
to ozone depletion and long atmospheric
lifetime, usually 400 years.
• Currently Halotron I, Halotron II, FE-36 Cleanguard and
FM-200 are meant to be replacements with
significantly reduced ozone depletion potential.
 Foam Extinguishers
• Two types :- Synthetic & Protein
• Suitable for class A & B

Synthetic foams : Definitions

Synthetic foams are based on synthetic surfactants. Synthetic foams
provide better flow, faster knockdown of flames, but limited post-fire
security.
Aqueous film forming foams (AFFF) are water-based and frequently
contain hydrocarbon-based surfactant such as sodium alkyl sulfate, and
fluorsurfactant—such as fluorotelomers, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), or
perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS). They have the ability to spread over
the surface of hydrocarbon-based liquids. Alcohol-resistant aqueous
film forming foams (AR-AFFF) are foams resistant to the action of
alcohols, able to form a protective film when they are present.

Protein foams: Definitions

Protein foams (FFFP) contain natural proteins as the foaming agents.
Unlike other synthetic foams, protein foams are bio-degradable. They flow
and spread slower, but provide a foam blanket that is more heat resistant
and more durable.
Protein foams include regular protein foam (P), fluoroprotein foam
(FP), alcohol resistant fluoroprotein foam (AR-FP), film forming
fluoroprotein (FFFP), and alcohol-resistant film forming fluoroprotein
(AR-FFFP).
 Size & Placement
There are four topics to review when installing portable fire extinguishers.

• Identify the hazards that are present.

• Determine the size of the fire extinguisher.

• Establish the quantity by the coverage that is allowed by the adopted

NFPA 10 standard.

• Distribute the portable fire extinguishers per the allowable travel

distance to each fire extinguisher.
 Classification of Hazards NFPA 10: 1.4
• Light (Low) Hazard. Light hazard occupancies are locations where the total amount of Class A
combustible materials including furnishings decorations and contents is of minor quantity. This
can include some buildings or rooms occupied as offices classrooms churches assembly halls
guest room areas of hotels/motels and so forth. This classification anticipates that the majority
of content items are either noncombustible or so arranged that a fire is not likely to spread
rapidly Small amount of Class B flammables used for duplicating machines art departments and
so forth are included provided that they are kept in closed containers and safely stored.

• Ordinary (Moderate) Hazard. Ordinary hazard occupancies are locations where the total
amount of Class A combustibles and Class B flammables are present in greater amounts than
expected under light low hazard occupancies. These occupancies could consist of dining areas
mercantile shops and allied storage light manufacturing research operations auto showrooms
parking garages.

• Extra (High) Hazard. Extra hazard occupancies are locations where the total amount of Class
A combustibles and Class B flammables present in storage production use finished product or
combination thereof is over and above those expected in occupancies classed as ordinary
(moderate) hazard. These occupancies could consist of; woodworking; vehicle repair; aircraft
and boat servicing; cooking areas; individual product display showrooms; product convention
center displays; and storage and manufacturing processes such as painting, dipping and
coating, including flammable liquid handling. Also included is warehousing of or in-process
storage of other than Class I and Class II commodities.
 Size & Placement
Class A Fire Hazard – Minimum Size of Fire Extinguisher

Minimum Maximum Area to be protected per Extinguisher

Extinguisher Traveling
Rating Distance to Low Hazard Ordinary Hazard High Hazard
Extinguishers Occupancy Occupancy Occupancy
3A 30m 30 sqm 15 sqm 8 sqm
5A 30m 50 sqm 25 sqm 15 sqm
8A 30m 80 sqm 40 sqm 20 sqm
13A 30m 130 sqm 65 sqm 35 sqm
21A 30m 210 sqm 105 sqm 55 sqm
27A 30m 270 sqm 135 sqm 70 sqm
34A 30m 340 sqm 170 sqm 85 sqm
43A 30m 430 sqm 215 sqm 110 sqm
55A 30m 550 sqm 275 sqm 140 sqm
 Size & Placement
Class B Locations – Minimum Size of Fire Extinguisher

Type of Hazard Basic Minimum Maximum Travel

Extinguisher Rating Distance to Extinguisher
Light 34B 15m
144B 25m
Ordinary 144B 10m
183B 15m
High 183B 7m
233B 10m
 Size & Placement
Class C Locations
• Class C extinguishers are required where energized electrical equipment
is potentially directly involved or surrounds electrical equipment.
The extinguisher shall be sized per the Class A or B hazard.

Class D Locations
• Fire extinguishers for Class D locations shall not be located more than 75
ft. from the hazard. Size determination for Class D locations is based on
the specific combustible metal, particle size, area to be covered, and
manufacturer recommendations.

