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FIRE PROTECTION
SYSTEMS
Bourhan Tachtouch
Professor
Mechanical Engineering Department
KFUPM, Dhahran 31261
FIRE PROTECTION IN
BUILDINGS
– Buildings are designed to minimize heating,
cooling and lightening to reduce energy
consumption
– They can be designed to reduce the size of
fire-fighting systems and retard the spread of
smoke and fire.
• Fire has three elements:
– Fuel
– High temperature
– Oxygen
* Building fire will be extinguished if deprived of
any of these elements
* Architects and engineers all participate in the
control of these elements that cause fire in
buildings
Products of combustion
• High temperature
• CO2
• Many of the elements of building fire
safety, but not all of them, are covered by
building codes
• These codes prescribe the minimum
requirement or acceptable protection
• Designers can go further than the codes
requires to enhance fire safety
Codes and standards
• Code: a mandatory set of formalized
design requirement which have been
adopted by a government body and that
are enforced by law
• A code may be a standard which has been
adopted by a certain government body.
Such as Uniform Building Code (UBC)
Standard
• A voluntary set of formalized design
requirements which have been prepared
by professional group associated with
building design and that are not mandatory
• These standards like ASHRAE standards
• The codes and standards are either
perspective-based or performance based.
Perspective-based
• Typically prescribe design strategies that
are passive means of limiting the spread
of fire and protecting life (e.g. construction
material, interior finishes, maximum
distance to exist, etc.)
• Codes allow some relaxing of such
prescription when active fire-suppression
systems ( such as sprinklers) are designed
into building
Performance-based
• Describes how the building will perform
under fire ( using computer simulation)
Common building fire safety codes
and standards
• Uniform building code (UBC)
• National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA)
• Local Safety Enforced Requirements
Who Is Responsible?
• Architects and engineers are all
responsible and should participate in the
control of the fire elements in buildings
• Considerations of fire protection take part
both in the architectural and engineering
design phases of buildings
Architectural
• Egress , fire barriers
Structural
Fire –proofing structure
Mechanical
Sprinklers, standpipes & hose
systems, smoke control
Electrical
• Fire alarm systems
Interior design
Fire resisting materials
Fire Hazards
Three categories:
1. Light hazard: normal buildings
2. Ordinary hazard: factories, industrial
areas
3. Extra hazard: refineries, gas stations
Fire thermal products (flame and
heat ) are responsible for about
25% of deaths in building fires
• Fire non-thermal products ( smoke and
gases) are responsible for about 75% of
deaths in building fires.
• Gases ( CO2, CO, H2S, SO2, NH3, …) are
either toxic or displaces oxygen resulting
in insufficient oxygen which leads to health
problems
Normal concentration of oxygen in
air is about 21%
• If it is reduced to:
1. 15% - diminished muscular skill
2. 14-10%- faulty judgment and rapid
fatigue
3. 10-6% - collapse but revival is possible
with increased oxygen supply
Objectives of fire safety
• Protection of life
• Protection of property
1. The building contents
2. The building itself
• Continuity of operation
• Protection of adjacent buildings
Maximum travel distance limits
are determined by codes
• Allowable travel distances to exit are
increased when automatic fire
suppression systems ( sprinklers for
example) are used
• As a designer you should be aware
that at 30% of building fire deaths
result from fire cutting off the path to
exit
Example
• A multi story office building is 30 m wide
by 80 m long
• What capacity ( exit door and stairs ) is
required per floor?
