fire fighting guide [compatibility mode]

7/28/2012

1

Overview of Overview of Overview of Overview of

Fire Protection SystemFire Protection SystemFire Protection SystemFire Protection System

in Buildingsin Buildingsin Buildingsin Buildings

Fire Protection System in BuildingsFire Protection System in BuildingsFire Protection System in BuildingsFire Protection System in Buildings

• Fire Process

Fuel molecules + Oxygen molecules

→→→→ gases (smoke & invisible gases)

+ energy (heat & light).

Fire has a triangle of needs. Fire Extinguishing System serves to deprive fire of its needs.


• Buildings commonly contain 3 basic sources of

ignition: chemical, electrical and mechanical

• Objectives of Fire Protection System

– Protection of Life

– Protection of Property

– Continuity of Operation

Fire Protection System in Buildings

• Fire Protection System is divided into:

– Passive Fire Protection Provision: Examples are fire compartments, fire resistance, fire stops,fire collars

– Active Fire Protection Provision: Examples are automatic sprinklers, wet & dry rising mains, detectors, hydrants, extinguishers, smoke controls, etc.


• Acts, Regulations & Codes in Singapore

– Fire Safety Act;

– Fire Safety Regulations;

– Code of Practice For Fire Precautions in Buildings

– Code of Practice for Automatic Fire Sprinkler System

– Code of Practice for Fire Hydrant Systems and Hose reels

– Code of Practice for the Installation and servicing of Electrical Fire Alarm Systems

– Code of Practice of Emergency Voice Communication System in Buildings

Automatic Fire Sprinkler SystemAutomatic Fire Sprinkler SystemAutomatic Fire Sprinkler SystemAutomatic Fire Sprinkler System

• Why Water?It cools, smothers, emulsifies and dilutes. As it evaporates, it removes 2256 kJ/kg of heat and expands 1700 times, pushing away the oxygen needed by the fire.

• Why not Water?It damages content of buildings, conducts electricity as a stream and it is heavier than oil

7/28/2012

2


• SS CP52:1990 was evolved from AS 2118,

FOC and NFPA.

• Some old buildings were designed using AS

2118. Hence care must be taken in dealing

with A&A works of these buildings.

• Use of NFPA in industrial projects needs

waiver from FSSB.

• Architect determines as to whether

building is sprinkler protected.


• Areas to be Protected:

Buildings which is required to be sprinkler protected shall be sprinklered throughout.

• Areas exempted:

protected stairs with cut-off sprinklers at door openings; 2-hr fire-rated rooms containing only electrical equipment; open canopies; computer rooms subject to conditions; indoor pools


• Classification of Occupancy Hazards:– Extra Light hazard: sauna, boarding houses,

churches, hospitals, libraries, clinic, museums, prisons, schools.

– Ordinary Hazard I: Offices, Hotels, Restaurants, Cafes, Clubs

– Ordinary Hazard II: Car parks, laundries, breweries, bakery and biscuit manufacturers, etc.

– Ordinary Hazard III: Retail shops, department store, cinemas, electronic manufacturing and assembly, theatre and music halls, etc.


• Classification of Occupancy Hazards:

– Ordinary Hazard Group III Special: Exhibitions,

Film and television studios

– Extra High Hazard (process risk): Aircraft hangars,

foam plastic/rubber and their goods

manufacturers

– Extra High Hazard (high piled storage risk): divided

into four categories based on type of storage,

wrappings and storage method and heights


• Components of Automatic Fire Sprinkler System:

– A reliable fire water supply source

– Fire pumps to maintain water supply and pressures

– Testing and Water Proving Facilities (test rack and control valve or alarm valve controlling not more than 1000 sprinklers per valve for OH and EH group)

– A network of main, distribution and range pipes, usually Black Steel Pipe to BS 1387, Class B or C pressure rating.

