fm 403 mod 10 fire & life safety systems

FM-403FM-403Building Systems & TechnologyBuilding Systems & Technology

Dave Leathers, CFMJim Whittaker, P.E.

Chris Hodges, P.E., RRC

Instructors:

GMU Facility Management Program

Module 10 – Fire and Life Safety SystemsModule 10 – Fire and Life Safety Systems

Purpose• Protect occupants• Protect the asset• Fire suppression• Fire detection• Notification• Evacuation• Extinguish

• Fire alarm systems– Detect– React– Notify– Control– Evacuate

Fire and Life Safety Systems

Fire Protection Program

• Main components of fire protection:– Early detection and alarm system– Means of egress– Compartmentalization– Smoke Control– Fire Suppression Systems– Emergency Power


Basic Fire Protection Principles

• All the elements for basic fire protection can be broken down into these categories: – passive fire protection systems– active fire protection systems


Passive Fire Protection• Control the ignition, growth

and spread of fire through the use of fire-resistive materials, or by providing physical barriers to the movement of flame or smoke.


Passive Fire Protection• Intended to maintain the following:

– Provide structural integrity of floor, wall and ceiling assemblies during a fire for a specified time period

– Compartmentalize the room or space to control the fire spread

– Provide exiting systems for occupants to safely evacuate the building


Active Fire Protection• Take direct physical action to reduce the

growth rate of fire or the migration of smoke.• Fire sprinkler and smoke control systems that

receive signals, alert occupants, and cause certain fire control measures to occur.


Fire Protection Codes & Design Standards

• National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) standards include:– NFPA 10 - Fire Extinguishers

– NFPA 70 - Electrical Systems

– NFPA 72 - Fire Alarm Systems

– NFPA 96 - Kitchen Hoods

– NFPA 90A and 90B - Mechanical Systems

– NFPA 101 - Life Safety

– NFPA 99 - Healthcare Systems and several other standards for special hazard systems


• Fire codes are often written so that the authority to enforce the code can be a municipality, or other government agency.

• These authorities are called AHJ’s, or Authorities Having Jurisdiction.

Fire Protection Codes & Design Standards


Performance based fire protection

approach • Evaluating the hazard presented and the

development of the most appropriate method to protect this given hazard– Risk Assessment – Evaluate Hazards – Manage Fire Impact

– Determine Appropriate Fire Protection Tools


Passive Fire Protection Systems

• The purpose of compartmentalizing is to protect building occupants and property by:– Confining the fire, heat smoke and toxic gases to the

area of origin until the fire is extinguished or completely burns itself out

– Providing areas of refuge for the occupants and protecting firefighters



• Primary role of the HVAC system in Fire Protection is to contain smoke allowing occupants to escape– Stairwell pressurization– Atrium exhaust– Fire floor, floor above

and below containment



• Smoke rather than actual flames accounts for about 90% of all fire casualties

• One solution is to minimize the use of furnishings and construction materials that produce large quantities of smoke


Active Fire Protection SystemsTwo Primary Functions

• Fire Detection and Notification

• Fire Suppression


Fire Detection and Notification Systems

• Purpose– Detect smoke and fire– Notify occupants and firefighters (alarms)– Allow for evacuation of occupants


Fire Detection and Notification Systems

• Immediate and reliable detection of fire and smoke is essential

• If detection is delayed, paths of egress can become blocked

• Since most buildings and parts of building are vacant at some time, automatic fire detection is usually required


Fire Detection System Components

• Detectors:– Smoke detectors– Duct detectors– Heat detectors– Pull stations– Flow switches

• Notifiers:– Speakers– Horns/bells– Lights

• Controllers:– Local control panels– Annunciator panels– Main control panels– Tamper switches– Central station notification

device• Other

– Wire– HVAC system connections– Computer, printer, etc.– Trouble alarms


Fire Detection System

MainPanel

AnnunciatorPanel

MonitoringService

Computer Power In

LocalPanels

FlowSwitch

PullStation

Smoke/Heat

SmokeEF

Horns/Speakers

Lights/Strobes

Fire Suppressions Systems


Fire Suppressions Systems

• Purpose– Contain the fire– Eliminate the fire


Fire Suppression System Components

• Piping• Control valves• Fire pumps• Jockey pumps• Air compressors• Fire extinguishers• Chemical systems

• Alarm valves• Sprinkler heads• Automatic valves• Back flow preventers• Strainers• Control valve locks• Indicators


Fire Suppression System Types

• Wet type system• Dry type system• Pre-action system• Chemical system• Hose• Fire extinguisher


Fire Suppression System Components

• Automatic Sprinkler Control Design Objectives– “In general terms of property protection, sprinkler

systems are typically designed to achieve fire control...”