Solution
• Gross floor area = 30x80=2400 m2
• Occupant load = 9.3 m2/person
• Building population per floor=2400/9.3
=258 persons
• Width of exit doors (to stairs)=258x0.2
=51.6 in = 131 cm
Two stairs @90 cm clear door into each
180 cm > the minimum of 131 cm. then it is OK
Width of stairs
• Width of stairs= 258x0.3=77.4 in=197 cm
• Two stairs @ 120 cm each
• 240 cm > the minimum of 197 cm then it is
ok
PROTECTION FOR
PROPERTY
• EASY ACCESS TO BUILDING FOR FIRE
FIGHTING
• INTERNAL FIRE SUPRESSION
SYSTEMS (EXTINGUISHERS,
SPRINKLERS, HOSES AND STAND
PIPES)
• ADEQUATE WATER TO FIGHT THE
FIRE ( elevated tanks on building)
Exposure Protection
• It is common in areas where highly
flammable surroundings pose a serious
threat of fires originating outside a building
• NON –FLAMMABLE BUILDING
MATRIAL
COMPARTMENTATION
• Has become more important as
buildings have become lightweight
structures incorporating decreased
fire resistance and open floor areas
that encourage the spread of fire
• Codes established the maximum floor
areas permissible for variance
constructions and occupancies
• Many codes require fire stopping around
93 m2 of suspended ceiling area and 186
m2 for attic floor area
Structural protection
• Allows the building to continue to stand
during a fire and enables it to be salvaged
rather than demolished after fire
Continuity of Operation
For building functions, it is desirable to
minimize the disruption of operation that
fire will cause
To achieve this the following can be
considered:
• Fire /alarm suppression systems
• HVAC systems to evacuate a building of
smoke after the fire put out
• Provision for water proofing floors in
sprinkler-served buildings (sloping water
proof floors with drains)
Protection of adjacent buildings
• Setbacks
• Zoning
• Access for firefighting personnel and
equipment
Smoke management
• It kills more people in building fires than
heat or structural collapse
• Design for smoke management , fire
resistance and fire suppression
Objectives
• Reduce deaths
• Reduce property damage
• Provide continuity of operation with
minimal smoke interference
Factors in smoke management
•
•
•
•
•
Heat
Buoyancy
Air velocity
Building location
High and low buildings
Confinement
• The most passive design response to
smoke is to try to confine it to the fire area
itself
• Refuges ( exclude smoke from specially
protected areas)
Dilution
• At early stages of fire, the dilution of
smoke with outside air may help in
evacuation process
Exhaust
• Using air velocity and pressure to control
smoke
Advantages of Exhaust
• They can move toxic gases from refuge
areas
• They help fire fighters by improving th air
quality in the vicinity of the fire itself
• They can help control the direction that a
fire takes by creating air currents that a fire
will follow
• They remove unburned but combustible gases
from a fire before gases can cause a back draft
or flashover (smoke explosion)
• They keep smoke out of refuge areas even
when doors are temporarily open
• With them, the tall-building stack effect,
complicated by buoyancy and wind is likely to
overcome smoke management system
• They can help to remove smoke after fire
HVAC systems, sprinklers and
smoke
• Two systems within the building must be
closely coordinated with smoke exhaust
systems:
1. HVAC
2.Fire detection/suppression (sprinklers)
system
HVAC system
• As the fire detection system activates the
smoke exhaust fans it must also override
the conventional HVAC system operation
• If the HVAC system is VAV, then all supply
control valves (dampers) must be moved
to their full open position
Sprinklers system
• It can hamper the functioning of smoke
exhaust systems, both by creating a
curtain of water that inhibits the movement
of smoke and by cooling the smoke, thus
reducing its buoyancy
• as less buoyant smoke descends,
visibility decreases and the danger of
smoke inhalation increases
Automatic ventilating hatches
• Heat and smoke venting devices (no fans)
• For smaller buildings
Fire suppression mediums
• Water :
1. Is the most popular medium for building fire
suppression
2. Is readily available
3. Is relatively low in cost!!!!
4. When changed into vapor , it absorbs 2500
kJ/kg at atmospheric pressure and its volume
increases to 1700 times which helps in
pushing away the oxygen needed by the fire
Disadvantages
• Water damages building contents
• It conducts electricity
• Many flammable oils will float on water
surface since the specific gravity of these
fluid is less than one
• Steam can harm fire fighters
Carbon dioxide CO2
• Used in applications where rapid fire
suppression is required and where water
might cause damage such as computer
equipment rooms , electronic installations,
libraries, museums, and record storage
rooms
• Smother fire by displacing oxygen
• Used in tightly confined spaces that are free of
people and animals ( e.g. display cases,
mechanical or electrical chases, ….)
