Essentials of Fire Fighting,
5th Edition
Chapter 16 — Fire Detection,
Alarm, and Suppression Systems
Firefighter I
Chapter 16 Lesson Goal
• After completing this lesson, the
student shall be able to operate various
fire detection, alarm, and suppression
systems and operate at fires in
protected properties following the
policies and procedures set forth by the
authority having jurisdiction (AHJ).
Firefighter I
16–1
Specific Objectives
1. List functions of fire detection, alarm,
and suppression systems.
2. Discuss general automatic sprinkler
protection and types of coverage.
3. Describe control valves and operating
valves used in sprinkler systems.
(Continued)
Firefighter I
16–2
Specific Objectives
4. Describe major applications of
sprinkler systems.
5. Discuss operations at fires in
protected properties.
6. Operate a sprinkler system control
valve. (Skill Sheet 16-I-1)
(Continued)
Firefighter I
16–3
Specific Objectives
7. Manually stop the flow of water from
a sprinkler. (Skill Sheet 16-I-2)
8. Connect hoseline to a sprinkler
system FDC. (Skill Sheet 16-I-3)
Firefighter I
16–4
Functions of Fire Detection,
Alarm, Suppression Systems
• To notify occupants of facility to take
necessary evasive action to escape
dangers of hostile fire
• To summon organized assistance to
initiate or assist fire control activities
(Continued)
Firefighter I
16–5
Functions of Fire Detection,
Alarm, Suppression Systems
• To initiate automatic fire control,
suppression systems, sound alarm
• To supervise fire control, suppression
systems to ensure operational status
maintained
(Continued)
Firefighter I
16–6
Functions of Fire Detection,
Alarm, Suppression Systems
• To initiate wide variety of auxiliary
functions involving environmental,
utility, process controls
(Continued)
Firefighter I
16–7
Automatic Sprinkler Protection
• Consists of series of sprinklers
arranged so system will automatically
distribute sufficient quantities of water
directly onto fire
• Water supplied to sprinklers through
system of piping
(Continued)
Firefighter I
16–8
Automatic Sprinkler Protection
• Sprinklers can
extend from
exposed pipes or
protrude through
ceiling or walls from
hidden pipes
• Sprinkler coverage;
complete or partial
Firefighter I
16–9
(Continued)
Automatic Sprinkler Protection
• Standards used as guides for installing
sprinkler protection in most occupancies
• Sprinkler system should be listed by
nationally recognized testing laboratory
• Automatic sprinkler systems fail to
operate only in rare instances
Firefighter I
16–10
Effects of Sprinkler Systems on
Life Safety
• Safety of building occupants enhanced
by presence of sprinkler system
because it discharges water directly
onto fire while still relatively small
(Continued)
Firefighter I
16–11
Effects of Sprinkler Systems on
Life Safety
• Because fire extinguished/controlled in
early growth stage, combustion
products limited
• Sprinklers also effective in other
situations
• There are times when sprinklers alone
are not as effective
Firefighter I
16–12
Control Valves
• Part of every
sprinkler system
• Used to turn off
water supply to
system in order to replace sprinklers,
perform maintenance, interrupt
operations
(Continued)
Firefighter I
16–13
Control Valves
• Located between source of water
supply, sprinkler system
• Usually located immediately under
sprinkler alarm valve, dry-pipe or
deluge valve, or outside building near
sprinkler system it controls
(Continued)
Firefighter I
16–14
Control Valves
• Either secured in open position with
chain and padlock or electronically
supervised to make sure not
inadvertently closed
Firefighter I
16–15
Indicating Control Valves
• Show at glance
whether open or
closed
• Outside stem and
yoke (OS&Y) valve
(Continued)
Firefighter I
16–16
Indicating Control Valves
• Post indicator
valve (PIV)
(Continued)
Firefighter I
16–17
Indicating Control Valves
• Wall post indicator valve (WPIV)
(Continued)
Firefighter I
16–18
Indicating Control Valves
• Post indicator valve
assembly (PIVA)
Firefighter I
16–19
Operating Valves
• Alarm test valve
• Inspector’s test valve
• Main drain valve
Firefighter I
16–20
Wet-Pipe Systems
• Used in locations where
temperatures below 40°F
(4°C) not expected
• Simplest type of
automatic fire sprinkler
system
(Continued)
Firefighter I
16–21
Wet-Pipe Systems
• Generally require little maintenance
• Contain water under pressure at all
times
• Connected to public/private water
supply so fused sprinkler immediately
discharges water spray, actuates alarm
(Continued)
Firefighter I
16–22
Wet-Pipe Systems
• Usually equipped with alarm check
valve installed in main riser adjacent to
where feed main enters building
• Newer versions may have a backflow
prevention check valve and electronic
flow alarm.
