FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM

DESIGNS
By Chandimal Jayakody
BSc.(Eng), CEng., MIE(SL)., MLABSE.
 Fire Protection System

Active Passive
Detection Structural
Means of Escape
Fire suppression
systems
 Fire Suppression Systems
The suppression system can be categorized as
1. Fire Extinguisher
2. Hose Reel system
3. Dry Riser System
4. Wet Riser Systems
5. Sprinkler Systems
6. Gas suppression system
7. Foam systems
Fire Extinguishers
 Fire Extinguisher Overview
1. Fire Extinguisher Classification 3. Extinguisher Size & Placement
& UL Ratings - Hazard / Hazard Area
- Class A - Rating & Coverage Area
– Class B - Allowable Travel Distance
– Class C
- Class D
- Class E 4. Maintenance & Inspection
- Class K - Monthly Inspection
2. Hazard Classification - Annual Maintenance
- Light - 6 Year Maintenance
- Ordinary – Hydrostatic Test
– High
CLASS “A” FIRES - Ordinary combustibles such as wood,
paper, cloth.
CLASS “B” FIRES - Flammable liquids such as oil, grease
CLASS “C” FIRES - Flammable Gases
CLASS “D” FIRES - Flammable Metals
CLASS “E” FIRES - Energized electrical equipment
CLASS “K” FIRES - Fires in Cooking Appliances
Summery
 Rating in UL Classification
• The A rating is a water equivalency
rating. Each A is equivalent to 1.25
gallons of water. 4A=5 gal. of water.

• The B rating is equivalent to the

amount of square footage that related
to the degree of training and
experience of the operator, the
extinguisher can cover.
20 B =20 sq. ft. of coverage.

• C indicates it is suitable for use on

electrically energized equipment.

The UL rating is found on the

extinguisher label or nameplate band.
Fire Class Vs Extinguishers Types
Class Nature Example Extinguisher Type
A Carbonaceous Wood , paper, textiles Water
Flammable Adhesives Dry power
B liquids Flammable liquid stores Dry power or foam
Bitumen boilers, Dry power foam carbon
petrol or diesel dioxide
Powered equipment Dry power carbon, dioxide
Cooking range fires or fire blanket

C Flammable gases LPG, acetylene Carbon dioxide, dry power

D Reactive metals Magnesium, sodium etc. Dry power specially

developed for particular
metals

E Electrical Any material where there Carbon dioxide, dry power

is a danger of live
electricity
K Fires in Cooking That involves combustible Dry power, Foams
Appliances cooking media (vegetables,
animal oil & fats)
Fire Extinguisher Color Code
 Water Extinguishers
• APW (Air pressurized water) Cool burning material by absorbing heat.
• Effective on Class A fires
• The advantage
. of being inexpensive, harmless, and
relatively easy to clean up.
• The disadvantages of water is, it is harmful to modern electronic office
equipment
 Carbon Dioxide
• Generally red, have a LARGE
"tapered“ nozzle (horn) and are
VERY HEAVY (15-85 lbs).
• These are all high- pressure
cylinders.
• CO2 cylinders do not have
a pressure gauge - they
must be weighed to
determine the amount of contents.
• Suitable for class B,C & E fires
 Dry Chemical
• Sodium bicarbonate, "regular" or
"ordinary" used on class B and C
fires, was the first of the dry
chemical agents developed.
• It interrupts the fire's chemical
reaction, and was very common
in commercial kitchens before
the advent of wet chemical
agents.
 Dry Chemical
Cartridge Units
Cartridge extinguishers
differ from “stored” pressure
units by utilizing a gas
cartridge to pressurize the
extinguisher. The unit can
be exposed to an impact or
puncture without discharging
the contents.
Discharge hose and nozzle must be
completely free of agent after use.

Classes: ABCD
 ABC Dry Chemical
ABC-rated multipurpose dry
powder extinguishers are the
most common. They are almost
always RED in color and have
either a long narrow hose or no
hose (just a short nozzle).
 Class D Extinguisher
• There are several Class D fire extinguisher
agents available, some will handle multiple
types of metals, others will not.