• Stored as a liquid under great pressure, when
released as gas , it provides cooling as well as
smothering action
• CO2 does not leave residue after its use, nontoxic and usually causes no damage to electrical
equipment
Disadvantages
• It requires concentration of 21% to 62% of
that of air ( 9% concentration results in
loss of consciousness), not good
environment for fire fighters or trapped
persons
• It should be of low concentration with early
alarm evacuation before use
• After CO2 dissipation re-ignition is possible
Foams
• They are masses of gas filled bubbles
• Light, therefore, float on surfaces of
burning liquids, that means smothering
and cooling effect
• Highly expandable and fast spreading.
Foam expansion into steam reduces
oxygen content to less than that required
for combustion (7%), therefore
suppressing fire.
• A cooling effect is also achieved by the
action of breaking bubbles
• Effective in flammable liquid fires (popular
in airplane hangers)
Halogenated Agents
• Halogenated hydrocarbons, known as ‘halons’
are stored as liquid with one or more hydrogen
atoms replaced by halogen atoms
• Halon 1301 is the most widely used agent
effective against classes A,B,C fires common on
portable fire extinguishers
• The number indicates: 1- carbon atom, 3 –
fluorine atoms, o- chlorine atom, 1 –bromine
atom
• Class A: Interior wall and ceiling finish,
flame spread 0-26, smoke developed
• Class B: Interior wall and ceiling finish,
flame spread 26-75, smoke developed
• Class C: Interior wall and ceiling finish,
flame spread 76-200, smoke developed
• Halons primarily inhibit flames chemically rather
physically (exact process unknown)
• Light weight and space saving relative to other
mediums
• It extinguishes fire little harm to contents,
popular choice where a clean fire suppression
agent is required and people are present and
content with high value such as in commercial
aircraft, computer rooms, museums , libraries,
telephone exchanges and kitchens
• Halons does not wet or leave residue after
use
• Under normal conditions, Halon is 5 times
heavier than air
• Not good for burning metals or selfoxidizing materials such as gunpowder
• More expensive than CO2 or water
Halon Operation and Maintenance
• Used in application where rapid fire suppression
is required and where water might cause
damage such as in computer equipment rooms ,
electronic installations libraries, museums and
record storage rooms
• Typically , the hazard area is protected with
central Halon storage tank connected to a fixed
pipe distribution network to the protected area
• Should be of low concentration less than 10% ,
doors should be auto close
• HVAC and air distribution systems should be
shutdown when the system is discharging to
prevent the leakage for Halon 1301 from the
protected area and therefore insure effective fire
suppression
• Greater than 10% Halon concentration means
potential serious toxic effects (Halon is CFC gas)
• A Halon 1301 fire suppression system
should be installed , inspected and
maintained by trained or certified
contractor
• Should be checked for nozzles placement
and blockage
• Should be checked for proper operation
and functioning of the automatic detection
and control systems
Fire suppression systems
• Portable fire extinguishers:
– Classified according to the type of fire or
hazard for which they are designed
– Designed to suppress small fires (typical
maximum discharge time span is 8 to 90
seconds)
– Many contain water, water mixture, dry
chemicals , and/or gases
– Travel distance and time is a main factor in
fire extinguishers placement
Classes of fire extinguishers
• Class A
– For use on ordinary combustibles such as
wood , trash, paper and textile
– Content: water, water-based agents, or
multipurpose chemical agents
Class B
• For use on flammable liquids or liquid petroleum
products fires such as flammable gases ,
greases, paints, solvents, plastics and rubbers
• Contents: requires smothering or flame –
interrupting chemicals (blanketing) such CO2,
sodium, and potassium bicarbonate base dry
chemicals (Purple K, with purple color powder),
foam , or halogenated agents
Class C
• Used for electrical fires or near energized
electrical equipment (over-heated fuse boxes
and other electrical sources and wiring
• Classification refers to sources of ignition rather
than to fuel as in classes A and B
• Contents: non-electrically conducting
extinguishing agents such as CO2 , sodium, and
potsium bicarbonate base dry chemicals or
halogenated agents
Class D
• Used in combustible metals fires such as
magnesium, titanium, sodium-potassium
alloys, etc.
