Chabot College Fall 2003
Replaced Fall 2011
Course Outline for Fire Technology 55
FIRE PROTECTION EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS
Catalog Description:
55 - Fire Protection Equipment and Systems 3 units
History and development of the Uniform Fire Code; features, design, and operations of fire alarm systems and smoke detection systems; means and adequacy of required exiting systems. Installation and maintenance of automatic, manual, and other private fire-extinguishing equipment, heat and smoke control systems, water or sprinkler supply, water supply for fire protection and portable fire extinguishers.
3 hours.
[Typical contact hours: 52.5]
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Prerequisites or Advisory Skills:
None
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to: describe organizations that provide information or service to fire protection systems; describe the requirements and distribution of standpipe systems; distinguish between types of standpipe systems and water supply requirements; list types, components, and operations of automatic sprinklers; compare detection and alarm control devices and systems; explain the history of the Uniform Fire Code and related standards; describe how the use of the Fire Code promotes consistency in the regulatory environment; compare smoke and fire movement in various types of construction and the relationship to systems and equipment;
2.
3.
1.
9.
10. define types, classifications and effectiveness ratings of fire extinguishers; list types, components and operations of fire protection system and equipment for special hazards; explain the application of hydraulic theory for fire protection. 11.
Course Content:
Fire cause and effect overview a. b. c.
Hazards of materials
Building construction
Heat and smoke control f. g. h. i. j. k. a. b. c. d. e.
Portable fire extinguishers a. Description and classification b. c.
Effectiveness and ratings
Distribution and installation d. Types: application, operation, inspection and maintenance
Characteristics of protection systems and equipment for special hazards
General arrangement and equipment for special hazards
Carbon dioxide systems
Dry chemical systems
Foam: protein, AFFF, class “A”
Foam: high expansion
Emulsifiers and chemical surfactant
Water spray systems
Insert gas blanketing
Halogenated hydrocarbon agent systems
Explosion suppression systems
Engineered and pre-engineered systems

6.
5.
Chabot College
Fire Technology 55, page 2
Fall 2003
4. Public and private water supplies, equipment, and services for fire protection a. b. c.
Elementary principles of hydraulics
Water supplies for community fire protection
Fire protection requirements, public/private water systems d. Water supply testing fundamentals
Sprinkler protection a. b. c. d. e.
Types of sprinkler systems
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
Wet pipe
Dry pipe
Preaction
Combined dry pipe and preaction
Deluge, high density, hydraulically designed systems
Standard installation requirements
Special hazards and installations conditions
Exposure protection
Plans review procedure c. d. e. f. g. h. f. g.
Inspection and testing procedures
Residential sprinkler systems
Protective signaling systems a. b.
Local signaling systems
Auxiliary signaling systems
Remote station systems
Proprietary systems
Emergency voice/alarm communications systems
Central station systems
Types of signals
Protective signaling system circuits
1.
7. i. Interfacing with municipal signaling systems
Standpipe systems a. b. c.
Class I
Class II
Class III
8. d. Combined systems
Heat and smoke control systems a. b. c. d.
Fire doors, windows, and walls
Fire shutters
Smoke and fire dampers
Curtain boards e. f.
Smoke towers
Mechanical roof vents
Methods of Presentation:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Lecture and discussion
Slide projection
Video presentations
Field trips
Typical Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
Typical Assignements a. b. c.
Students in a group will list a type, component and operation of a specific sprinkler system
Student will present a typical fire prevention organization in a city of 200,000
Essay demonstrating knowledge of a standpipe system

Chabot College
Fire Technology 55, page 3
Fall 2003 d. e.
Written assignments
1) explain the basic duties of a fire inspector
2) define the types and classifications of fire extinguishers
Term paper
1) explain the history of the uniform essays: fire code, its related standards, and how it applies to you as a fire inspector
2) explain the different types of alarm control devices and systems
2. Methods of Evaluating Student Progress: a. Written assignment b. c.
Term paper
Quizzes d. Midterm and final examination
Textbook(s) (Typical):
Fire Prevention: Inspection & Code Enforcement, David Diamantes, Delmar Publishers, 2 nd
Edition, 2003
Uniform Fire Code , International Fire Code Institute, most current edition
Inspectors Guide , (Fire Prevention Officers Section), California Fire Chiefs Association, most current
edition
Special Student Materials:
None
Revised: 11/16/02