Class K Locations
• Class K hazards shall have a fire extinguisher located where there is a
potential for a fire involving combustible cooking media (vegetable or
animal oils and fats). The extinguisher shall be located no more than 30
ft. from the hazard.
 Travel Distance for “A” Rating
NFPA 10 edition 2002 Appendix

Example:
Ex. This placement along outside walls would not be acceptable
because the travel distance is clearly violated.
In Figure E.3.6 relocation or additional fire extinguishers or both are
needed. The shaded areas indicate voids that are further than 75 ft
(227 m) to the nearest extinguisher. The dots represent extinguishers

FIGURE E.3.6 FIGURE E.3.8

A Diagrammatic Representation of Configuration Representing 12 Fire
Extinguishers Located along the Extinguishers mounted on building
Outside Walls of a 450 ft x 150 ft columns or interior walls in which
(137 m x 46 m) Building. requirements for both travel distance and
fire extinguisher distribution are met.
 Rating of Extinguisher Examples
• For factories, offices, shops, and railway Premises
(BS 5306-part 3)
– 9L water 13A
– 9L form 34B
– 2kg CO2 21B
– 4 ½ CO2 34B
– 3kg Dry Powder 55B
– 9kg Dry Powder 144B
– 14kg Dry powder 233B
• More examples given in BS5036- Part 3 for
reference
 Maintenance & Inspection
There are four inspection/test intervals
required.

• Monthly Inspection NFPA 10: 6.2.1

• Annual Maintenance NFPA 10: 6.3.1
• 6 year Internal Inspection NFPA 10: 6.3.3
• Hydrostatic Test NFPA 10: 7.1
HOSE REEL SYSTEM
 Hose Reel System Assemblies
• Fire hose reel assemblies shall be provided with complete
operational instructions for display on or adjacent to the hose
reel.
• Hose reels shall be marked with the following information;
– Suppliers name or trademark, or both
– Year of manufacture
– Maximum working pressure
– Length and bore of hose
– Nozzle diameter (marked on the nozzle)
• Each hose shall be of
– 19mm diameter(30/45m long hose) or
– 25mm diameter(30m long hose)
– non-kinking reinforced rubber hose and terminating with shut-
off nozzle
• Nozzles shall be made of HDPE or Brass
 Hose Reel System Assemblies
• The pressure at nozzle shall be such that
– there should be throw of 6m at the rate of 30
l/minute
• Each hose reel connection from riser shall be
provided with a ball valve
• Hose reels with semi-rigid hose shall generally
comply with BS EN 671-1
• The hose shall terminate in a nozzle which shall
give the following control settings;
– Shut
– Spray and/or jet.
Hose Reel System Assemblies

Mounting bracket
 DESING CONSIDARATION
• A building of purpose group 1 which not exceed 4 story
(maximum height 18m)
• A shop/ small offices any other building more than 300sqm
• Every 800 sqm a HR in other buildings
• Mount 900mm above floor level
• Design floor rate 30 l/min (0.5 l/s) per HR
• Should consider 2 HR operate simultaneously (BS 5306)
• Diameter of the supply pipe not less than 50mm,
if h ≤ 15m dim= 50mm
if h ≥ 15m dim= 65mm
• Working pressure
– 3 bar for 4.8mm nozzle
– 1.25 bar for 6.35mm nozzle
DRY RISER SYSTEM
 DRY RISER SYSTEM
• A water main, normally empty installed in the
building
• Install where the conditions are such that a
wet system or alternative method cannot be
used
– Cold stores (00C)
– Dry ovens (over 700C)
• Normally not practicing SL now
• Used in winter seasons in other countries
Wet Riser System
 Wet Riser system
• Wet Riser system
– Landing Valves
– Breeching Inlet
– Hose & Nozzles
– Design Consideration
– Pipe Network
 Wet Riser landing Valve
• Valve body Shall be of bronze construction
• Shall comprise with
– 65mm diameter flanged/ threaded inlet and
– 65mm female outlet
– with BS instantaneous coupling and cap.
• Inlet pressure exceeding 5 bar shall be pressure reducing type
with either
– a self pressure regulator or
– a PRV with drain outlet. (Drain should be connected to the sump unless otherwise
show in project specification )

• Water pressure at landing valve shall be in excess of 4 bars at

any level.
• Landing valve shall be installed in the enclosure or custom
made cabinets
 Landing Valve continued ……

Landing Valve with Pressure regulator

Landing Valve

A cabinet with LV &

Hoses
 Breeching Inlet
• Body shall be of bronze or cast iron construction with
100/150mm diameter flanged outlet
• Shall be 65mm diameter inlets with
– instantaneous male couplings
– integral spring loaded non return valve
– 25mm drain valve with a cap and chain,
– all in compliance with BSEN.
• Shall be two inlets minimum
• Enclosure shall be constructed form 1.5 mm thick
galvanized sheet steel.
• Shall be mounted at 900mm above finish floor level.
• The valve enclosure shall be provided with
– a hinged lockable door, with a central panel with glazed
wired glass
– labelled “BREECHING INLET” in 100 mm height letters.
 Breeching Inlet continued …
• Special application
– Breeching inlet shall be earth using copper tape
with inspection pit where open area pipe ring
mains
 Breeching Inlet continued …

