Unit 3 Fire Suppression Section 1 Detection and Alarm Systems 1. Importance of Fire Detection and Alarm Systems 1.1. Time Element 1.2. Notification a. Type A Manual Alarm b. Type B Automatic Alarm 1.3. Activation Note: Studies with children and notification! 2. Types of Detectors 2.1. There are three broad classifications of fire detection: Heat, Smoke & Flame Detectors. 2.2. Fire Detectors are used in a variety of fire prevention and suppression systems. 3. Classification of Heat Detectors 3.1. Heat Detectors respond to the excess heat generated in a fire 3.2. Two subclassifications based on operation 3.2.1. Fixed Temperature which operate at predetermined temperature 3.2.2. Rate of Rise operate based on a specified rate of temperature rise (degrees/min.) 4. Smoke Detectors 4.1. Smoke detectors respond to the presence of smoke 4.2. General Information 4.3. Classifications of Smoke Detectors 4.3. Two Classifications 4.3.1. Photoelectric smoke detectors 4.3.2. Ionization smoke detectors 4.3. Classifications of Smoke Detectors 4.3.1. Photoelectric smoke detectors 4.3. Classifications of Smoke Detectors 4.3.2. Ionization smoke detectors PROPER LOCATION OF SMOKE DETECTORS On Each Level of House Bedroom No. 1 Bedroom No. 2 Dining Living Room Room Basement VS 19-2 Outside Sleeping Areas Dining Kitchen BR BR Bath Living Room Entry Master Bedroom VS 19-3 PROPER MOUNTING OF SMOKE DETECTORS Best in Center of Ceiling Dead Air Space Horizontal Distance from Peak No Closer than 4 inches (102 mm) From Side Wall Mount on Wall at least 4 inches (102 mm) from ceiling No more than 12 inches (305 mm) from ceiling Best Location Acceptable Location 3 Feet (1m) 5. Flame Detectors 5.1. Flame detectors respond to the presence of a flame 5.2. General Information 5.3. Principle of Operation 6.0 Placement of Fire Detectors 6.1. In general, fire detectors are normally placed on the ceiling or within 12" of ceiling 6.2. Where possible the detectors should be located throughout entire building 6.0 Placement of Fire Detectors Cont’d 6.3. Spacing of detectors will vary based on several factors 6.4. Connection to Remote Locations 6.5. Testing & Maintenance of fire detectors 7.0 Components to a Fire Alarm System 7.1. Power supply 7.2. Detectors & manual pull boxes 7.3. Signal supervisors 7.0 Components to a Fire Alarm System Cont’d 7.4. Local Alarms 7.5. Indicator Boards 7.6. Reference for Alarm Systems Unit 3 Fire Suppression Section 2 “Fixed Extinguishment Systems” 1. Introduction to Sprinkler Systems 1.1. Effectiveness of Sprinkler Systems 1.2. Function of Sprinklers 1.3. Advantages of Sprinklers 1.4. Cost of Sprinklers 2. Types of sprinkler systems 2.1. There are four major classifications of sprinkler systems 2. Types of sprinkler systems 2.2. Wet-pipe Systems 2.2.1. Operation of system 2. Types of sprinkler systems 2.3. Dry Pipe System 2.3.1. Operation of system Dry Pipe System Two question to ask: • activation / trip pressure for valve • is air pressure greater than activation/trip pressure (should be 10 – 15 psi greater) Air Water 70 psi Activation/Trip pressure = 40 psi Air pressure should be 50 – 55 psi Activation/Trip pressure set by the manufacture 2. Types of sprinkler systems 2.4. Pre-action Systems 2.4.1. Operation of System 2.4.2. Advantages over drypipe system 2.4.3. Disadvantage--two systems must both function properly 2. Types of sprinkler systems 2.5. Deluge sprinkler system 2.5.1. Operation of system 2.5.2. Uses of Deluge System 3. Basic Sprinkler System Components 3.1. Water Supplies 3.1.1. Types of water supplies Public Water Pressure Tanks Basic Sprinkler System Components 3.1.1. Types of water supplies • Gravity feed from tank Easier for