• Sodium Chloride
• contains sodium chloride salt and thermoplastic
additive.
• Plastic melts to form an oxygen-excluding
crust over the metal, and the salt dissipates
heat.
• Useful on metals including
sodium,potassium, and other metals
including magnesium, titanium, aluminum,
and zirconium.
• Most Class D extinguishers will have a
special low velocity nozzle or discharge
wand to gently apply the agent in large
volumes to avoid disrupting any finely
divided burning materials
Class K Extinguisher
• Class K fire extinguishers are wet chemical extinguishers
that contain a potassium acetate based,
low PH agent that was originally developed for use in
pre-engineered cooking equipment fire extinguishing
systems.
• The Class K extinguishers are tested on
commercial deep fat fryers using the same type of fire
test as UL300 pre-engineered restaurant fire
extinguishing systems. The agent discharges as a fine
mist which helps prevent grease splash and fire reflash
while cooling the appliance.
• When hazard areas include deep fat fryers, listed Class
K portable fire extinguishers shall be provided as
follows:
• For up to four fryers having a maximum
cooking medium capacity of 80 pounds (36.3 kg) each:
One Class K portable fire extinguisher of a minimum 1.5
gallon ( 6 L) capacity
.
 Water Mist
• Water Mist uses a fine misting
nozzle to break up a stream of
deionized water to the point of not
conducting electricity back to the
operator.
• Class A and C rated.
• It is used widely in hospitals for the
reason that, unlike other clean-
agent suppressants, it is harmless
and non-contaminant.
• These extinguishers come in 1.75 and
2.5
gallon units, painted white.
 Halon & Replacement
Agents
• Halon (including Halon 1211 and Halon 1301),a gaseous
agent that inhibits the chemical reaction of the fire.
• Banned from January 1, 1994 as its properties contribute
to ozone depletion and long atmospheric
lifetime, usually 400 years.
• Currently Halotron I, Halotron II, FE-36 Cleanguard and
FM-200 are meant to be replacements with
significantly reduced ozone depletion potential.
 Foam Extinguishers
• Two types :- Synthetic & Protein
• Suitable for class A & B

Synthetic foams : Definitions

Synthetic foams are based on synthetic surfactants. Synthetic foams
provide better flow, faster knockdown of flames, but limited post-fire
security.
Aqueous film forming foams (AFFF) are water-based and frequently
contain hydrocarbon-based surfactant such as sodium alkyl sulfate, and
fluorsurfactant—such as fluorotelomers, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), or
perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS). They have the ability to spread over
the surface of hydrocarbon-based liquids. Alcohol-resistant aqueous
film forming foams (AR-AFFF) are foams resistant to the action of
alcohols, able to form a protective film when they are present.

Protein foams: Definitions

Protein foams (FFFP) contain natural proteins as the foaming agents.
Unlike other synthetic foams, protein foams are bio-degradable. They flow
and spread slower, but provide a foam blanket that is more heat resistant
and more durable.
Protein foams include regular protein foam (P), fluoroprotein foam
(FP), alcohol resistant fluoroprotein foam (AR-FP), film forming
fluoroprotein (FFFP), and alcohol-resistant film forming fluoroprotein
(AR-FFFP).
 Size & Placement
There are four topics to review when installing portable fire extinguishers.

• Identify the hazards that are present.

• Determine the size of the fire extinguisher.

• Establish the quantity by the coverage that is allowed by the adopted

NFPA 10 standard.

• Distribute the portable fire extinguishers per the allowable travel

distance to each fire extinguisher.
 Classification of Hazards NFPA 10: 1.4
• Light (Low) Hazard. Light hazard occupancies are locations where the total amount of Class A
combustible materials including furnishings decorations and contents is of minor quantity. This
can include some buildings or rooms occupied as offices classrooms churches assembly halls
guest room areas of hotels/motels and so forth. This classification anticipates that the majority
of content items are either noncombustible or so arranged that a fire is not likely to spread
rapidly Small amount of Class B flammables used for duplicating machines art departments and
so forth are included provided that they are kept in closed containers and safely stored.

• Ordinary (Moderate) Hazard. Ordinary hazard occupancies are locations where the total
amount of Class A combustibles and Class B flammables are present in greater amounts than
expected under light low hazard occupancies. These occupancies could consist of dining areas
mercantile shops and allied storage light manufacturing research operations auto showrooms
parking garages.