2-way 4-way
Breeching Inlet Breeching Inlet
 Fire Hose and Nozzle
• For each Landing valve
– 65mm diameter, 2x15m long fire hose
– with instantaneous coupling on one end
– an adjustable nozzle with isolation valve on the
other end
– Fire hose shall be lined with coated woven synthetic
material comply to BSEN
• Nozzle shall be of
– chromium plated bonze and
– adjustable with shut-off valve and
– With instantaneous coupling.
Fire Hose and Nozzle continued…

15 m long hose with

coupling
 Design Consideration
• Used floor level is higher than 18m and above
• Area coverage 900m2 per riser
• If floor area over 900m2, should provided two in 60m
apart
• Riser main pipe sizes
– 100mm dia if each level has one LV
– 150mm dia if each level has two LV & higher that 45
m
• Landing valve should be installed 750mm above floor
level
• Each landing valve flow rate 500 l/min (8 l/s)
• Pressure limitation- maximums pressure per system is
24 bar
 Design Consideration
• Consider 3 LV simultaneous operation (BS 5306)
• Water Pressure at nozzle is 4bar (400KPa)
• Maximum height is 60m, when h≥ 60m need
additional boosting required
• Riser Diameters
Building Height h ≤ 45m dim = 100mm
Building Height h ≥ 45m dim = 150mm
• Storage capacity =3 × 8 × 60 × 45min/1000
≈65m3
– (the time 45min depends on fire department traveling
distance)
• Pump shall be capable to provide 25 liter/s (1500
liters/min)
Number of riser mains (900m2 per
raiser)
Number of riser mains
 Position of Riser Main
• Riser mains and associate landing valve shall be
located in the following order of priority
– Within smoke- stop lobby
– In the common area and a protected shaft,
immediately outside the exit staircase if there is no
smoke free lobby
– Inside exit staircase where smoke-stop lobby and
common area are not provided
• Located where protected against mechanical and
fire damage
• Apart from gas, steam or fuel pipe lines or
electrical cables shaft
Position of Riser Main continued..
Rising main with natural ventilated
staircase
Position of Riser Main continued..
Position of Riser Main continued..
Position of Riser Main continued..
Position of Riser Main continued..
Position of Riser Main continued..
Position of Riser Main continued..
 Pipe network
• Piping materials Shall be of galvanized steel to BSEN 10255 Class C
,BS 1387, ASTM Schedule 40. unless stated otherwise in the specific
project specification.
• Expansion joints shall be incorporated in horizontal pipe run where
connected to another building.
• For each riser
– an automatic air vent shall be installed at the top most end
– with an isolation valve &
– pressure gauge.
• All risers shall be interconnected at the lowest floor level where
there are two or more risers.
• Piping and accessories shall be
– 65mm and above welded/ grooved/ flanged
– 50mm and below threaded/ grooved
– Any welding shall be cold galvanized
 Piping Schematic
Air Vent

Water Storage

Pump Set

All risers interconnected in LV & Hose each

lowest level level
Sprinkler System
 Sprinkler System
The System component are,
• Sprinkler heads and accessories
• Alarm Gong valve
• Stop valves(Zone isolation valves)
• Flow switches
• Piping system
Typical Schematic of a Sprinkler System
 Sprinkler Heads
• Shall be UL listed or LPCB approved
• Shall be comply to NFPA 13 & BSEN 12845 design guide lines
• The distance between sprinklers shall not exceed 3.5 m
• Refer ICTAD Fire Regulation Chapter 4 for sprinkler
– coverage area
– distances
– clearances from wall & soffit
• Sprinkler types shall be
– Conventional Patten
– Spry Patten
– Celling or flush Patten
– Recessed Patten
– Concealed Patten
– Sidewall Patten
Type of Sprinkler Head
 How do Sprinklers Work?
• Glass bulb contains a liquid with a vapour bubble
• Liquid expands as the temperature rises, compressing the vapour bubble
• At a set temperature (usually 68˚C) the bubble has gone and the side walls the
bulb break, releasing the water seal
 What’s the difference between
sprinklers?
• Thermal sensitivity

• Temperature rating

• Orifice size

• Installation

• Water distribution characteristics

• Special service conditions

 Thermal sensitivity
• A measure of the rapidity
with which the thermal
element operates as
installed in a specific
sprinkler or sprinkler
assembly.