water to flow down than up 3. Basic Sprinkler System Components 3.1.1. Types of water supplies Fire pumps Fire Department Connections 3. Basic Sprinkler System Components 3.1.2. Amount of water supply a. Hazard of Occupancy—most important Light hazard class Ordinary hazard class Group 1 Group 2 Extra hazard class Group 1 Group 2 Basic Sprinkler System Components a. Hazard of occupancy Hazard Class Combustibility of Content Amount of Combustibles Heat Liberation Heads Open Light Low Low Low Few Ordinary Group 1 Low Moderate Moderate Moderate Ordinary Group 2 Moderate Moderate High Moderate High Moderate Extra Hazard Group 1 Very High Very High Very High Many Extra Hazard Group 2 Very High Very High Very High Many 3. Basic Sprinkler System Components 3.1.2. Amount of water supply b. Obstructions to water delivery c. High ceilings d. Unprotected vertical openings between floors e. Division of spaces 3. Basic Sprinkler System Components 3.1.3. Calculating water supply Q = k √P Where: Q = supply (GPM) k = coefficient of orifice (inside pipe size) P = pressure (PSI) 3. Basic Sprinkler System Components 3.2. Sprinkler Piping 3.2.1. The piping and type of valve will vary depending on type of system 3.2.2. Types of piping 3.2.3. Hydraulic design of systems SPRINKLER PIPING riser (alarms, water flow valve, sprinkler valve) tank yard main (or natural water supply 6” – 8” always below freeze line “open” or “closed” cross main sprinkler head branch lines feed main should be “open” post indicator valve public water supply - 8” – 12” pad lock unlock to close valve 3. Basic Sprinkler System Components 3.3. Sprinkler Valves 3.3.1. The purpose of a sprinkler valve is to retain & control flow of water and to isolate individual risers. VS 15-4 CONTROL VALVE LOCATION Every system will have two valves: a main water control valve and a sprinkler valve. The main control valve should always be in the OPEN position. Main Control Valve (OS&Y) VS 15-5 TYPES OF CONTROL VALVES OS&Y (Outside Screw and Yoke) PIV (Post Indicator Valve) WPIV (Wall Post Indicator Valve) 3. Basic Sprinkler System Components 3.4. Alarms on Sprinkler Systems 3.4.1. Every sprinkler system should have an alarm that sounds when water flows through the system. 3.4.2. Types of Alarms 3.4.3. Supervisory signals 3. Basic Sprinkler System Components 3.5. Test Connections 3.5.1. Two Inch Drain Test 3.5.2. Inspectors Test Connection 3.6. Sprinkler Heads 3.6.1. Operating Principle Deflector Frame Arms Release Mechanism (Fusible Link) Lever Arms Valve Cap 3. Basic Sprinkler System Components 3.6. Sprinkler Heads 3.6.2. Type based on position VS 15-3 SPRINKLER DESIGNS Pendant Upright Sidewall 3. Basic Sprinkler System Components 3.6. Sprinkler Heads 3.6.3. Type based on activation a. b. c. Solder-link Frangible bulb Fusible pellet VS 15-2 RELEASING MECHANISMS Fusible Link (Standard) Chemical Pellet Frangible Bulb Fusible Link (Quick Response) 3. Basic Sprinkler System Components 3.6. Sprinkler Heads 3.6.4. Deflectors 3.6.5. Flow rates VS 15-3 SPRINKLER DESIGNS Pendant Upright Sidewall 3. Basic Sprinkler System Components 3.6. Sprinkler Heads 3.6.6. Temperature rating of sprinkler heads Non-Colored Ordinary 135-1700F White Intermediate 175-2250F Blue High 250-3000F Red Extra High 325-3750F Green Very High 400-4750F Orange Ultra High 500-6500F 3. Basic Sprinkler System Components 3.6. Sprinkler Heads 3.6.7. Special service sprinkler heads 4. Location and Spacing of Sprinklers 4.1. Fundamental rule 4.2. Reference on location and spacing: NFPA code 13, Sprinkler Standards 4. Location and spacing of sprinklers 4.3. Spacing depends on the class of hazard of occupancy and the type of ceiling construction 