• Extra (High) Hazard. Extra hazard occupancies are locations where the total amount of Class
A combustibles and Class B flammables present in storage production use finished product or
combination thereof is over and above those expected in occupancies classed as ordinary
(moderate) hazard. These occupancies could consist of; woodworking; vehicle repair; aircraft
and boat servicing; cooking areas; individual product display showrooms; product convention
center displays; and storage and manufacturing processes such as painting, dipping and
coating, including flammable liquid handling. Also included is warehousing of or in-process
storage of other than Class I and Class II commodities.
 Size & Placement
Class A Fire Hazard – Minimum Size of Fire Extinguisher

Minimum Maximum Area to be protected per Extinguisher

Extinguisher Traveling
Rating Distance to Low Hazard Ordinary Hazard High Hazard
Extinguishers Occupancy Occupancy Occupancy
3A 30m 30 sqm 15 sqm 8 sqm
5A 30m 50 sqm 25 sqm 15 sqm
8A 30m 80 sqm 40 sqm 20 sqm
13A 30m 130 sqm 65 sqm 35 sqm
21A 30m 210 sqm 105 sqm 55 sqm
27A 30m 270 sqm 135 sqm 70 sqm
34A 30m 340 sqm 170 sqm 85 sqm
43A 30m 430 sqm 215 sqm 110 sqm
55A 30m 550 sqm 275 sqm 140 sqm
 Size & Placement
Class B Locations – Minimum Size of Fire Extinguisher

Type of Hazard Basic Minimum Maximum Travel

Extinguisher Rating Distance to Extinguisher
Light 34B 15m
144B 25m
Ordinary 144B 10m
183B 15m
High 183B 7m
233B 10m
 Size & Placement
Class C Locations
• Class C extinguishers are required where energized electrical equipment
is potentially directly involved or surrounds electrical equipment.
The extinguisher shall be sized per the Class A or B hazard.

Class D Locations
• Fire extinguishers for Class D locations shall not be located more than 75
ft. from the hazard. Size determination for Class D locations is based on
the specific combustible metal, particle size, area to be covered, and
manufacturer recommendations.

Class K Locations
• Class K hazards shall have a fire extinguisher located where there is a
potential for a fire involving combustible cooking media (vegetable or
animal oils and fats). The extinguisher shall be located no more than 30
ft. from the hazard.
 Travel Distance for “A” Rating
NFPA 10 edition 2002 Appendix

Example:
Ex. This placement along outside walls would not be acceptable
because the travel distance is clearly violated.
In Figure E.3.6 relocation or additional fire extinguishers or both are
needed. The shaded areas indicate voids that are further than 75 ft
(227 m) to the nearest extinguisher. The dots represent extinguishers

FIGURE E.3.6 FIGURE E.3.8

A Diagrammatic Representation of Configuration Representing 12 Fire
Extinguishers Located along the Extinguishers mounted on building
Outside Walls of a 450 ft x 150 ft columns or interior walls in which
(137 m x 46 m) Building. requirements for both travel distance and
fire extinguisher distribution are met.
 Rating of Extinguisher Examples
• For factories, offices, shops, and railway Premises
(BS 5306-part 3)
– 9L water 13A
– 9L form 34B
– 2kg CO2 21B
– 4 ½ CO2 34B
– 3kg Dry Powder 55B
– 9kg Dry Powder 144B
– 14kg Dry powder 233B
• More examples given in BS5036- Part 3 for
reference
 Maintenance & Inspection
There are four inspection/test intervals
required.

• Monthly Inspection NFPA 10: 6.2.1

• Annual Maintenance NFPA 10: 6.3.1
• 6 year Internal Inspection NFPA 10: 6.3.3
• Hydrostatic Test NFPA 10: 7.1
HOSE REEL SYSTEM
 Hose Reel System Assemblies
• Fire hose reel assemblies shall be provided with complete
operational instructions for display on or adjacent to the hose
reel.
• Hose reels shall be marked with the following information;
– Suppliers name or trademark, or both
– Year of manufacture
– Maximum working pressure
– Length and bore of hose
– Nozzle diameter (marked on the nozzle)
• Each hose shall be of
– 19mm diameter(30/45m long hose) or
– 25mm diameter(30m long hose)
– non-kinking reinforced rubber hose and terminating with shut-
off nozzle
• Nozzles shall be made of HDPE or Brass
 Hose Reel System Assemblies
• The pressure at nozzle shall be such that
– there should be throw of 6m at the rate of 30
l/minute
• Each hose reel connection from riser shall be
provided with a ball valve
• Hose reels with semi-rigid hose shall generally
comply with BS EN 671-1
• The hose shall terminate in a nozzle which shall
give the following control settings;
– Shut
– Spray and/or jet.
Hose Reel System Assemblies