• One measure of thermal

sensitivity is the response
time index (RTI) as
measured under
standardized test
conditions.
 Sprinkler Response Types
Response Types
Response Type

Standard Response Quick Response

Operates within 100 seconds Operates within 14 seconds

of UL oven testing requirement of UL oven testing requirement
(plunge test) (plunge test)

For Bulb Type Sprinklers For Bulb Type Sprinklers

the Thermal Element is 5mm the Thermal Element is 3mm
 Response Time Index (RTI)

•Standard Response (SR) – RTI from 80 to 120

(5mm dia. glass bulb)

•Quick Response (QR) – RTI below 50

(3mm dia. Glass bulb)
Colors of Bulb/Temperature Rating
57 degree C

68 degree C

79 degree C

93 degree C

141 degree C

182 degree C

260 degree C
Temperature ratingrating
 Orifice Size

Q = K (P)
Q = Flow (gpm), K = K-factor
(gpm/psi1/2), and P = Pressure (psi)
 Installation Orientation Orientation

Pendent Sidewall
Upright
 Sprinkler Identification Numbers -
SIN
NFPA 13 1999 Edition, Sect. 3-2.2 “All sprinklers shall be
permanently marked with a one or two character manufacturer
symbol, followed by up to four numbers, so as to identify a
unique model of sprinkler for every change in orifice size or
shape, deflector characteristic, and thermal sensitivity.
This rule shall become effective on January 1, 2001.”
 Sprinkler Heads Continued ….
• Sprinkler glass bulb color coding as follows
– Orange or red – temperature rating 57 to 77 0C
– Yellow or green– temperature rating 79 to 107 0C
– Blue– temperature rating 121 to 149 0C
– Purple – temperature rating 163 to 191 0C
– Black – temperature rating above 204 0C

• Sprinklers in car parking and hardware store areas shall be

– pendant or upright bulb type
– 12 mm diameter orifice
– temperature rated to 68 0C
– natural brass finishes with Sprinkler guard.
 Standard Spray Upright & Pendent
Sprinklers

2.8 - 8.0 K-factor 5.6 & 8.0 K-factor 2.8 - 8.0 K-factor 11.2 K-factor

5.6 K-factor
16.8 K-factor
 Standard Spray Sidewall Sprinklers
Sprinklers

5.6 K-factor 5.6 K-factor 5.6 K-factor 2.8 – 5.6 K-factor

Horizontal Vertical Sidewall Horizontal Horizontal
Sidewall Sidewall Sidewall
 Corrosion-Resistant Sprinkler
• A sprinkler fabricated with corrosion-
resistant material, or with special coatings
or platings, to be used in an atmosphere
that would normally corrode sprinklers

• All though corrosion resistant coated

sprinklers have passed the standard
corrosion tests of the approval agencies, Stainless Steel
the testing is not representative of all
corrosive atmospheres

• Things to consider:
– ambient temperature
– concentration and corrosive nature of the
chemical to which the sprinklers will be
exposed. Polyester
– gas/chemical velocity
 Extended Coverage Upright &
Pendent Sprinklers

25.2 K-factor 11.2 & 14.0 K- 8.0 K-factor 5.6 & 11.2
factor K-factor
Extended Coverage vs Standard
 Dry Sprinklersprinklers

5.6 K-factor Standard Coverage 11.2 K-factor Standard Coverage

Upright, Pendent & Horizontal Pendent; ECLH/ECOH Pendent
Sidewall; ECLH Horizontal
Sidewall
 Special Sprinklers

5.6 K-factor Window 3.0 K-factor

5.6 & 8.0 K-factor Sprinklers Combustible
Attic Sprinklers Concealed Space
Sprinklers
 Specific Application: Window Sprinkler
fic Application Window Sprinkler
• These sprinklers are the first
sprinklers ever to be
specifically Listed to provide
protection for heat
strengthened or tempered
glass windows using automatic
sprinklers.

• These sprinklers are also

recognized by UL as providing
a two-hour equivalency for a
fire separation assembly.
 What is ESFR?

EARLY
SUPPRESSION
FAST
RESPONSE
 ESFR Sprinklers
Early Suppression
Fast-Response
(ESFR) Sprinkler.
A type of fast-
response sprinkler
that is listed for its
capability to provide
fire suppression of
specific high
challenge fire 14.0 K-factor 16.8 K-factor 25.2 K-factor
hazards such as
server rooms/files Pendent Pendent & Pendent
rooms Upright
Sample Data sheet
 Water Motor Alarm Gong
• Shall be UL listed or LPCB approved
• Shall be hydraulically operated for outdoor alarms
• Designed as mechanical water flow detection
devices.
• Shall be suitable for mounting in rigid walls
• Consist of an approved “Y” strainer for use in
the alarm pipe line
• Alarm Gong Impeller should design which can
produce a very high sound pressure level.
The Arrangement of Water Motor
Alarm Gong
Alarm Valve Operation Procedure
Alarm
Alarm Valve Operation
Valve Operation Procedure
Procedure
Alarm
Alarm Valve Operation
Valve Operation Procedure
Procedure
Alarm
Alarm Valve Operation
Valve Operation Procedure
Procedure
Alarm
Alarm Valve Operation
Valve Operation Procedure
Procedure
Alarm
Alarm Valve Operation
Valve Operation Procedure
Procedure
 Type of Pre-action Systems
Single Interlock:
-Electric Actuation (using smoke or heat detectors)
-Wet Pilot Actuation (using pilot sprinklers, pilot line
with water)
-Dry pilot actuation (using pilot sprinklers, pilot line
with compressed air)