– “Fire control can be described as limiting the fire size by decreasing the rate of heat release and pre-wetting adjacent combustibles, while

NFPA Fire Protection Handbook, 19th Edition, p. 10-193.


Wet Pipe

System

Dry Pipe

System

Pre-action

System

Fire Pumps

• Typically, three types of fire pumps are used: – horizontal split-case, – vertical in-line – and vertical shaft turbine.


Horizontal Split-case Fire Pump


Vertical Shaft Turbine Fire Pump


Vertical In-line Fire Pump


Maintenance

• Only as good as the design, installation and maintenance of the systems.

• Passive systems do not have the same testing and inspection requirements or standards as active fire protection systems.

• Once the passive system is installed, inspected and accepted by the building official and the certificate of occupancy is issued, the system is generally not re-inspected unless changes to the structure affecting the passive system occur.


Maintenance – Passive Systems

• Make sure not to overlook passive systems!

• Fire and smoke dampers• Fire-rated walls and

assemblies– Can be voided with a simple

hole


Maintenance –Testing & Maintenance Program

• Has the occupancy classification changed?

• Have any walls been relocated?

• Are the exits free of obstructions?

• Are the emergency lights operational?

• Have any fire extinguishers been removed or relocated?

• Are fire and smoke walls still intact?


Fire Alarms Maintenance

• A systematic approach to fire alarm system maintenance should include the following three components: – Inspection and Testing – Maintenance Management

– Operational Considerations


Fire Alarms Maintenance

Fire Alarm SystemsProblems Maintenance

False alarmsDevices not installed correctlySmoke detectors dirtyTrouble alarmsNot up to current codeAlarms not heardWorking with local authoritiesUnderstanding the code

Test part of the system monthlyClean smoke detectorsOversee all device installationsHave system tested periodically by a

qualified companyDocument all test results


Suppression Systems Maintenance

Suppression SystemsProblems Maintenance

FreezeAccidental dischargeInadequate flowImproper inspectionsSprinkler heads obstructedControl valves closed or inoperableFailure or fire pumpInadequate number of extinguishersDry system inspectionWater in dry pipe systemsAir compressor or jockey pump failureSprinkler damage in garages

Inspections for open and locked valvesPeriodic operation of fire pumpSystem flow testsMaintenance of jockey pump and

compressorFire extinguisher inspectionsChemical system inspectionsKeeping fume hoods cleanOperation and inspection of automatic

valves


Fire Pump Maintenance• Two procedures should be followed for testing automatic

transfer switches. – The first procedure consists of simulating normal power

failure while the pump is delivering peak power output to cause connection of the pump motor to the alternate power source. This is to verify that higher than normal currents do not occur during testing of the transfer switch.

– Second, engine generator sets providing emergency or standby power to fire pump assemblies and automatic transfer switches shall be tested routinely and exercised in accordance with NFPA 110, Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems. This test is to verify the proper operation of the transfer switch.


Fire Pump Maintenance

• The fire pump controller is required to have an interconnected transfer switch.

• Operation of the transfer switch is critical, since the main power may fail or be shut off during a fire incident.


Fire Protection Deficiencies

• Means of Egress

• Fire Detection and Alarm

• Fire Suppression

• Fire Rated Separations

• Emergency Lighting / Exit Signs


WHAT TO LOOK FOR . . .WHAT TO LOOK FOR . . .

Identification of Identification of DefectsDefects


• What To Look For . . . Have Alterations Been Made That Could Affect Life/Safety

• Recommendations Periodically Test Detection and Alarm Systems

Routinely Check Egress Routes & Doors

Remove Stored Combustible Materials

Be Careful With Tenant Improvements & Fitouts

Are Alarms Adequate, Y2K & ADA Compliant Is Emergency Egress & Lighting Adequate? Code Violations – Storage, Signage, Fire Stopping, Doors Is Compartmentation & Sprinkler Coverage Adequate? Recalled Sprinklers – Central Omega & Star Sprinklers


Dead End CorridorsMeans of Egress

NFPA 101 Life Safety Code

• 50 feet in sprinklered Business Occupancies

• 20 Feet in all other occupancies

• Exceptions include small suites and wide areas.