Mounting bracket
 DESING CONSIDARATION
• A building of purpose group 1 which not exceed 4 story
(maximum height 18m)
• A shop/ small offices any other building more than 300sqm
• Every 800 sqm a HR in other buildings
• Mount 900mm above floor level
• Design floor rate 30 l/min (0.5 l/s) per HR
• Should consider 2 HR operate simultaneously (BS 5306)
• Diameter of the supply pipe not less than 50mm,
if h ≤ 15m dim= 50mm
if h ≥ 15m dim= 65mm
• Working pressure
– 3 bar for 4.8mm nozzle
– 1.25 bar for 6.35mm nozzle
DRY RISER SYSTEM
 DRY RISER SYSTEM
• A water main, normally empty installed in the
building
• Install where the conditions are such that a
wet system or alternative method cannot be
used
– Cold stores (00C)
– Dry ovens (over 700C)
• Normally not practicing SL now
• Used in winter seasons in other countries
Wet Riser System
 Wet Riser system
• Wet Riser system
– Landing Valves
– Breeching Inlet
– Hose & Nozzles
– Design Consideration
– Pipe Network
 Wet Riser landing Valve
• Valve body Shall be of bronze construction
• Shall comprise with
– 65mm diameter flanged/ threaded inlet and
– 65mm female outlet
– with BS instantaneous coupling and cap.
• Inlet pressure exceeding 5 bar shall be pressure reducing type
with either
– a self pressure regulator or
– a PRV with drain outlet. (Drain should be connected to the sump unless otherwise
show in project specification )

• Water pressure at landing valve shall be in excess of 4 bars at

any level.
• Landing valve shall be installed in the enclosure or custom
made cabinets
 Landing Valve continued ……

Landing Valve with Pressure regulator

Landing Valve

A cabinet with LV &

Hoses
 Breeching Inlet
• Body shall be of bronze or cast iron construction with
100/150mm diameter flanged outlet
• Shall be 65mm diameter inlets with
– instantaneous male couplings
– integral spring loaded non return valve
– 25mm drain valve with a cap and chain,
– all in compliance with BSEN.
• Shall be two inlets minimum
• Enclosure shall be constructed form 1.5 mm thick
galvanized sheet steel.
• Shall be mounted at 900mm above finish floor level.
• The valve enclosure shall be provided with
– a hinged lockable door, with a central panel with glazed
wired glass
– labelled “BREECHING INLET” in 100 mm height letters.
 Breeching Inlet continued …
• Special application
– Breeching inlet shall be earth using copper tape
with inspection pit where open area pipe ring
mains
 Breeching Inlet continued …

2-way 4-way
Breeching Inlet Breeching Inlet
 Fire Hose and Nozzle
• For each Landing valve
– 65mm diameter, 2x15m long fire hose
– with instantaneous coupling on one end
– an adjustable nozzle with isolation valve on the
other end
– Fire hose shall be lined with coated woven synthetic
material comply to BSEN
• Nozzle shall be of
– chromium plated bonze and
– adjustable with shut-off valve and
– With instantaneous coupling.
Fire Hose and Nozzle continued…

15 m long hose with

coupling
 Design Consideration
• Used floor level is higher than 18m and above
• Area coverage 900m2 per riser
• If floor area over 900m2, should provided two in 60m
apart
• Riser main pipe sizes
– 100mm dia if each level has one LV
– 150mm dia if each level has two LV & higher that 45
m
• Landing valve should be installed 750mm above floor
level
• Each landing valve flow rate 500 l/min (8 l/s)
• Pressure limitation- maximums pressure per system is
24 bar
 Design Consideration
• Consider 3 LV simultaneous operation (BS 5306)
• Water Pressure at nozzle is 4bar (400KPa)
• Maximum height is 60m, when h≥ 60m need
additional boosting required
• Riser Diameters
Building Height h ≤ 45m dim = 100mm
Building Height h ≥ 45m dim = 150mm
• Storage capacity =3 × 8 × 60 × 45min/1000
≈65m3
– (the time 45min depends on fire department traveling
distance)
• Pump shall be capable to provide 25 liter/s (1500
liters/min)
Number of riser mains (900m2 per
raiser)
Number of riser mains
 Position of Riser Main
• Riser mains and associate landing valve shall be
located in the following order of priority
– Within smoke- stop lobby
– In the common area and a protected shaft,
immediately outside the exit staircase if there is no
smoke free lobby
– Inside exit staircase where smoke-stop lobby and
common area are not provided
• Located where protected against mechanical and
fire damage
• Apart from gas, steam or fuel pipe lines or
electrical cables shaft
Position of Riser Main continued..
Rising main with natural ventilated
staircase
Position of Riser Main continued..
Position of Riser Main continued..
Position of Riser Main continued..
Position of Riser Main continued..
Position of Riser Main continued..
Position of Riser Main continued..
 Pipe network
• Piping materials Shall be of galvanized steel to BSEN 10255 Class C
,BS 1387, ASTM Schedule 40. unless stated otherwise in the specific
project specification.
• Expansion joints shall be incorporated in horizontal pipe run where
connected to another building.
• For each riser
– an automatic air vent shall be installed at the top most end
– with an isolation valve &
– pressure gauge.
• All risers shall be interconnected at the lowest floor level where
there are two or more risers.
• Piping and accessories shall be
– 65mm and above welded/ grooved/ flanged
– 50mm and below threaded/ grooved
– Any welding shall be cold galvanized
 Piping Schematic
Air Vent