Double Interlock:
-Electric/ Electric (cross zoning of detectors)
-Electric / Pneumatic ( Detectors with low air
pressure switch)
 Stop Valves (zoning valve)
• Shall be of the
– gate valve type or
– butterfly valve type (unless otherwise show in the project specification )
• Open and closed position should be visible to naked eye.
• Shall have
– flanged ends (dia 100mm and above),
– metal body
– a rated for working pressure of 1.5 times system operating pressure as a
minimum.
 Water Flow Sensor
• Shall be UL listed or LPCB approved
• Shall be designed and installed to indicate activation
of sprinkler zone
• Shall be interfaced via a module with the alarm
control panel.
 Pipes and Fitting
• All piping materials and accessories shall be galvanized steel
to BSEN 10255 Class C ,BS 1387, ASTM Schedule 40
• Piping of any other specialized material such as cPVC , HDPE,
PPR, if specified in project specification and accepted by AHJ
shall conform to UL or LPCB or FM approved or relevant NFPA
Standard or BSEN.
• cPVC only used for light hazard areas (see fire regulation for
different hazard area)
• Joining methods:
– 65mm and above welded/ grooved/ flanged
– 50mm and below threaded
– Any welding shall be cold galvanized
 Pipes and Fitting continued …
• Grooved type pipe fittings
 Pipes and Fitting continued …
• Flange type fittings & bolting shall comply
to BS 2035 & BS 4504
 Pipes and Fitting continued …
• Welding of sprinkler pipe work shall comply to BS
2640 or BS 2971

• Wieldable pipe fittings

 Hangers & Supports

• Pipe hangers & supports shall comply with BSEN 13480 Part3

• The space between pipe supports shall vary according to

• the bore of the pipe
• the piping material
• whether the pipe is running horizontal or vertical.
 Distance Between Pipe Supports
Pipe Size Horizontal pipe support Vertical pipe support spacing
(mm) spacing (mm) (mm)
15 1800 2400

20 2400 3000

25 2400 3000

32 2400 3700

40 2400 3700

50 2400 4600

65 3000 4600

80 3000 4600

100 3000 5500

125 3700 5500

150 4500 5500

200 6000 8500

250 6500 9000

300 7000 10000

 Pipe Painting
• The painting shall be
– Zinc rich primer one coat
– Minimum two coat of finishing (red color ) unless
otherwise specified in project specification
• Flow direction shall be indicated with an
arrow
 Underground Piping
• Piping materials and accessories shall be seamless
galvanized steel to BSEN 10255(BS 1387)Class C , ASTM
Schedule 40 or HDPE
• Same painting method shall apply
• Pipe shall be two layer of wrapping. Wrapping martials shall
be approved by the engineer
• Pipe Depth, back filling & sand layer heights depends on
soil condition, to be approved by the Engineer
• Concrete Hume pipes shall be used in road, heavy vehicle
moving areas
• Concrete thrust block shall be used any pipe directional
change
• Waning tape shall be laid just below the top most soil layer
 Underground Piping continued …
For the underground piping direction change
Underground Piping continued …
Underground Piping continued …
Gas Suppression Systems
 Gas Suppression Systems
• What is an inert gas?

– Inert Gases are naturally occurring gases. These are not man made or
fossil gases. Ex: Co2,Ar, N2
– Inert gas use for fire suppression since early 1990

• How do Inert Gases work as a fire suppression system?

– Fires need more than 15% Oxygen to combust. Anything below this
level of oxygen will not be enough for a fire to sustain combustion.
Luckily, human only need 12% plus of oxygen to survive
– To extinguish a fire and sustain life, we need to reduce oxygen from
21% (assuming were at sea level) to below 15%, but not less than
12%. This will extinguish a fire and sustain life at the same time.
 EXTINGUISHING AGENT

• Oxygen-displacing extinguishing gases - inert

gases and carbon dioxide (CO2)
– Main Disadvantages
• High Ozone Depleting Potential.
• High Global Warming Potential
• Atmospheric Lifetime over years

– Therefore new innovated system required with

following
• Zero Ozone Depleting Potential.
• Zero Global Warming Potential
• Atmospheric Lifetime not exceeding one week.
 Clean Agent – Chemical suppression
system