– Sprinkler heads

– Accessories such as flow switches, orifice plates, etc


R O O F T A N K

( C P 5 2 )S P R I N K L E R S Y S T E M

M

P U M P F E E D 1 9 T H T O

R O O F

O F F I C E( O H I )

B U L K W A T E R

M E T E R

4 W A Y

B R E E C H I N G I N L E T

G R A V I T Y F E E D

7 T H T O 1 8 T H S T Y

O F F I C E( O H I )

B A S E M E N T T A N K

P U M P F E E D

B A S E M E N T T O 6 T H S T Y

C A R P A R K / P L A N T R O O M /

C A F E ( O H I I )

Watch out for the maximum

allowable stage height above the

lowest sprinklers – 75 metres

7/28/2012

3


• Water Supply

– Elevated gravity tank

– Automatic pump supply from a pump suction tank

– Automatic booster pump supply drawing from an

elevated tank

• Pump Suction Tanks

– Shall be non-combustible & with two

compartments. FRP tank not permitted.

– Shall be capable of completely refilling within 6hr

for capacity <500m3 and 24hr for capacity >500m3


• Pump Suction Tanks shall have minimumeffective capacity as stated in Table 12, 17 &27 for respective hazard group classifications.

• With reliable inflow, tank storage capacity canbe further reduced. CHECK with ProjectDirector.

• In Nov 2001, FSSB has further reduced therequirement of minimum storage capacity forOH group. CHECK with Project Director beforecommitting.


• Sprinkler Pumps

– Shall be listed by PSB and FM or UL or LPC.

– Most commonly consist of two pumps, one duty

and one standby.

– Either both pumps shall be connected to

emergency power supply or one is engine-driven.


• Sprinkler Pumps

– Must be housed in a sprinkler protected room.

– Must meet the water and pressure requirementstipulated in Table 6, 19 or 26 of CP52:1990

– Pumps shall be installed under positive headcondition. Pumps installed under suction head isNOT preferred.

– Jockey pump (small flow and high head) is requiredto cater for pipe leakage or small drainage.

– Starts automatically when system pressure drop topredetermined level and stops only manually.


• Type of Sprinkler Systems

– Wet Pipe System

– Dry Pipe System

– Pre-action System

– Deluge System


• Dry Pipe System

The system piping is permanently charged with air/nitrogen under pressure above the dry-pipe alarm valve. When sprinkler operates, pressure reduces and valve opens. It is only allowed in rooms close to freezing or above 70°C.

Deluge SystemDeluge System

A system of open sprinklers controlled A system of open sprinklers controlled by a quick opening valve (by a quick opening valve (deluge deluge valvevalve) which is operated by detectors ) which is operated by detectors installed within the same area. Use for installed within the same area. Use for wetwet--down or in areas where fire may down or in areas where fire may flash ahead of sprinkler operation.flash ahead of sprinkler operation.

7/28/2012

4


• Pre-action Sprinkler SystemA combination of a standard sprinkler system and a system of detectors installed within the same areas. The detectors operate to allow a pre-action valve to open, and water flows into the sprinkler piping before the first sprinkler operates.

It is commonly used in computer rooms and data centres. The pre-action valve must be housed in a fire compartment. A Pre-action panel is required to reflect status of flow switch, detectors, solenoid valve, air pressure, etc. The panel shall be linked to the SFIB.


• Types of Sprinkler heads

– Temperature ratings: 68°C, 79°C, 93°C, 141°C

– K factors: 2.8, 4.2, 5.6, 8.0, 11.2, 14.0

– Mounting: pendent, upright, sidewall, recessed pendent (Royal Flush)

– Type of response: Standard and quick response

– Type of coverage: Standard and extended coverage


• Sprinkler spacing (see Fig. 12 & 13 in CP52:1990)

• Sprinklers are required in lift pits and shafts;

escalator boot and motor spaces; spaces under

escalators and unenclosed staircases, under

rectangular duct>800mm width, round duct>1m,

roof overhangs>1.5m, canopies>2.3m

• Sprinklers may be required for concealed ceiling

and floor spaces exceeding 400mm in depth (see

Clause 6.6.2 in CP52:1990)


• Sprinkler pipe sizing

– Part pre-calculated pipe sizes

See Table 21 for OH group and Table 28 for EH group for number of sprinklers allowed on each pipe size. The pressure loss from each Design Point to the control valve shall not exceed 150 kPa with a flow of 1800 L/min.