• Contents: dry powders such as graphite or
sodium chloride vase
• Classes A, B and C are:
– Multi-purpose dry chemicals extinguishers
– Content: ammonium phosphate (with yellow
color powder)
– Not ideal for electrical fires because it leaves
hard residue
Fire Extinguishers
Operation and Maintenance
• Should be placed uniformly in visible and easily
reached locations along normal paths of
protected egress away from potential fire
hazards
• Extinguishers suitable for more than one class of
fire should be used in the same facility
• Should not be carried more than 22.5 m for
classes A, C and D hazard and no more than 15
m for class B hazard and at least 15 cm from the
floor for cleaning and to avoid obstruction
• Should be clearly marked for the intended use
• Inspect all extinguishers when installed and
thereafter on regular bases 9monthly or more
frequent)
• Should be checked frequently for pressure,
charge , weight, operation and cleanness
• Recharge all rechargeable type extinguishers
using the agents specified on their nameplates
• Check frequently for their proper location,
access and visibility
• Check for corrosion and dents
• Check for leakage or clogged nozzles
• Locate indoors or provide shading
avoiding areas with high temperature (>
49oC, 120 F)
• Record date of inspection/recharging
using maintenance tags
• Should be trained on by occupants
• Hydrostatic testing , a pressurization of the
extinguisher to test cylinder structure, is
required every 5-12 years depending on
the type of extinguisher, cylinder or shell
• Hydrostatic testing must be performed by
component personnel who have suitable
testing equipment and facilities (normally
performed by outside contractors)
Standpipes and hoses
• Essential in tall and industrial buildings
• Water is supplied at a minimum pressure
of 448 k Pa (65 psi) at the topmost outlet
from:
– Public water system with adequate water
pressure
– Overhead gravity or pressure tank
– Automatic or manually controlled up feed fire
water pumps
• Usually located at or near fire stairs so that
hoses will be able to reach every part of
the building
• Code requirements for number of
standpipes is based on:
– 30.5 m (100 ft) length of extended unlined fire
hoses
– 22.9 m (75 ft) length of lined hoses
• In theoretical situations, the direct route to fire
source can be used, therefore , the required
standpipe hose length will be sufficient
• However, in real situations , the fire fighters
carry equipment and hoses filled with water and
approaching fire along smoke –filled corridors at
extreme heat, indirect route will require more
hose length than the theoretical one
Types of Standpipes
• Standpipes and hoses with a separate
water reserve, up feeding pumping or fire
department connection are listed in three
classes and five types.
• The major differences are whether the
system is for first aid or full scale fire
fighting or whether the systems has an
automatic water supply or manual one
Classes
• Class I systems:
– For full scale fire fighting and required for
sprinklered and un-sprinklered buildings three
stories high as well as in Malls
Class II
• For first air fighting before the fire trucks
arrive.
• They use 38 mm hose connection
• The difficulty for untrained personnel to
handle 100 ft hose with 378 liter/min flow
Class III
• Combine the characteristics of Class I and
Class II
• They serve for both first aid and full scale
fighting
• Combine systems are either class I or III
standpipe systems that also supply water
to sprinkler system
Combination standpipe system
• Joint use standpipe system for both fire
and sprinkler heads can be used.
Adequate water supply and pressure must
be available (min 6 in standpipe riser).