• After 1995, chemical extinguishing system

came to market
– FE-13
– FM-200 / Sinorix 227
– Novec 1230 / Sinorix 1230
– Water Mist
Clean Agents Vs Inert Gases
Key Benefits & Disadvantages
System operation
System operation continued …
 Design Parameters
• The minimum criterion for the selection of the
Clean Agent shall be on the following
parameters
– Zero Ozone Depleting Potential.
– Zero Global Warming Potential
– Atmospheric Lifetime not exceeding one week.
 Design Parameters continues…
System requirements
• The clean agent fire extinguishing system shall perform as
outlined in the following sub-sections.
» Achieve a 37.9% (v/v) extinguishing agent concentration.
» Within 60 seconds, the clean agent fire extinguishing system
shall discharge 95% of the required suppression agent mass.
» The clean agent fire extinguishing system shall consist of one
or more cylinders and related equipment. The cylinders may
be either connected to a discharge pipe arrangement
separately or connected to a common manifold and
discharge pipe arrangement.
» The agent cylinders shall be filled and tested at specialist
manufacturers works.
 Design Parameters continues…
• Flow calculation reports
– The specialist manufacturer shall calculate system requirements
using UL listed software and shall provide the following
information in the calculation report.
• Hazard information with minimum design concentration, minimum
enclosure ambient temperature, maximum enclosure ambient
temperature
• Cylinder information with capacity, stored pressure and quantity of
cylinders
• Pipe type, pipe diameter, pipe length, change in elevation, pipe
equivalent length and any added accessory equivalent length.
• Number of nozzles and identification of enclosure location, flow
rate of associated nozzle, nozzle nominal pipe size, nozzle type and
nozzle orifice area.
• A detailed list of pipe, by schedule, nominal diameter and length,
and fittings, by Class Rating, nominal diameter and quantity.
• A calculation for each directional valve in the piping network.
 Design Parameters continues…
• Pipes and Fittings
– Distribution piping, and fittings, shall be installed in accordance
with BS/NFPA, approved piping standards and the engineered
fire suppression system manufacturer’s requirements.
• Nozzles
– Clean agent extinguishing system nozzles shall be made of
brass.
– Each nozzle shall be located in the space as per the
manufacturer’s guidelines. Nozzles shall have a 360-degree
discharge pattern unless stated otherwise in project
specification.
» Nozzles shall be selected for the a maximum ceiling height as per
specific project requirement.
» Area coverage by each nozzle shall not be less than 100m2.
» Nozzles shall be rated for a minimum of 30.6 bar gauge nozzle pressure.
Foam Systems
 Components of Foam
 All foams contain three components
– Air, contained within foam bubbles
– Water, delivered at a specified density in
gallons per minute per square foot of applied
area
– Foam concentrate, injected into the water
stream at a specific predetermined
percentage
 Fire-fighting foam: mixture of the foam
solution with air
 Expansion Ratio

 Expansion ratio: measure volume of the

foam produced after air is added to the
foam solution and compare that volume
to the original volume prior to air
addition
 Expansion Ratio
 Classifies Foam based on Expansion
Ratio
– Low Expansion = up to 20:1
typical - 8 : 1
– Medium Expansion = 20:1 – 200:1
typical -100 : 1
– High Expansion = 200:1 – 1000:1
typical -500 : 1
 Types of Foam
 Protein foam: contains protein-based
animal additives
 Fluoroprotein foam: contains
fluorochemical additives to improve
flow
 Film-forming fluoroprotein foam: uses
fluorinated surfactants to produce a
fluid aqueous film for suppressing
hydrocarbon fuel vapors
 Types of Foam (con’t.)
 Aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF): a
synthetic foam that forms a thin aqueous
film that separates the foam from the fuel
 Alcohol-resistant foam: for the protection
of alcohol-based fires
 Chemical foams: depends on the
initiation of a chemical reaction within
the foam solution to create air bubbles in
the foam
 Proportioning Methods

 Foam proportioner: ensures delivery of

the precise ratio of foam concentrate to a
foam solution
 Venturi proportioner: uses the negative
pressure created by water flowing past
an open orifice to draw foam concentrate
into the water stream
Proportioning Methods
Aspirating Foam Maker
 Proportioning Methods (con’t.)

