Module 7: Fire Safety on Buildings

University of Batangas – Civil Engineering Faculty

Fire Safety on Buildings

Fire
• Fire is a combustion reaction that requires oxygen (air), heat, and a fuel.
Typically, a spark or flame ignites the fire, beginning the combustion
reaction. In order for combustion to continue, there must be sufficient heat
given off by the reaction and a proper blend of oxygen and fuel. The rate at
which a fire burns is dependent on the composition of the fuel, the surface
area of the fuel, the rate at which fuel absorbs heat, and the amount of
oxygen that is present.
Fire Safety on Buildings

Fire Triangle
• Fuels are materials that burn. The higher the temperature, the easier and
quicker they burn. Common fuels includes: (1) Solvents such as acetone,
alcohols, and toluene, (2) Gases such as acetylene and propane, (3)
Solids such as wood and paper
• Oxidizers: Oxygen or other substances capable of releasing oxygen to a
fire. Common oxidizers includes: (1) acids, especially nitric and perchloric
acids, (2) chlorine dioxide, (3) Others such as potassium permanganate
and potassium chlorate
• An ignition source can be: Spark, static electricity, arcs from electrical
equipment (faulty), lit cigarette, hot light bulb
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Flash Point
• The lowest temperature at which sufficient vapors form above the liquid to
produce an ignitable mixture with air
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Fire Classification
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Fire Extinguisher
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How does a fire extinguisher work?

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Parts of a Fire extinguisher

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Placement of fire extinguisher

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Fire Alarm Systems

• Spark/Ember Detectors
• Flame Detectors
• Combination
• Radiant Energy (UV& IR)
• Smoke Detector (Ionization & Photoelectric)
• Heat Detectors (Fixed temperature & rate-of-rise)
Fire Safety on Buildings

Fire Alarm Systems

• Spark/Ember Detectors - Ember Detectors are designed to detect ember
with faster response and reliability. Specially designed to protect moving
objects like coal. Well suited for coal conveyor protection
Fire Safety on Buildings

Fire Alarm Systems

• Flame Detectors - is a sensor designed to detect and respond to the
presence of a flame or fire, allowing flame detection. Responses to a
detected flame depend on the installation, but can include sounding an
alarm, deactivating a fuel line (such as a propane or a natural gas line),
and activating a fire suppression system.
Fire Safety on Buildings

Fire Alarm Systems

• Radiant Energy (UV & IR) – used for long distances and accurate sensing
of flames using the fire’s ultraviolet and infrared properties
Fire Safety on Buildings

Fire Alarm Systems

• Smoke Detectors (Ionization) - Ionization-type smoke alarms have a
small amount of radioactive material between two electrically charged
plates, which ionizes the air and causes current to flow between the plates.
When smoke enters the chamber, it disrupts the flow of ions, thus reducing
the flow of current and activating the alarm.
Fire Safety on Buildings

Fire Alarm Systems

• Smoke Detectors (Photoelectric) - Photoelectric-type alarms aim a light
source into a sensing chamber at an angle away from the sensor. Smoke
enters the chamber, reflecting light onto the light sensor; triggering the
alarm.
Fire Safety on Buildings

Fire Alarm Systems

• Manual fire alarm activation - typically achieved through the use of a pull
station (USA & Canada) or call point (Europe, Australia, and Asia), which
then sounds the evacuation alarm for the relevant building or zone.
Fire Safety on Buildings

Automatic fire sprinkler system

• An automatic fire sprinkler system is an active fire protection system that
normally consists of a water supply, a series of interconnected pipes,
valves and heat activated fire sprinklers.
Fire Safety on Buildings

Basic components of fire sprinkler system

• STOP VALVE
• VALVE MONITOR
• ALARM VALVE
• AUTOMATIC FIRE SPRINKLER
• ALARM TEST VALVE
• MOTORISED ALARM BELL OR GONG
• PRESSURE SWITCH
• FLOW SWITCH
• JACKING PUMP
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Types of Sprinkler System

• WET PIPE
• DRY PIPE
• DELUGE
• PRE-ACTION
• FOAM WATER SPRINKLER SYSTEM
• WATER MIST SYSTEM
Fire Safety on Buildings