(Continued)
Firefighter I
16–23
Wet-Pipe Systems
• May be equipped with retarding device
as part of alarm check valve
Firefighter I
16–24
Dry-Pipe Systems
• Used in locations
where piping may
be subjected to
temperatures below
40°F (4°C)
(Continued)
Firefighter I
16–25
Dry-Pipe Systems
• Have pitched (sloped) pipes to help
drain water in system back toward main
drain
• Replace water in sprinkler piping with
air under pressure
(Continued)
Firefighter I
16–26
Dry-Pipe Systems
• Designed so small amount of air
pressure above dry-pipe valve will hold
back much greater water pressure on
water supply side of dry-pipe valve
• Equipped with electric or hydraulic
alarm-signaling equipment
(Continued)
Firefighter I
16–27
Dry-Pipe Systems
• Larger systems may have several-
minute delay while air expelled from
system
Firefighter I
16–28
Preaction Systems
• Dry systems that employ deluge-type
valve, fire detection device, closed
sprinklers
• Used when especially important to
prevent water damage, even if pipes
broken
(Continued)
Firefighter I
16–29
Preaction Systems
• Will not discharge water into sprinkler
piping except in response to smoke- or
heat-detection system actuation
• Sound alarm to give warning before
opening of sprinklers
Firefighter I
16–30
Deluge Systems
• Similar to dry-pipe system in no water
in distribution piping before system
activation
• Differ from dry-pipe systems in
sprinklers have no fusible links, do not
function as fire detection devices
(Continued)
Firefighter I
16–31
Deluge Systems
• Designed to quickly supply large volume
of water to protected area
• Sometimes used to discharge
foam/other extinguishing agents in
occupancies containing flammable
liquids, other volatile fuels
Firefighter I
16–32
Residential Systems
• Installed in one- and two-family
dwellings
• Designed to give occupants of
dwelling chance to escape, prevent
total involvement in room of origin
• Employ quick-response sprinklers
(Continued)
Firefighter I
16–33
Residential Systems
• Use several types of piping systems
• Must have pressure gauge, flow
detector, means for draining and testing
system
• Can be either connected directly to
public water supply or to dwelling’s
domestic water system
(Continued)
Firefighter I
16–34
Residential Systems
• Require control valve to turn off water
to sprinkler system and to domestic
water system if connected; if sprinkler
system supplied separately from
domestic water system, sprinkler
control valve must be supervised in
open position
(Continued)
Firefighter I
16–35
Residential Systems
• Operate in same manner as other wet-
pipe/dry-pipe systems
• May be equipped with fire department
connection (FDC); FDC may be 1½-inch
(38 mm) connection
Firefighter I
16–36
Important Factors in Occupancies
With Activated Sprinkler Systems
• Early-arriving pumper should connect
to FDC in accordance with preincident
plan
• Firefighters should make every effort
to supply adequate water to operating
sprinkler system
(Continued)
Firefighter I
16–37
Important Factors in Occupancies
With Activated Sprinkler Systems
• Water supply may have to be conserved
to supply sprinkler system
• Sprinkler system control valves must be
open
(Continued)
Firefighter I
16–38
Important Factors in Occupancies
With Activated Sprinkler Systems
• Sprinkler control valves should not be
closed until fire officers convinced
further operations will simply waste
water, produce heavy water damage,
hamper progress of final
extinguishment
(Continued)
Firefighter I
16–39
Important Factors in Occupancies
With Activated Sprinkler Systems
• When a sprinkler control valve closed,
firefighter with portable radio should be
stationed at valve in case it needs to be
reopened
• In some departments, SOP to plug open
sprinklers rather than shut entire
system down
(Continued)
Firefighter I
16–40
Important Factors in Occupancies
With Activated Sprinkler Systems
• Pumpers should not be disconnected
from FDC until after extinguishment
confirmed by thorough overhaul
• Sprinkler equipment should be restored
to service before leaving premises
(Continued)
Firefighter I
16–41
Important Factors in Occupancies
With Activated Sprinkler Systems
• Firefighters may be required to stop
flow of water from single sprinkler that
has been activated
Firefighter I
16–42
Summary
• Many of the buildings to which
firefighters are called for emergency
operations are protected partially or
fully by automatic fire detection
and/or suppression systems.
(Continued)
Firefighter I
16–43
Summary
• Firefighters need to familiarize
themselves with the types of systems
installed in their area of responsibility.
They should also learn the locations of
these systems as well as the capabilities
and limitations of each type of system.
Firefighter I
16–44
Review Questions
1. What are the functions of fire
detection, alarm, and suppression
systems?
2. What are the two general types of
sprinkler coverage?
3. What is the function of control valves?
(Continued)
Firefighter I
16–45
Review Questions
4. What is the difference between a wetpipe system and a dry-pipe system?
5. When should sprinkler control valves
be closed?
Firefighter I
16–46