 Pressure proportioner: draws a portion

of the incoming water stream to
pressurize the tank holding the foam
concentrate
 Balanced pressure proportioner: uses an
atmospheric foam concentrate tank, a
pump to pressurize the concentrate and
force it toward the proportioner
 Types of Foam Systems
 Mobile and Portable Apparatus
 Semi-fixed Systems
 Automatic Fixed Foam Systems
– Subsurface injection
– Surface application
– Seal protection for floating roof tanks
– Dike protection
Applications for Low-, Medium-, and High-
Expansion Foams
 Subsurface Injection
Low-Expansion Foam Systems

 Subsurface injection: foam is

discharged below the surface of a
flammable or combustible liquid
 A low-expansion foam is used for this
application
 Design Method for Subsurface Injection
 Subsurface Injection
Low-Expansion Foam Systems
Ex. 4-1: Subsurface Injection
Ex. 4-1: Subsurface Injection
Table 4-1

28
Table 4.2

29
Table 4.3

30
Table 4.4

31
 Surface Application
Low-Expansion Foam Systems
 Surface application: rolls a thin blanket
of foam over the surface area of the fuel
 Design Method for Surface Application
– Type I discharge outlet: delivers foam onto
the liquid surface in a gentle fashion
– Type II discharge outlet: applies foam less
gently than a Type I outlet, but
submergence and agitation are kept to a
minimum
Surface Application Low-Expansion Foam
Systems (con’t.)
Surface Application Low-Expansion Foam
Systems (con’t.)
Ex. 4-2: Surface Application
Ex. 4-2: Surface Injection
Table 4.3

37
Table 4.4

38
Table 4.5

39
Table 4-6

40
Table 4-7

41
End Part 1

42
Seal Protection for Floating Roof Tanks

 Floating roof: tank roof that floats on

the surface of a flammable or
combustible liquid
 Seal protection: filling or covering the
seal area with low-expansion foam
Seal Protection for Floating
Roof Tanks (con’t.)

Sectional view of a floating roof tank with above-seal low-

expansion foam protection using a foam dam
 External Floating Roof Tank

http://www.hghouston.com/images/roof
Types of Seals for Floating Roof Tanks

Source: Figure 5.3.5.4.5 – NFPA 11

Source: Figure 5.3 C & D – NFPA 11

 Design Procedure for Floating Roof
Tank Seal Protection
 Low-expansion foam protection of
floating roof tank seals uses following
methodology
– Calculate foam distribution area
– Determine application rate and discharge
time
– Calculate foam discharge rate and
concentrate quantity
– Determine spacing of discharge outlets
– Determine number of discharge devices
Design Procedure for Floating Roof Tank
Seal Protection (con’t.)
 Methodology (con’t.)
– Determine supplementary hose demand
and concentrate quantity
– Calculate supplementary hose demand
foam quantity
– Hydraulically calculate the system
 Dike Protection
Low-Expansion Foam Systems
 Tank farm: an enclosure containing
tanks that store flammable or
combustible liquids, surrounded by a
containment dike
 Dike protection systems: dike area is
flooded with foam that floats on top of a
flammable liquid that spills within the
containment dike
Dike Protection Low-Expansion Foam
Systems (con’t.)

Plan and sectional view of a dike protection system with

low-expansion foam protection (part 1)
Dike Protection Low-Expansion Foam
Systems (con’t.)

Figure 4-18. Plan and sectional view of a dike protection

system with low-expansion foam protection (part 2)
Formula to Calculate Dyke protection
 A dike measuring 300 feet by 300 feet surrounds a
tank farm. Assume a fuel with a flash point less than
100 F and assume the use of’ fixed discharge
devices. Draw a 6% AFFF low expansion foam
system, and calculate the minimum amount of low
expansion foam concentrate that would be required
for the protection of the dike area. Also determine the
minimum amount of foam solution required, and the
minimum amount of water that must be available for
this design.

56
1. Calculate dike area.
A = (L) ´ (W) = (300) ´ (300)
A = 90,000 square feet

2. Application rate = 0.10 gpm/square

foot for fixed discharge on outlets
Discharge time = 30 minutes (assume
flash point less than 100 F)
57
3. Calculate foam discharge rate and
concentrate quantity, using 6% AFFF
foam concentrate.
D = (A) ´ (R) = (90,000) ´ (0.10)
D = 9000 gpm
Q = (A) ´ (R) ´ (T) ´ (%)
Q = (90,000) ´ (0.10) ´ (30) ´ (0.06)
Q = 16,200 gallons 6% AFFF
concentrate 58
4. Determine number of foam discharge
devices required.
𝟐𝑳+𝑾
𝑵=
𝟑𝟎

N= 𝟔𝟎𝟎 + 𝟔𝟎𝟎 / 30=40 Devices

59
Low-Expansion Foam Systems for Aircraft
Hangars
 Low-expansion foam systems smother
flammable liquid pool fires on the floor
and also effectively coats the aircraft
skin
 Group I Aircraft Hangars
 Group II Aircraft Hangars
 Group III Aircraft Hangars
 Aircraft Hangar Foam System Design
Ex. 4-5: Aircraft Hangar Low-Expansion Foam
System Application
Ex. 4-5: Aircraft Hangar Low-Expansion Foam
System Application (con’t.)
Ex. 4-5: Aircraft Hangar Low-Expansion Foam
System Application (con’t.)
 Loading Rack Protection
 A loading rack is the critical point where
flammable or combustible liquids are
pumped from or to storage tanks to or
from a truck or rail car
 Hazards Associated with Loading Racks
 Fire Protection Strategy for Loading
Racks
 Loading Rack System Design Procedure
Loading Rack Protection (con’t.)