– Full hydraulic calculations shall be discussed in separate session.


• Caution:– Minimum range pipe size is 25mm. It is used in

areas where future alteration works are known to be very minimal, such as the upright sprinklers in the concealed ceiling space of office. It is NOT recommended to be used in commercial area, whether pendent or upright.

– Pipe directly feeding a dropper more than 300mm length is considered a distribution pipe(see Fig. 5 of CP52:1990). In this case, 25mm is not allowed.

Automatic Water Spray SystemAutomatic Water Spray SystemAutomatic Water Spray SystemAutomatic Water Spray System

• Same as Sprinkler System but equipped with water spray nozzles for specific discharge over the surface or area to be protected.

• Water has a predetermined pattern, particle size, velocity and density and is discharged from specifically designed nozzles or devices.

• Most commonly used to protect flammable liquid and gas tankage, transformers, oil switches, etc.

• Refer to CP40:1987 for requirements.

7/28/2012

5

Foam SystemFoam SystemFoam SystemFoam System

• An aggregate of (inert) gas filled bubbles formed from aqueous solutions of specially formulated concentrated liquid forming agents.

• Lighter than flammable or combustible liquids, it is the only permanent extinguishing agent used for this type of fire.

• Low expansion foam is normally used.

• Fixed (central foam station and fixed outlets) or semi-fixed systems (portable foam station and fixed outlets)

• Needs large volume and rate. Unstable and easily broken down by a physical or mechanical force. Conductive and not recommended for use on electric fires.

Dry & Wet Rising Main System

• Dry Rising Main

for 24m<building with any habitable

floor<60m

• Wet Rising Main

for building with any habitable floor>60m

• Code: CP29:1998

• Architect is required to indicate locations of

landing valves and breeching inlets in their

fire plan submission.


• Wet Riser Zone Height Limitation

– Maximum zone height shall not exceed 120m.

– Pressure regulating device regulate to <5.5 bar.

• Number of Rising Main

– All parts of any floor is within 38m from a

landing valve, the distance to be measured

along a route suitable for hose lines.

– Each rising main shall serve not more than

930m2 of any floor and subject to all parts of

the floor to be within 38m from a landing

valve.


• Locations of rising mains and landing valves in the

following order of priority:

– Within smoke stop lobby;

– In the common area and within a protected shaft,

immediately outside the exit staircase if there is no

smoke stop lobby;

– Inside exit staircase where smoke-stop lobby and

common area are not provided.

• Protected against mechanical and fire damage;

• Shall not be placed in shaft containing gas, steam,

fuel pipes or electrical cables.


• Size of rising main:

– 100mm when habitable height<45m and one landing valve per floor

– 150mm when either habitable height>45m or >1 landing valve per floor

• Breeching Inlets

– Within 18m of adjacent fire engine access road

– 2-way for 100mm riser

– 4-way for 150mm riser


•Landing Valve

– Installed at 760mm~1000mm above ground

– Recessed clearance as per Fig. 3 in CP29:1998

– Dry Riser landing valve painted in yellow

– Wet Riser landing valve painted in red

– Shall be strap-locked in closed position.

•Water supply for wet rising main

– Reliable water supply source

– Pump suction tank shall be non-combustible and twin-

compartmented. FRP tank not permitted.

– Transfer tank effective capacity shall be at least 11.5m3

7/28/2012

6


• Water storage for wet rising mains

– Capable of supplying water at the specified rate for a minimum time of 30 minute.

– Where PUB incoming rate is less than appropriate flow, tank shall be sized to 45 minute supply.