Water Storage

Pump Set

All risers interconnected in LV & Hose each

lowest level level
Sprinkler System
 Sprinkler System
The System component are,
• Sprinkler heads and accessories
• Alarm Gong valve
• Stop valves(Zone isolation valves)
• Flow switches
• Piping system
Typical Schematic of a Sprinkler System
 Sprinkler Heads
• Shall be UL listed or LPCB approved
• Shall be comply to NFPA 13 & BSEN 12845 design guide lines
• The distance between sprinklers shall not exceed 3.5 m
• Refer ICTAD Fire Regulation Chapter 4 for sprinkler
– coverage area
– distances
– clearances from wall & soffit
• Sprinkler types shall be
– Conventional Patten
– Spry Patten
– Celling or flush Patten
– Recessed Patten
– Concealed Patten
– Sidewall Patten
Type of Sprinkler Head
 How do Sprinklers Work?
• Glass bulb contains a liquid with a vapour bubble
• Liquid expands as the temperature rises, compressing the vapour bubble
• At a set temperature (usually 68˚C) the bubble has gone and the side walls the
bulb break, releasing the water seal
 What’s the difference between
sprinklers?
• Thermal sensitivity

• Temperature rating

• Orifice size

• Installation

• Water distribution characteristics

• Special service conditions

 Thermal sensitivity
• A measure of the rapidity
with which the thermal
element operates as
installed in a specific
sprinkler or sprinkler
assembly.

• One measure of thermal

sensitivity is the response
time index (RTI) as
measured under
standardized test
conditions.
 Sprinkler Response Types
Response Types
Response Type

Standard Response Quick Response

Operates within 100 seconds Operates within 14 seconds

of UL oven testing requirement of UL oven testing requirement
(plunge test) (plunge test)

For Bulb Type Sprinklers For Bulb Type Sprinklers

the Thermal Element is 5mm the Thermal Element is 3mm
 Response Time Index (RTI)

•Standard Response (SR) – RTI from 80 to 120

(5mm dia. glass bulb)

•Quick Response (QR) – RTI below 50

(3mm dia. Glass bulb)
Colors of Bulb/Temperature Rating
57 degree C

68 degree C

79 degree C

93 degree C

141 degree C

182 degree C

260 degree C
Temperature ratingrating
 Orifice Size

Q = K (P)
Q = Flow (gpm), K = K-factor
(gpm/psi1/2), and P = Pressure (psi)
 Installation Orientation Orientation

Pendent Sidewall
Upright
 Sprinkler Identification Numbers -
SIN
NFPA 13 1999 Edition, Sect. 3-2.2 “All sprinklers shall be
permanently marked with a one or two character manufacturer
symbol, followed by up to four numbers, so as to identify a
unique model of sprinkler for every change in orifice size or
shape, deflector characteristic, and thermal sensitivity.
This rule shall become effective on January 1, 2001.”
 Sprinkler Heads Continued ….
• Sprinkler glass bulb color coding as follows
– Orange or red – temperature rating 57 to 77 0C
– Yellow or green– temperature rating 79 to 107 0C
– Blue– temperature rating 121 to 149 0C
– Purple – temperature rating 163 to 191 0C
– Black – temperature rating above 204 0C

• Sprinklers in car parking and hardware store areas shall be

– pendant or upright bulb type
– 12 mm diameter orifice
– temperature rated to 68 0C
– natural brass finishes with Sprinkler guard.
 Standard Spray Upright & Pendent
Sprinklers