Separate fire hose and sprinklers valves
allow independent control at each floor
level
Standpipe system types
• Dry standpipes
– Water pipes 9normal;ly empty) used to
connect hoses by fire fighters to ground level
fire hydrants. Located at or near fire stairways
or outside of buildings
• Wet standpipes
– Wet standpipes are filled with water under
pressure at all times . Can be used by trained
building occupants in each floor of the
building
Standpipe system types
• Automatic wet systems- the pipes are filled
with water and connected to water supply
capable of automatically meeting the fire
fighting demand
• Automatic dry systems- the pipes are filled
with pressurized air and are connected to
water supply capable of automatically
meeting the fire fighting demands
• Semiautomatic dry system-the pipes are filled
with air and connected to the water supply
• Manual dry systems-the pipes are filled with air
and there is no connection to a water supply
other than that provided by the fire department
• Manual wet system- the pipes are filled with
water with a connection to domestic source
Standpipes Operation and
Maintenance
• Inspect al fire hoses on regular basis
(monthly) and schedule them for
replacement at ten –year interval
• Perform annual pressure test of hydrants
and hoses
• Install isolation valves on standpipe
systems to allow work on a branch line
without putting the entire system out of
service
• May install check valves on the standpipe
systems at coming water source to
prevent water from escaping the system
when pressure drops or when fire
department connections are not in use
• Provide drainages system. Locate drain
valves at the lowest possible point
downstraem of the isolation valves
Sprinkler System Design Impacts
• Unlike the fire hose, a sprinkler is likely to
be already positioned above the point of a
fire and is capable of being deployed in
seconds , not minutes
• They are relied on as a proven automatic
fire suppressers
• Automatic sprinkler systems consists of
horizontal pattern of pipes placed just
below or within the ceiling of the industrial
buildings, warehouses, stores, theaters ,,
etc in which a fire hazard require their use
Alarm Gong
• An alarm gong mounted on the outside of the
building warns of water flow through the alarm
valve on the actuating of sprinkler head
• This warning gives the building personnel an
opportunity to make additional fire arrangement
that can minimize loss and speed the
termination of the fire
• In this way the sprinklers can be turned off to
prevent excess water damage to building
content after the fire is out
Siamese Connections
• Siamese connections (fire department
connections) are connections used by
local fire department to pump water into
the standpipe system
Siamese Operation and
Maintenance
• Must be readily visible and accessible to
the fire department without obstruction by
equipment, structure or vegetation
• Should have its fire department
connections located on street side of the
building
• Should be identified with proper signs indicating
their parts of the building served by them and
their type ( i.e. standpipe , sprinkler, or
combination)
• Should be hydrostatically tested at time of
installation
• Should be inspected regularly for proper
operation
• Should be checked for threads freedom of
movement , cleanness and readiness for use
• Hoses and hydrants should be checked
regularly for pressure and proper working
conditions
Provision for Drainage
• Sprinklers can release a huge amount of
water
• It has to be removed
Water supply
• Elevated water tank in the building
• They supply a constant pressure on the
distribution lines, store sufficient water to
balance supply and demand, prevent
excessive starting and stopping of the
pump and provide a dependable fire
reservoir
• When gravity tanks are used with sprinkler
systems they should provide enough water
to operate 25% of the sprinkler heads for
20 minutes
• Disadvantages:
– Unsightliness
– Freezing
– Heavy weight
Valves
• They are required to allow the sprinkler to
be shut off for maintenance , system
modification or replacement of all sprinkler
heads that have operated after a fire
• Indicating valves of various types (open or
closed) usually open
Sprinkler Construction orientation
and Rating
• The common sprinkler head contains water by a
plug or cap that is held tightly against an orifice
by levers or other restraining devices
• Common types of sprinkler heads are upright
(SSU), pendant (SSP), or sidewall types
• Upright heads sit on top of the exposed supply
piping
• Pendant heads hang below piping, which can be
concealed above suspended ceilings
• Flow control sprinklers close automatically
once temperatures at the ceiling are
sufficiently reduced
Sprinkler Spacing and Hazard
• The spacing of sprinkler heads and the sizing of
their spaces are complex and designed by
professionals
• The guidelines for preliminary sprinkler location
are:
– Degree of hazard faced by the occupant (tables 24-8
and 24-9)
– Maximum floor area to be protected by any sprinkler
system
– Piping can be hydraulically designed
• A complication factor that is the
expectation that only a small percentage
of the sprinklers will actually open
• A detailed sizing procedure would
consider both the available pressure at the
highest sprinkler and the expected flow
rate (500-5000 gpm)
• The sprinkler actual performance is :
QK
P
Q- flow rate, gpm
K- K factor , table 2-47
P- pressure , psi
In SI units:
Q- L/min
K-K factor(14.3 x I-P K factor)
P- pressure in bars
• Sprinklers are designed for maximum
working pressure 175 psi and 500-750
gpm.