Figure 4-29. Truck loading rack-ground sweep nozzles

Hydraulic Calculation of Foam Systems
 After foam quantity estimates are made
– Designer draws CAD layout of the system
– Performs a comprehensive computerized
hydraulic calculation of the low-expansion
foam system
 When hydraulically calculating a foam
system, perform the calculation both to
the supply and to the demand
Local Application Medium- And High-Expansion
Foam Systems

 The majority of medium- and high-

expansion foam systems are total
flooding systems
 Foam fills a volume to a specified height
 For local application systems, NFPA 11
specifies minimum design criteria
 Electrical Clearances For Medium- And
High-Expansion Foam Systems
 Because foam contains water,
application of foam could transmit
electricity
– Designer must prevent this
 The proximity of foam components to
live electrical components must be
coordinated
 Electrical Clearances For Medium- And High-
Expansion Foam Systems (con’t.)
 For altitudes greater than 3300 feet
(1000 m), the clearance is required to be
increased at the rate of 1% for each 330
feet (100 m) of altitude above 3300 feet
(1000 m)
 See Table 5-1, Page 168 for electrical
clearances
 Medium-Expansion Foam
 The required depth of medium-expansion
foam over a protected hazard shall vary
as a function of expansion ratio
 The depth of medium-expansion foam
shall be determined by tests
 The rate of discharge of medium-
expansion foam shall be determined by
tests
 The quantity of medium-expansion foam
shall be determined by tests
 Applications For High-Expansion
Foam Systems
 For hazards in which smothering of a
three-dimensional fire or oxygen
deprivation of a three-dimensional fire is
primary objective
 A three-dimensional object requiring
high-expansion foam is one that requires
foam to be totally flooded and completely
covered to an elevation above the
highest level of the object requiring
protection
Applications For High-Expansion Foam
Systems (con’t.)

Figure 5-2. Sectional view of a flammable liquid pump

protected by a high-expansion foam system
Medium- and High-Expansion Ratio
Foams
Other Applications For High-Expansion Foam
Suppression Systems

 High-expansion foam systems

– Primarily for extinguishment of flammable
liquid fires
– Should be specified with some degree of
caution with respect to personnel safety
 High-Expansion Foam Systems For Robotic
Flammable Liquid Rack Storage

 First consideration: personnel

 Second consideration: fire protection
engineer must determine and solve the
performance objectives of the system
 High-Expansion Foam Systems
For Aircraft Hangars

 NFPA 409 permits high-expansion foam

systems to be specified in lieu of the low-
expansion foam systems
 Overhead AFFF low-expansion foam
systems protect flammable liquid spill fire
hazards in aircraft hangars
 High-expansion foam may be an answer to
EPA concerns about low-expansion foam
 High-Expansion Foam Systems As Dike
Protection
 Successful use of high-expansion foam
has been employed
 High-Expansion System
Extinguishment Mechanisms

 High-expansion foam systems are

suitable for the protection of
– Class A ordinary combustibles
– Class B combustible liquids
 Extinguishment is accomplished by
– Smothering
– Cooling
– Insulating
– Penetrating
Design Of Total Flooding High-Expansion
Foam Systems
 Total flooding method: completely filling
a room or enclosure volume with a fire
protection agent
 Personnel Considerations for High-
Expansion Foam
 High-Expansion Foam Components
 Determination of High-Expansion Foam
Quantity
Design Of Total Flooding High-Expansion
Foam Systems (con’t.)

 Duration of High-Expansion Foam

Application (see Table 5-2, Page 181)
 Discharge Rate
 Number of Generators Required
Ex. 5-1: High-Expansion Foam
Ex. 5-1: High-Expansion Foam
 Summary
 High-expansion foam systems
– Primarily for volumetric total flooding of
three dimensional objects
– Use a foam with an expansion ratio of
between 200 to 1 and 1000 to 1
 Foam is expanded by a high-expansion
foam generator that resembles a large
fan
 Summary (con’t.)
 High-expansion foam extinguishes fire by
smothering, cooling, insulating, and
penetrating
 NFPA 11 requires that high-expansion
foam be flooded to an elevation exceeding
10% above the highest combustible, or 2 ft.
above the hazard, whichever is higher
 The rate of high-expansion foam discharge
must consider foam breakdown that might
occur if a sprinkler system is activated
above the area protected by high-
expansion foam
 References
 Design of Special Hazards and Fire Alarm
Systems - 2nd Edition-Gagnon
 Fire Protection Systems-2nd Edition-Jones
 Fire Protection Handbook-20th Edition-
NFPA
 NFPA Standard

85
Questions?
Thank you