Chabot College
Fall 2011
Course Outline for Fire Technology 55
FIRE PROTECTION EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS
Catalog Description:
55 - Fire Protection Equipment and Systems
3 units
Features of design and operation of fire alarm systems, smoke detection systems, water-based fire
suppression systems, special hazard fire suppression systems; means and adequacy of required
exiting systems; installation and maintenance of automatic, manual, and other private fireextinguishing equipment, heat and smoke control systems; water supply for fire protection and
portable fire extinguishers. 3 hours.
[Typical contact hours: 52.5]
Prerequisites or Advisory Skills:
None
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:
1. describe organizations that provide information or service to fire protection systems;
2. explain the benefits of fire protection systems in various types of structures;
3. describe the basic elements of a public water supply system including sources, distribution
networks, piping and hydrants;
4. explain why water is a commonly used extinguishing agent;
5. identify the different types and components of sprinkler, standpipe and foam systems;
6. explain the history of the International Fire and Building Codes and related standards;
7. describe how the use of the fire and building codes promotes consistency in the regulatory
environment;
8. compare smoke and fire movement in various types of construction and the relationship to
systems and equipment;
9. define types, classifications and effectiveness ratings of fire extinguishers;
10. review residential and commercial sprinkler legislation;
11. identify the different types of non-water based fire suppression systems;
12. explain the basic components of a fire alarm system;
13. identify the different types of detectors and explain how they detect fire;
14. describe the hazards of smoke and list the four factors that can influence smoke movement in a
building;
15. discuss the appropriate application of fire protection systems;
16. explain the operation and appropriate application for the different types of portable fire protection
systems.
Course Content:
1. Introduction to fire protection systems
a. The role fire protection systems play in protecting the life, safety and welfare of the general
public and firefighters
b. Overview of the different types of fire protection systems
c. The role of codes and standards in fire protection system design
2. Fire cause and effect overview
a. Hazards of materials
b. Building construction
c. Heat and smoke control
3. Public and private water supplies, equipment and services for fire protection systems
a. Sources of fire protection water supply
b. Distribution networks
c. Piping
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Fall 2011
d. Hydrants
e. Utility company interface with the fire department
f. Elementary principles of hydraulics
g. Fire protection requirements, public/private water systems
h. Water supply testing fundamentals
4. Water-based fire suppression systems
a. Properties of water
1) Water as an effective extinguishing agent
2) How water extinguishes fire
b. Sprinkler systems
1) Types of systems and applications
a) Wet pipe
b) Dry pipe
c) Preaction
d) Combined dry pipe and preaction
e) Deluge, high density, hydraulically designed systems
2) Types of sprinklers and applications
3) Piping, valves, hangers and alarm devices
4) Standard installation requirements
5) Special hazards and installations conditions
6) Exposure protection
7) Plans review procedure
8) Inspection and testing procedures
9) Fire department operations in buildings with sprinkler systems
c. Residential sprinkler systems
d. Standpipe systems
1) Types and applications
a) Class I
b) Class II
c) Class III
d) Combined systems
2) Fire department operations in buildings with sprinkler systems
e. Foam systems
1) Protein
2) Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF)
3) Class “A”
4) High expansion
5) Emulsifiers and chemical surfactant
f. Water mist systems
g. Fire pumps
1) Types
2) Components
3) Operation
4) Fire pump curves
5. Non-water-based fire suppression systems
a. Carbon dioxide systems
1) Applications
2) Extinguishing properties
3) System components
b. Halogenated systems
1) Halon 1301 and the environment
2) Halon alternatives
3) Extinguishing properties
4) System components
c. Dry/wet chemical extinguishing systems
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Fall 2011
1) Extinguishing properties
2) Applications
3) Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 300
6. Fire alarm systems
a. Components
b. Types of fire alarm systems
1) Local signaling systems
2) Auxiliary signaling systems
3) Remote station systems
4) Proprietary systems
5) Emergency voice/alarm communications systems
6) Central station systems
c. Detectors
1) Smoke
2) Heat
3) Flame
d. Audible/visual devices
e. Alarm monitoring
1) Types of signals
2) Protective signaling system circuits
3) Interfacing with municipal signaling systems
f. Testing and maintenance of fire alarm systems
7. Smoke management systems
a. Hazards of smoke
b. Smoke movement in buildings
c. Types of smoke management systems
1) Fire doors, windows, and walls
2) Fire shutters
3) Smoke and fire dampers
4) Curtain boards
5) Smoke towers
6) Mechanical roof vents
d. Firefighter operations in buildings with smoke management systems
8. Portable fire extinguishers
a. Types and applications
1) Description and classification
2) Effectiveness and ratings
b. Selection
c. Placement
1) Distribution
2) Installation
d. Maintenance
e. Portable fire extinguisher operations
Methods of Presentation:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Lecture
Visual aids
Group discussion and assignments
Case studies
Field trips
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Fall 2011
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
1. Typical Assignments
a. List a type, component and operation of a specific sprinkler system
b. Select the appropriate type of portable fire extinguisher for a given classification of fire
c. Identify the components of a standpipe system and describe the purpose of each part
d. Write a term paper on one of the following fire protection system issues
1) Explain the history of the international building or fire code, its related standards, and how
the international code 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. Computational and writing assignments
b. Performance in class projects
c. Field work in fire prevention inspections
d. Quizzes
e. Midterm and final examination
f. Term paper
Textbook(s) (Typical):
1. Fire Protection Systems, Jones, M., Delmar Cengage Learning, 2009
2. California Inspector’s Guide, International Code Council, 2007
Special Student Materials:
None
WB: FT 55 course outline F10.doc
Revised: 02/10/10, 10/21/10