Dead End Corridorsand


Insufficient Number of Exits

• < 500 = Two Exits• 500 to 999 = Three Exits• >1000 = Four Exits• Exceptions (Table 1017.2

Spaces With One Means of Egress)

Poorly Identified Exits

• Blocked Exit signs• No Exit Signs• Confusing Exit

Arrangements


Reversed Door Swing

• Doors must swing in the direction of egress travel when serving 50 or more occupants.

• All means of egress doors in stairwells must swing in the direction of egress travel.


Exiting in Hazardous Areas

• Not Permitted– Loading Docks– Mechanical Spaces– Any Hazardous

Areas


Exit Discharge

• Must Lead Directly to a Public Way

• Many Exceptions– Interior Stairwells– Courts– Lobbies– Exit Passageways– Horizontal Exits


Maintenance

• Storage in corridors• Blocked Doors• Locked Doors• Broken Components

– Handrails– Steps (Stairs)– Doors


Maintenance and Testing Reports

• Review Recent Reports

• Determine Testing Cycle in NFPA 13

• Verify Existence and Extent of Maintenance and Testing Programs


ADA Compliance

• Strobe Lights– Wall Mounted– No Ceiling Mounted– Locations


Monitoring of All Necessary Systems– HVAC– Sprinkler System– Initiating Devices– Notification Appliances– Fire Pump– Magnetic Door Holders


Monitoring

• Waterflow• Tamper Supervisory• Low Pressure• Fire Pump


Improperly Protected Hazards

• Change in Use • Incorrect Installation• Incorrect Design• Incorrect Type of

System


Recalled Sprinklers

• Central Omega• Star Sprinklers


Penetrations

• Unsealed Penetrations not permitted in Fire Rated Construction

• Unprotected Openings not permitted in Fire Rated Construction


Automatic Door Closing

• Required for Fire Rated Wall Assemblies

• Ensure operability


Sign Locations

• Exit Signs– At every exit where

two or more exits are required

• Emergency Lighting– In all means of

egress


Renovations, alterations and additions require the new construction to meet current codes. Existing systems to remain generally can remain as is and are “grandfathered” under the new codes…with the exception of possibly...

Fire alarm and suppression systems


BUILDING CODE (EXISTING BUILDING ALTERATION, REPAIR & CONVERSION

D.C. BUILDING CODE SUPPLEMENT OF 1992

100.2.1 D.C. Building Code: BOCA 1990 as amended by D.C. Code Supplement

ARTICLE 33 – ALTERATION, REPAIR & CONVERSION OF EXISTING BUILDINGS

3307.0 High-Rise Buildings – Provisions shall apply to existing buildings over 75’ in height

3307.2 Sprinkler System – An automatic sprinkler system…shall be provided throughout each floor or fire area undergoing alteration or repair work, or being converted to a different use, whenever the extent of the work…exceeds the limits set forth in any of the three tests:

1. Cost of the work exceeds 50% of prorated assessed value

2. New interior walls exceed 50% of length of existing walls

3. Alteration or replacement of HVAC exceeds 2 out of 3 of…

a. Plumbing 150% of piping length…

b. Electrical 75% of wiring length…

c. HVAC serving 75% of the floor area, 75% of L of ductwork…


Fire & Life SafetyFire and Life Safety Systems

Fire & Life Safety

No Fireproofing


Dead End Corridor


Fire & Life Safety

This Is Not An

Exit

?

Confusing Signage


Fire & Life Safety

Inadequate Fire Stopping


Inadequate Fire Stopping


1. Compartmentalization – Open Penetrations

2. Fire Doors Propped, Inadequate Latches/Closers

3. Blocked Exits with Stored Materials

4. ADA Compliant Fire Notification Devices

5. Exits Discharging Into Un-rated Areas

6. Manual Pull Station Locations (Height/5’ of Exits)

7. Egress Doors Swing Wrong Way

8. Smoke/Heat Detection in Mechanical Rooms/Sys

9. Inadequate Sprinkler Coverage (TI Work)

10. Stair Guard Rails/Non-Slip Treads

Extra Credit: Sprinkler Monitors Deactivated, Damaged

Heads, Lack of Spare Heads

Top 10 Fire & Life Safety Code ViolationsTop 10 Fire & Life Safety Code Violations


fm 403 mod 10 fire & life safety systems

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