4.3.1. Light hazard - 15' maximum between sprinklers 4.3.2. Ordinary hazard - 12-15' ft. depending on use of area 4.3.3. Extra hazard - 12' maximum 4. Location and spacing of sprinklers 4.4. Sprinklers must also be spaced so that each sprinkler does not protect more than a specified area: 4.4.1. Light hazard occupancy—floor area/sprinkler maximum of 130-200 square feet, depending on type of ceiling 4.4.2. Ordinary hazard occupancy--max. area per sprinkler 100-130 square feet, depending on use of space 4.4.3. Extra hazard occupancy--90 square feet sprinkler maximum Extra High Hazard 90 ft2 4. Location and spacing of sprinklers 4.5. Determine protection area for sprinkler heads using the following formula: As = S X L Where “S” is the distance between heads on the lines and “L” is the distance between branch lines. 4. Location and spacing of sprinklers 4.5. Protection area of sprinklers along “walls” As = S X L S is the larger of either twice the distance to the wall or the distance to the next sprinkler head L is the larger of either twice the distance to the wall or the distance to the next branch line. 4 ft 10 ft 3 ft 9 ft AS = S x L S = 3 x 2 = 6 or 10 L = 4 x 2 = 8 or 9 AS = S x L AS = 90 ft 4. Location and spacing of sprinklers 4.6. Other location specifications that may influence spacing 5. Carbon Dioxide Extinguishing Systems 5.1. Application 5.2. Advantages 5.3. Disadvantage 5. Carbon Dioxide Extinguishing Systems 5.4. Storage of CO2 5.5. Delivery Mechanism 5. Carbon Dioxide Extinguishing Systems 5.6. Types of fixed systems 5.6.1. Total flooding 5.6.2. Local application 5.7. Inspection of Systems 6. Dry Chemical Fire Extinguishing Systems 6.1. Application 6.2. Operation of system Carbon Dioxide Extinguishing Systems 6.3. Types of fixed systems – Total flooding • apply to an entire room or confined area – Local application • applying CO2 over the surface of the tank local application Acid Pickling Tank 6. Dry Chemical Fire Extinguishing Systems 6.4. Quantity and rate of application is determined by a qualified professional 6.5. Inspection and maintenance must be completed at least once each year (NFPA Code #17) 7. Foam Fire Extinguishing System 7.1. Application 7.2. Inspection and maintenance 7.3. Fire code for foam systems is NFPA #11 and NFPA #16 for foam-H2 combination systems Foam Fire Extinguishing System 7.4. Types of systems – fixed • activate with detector head • high hazard areas – portable • fire departments air liquid 7.5 Video on Foam mechanical agitation Unit 3 Fire Extinguishment Section 3 “Explosion Prevention” 1. Introduction 1.1. Principles of Explosion Prevention a) Venting to relieve the pressure b) Suppression to extinguish or retard the deflagration c) Purging to eliminate the combustible mixture 2. Fundamentals of explosion venting 2.1. Location of hazardous operations 2.2. Design of the vent 2.2.1. Location of vent is important 2.2.2. Size of vent 2.2.3. Design variables for vents 2. Fundamentals of explosion venting 2.3. Design of vent closures 2.3.1. Most effective vent for release of explosion pressure is an unobstructed vent opening 2.3.2. Several small vents may be as effective as one large opening as long as total area is the same 2. Fundamentals of explosion venting 2.3. Design of vent closures 2.3.3. The nearer a vent is located to the point of explosion the more effective it will be 2.3.4. If diaphragms (of the same size and thickness) are made thicker then more pressure will be required to rupture them 2. Fundamentals of explosion venting 2.4. Maintenance of vents 3. Explosion Suppression 3.1. Elements in the system 3.1.1. Pressure Detector 3.1.2. Suppressors 3.1.3. Suppressant Material