• Flow Requirement for wet rising mains

When 3 landing valves are in fully opened position:

– 27L/s for residential building;

– 38L/s for non-residential or mixed occupancy

– Running pressure within 3.5bar to 5.5bar.


• For common water supply to more than

one rising main (max. total 9 rising mains)

– For residential building:

27 + 13.5 (n-1) L/s

– For non-residential or mixed occupancy:

38 + 19 (n-1) L/s

Where n is the no. of rising main.


• Wet Riser Pump

– Must be listed by PSB and FM, UL or LPC;

– Arrangement is the same as sprinkler pumps, i.e commonly two pumps (one duty and one standby)

– Either both are connected to emergency power supply or one of them is engine-driven type.

– Starts automatically when pressure in the main drops by more than 5% of the churning

pressure and stops only manually.

– Must be housed in a fire-resistant room housing fire pumps only.


• Other things to note:

– Galvanized steel pipe is commonly used.

– Rising mains must be electrically earthed.

– Automatic air release valve must be installed at

top of the rising main.

– Drainless wet riser landing valve

– Landing valves are required at roof.

– Testing facilities to be provided.

– Standby Fire Hose next to landing valve.

Fire HydrantsFire HydrantsFire HydrantsFire Hydrants

• Fire hydrants location

and quantity to be

determined by

Architect.

• Pillar type with two

63.5mm outlets or

three outlets

(1×114mm &

2×63.5mm).

• Code - CP29:1998


• Private fire hydrants shall be painted with a

100mm yellow band on the stem.

• Water supply

– Hydrants installed below 125mRL can receive

direct supply from PUB mains. Otherwise, storage

tank and pumping facilities shall be provided.

– Refer to Table 1 of CP29:1998 for storage tank

capacity for hydrants (45 minute storage)

7/28/2012

7


• Pressure and flow requirement for private hydrants installed below 125m RL:

– Running pressure at hydraulically most unfavourable private hydrant ≥ 0.9 ×(running pressure of nearest public hydrant – ∆P across bulk meter)

– Flow at hydraulically most unfavourable private hydrant ≥ 0.9 × water flow of nearest public hydrant or ≥ total flow demand as required in Table 4.4.2 of Code of practice for Fire Precautions in Buildings 2002


• Fire Hydrant Mains

– Ductile iron cement-lined pipe

– Valve pit and cover on road must be able to

withstand vehicular load for that road

– Hydrant mains trespassing a building shall have its

full length within the building protected with fire-

resistance construction of same fire resistance as

the element of structure.

Fire Hose ReelFire Hose ReelFire Hose ReelFire Hose Reel

• Hose reel locations and quantity to be determined by Architect.

• Comes with or without cabinet, but our specifications call for it.

• Fixed type and swing

type.

• Automatic type: valve automatically turn on after one revolution of reel.


• All part of each floor shall be within 6m

of the nozzle attached to not more

than 30m of hose.

• Preferable sited outside protected

corridors, lobbies or staircases on exit

routes.

• Do not form obstruction on escape

route.

• Recessed doors can open 180° and

should not be fitted with locks. If

locked, they shall be tempered glass

panel to facilitate unlocking from the


• Water supply

– Hydraulically most unfavourable hose reel shall provide a jet of 6m in length at 0.4 L/s. With 6mm nozzle, this means a running pressure of 2 bar is required at entry to each reel.

– Pipe commonly used is galvanized steel.

– Hose reel pumps shall be one duty & one standby and connected to emergency power supply.

– Hose reel pumps starts automatically with a drop in pressure and stopped manually.


• Water storage:

– Minimum capacity 1100 L.

– Shared with domestic tank or sprinkler tank shall

be such a manner that the hose reel suction pipe

is located below the domestic water suction pipe.

In this way, requisite reserve of water for hose

reels is always preserved. Provisions to be

allowed to prevent contamination.