Wet Pipe
• Wet type systems are the most common type of sprinkler system that is
installed.
• The wet pipe system is also the simplest and most reliable with easy
installation and low maintenance cost.
• A wet pipe system has water in the pipes in the ambient or normal
condition and has heat responsive elements on all sprinklers. Thus, water
is instantaneously discharged from a sprinkler when it activates.
Fire Safety on Buildings

Dry Pipe
• In areas where low temperatures could cause a wet pipe system to freeze,
a dry pipe system is intended for use.
• Dry pipe systems are pressurized with air in the ambient condition and
experience an inherent delay in the discharge of water to allow the
pressurized air in the system to escape.
• Usually contain larger pipes to compensate with the larger pressure
• Maintenance is more costly and complicated
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Deluge
• Deluge systems are systems in which all sprinklers connected to the water
piping system are open, in which a heat or smoke sensor triggers first
which is separate from the sprinkler heads.
• These systems are used for special hazards where rapid fire spread is a
concern, as they provide a simultaneous application of water over the
entire hazard.
• Has a manual lever or switch
Fire Safety on Buildings

Pre-Action
• Has a two trigger activation system like Deluge systems
• This type of system provides added protection against false sprinkler head
activation
• Pre-action systems are used where it is not acceptable to have a sprinkler
activate unless there is a real threat of fire, i.e. for high value stock or
irreplaceable items, for example, archive material, libraries and computer
backup systems.
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Foam
• A foam fire protection system should be used to protect buildings that
contain combustible materials and other hazards that a normal water-
based fire protection system could not suppress in the event of a fire.
• The foam system suppresses the fire by separating the fuel from the air.
These systems typically inject a concentrated foam mixture into a water-
based deluge system.
Fire Safety on Buildings

Water Mist
• A water mist system is a fire protection system which uses very fine water
sprays
• This type of system is typically used where water damage may be a
concern, or where water supplies are limited.
• This systems allows the cooling of both the flame and surrounding gases
by evaporation
Fire Safety on Buildings

Fire Pumps
• It is a part of a fire sprinkler system's water supply and powered by electric,
diesel or steam. The pump intake is either connected to the public
underground water supply piping, or a static water source (e.g., tank,
reservoir, lake). FIRE PUMPS should have its own electric generator, if it is
connected to the main generator of the building, it must have a Automatic
Transfer Switch to have a continuous and un interrupted supply of water.
• Components: Pump, Motor, Controllers, Jockey Pump, Water tank
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Stand pipe system

• Standpipe System - are a series of pipe which connect a water supply to
hose connections, basically an extension of the fire hydrant system. They
are designed to provide a pre-piped water system for building occupants or
the fire department.
Fire Safety on Buildings

SECTION 10.2.6.5 of FCOTP

• All automatic sprinkler and standpipe systems required by this code shall
be inspected, tested, and maintained in accordance with NFPA 25,
Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water Based Fire
Protection Systems
• Sprinkler impairment procedures is also covered by NFPA 25
• The nearest fire station should be notified within 24 hours if a AFSS is out
of service for more than 4 hours in a 24-hour period and a fire watch
should be present
Fire Safety on Buildings

SECTION 10.2.6.5 of FCOTP

• Supervisory attachments shall be installed and monitored for integrity in
accordance with NFPA 72, a distinctive supervisory signal shall be
provided to indicate a condition that would impair the satisfactory operation
of the sprinkler system
• For alarm signal transmission where supervision of automatic sprinkler
systems is required, water flow alarms shall be transmitted to an approved,
proprietary alarm receiving facility, a remote station, a central station, or
the fire station
Fire Safety on Buildings

SECTION 10.2.6.5 of FCOTP

• Supervisory attachments shall be installed and monitored for integrity in
accordance with NFPA 72, a distinctive supervisory signal shall be
provided to indicate a condition that would impair the satisfactory operation
of the sprinkler system
• For alarm signal transmission where supervision of automatic sprinkler
systems is required, water flow alarms shall be transmitted to an approved,
proprietary alarm receiving facility, a remote station, a central station, or
the fire station
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