2.8 - 8.0 K-factor 5.6 & 8.0 K-factor 2.8 - 8.0 K-factor 11.2 K-factor

5.6 K-factor
16.8 K-factor
 Standard Spray Sidewall Sprinklers
Sprinklers

5.6 K-factor 5.6 K-factor 5.6 K-factor 2.8 – 5.6 K-factor

Horizontal Vertical Sidewall Horizontal Horizontal
Sidewall Sidewall Sidewall
 Corrosion-Resistant Sprinkler
• A sprinkler fabricated with corrosion-
resistant material, or with special coatings
or platings, to be used in an atmosphere
that would normally corrode sprinklers

• All though corrosion resistant coated

sprinklers have passed the standard
corrosion tests of the approval agencies, Stainless Steel
the testing is not representative of all
corrosive atmospheres

• Things to consider:
– ambient temperature
– concentration and corrosive nature of the
chemical to which the sprinklers will be
exposed. Polyester
– gas/chemical velocity
 Extended Coverage Upright &
Pendent Sprinklers

25.2 K-factor 11.2 & 14.0 K- 8.0 K-factor 5.6 & 11.2
factor K-factor
Extended Coverage vs Standard
 Dry Sprinklersprinklers

5.6 K-factor Standard Coverage 11.2 K-factor Standard Coverage

Upright, Pendent & Horizontal Pendent; ECLH/ECOH Pendent
Sidewall; ECLH Horizontal
Sidewall
 Special Sprinklers

5.6 K-factor Window 3.0 K-factor

5.6 & 8.0 K-factor Sprinklers Combustible
Attic Sprinklers Concealed Space
Sprinklers
 Specific Application: Window Sprinkler
fic Application Window Sprinkler
• These sprinklers are the first
sprinklers ever to be
specifically Listed to provide
protection for heat
strengthened or tempered
glass windows using automatic
sprinklers.

• These sprinklers are also

recognized by UL as providing
a two-hour equivalency for a
fire separation assembly.
 What is ESFR?

EARLY
SUPPRESSION
FAST
RESPONSE
 ESFR Sprinklers
Early Suppression
Fast-Response
(ESFR) Sprinkler.
A type of fast-
response sprinkler
that is listed for its
capability to provide
fire suppression of
specific high
challenge fire 14.0 K-factor 16.8 K-factor 25.2 K-factor
hazards such as
server rooms/files Pendent Pendent & Pendent
rooms Upright
Sample Data sheet
 Water Motor Alarm Gong
• Shall be UL listed or LPCB approved
• Shall be hydraulically operated for outdoor alarms
• Designed as mechanical water flow detection
devices.
• Shall be suitable for mounting in rigid walls
• Consist of an approved “Y” strainer for use in
the alarm pipe line
• Alarm Gong Impeller should design which can
produce a very high sound pressure level.
The Arrangement of Water Motor
Alarm Gong
Alarm Valve Operation Procedure
Alarm
Alarm Valve Operation
Valve Operation Procedure
Procedure
Alarm
Alarm Valve Operation
Valve Operation Procedure
Procedure
Alarm
Alarm Valve Operation
Valve Operation Procedure
Procedure
Alarm
Alarm Valve Operation
Valve Operation Procedure
Procedure
Alarm
Alarm Valve Operation
Valve Operation Procedure
Procedure
 Type of Pre-action Systems
Single Interlock:
-Electric Actuation (using smoke or heat detectors)
-Wet Pilot Actuation (using pilot sprinklers, pilot line
with water)
-Dry pilot actuation (using pilot sprinklers, pilot line
with compressed air)

Double Interlock:
-Electric/ Electric (cross zoning of detectors)
-Electric / Pneumatic ( Detectors with low air
pressure switch)
 Stop Valves (zoning valve)
• Shall be of the
– gate valve type or
– butterfly valve type (unless otherwise show in the project specification )
• Open and closed position should be visible to naked eye.
• Shall have
– flanged ends (dia 100mm and above),
– metal body
– a rated for working pressure of 1.5 times system operating pressure as a
minimum.
 Water Flow Sensor
• Shall be UL listed or LPCB approved
• Shall be designed and installed to indicate activation
of sprinkler zone
• Shall be interfaced via a module with the alarm
control panel.
 Pipes and Fitting
• All piping materials and accessories shall be galvanized steel
to BSEN 10255 Class C ,BS 1387, ASTM Schedule 40
• Piping of any other specialized material such as cPVC , HDPE,
PPR, if specified in project specification and accepted by AHJ
shall conform to UL or LPCB or FM approved or relevant NFPA
Standard or BSEN.
• cPVC only used for light hazard areas (see fire regulation for
different hazard area)
• Joining methods:
– 65mm and above welded/ grooved/ flanged
– 50mm and below threaded
– Any welding shall be cold galvanized
 Pipes and Fitting continued …
• Grooved type pipe fittings
 Pipes and Fitting continued …
• Flange type fittings & bolting shall comply
to BS 2035 & BS 4504
 Pipes and Fitting continued …
• Welding of sprinkler pipe work shall comply to BS
2640 or BS 2971