7/28/2012

8

Automatic Fire Alarm SystemAutomatic Fire Alarm SystemAutomatic Fire Alarm SystemAutomatic Fire Alarm System

• System consists of:

�� Main Fire Alarm PanelMain Fire Alarm Panel

�� Sub Fire Alarm PanelSub Fire Alarm Panel

�� Mimic panelsMimic panels

�� Detector,Detector, eithereither heat,heat,smokesmoke oror flameflame ;;

�� ManualManual callcall pointspoints (break(breakglass)glass)

�� Alarm bellsAlarm bells

�� OptionalOptional itemsitems suchsuch asasrepeaterrepeater panels,panels,computercomputer desktopdesktop &&printersprinters


• Code - SS CP 10: 1993

• Manual or Automatic Fire Alarm? Refer to Table

6.3A of Code of Practice for Fire Precautions in

Building 2002. It depends on type of building, floor

area & No. of storey.

• For commercial-cum-residential occupancy, the

residential floors shall be provided with manual

alarm system at common area. If height<24m, only

alarm bells are extended to residential floor.

• For residential apartments above car park, alarm

bells of the fire alarm system shall be extended to

residential floors


• Architect to advise manual or automatic fire

alarm system. (They have to state in their BP)

• Only automatic fire alarm system requires

submission to FSSB.

• Concealed spaces under raised floor not more

than 150mm depth shall not require

protection by detectors.


• Type of Automatic Fire Alarm System

– Conventional System

• A hard-wiring system in which only signals from each alarm zone are identified at the control panel.

– Addressable System

• A microprocessor-based system in which signals from each detector, call point and/or activating devices are individually identified at the control panel.

• Each device is coded with an unique address and these addresses are programmed into the memory of MFAP.

• Scanning, interrogation, decision and other signal processing

• Loop configuration, thereby flexible for additions and alterations.


• Main Fire Alarm Panel controls the receipt

and transmission of signals within the fire

alarm system and provides indication of any

warning signal (alarm or fault), in visual and

audio form. It also initiates other actions.

• Sub Fire Alarm Panel is located remotely

from MFAP and have either alarm zone

facilities or indicators to identify alarm

location and transmit such alarm to MFAP.


• Main Fire Alarm Panel shall consists of:

– Indication facilities for alarm, fault, system energization and isolation .

– Monitoring facilities for power supply;

– Warning buzzer for fault and alarm;

– Signal transmitter to DECAM

– Fire alarm sounder acknowledge/silencing switch (only allowed to silenced after 3 minutes for buildings without EVC)

– Output drivers for interfacing with lifts, life saving fans, fire shutters, secured doors, etc.

7/28/2012

9


• Sub Fire Alarm Panel

– In conventional system, alarm and fault indicators, and isolation facility shall be provided.

– In addressable system, only alarm indicators.

• Mimic Panel

– Shows alarm zone indication in a diagrammatic form. It must be installed in accordance with its floor and building orientation.

• Repeater Panel

– Duplicate panel installed in locations other


– Optical Type (or Photoelectric)

• Infra-red light beam and a photosensor inside

the optical chamber. Smoke causes the beam to

scatter & reach sensor, triggering the alarm

• Application – detecting visible smoke from

smouldering fires, e.g. plastic foam, cables

�� Ionization TypeIonization Type

�� Uses radioactive source to ionize the air. Smoke in Uses radioactive source to ionize the air. Smoke in ionization chamber changes balance voltage, which is ionization chamber changes balance voltage, which is compared against a level and raise alarm.compared against a level and raise alarm.

�� Application Application –– fast burning, high energy fires which fast burning, high energy fires which generate very small sized smoke aerosol products.generate very small sized smoke aerosol products.

�� Smoke DetectorsSmoke Detectors


• Heat Detectors

�� Rate of Rise TypeRate of Rise Type (Preferred)(Preferred)

�� Operating when temperature rises Operating when temperature rises quicklyquickly

�� Ideal for areas where temperature is Ideal for areas where temperature is normally fairly stable.normally fairly stable.

