CHEMICAL EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS CXS490
SUBJECT DESCRIPTION:
This course will address special extinguishing systems and agents. An important course ingredient for the student is to gain an
understanding of the relative strengths and weaknesses of the various agents and systems. Based on this understanding the student should
be able to put forth alternative strategies that may be used to provide a reasonable level of protection in a particular hazard.
While plain water and automatic sprinkler systems are recognized as the most common and basic system protection, and is an extremely
effective extinguishing agent, there are times when additional protection is desired, or when water is not available or is not suitable.
Non-suitability arises in cases when it is necessary to minimize water damage, the material may react with water, or because of clean-up
problems after the fire.
When problems such as the above arise there are a number of agents in fire protection technology that may be chosen, either singularly or
in combination, to ensure that fire suppression may be achieved in the most efficient manner.
Even when the protection of a special hazard may justify the installation of a special protection system using a system other than an
automatic sprinkler, it should be noted that automatic sprinkler protection is still generally needed for the building and exposure protection
CREDIT STATUS:
Chemical Extinguishing Systems (CXS 490), applies as a credit in the Fire Protection Engineering Technician and Technology Diploma
Programs.
PREREQUISITES:
Fire Protection Fundamentals, FPF 190 and Chemistry, CHM 190
OUTCOMES:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Apply the NFPA Codes appropriate to each extinguishing agent;
Demonstrate when to use the local application and total flooding extinguishing systems;
Know the general design criteria for each of the special extinguishing systems discussed;
Know the properties, extinguishing characteristics, design criteria, and systems concepts for each of the following special
extinguishing agents/systems:
a.
Foam extinguishing agents,
b.
Carbon dioxide
C.
Clean agents & Halogenated agents,
d.
Dry and Wet chemicals,
e.
Water mist.
Perform simple design concentration calculations (i.e. Foam, Carbon Dioxide, Halon 1301, Clean Agents and Dry
Chemicals).
Be aware of the concerns and limitations of agents and be able to develop alternative strategies
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TOPIC OUTLINE:
WK. #
CH. #
1
2
2
3
3
3
4
4
5
7
6
7
7
5
8
6
9
8
10
8
11
12
13
9
TOPIC TITLES
INTRODUCTION
Introduction; Review of Course Outline.
CONCEPTS
Systems. Methodologies. Fire Mechanisms.
LOW EXPANSION FOAM SYSTEMS
Low, Medium, and High Expansion Foams. Types of Foam,
Properties and Extinguishing Method. Applications Methods and
Limitations. Design Considerations: Subsurface Injection, Surface
Application
LOW EXPANSION FOAM SYSTEMS
Design Considerations:, Floating Roof Tank, Dike Protection,
Aircraft Hanger, Truck Loading Rack.
HIGH EXPANSION FOAM SYSTEMS
Applications. Design Considerations.
CARBON DIOXIDE
Properties. Method of extinguishment.
CARBON DIOXIDE
Applications and Limitations. High and Low Pressure Systems.
Local Application Systems. Total Flooding systems. General
Design Considerations.
Test
Study Week
HALON EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS
The Halogen Family of Elements. Properties of Halogens. Theory
of Extinguishment. Applications and Limitations. Design
Considerations. Environmental Considerations.
CLEAN AGENTS
Agents available. Design Considerations.
DRY CHEMICALS
Types of Dry chemicals and Their Properties:
sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, mono-ammonium
phosphate, potassium chloride, urea based potassium bicarbonate
(Monnex), foam compatible
Extinguishing Method. Applications and Limitations. Local
Application and Total Flooding Systems. Design Considerations.
WET CHEMICAL SYSTEMS
Theory and Application of Wet Chemical Systems
WATER MIST SYSTEMS
Theory and Application of Water Mist Systems
ULTRA HIGH SPEED EXPLOSION SUPRESSION
SYSTEMS
FINAL EXAM REVIEW
FINAL EXAM
HOURS
3
3
3
3
3
1
2
3
3
3
I
2
3
3
2
Note: The order of these topics will be changed to accommodate the availability of equipment in the lab. Any changes
will be communicated in class.
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ASSIGNMENTS
There will be a series of calculation-based assignments.
MODE OF INSTRUCTION:
Lectures - 2 hours per week
Lab – 1 hour per week.
TEXTS:
Prescribed
Design of Special Hazard and Fire Alarm Systems, Gagnon
ITP Delmar, ISBN 0-8273-8293-6
Supplementary Student Notes
Strongly Recommended NFPA Handbook, 17th EDITION
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
Recommended: The current edition of the following NFPA Standards are
recommended:
II
Low Expansion Foam & Combined Agent Systems
IIA
Medium & High Expansion Foam Systems
12
Carbon Dioxide Extinguishing Systems
12A
Halon 1301 Extinguishing Systems
17
Dry Chemical Extinguishing Systems
17A
Wet Chemical Extinguishing Systems
750
Water Mist Systems
2001
Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems
SUPPLIES:
No special supplies are required.
MODES OF EVALUATION:
Students are required to write open book test(s) and a final exam to demonstrate their understanding of the subject material.
The final grade for the course will be calculated as follows:
assignments
term test(s)
final examination
30%
40%
30%
Test dates have been prearranged and are non-negotiable with the exception of tests missed due to documented illness.
Documentation is submitted to the office of the course Instructor with two days of returning to the College.
Attendance is mandatory in both the lectures and labs.
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GRADING POLICY:
A(D)
A
B
C
D
F
Distinguished
Excellent
Above Average
Satisfactory
Pass
Unsatisfactory
80%-100%
70%- 79%
60%- 69%
55%- 59%
0%- 54%
PROMOTION POLICY:
Refer to the Seneca Academic Policy
CHEATING AND PLAGIARISM:
Cheating and Plagiarism are major academic offenses and carry serious penalties. Students are referred to College policy on
"Cheating and/or Plagiarism" in College Academic Policy, which will be strictly enforced.
DISCRIMINATION/HARASSMENT:
All students and employees have the right to study and work in an environment that is free from discrimination and/or
harassment. Language or activities that defeat this objective violate the College Policy on Discrimination/Harassment and
shall not be tolerated. Information and assistance are available from the Centre for Equity and Human Rights, Room 314 1,
Newnham Campus, 491-5050 Ext. 2078.
Prepared by:
Revised by
Approved by:
Revised Sept. 2000
A. Van Odyk, Professor
D. McGill Professor, Sept. 2000
William Humber, Chair
School of Fire Protection Technology
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