• Wieldable pipe fittings

 Hangers & Supports

• Pipe hangers & supports shall comply with BSEN 13480 Part3

• The space between pipe supports shall vary according to

• the bore of the pipe
• the piping material
• whether the pipe is running horizontal or vertical.
 Distance Between Pipe Supports
Pipe Size Horizontal pipe support Vertical pipe support spacing
(mm) spacing (mm) (mm)
15 1800 2400

20 2400 3000

25 2400 3000

32 2400 3700

40 2400 3700

50 2400 4600

65 3000 4600

80 3000 4600

100 3000 5500

125 3700 5500

150 4500 5500

200 6000 8500

250 6500 9000

300 7000 10000

 Pipe Painting
• The painting shall be
– Zinc rich primer one coat
– Minimum two coat of finishing (red color ) unless
otherwise specified in project specification
• Flow direction shall be indicated with an
arrow
 Underground Piping
• Piping materials and accessories shall be seamless
galvanized steel to BSEN 10255(BS 1387)Class C , ASTM
Schedule 40 or HDPE
• Same painting method shall apply
• Pipe shall be two layer of wrapping. Wrapping martials shall
be approved by the engineer
• Pipe Depth, back filling & sand layer heights depends on
soil condition, to be approved by the Engineer
• Concrete Hume pipes shall be used in road, heavy vehicle
moving areas
• Concrete thrust block shall be used any pipe directional
change
• Waning tape shall be laid just below the top most soil layer
 Underground Piping continued …
For the underground piping direction change
Underground Piping continued …
Underground Piping continued …
Gas Suppression Systems
 Gas Suppression Systems
• What is an inert gas?

– Inert Gases are naturally occurring gases. These are not man made or
fossil gases. Ex: Co2,Ar, N2
– Inert gas use for fire suppression since early 1990

• How do Inert Gases work as a fire suppression system?

– Fires need more than 15% Oxygen to combust. Anything below this
level of oxygen will not be enough for a fire to sustain combustion.
Luckily, human only need 12% plus of oxygen to survive
– To extinguish a fire and sustain life, we need to reduce oxygen from
21% (assuming were at sea level) to below 15%, but not less than
12%. This will extinguish a fire and sustain life at the same time.
 EXTINGUISHING AGENT

• Oxygen-displacing extinguishing gases - inert

gases and carbon dioxide (CO2)
– Main Disadvantages
• High Ozone Depleting Potential.
• High Global Warming Potential
• Atmospheric Lifetime over years

– Therefore new innovated system required with

following
• Zero Ozone Depleting Potential.
• Zero Global Warming Potential
• Atmospheric Lifetime not exceeding one week.
 Clean Agent – Chemical suppression
system