• Light hazard systems need a minimum
residual pressure of 15 psi and 500-750
gpm
• Ordinary hazard systems need a minimum
residual pressure of 20 psi and 850-1500
gpm
Residential sprinklers
• It a fast response device with a tested
ability to enhance survivability in the room
of fire origin and it is listed for protection of
dwellings units
• They have the ability of delivering water to
the walls and high enough on the walls to
prevent the fire from getting above the
sprinkler
Quick response sprinklers
• Fast response are required in all light
hazard occupancies. Like hotels, motels
and offices.
Sprinklers Overview
• Usually required in large basement areas,
windowless buildings, hospitals and health
care facilities, hazardous materials storage
areas and large public occupancy area
• Consist of horizontal pattern of ceiling
pipes with outlets and sprinkler heads
• Sprinkler heads can be upright, pendant or
sidewall type
• Automatic sprinklers activated by abnormally
high temperature which should be 13.9 o C
greater than expected maximum ceiling
temperature, 577-77 (135-170 o F) for ordinary
sprinkler heads
• Sprinkler system discharged water prevents fire
spread from the area of origin. It cools burning
materials by direct contact of water particles ,
absorbs heat, wets unburned combustibles and
displaces oxygen
• Sprinkler heat sensitive controls may be
made of :
– Metal alloys that fuse
– Organic materials that soften
– Organic liquids that expand and rupture their
glass enclosure
• Water supply may not close unless a main
valve is manually closed
• Water supply may close automatically (flow
control sprinkler) once the ceiling temperature is
reduced to ≤35o C
• All types of sprinkler must replaced after use
• Floor opening (stairwells, escalators, …) can be
protected by sprinklers of high velocity water
spray nozzles
• Adequate water drainage system must be
provided
Types of sprinkles
• Wet – pipe (most common):
– Water is always standing under pressure in all pipes
and mains
– Used in heated areas or areas not subject to water
piping freezing
• Dry-pipe (used where freezing might be a
problem)
– Pipes are filled with compressed air or nitrogen gas
under pressure ( to avoid rust) until the opening of a
sprinkler head permits water flow
– The system must be drained and re-pressurized after
fire
Pre-action
• Similar to dry-pipe except that water is
admitted by a pre-action valve to the pipes
before any sprinkler head has opened with
a very early alarm as a result of signals
received from supplemental fire detection
system )smoke or heat sensors)
• Used in building with contents subject to
water damage such as computer rooms an
retail stores
deluge
• All sprinklers heads go off at once where a
deluge valve will permit water flow only
after a fire detection system is activated
• Used in buildings with expected rapid
spread of fire such as air-craft hangers,
areas where flammable liquid fires may
breakout and in buildings with especially
high ceiling
Combined sprinklers and
standpipes system
• Combined systems use the water piping
that serve both outlets for fire department
use and outlets for automatic sprinklers
Sprinkler systems operation and
maintenance
• Should be located to detect a fire readily and to
discharge water over the greatest area
considering all obstructions (structural elements,
lighting fixtures, HVAC ducts, and partitions)
• in reality only a percentage of sprinklers will
actually open to extinguish fire
• Riser is a vertical water supply pipe that should
be of sufficient size to supply sprinklers an any
one floor
• Risers should be located as to eliminate
long dead end pipe runs
• Cross-mains supply water to the branch
lines that supply water to sprinklers
• Adequate water drainage and slope mist
be provided in sprinkler-served areas
• Keep supply valve open
• Do not shut supply valve prematurely
during a fire
• Flush out system regularly and clear from