�� A fixed temperature “backstop” circuit A fixed temperature “backstop” circuit at preset temperature for greater at preset temperature for greater

�� Fixed Temperature TypeFixed Temperature Type

�� Operating when temperature at the Operating when temperature at the detector reaches a preset level of detector reaches a preset level of temperaturetemperature

�� Suited for areas where temperature can Suited for areas where temperature can fluctuate for natural reasonsfluctuate for natural reasons


• Flame Detector

– Designed to respond to fires involving

petrol or gases like methane.

�� High Performance Optical High Performance Optical DetectorDetector�� Combines optical & heat detector Combines optical & heat detector technologytechnology

�� From slow smouldering fire to From slow smouldering fire to open fire flamesopen fire flames

�� Duct DetectorDuct Detector�� For installation on air stream at For installation on air stream at return air duct for AHU exceeding return air duct for AHU exceeding 15,000 cmH.15,000 cmH.


• Detector spacing

Between detectors Detector to

wall

Smoke Detector 10m 5m

Heat Detector 7m(other areas) 3.5m

(below 3.5m height) 10m(corridor) 5m

Flame Detector requires unobstructed line of sight to “see”


• Manual Call Point

– Break-glass type

– MUST be in red.

– Locations to be advised by Architect

– Should be fixed at 1.4m above floor

– “In case of fire, please call 995” for manual

fire alarm system

�� Alarm BellAlarm Bell

�� Our specification calls for 85dBA @ Our specification calls for 85dBA @ 3m3m

7/28/2012

10

Very Intelligent Early Warning SystemVery Intelligent Early Warning SystemVery Intelligent Early Warning SystemVery Intelligent Early Warning System

• Very Intelligent Early Warning (VIEW) System

– In critical areas, very early warning of a potential

fire in advance of damage to equipment is vital, e.g

data centre.

– It can be combined with fire suppression system

such as FM200™, Inergen, etc to complement fire

extinguishing.

– Allows area personnel to investigate and handle

without system discharge.

– VESDA (Very Early Smoke Detection Alarm) System

is the most widely used air sampling system.

Very Intelligent Early Warning Very Intelligent Early Warning Very Intelligent Early Warning Very Intelligent Early Warning

SystemSystemSystemSystemAir samples are drawn

into the sampling pipeand carried through to the

Detector by the aspirator.

Sampling point

Detail of Sampling

point

Sampling pipe

Air samples

Overview of VESDA

Very Intelligent Early Warning SystemVery Intelligent Early Warning SystemVery Intelligent Early Warning SystemVery Intelligent Early Warning System Automatic Fire Suppression SystemAutomatic Fire Suppression SystemAutomatic Fire Suppression SystemAutomatic Fire Suppression System

• Gaseous Agent (cannot substitute

sprinklers unless otherwise permitted)

– Inert gas agent reduces oxygen level

• Inergen (52% nitrogen, 40% argon and 8%

carbon dioxide)

• Argonite (50% argon, 50% nitrogen)

• Argon

• Carbon dioxide

– Synthetic halon-like gases extinguishes by

chemical reaction

• Zero ODP, low GWP and toxicity

• FM200™

• FE-13, FE-25 and NAFG S111

Fire ExtinguishersFire ExtinguishersFire ExtinguishersFire Extinguishers

• Fire Extinguishers

– Dry Chemical (ABC Dry Powder) Type

• Suitable for Class A, B and C fire

– Carbon Dioxide Type

• Suitable for Class B and C fire

Emergency Voice Communication Emergency Voice Communication Emergency Voice Communication Emergency Voice Communication

SystemSystemSystemSystem

• Emergency Voice Communication System

– Code: CP25

– Architect to advise as to whether EVC (one-way or

two-way) are required in the proposed

development.

– For buildings 24m~60m habitable height, two-

way EVC is required in FCC & every fire fighting

lobby

– For building >60m, additional one-way EVC shall

be provided in FCC, fire fighting lobbies, fire-

related plant rooms, AHUs and lift motor rooms

fire fighting guide [compatibility mode]

Documents