• After 1995, chemical extinguishing system

came to market
– FE-13
– FM-200 / Sinorix 227
– Novec 1230 / Sinorix 1230
– Water Mist
Clean Agents Vs Inert Gases
Key Benefits & Disadvantages
System operation
System operation continued …
 Design Parameters
• The minimum criterion for the selection of the
Clean Agent shall be on the following
parameters
– Zero Ozone Depleting Potential.
– Zero Global Warming Potential
– Atmospheric Lifetime not exceeding one week.
 Design Parameters continues…
System requirements
• The clean agent fire extinguishing system shall perform as
outlined in the following sub-sections.
» Achieve a 37.9% (v/v) extinguishing agent concentration.
» Within 60 seconds, the clean agent fire extinguishing system
shall discharge 95% of the required suppression agent mass.
» The clean agent fire extinguishing system shall consist of one
or more cylinders and related equipment. The cylinders may
be either connected to a discharge pipe arrangement
separately or connected to a common manifold and
discharge pipe arrangement.
» The agent cylinders shall be filled and tested at specialist
manufacturers works.
 Design Parameters continues…
• Flow calculation reports
– The specialist manufacturer shall calculate system requirements
using UL listed software and shall provide the following
information in the calculation report.
• Hazard information with minimum design concentration, minimum
enclosure ambient temperature, maximum enclosure ambient
temperature
• Cylinder information with capacity, stored pressure and quantity of
cylinders
• Pipe type, pipe diameter, pipe length, change in elevation, pipe
equivalent length and any added accessory equivalent length.
• Number of nozzles and identification of enclosure location, flow
rate of associated nozzle, nozzle nominal pipe size, nozzle type and
nozzle orifice area.
• A detailed list of pipe, by schedule, nominal diameter and length,
and fittings, by Class Rating, nominal diameter and quantity.
• A calculation for each directional valve in the piping network.
 Design Parameters continues…
• Pipes and Fittings
– Distribution piping, and fittings, shall be installed in accordance
with BS/NFPA, approved piping standards and the engineered
fire suppression system manufacturer’s requirements.
• Nozzles
– Clean agent extinguishing system nozzles shall be made of
brass.
– Each nozzle shall be located in the space as per the
manufacturer’s guidelines. Nozzles shall have a 360-degree
discharge pattern unless stated otherwise in project
specification.
» Nozzles shall be selected for the a maximum ceiling height as per
specific project requirement.
» Area coverage by each nozzle shall not be less than 100m2.
» Nozzles shall be rated for a minimum of 30.6 bar gauge nozzle pressure.
Foam Systems
 Foam Systems
• FOAM:
– A fire fighting foam is simply a stable mass of small air-filled bubbles, which
have a lower density than oil, gasoline or water.
– Foam is made up of three ingredients - water, foam concentrate and air. When
mixed in the correct proportions, these three ingredients form a
homogeneous foam blanket.
• FOAM SOLUTION:
– This is a solution of water and foam concentrate after they have been mixed
together in the correct proportions.
• FOAM CONCENTRATE:
– This liquid concentrate is supplied from the manufacturer which when mixed
with water in the correct proportion forms a foam solution.
• DRAINAGE RATE:
– This is the rate at which the foam solution will drain from the expanded foam
mass or how long it will take for 25% of the solution to drain from the foam.
This is often called the quarter life or 25% drain time. Foam that has a fast
drain time is normally very fluid and mobile, spreading across the fuel surface
very quickly. While foams with longer drain times are normally less mobile,
they move across the fuel surface slowly.
 Foam Systems continued ..

• EXPANSION RATE:
– Volume of finished foam divided by the volume of foam solution used to create the finished
foam; i.e., a ratio of 5 to 1 would mean that one gallon of foam solution after aeration would
fill an empty 5-gallon container with the expanded foam mass.
• LOW EXPANSION FOAM: Foam aerated to an expansion ratio of between 2 to 1
and 20 to 1.
• MEDIUM EXPANSION FOAM: Expansion ratio between 20 to 1 and 200 to 1.
• HIGH EXPANSION FOAM: Expansion ratio above 200 to 1.
• DILUTION RATE, MIXING RATE, OR PROPORTIONING RATE (correct amount of
foam concentrate to be mixed with water):
– The amount is normally shown on the pail or drum of concentrate. The container will normally
display a figure or combination of figures. Normal figures shown are 1%, 2%, 3% or 6% or a
combination of 1% and 3%, 3% and 3%, or 3% and 6%. If the container of foam concentrate
has 3% shown, it means that for every 100 gallons of foam solution required, 3 gallons of the
foam concentrate must be used in the solution with the balance being 97 gallons of water.
– If 6% were displayed, this would mean that 6 gallons of the foam concentrate would be
required to be mixed with 94 gallons of water to form the 100 gallons of foam solution. From
the above, it becomes obvious that a 3% foam concentrate is twice as concentrated as a 6%
foam concentrate. On the same size and type of flammable liquid fire, half as much 3% foam
concentrate would be required than if the 6% foam concentrate had been used.
 Foam Systems continued ..

• Shall be used in below ground level Oil risk

situated area
– Oil fired boiler room
– Oil storage tank
– Generator & fuel storage
– Transformer chamber where may not be directly
accessible for fire fitting operations
 Foam Systems continued ..

• Capability of inlets and pipe lines

– Fire authority should consulted on this matter
– The delivery pipe length from each form inlet to
the space protected should not exceed 18m
– Pipe diameter 65mm/80mm as per the local
authority requirement
 Foam Systems continued ..

• Termination of Delivery pipes

– In oil fired boiler room : 1m above from the level
of oil burners
– In oil storage tank chamber : 150mm above from
the top level of the tank
– In transformer chamber : at celling level
Thank you