debris at intake using filter screens
• Take necessary precautions to avoid wet
sprinkler system piping freezing in cold
areas
• Keep sprinkler heads clear from
obstructions or stored materials
• Check sprinklers for corrosion
• Insure adequate sprinklers water supply at
all times
• Insure sprinkler system working conditions
at all times
Sprinklers layout
• Individual sprinkler heads are connected
together along branch lines
• Layout of sprinkler system id a function of
– Building occupancy and hazard conditions:
• Light hazard- normal buildings
• Ordinary hazard- factories, industrial areas
• Extra hazard
refineries, gas stations
Coverage area (m2)
• Depends on the physical characteristics of
the sprinkler head and available water flow
and pressure
Spacing between sprinkler heads
(m)
• Maximum spacing is normally 4.5 m
• Must not be too close to wet each others
delaying activation when needed
• If do ( i.e. less than 1.8 m around escalator
opening) they should be separated at
midway by cross or recessed baffle
pockets
Sprinkler systems pipe sizing
• Find required sprinkler operating water
pressure using equations or manufacture’s
data
• Find static pressure loss due to elevation
• Find pressure losses in pipes, valves and
fittings
• Find equivalent pipe length
• Find available pressure . It must be
greater than the system pressure
• Find the pressure drop per unit length
(pa/m) at required flow (charts)
• Larger pipe sizes are often used to
achieve lower friction losses, especially
when available water pressure is low
Housekeeping and fire prevention
• Separate fuels from ignition sources
• Allow smoking only in designated areas
• Avoid the accumulation of excess rubbish
that might represent fire fuel source
• Store all flammable and combustible
liquids in proper storage
• Do not store flammable materials near fire
ignition sources ( e.g. boiler rooms, electric
rooms, home water heater, etc.)
• Use only the minimum amount of flammable or
combustible liquids at the workplace at one time
• Report hazards which could cause fire to ignite
• Inspect electrical equipment for proper operation
and safety
• Identify trouble spots properly
General fire prevention strategies
• Implement regular fire safety awareness
and educational programs
• Insure proper maintenance and operation
of critical safety components/systems such
as electrical equipment and electrical
wiring and connections
• Prevent overloading electrical outlets
beyond their permitted capacities
• Follow manufacturers recommendations in
operating and maintaining electrical
equipment and appliances
• Implement continuous maintenance
employee safety training
• Train operators on fire fighting operations
in case of fire
• Publicize fire prevention rules and enforce
them
Industrial fire suppression sustems
• This subject is broad due to
– The many types of industrial hazards
– The many fire suppression options and
methods available
– The many fire suppression mediums available
Typical industrial hazards
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Flammable liquids storage rooms
Printing machines areas
Electric motors rooms
Pump rooms
Paint lockers
Wood furnishing areas
Transformer rooms
Typical industrial fire protection
means
• Total flooding
• Local applications using tank side type of
discharge
• Local applications using overhang type of
discharge
Typical industrial fire extinguishing
mediums
• Multi-purpose dry chemicals
• Potassium bi-carbonate (purple-K) dry
chemicals
• Sodium bi-carbonate dry chemicals
• Carbon dioxide
• Halon 1211
• Foam
References
1. Stein, B. and J. S. Reynolds, Walter Grondzik
and Alison Kowk, 2006. Mechanical and
electrical equipment for buildings, 10th edition ,
John Wiley &Sons, New York
2. Fuchs , Sheldon J. 1992. 2nd edition. Complete
building equipment maintenance desk book.
Prentice Hall, New Jersey , USA
3. Egan, M. David. 1978. Concepts in building
safety . John Wiley & Sons, New York , USA