UNIVERSITI TUN HUSSEIN ONN MALAYSIA

GROUP PROJECT
BFC 32602
MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL
SYSTEM
SEMESTER II
SESSION 2014/15
GROUP MEMBERS:
LAW CHIA WEN
NOOR ASNI BINTI MAT SARI
NG PEI LING
SITI SYAFIERA BINTI BUJANG
VIVIAN SIM JIA LEI

DF130007
DF130036
DF130034
DF130078
DF130086

SECTION : 5
LECTURER : EN RAFIKULLAH BIN DERAMAN
INTRODUCTION
In this project, we are required to choose one building inside UTHM campus and
investigate its Mechanical and Electrical System. The study area chosen is Dewan Sultan
Ismail (DSI) and the scope of study is the fire safety system. We have visited DSI and a
video of the visit has been recorded.
Fire safety is the set of practices intended to reduce the destruction caused by fire.
It can be referred as the precautions that are taken to prevent or reduce the likelihood of a
fire that may result in death, injury or property damage or to reduce the damage caused
by a fire. Fire safety is often a component of building safety.
Fire safety planning is one of a crucial stage in building design. Building plans
required to be approved by the Fire Department or Jabatan Bomba & Penyelamat
Malaysia (JBPM) before the building can be constructed. Once the construction finished,
the building itself will again require to be inspected before approved by JBPM. The
practice is part of the requirements by the Local Council before Certificate of Fitness
(CF) is issued.
Fire safety measures include those that are planned during the construction of a
building or implemented in structures that are already standing and those that are taught
to occupants of the building. Those that are intended to prevent ignition of an
uncontrolled fire and those that are used to limit the development and effects of a fire
after it starts are included in fire safety measures too.
Threats to fire safety are referred to as fire hazards. Some common fire hazards
are short circuit, careless and unaware attitude among users, dangerous activities held in
building, overheating, pipe leakage and intentionally burning. Factors that contribute to
fire including combustible materials used in building, combustible goods placed in

building, poor firefighting system in building, malfunction of firefighting equipment and

water shortage in firefighting system.

LOCATION

Figure 1: Location of DSI inside UTHM campus

Figure 2: Front view of DSI

LAYOUT

Figure 3: Layout of DSI

ZONE
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

AREA
Hall
Ahli LPU
Security Room
Scroll Room
Banquet Hall 1
AHU Room 3
Switch Room 1
VVIP Lift

FIRE SAFETY DEVICE

Breakglass
Flow Switch
Flow Switch
Flow Switch
Flow Switch
Smoke Detector
Smoke Detector
Smoke Detector

9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22

MDF/ ICT Room

Smoke Detector
AHU Room 1
Smoke Detector
Hall
Breakglass
Store
Flow Switch
Pantry
Flow Switch
Hall
Flow Switch
VVIP Circulation
Flow Switch
Banquet Hall
Flow Switch
AHU Room 6
Smoke Detector
Switch Room
Smoke Detector
MDF/ ICT Room
Smoke Detector
VVIP Lift
Smoke Detector
Hall
Smoke Detector
Hall
Smoke Detector
Table 1: Fire safety device in different zone

TYPE OF FIRE SAFETY SYSTEM

Type of Fire Safety

System

1. Passive
Fire

Means of escape

2. Active Fire
Protection

Fire

Fire

Manual
Fire Alarm
Detection
Smoke
Detector
Fire
Control
Panel

Fire
Sprinkler
System
(Dry Pipe )
Hose Reel
Portable
Fire
Extinguish
er
Fire

FUNCTION AND OPERATION

1. Passive Fire Protection
Passive fire protection is defined as protection through ignition delays, reduce rate of
burning and fire spread through use of fire resistant walls, floors and doors. The aspect of
passive fire protection is consisting of three points below:
I.
II.
III.

Building utilization
Compartmentation
Mean of escape

Figure 4: Mean of escape

The aspect that we found in our chosen building from these three aspects is mean of
escape. The means of escape or also known as exit route is continuous and nonobstructed path of exit travel from any point within a workplace to a place of safety. The
function of exit route is to be used when there is any emergency occur in the building
such as fire.

How to operate:
Having considered the factors that will influence escape and having seen how
these can be related to the risk profile or occupancy levels of a specific building, it is
important to look at the stages in the process of escape and the maximum distances
people can be expected to travel.
Escape is generally considered in four distinct as follows:
1. Escape from the room or area of fire origin
2. Escape from the compartment of origin via the circulation route to a protected
stairway or an adjoining compartment offering refuge
3. Escape from the floor of origin to the ground level
4. Escape at ground level away from the building.
5. Go to the emergency assembly area

It is important that each floor plan of a building indicates the shortest route(s) to a
place of comparative or ultimate safety should an emergency evacuation be triggered, e.g.
by the sounding of the fire alarm. The width of final exit doors and the escape routes
leading to them will dictate the maximum number of people who can safely occupy that
floor or a specific area within it under normal conditions of operation.

2. Active Fire Protection

Active fire protection is characterized by items or system, which require a certain
amount of motion and response in order to work contrary to passive fire protection.
There are two kind of active fire protection which is:
I. Fire detection
II. Fire suppression

Fire Detection
1. Manual fire alarm detection

Figure 5: Manual fire alarm

The manual fire alarm detection is located at both side of the hall. The function of
manual fire alarm detection is to warn the building occupants if there is any fire occurs
inside the hall. When someone operates a break glass then the alarm sounders operate to
warn the others.

How to operate:

Figure 6: Operation of manual fire alarm detection

If someone in your building sees a fire before it has reached a smoke detector or
heat detector, they need to be able to let everyone in the building know immediately.
Manual call points or "break glasses" enable them to signal the emergency simply by
pressing the glass. Manual call points are used to initiate an alarm signal, and operate by
means of a simple button press. They can form part of a manual alarm system or an
automatic alarm system. There will be an indicator on the monitoring unit for visual
indication to locate the call point easily, and there should be a visual identifier of the unit
which triggered the alarm, typically a mechanical flag which operates on a latch and must
be manually reset, e.g. by a key. Break glasses are usually connected to a central fire
control panel system in the building, and add an extra layer of fire protection. They also
often automatically alert the local fire station. Manual call points/break glasses are
available in a range of materials from real glass and tempered glass, to plastics and other
materials designed to break more safely.

2. Smoke detector

Figure 7: Smoke detector

The smoke detector is located in the security room. The function of the smoke
detector is to detect the presence of smoke or heat when a fire occurs in the building.
Once the smoke detector detect the presence of smoke it will operates to warn the
occupant of the building. There are two types of smoke detector which is photoelectric
smoke detector and ionization smoke detector.

How to operate:
i)

Photoelectric Smoke Detector

Figure 8: Operation of photoelectric smoke detector

Photoelectric technology smoke alarms use a T-shaped chamber fitted with a
light-emitting diode (LED) and a photocell. The LED sends a beam of light across the

horizontal bar of the chamber. The photocell sits at the bottom of the vertical portion of
the chamber. The photo cell will generate a current, when exposed to light.
The diagram above illustrates how the technology works. Under normal, smokefree conditions, the LED beam moves in a straight line, through the chamber without
striking the photo cell. When smoke enters the chamber, smoke particles deflect some of
the light rays, scattering them in all directions. Some of it reaches the photocell. When
enough light rays hit the photocell, they activate it. The activated photocell generates a
current. The current powers the alarm, and the smoke alarm has done its job.

ii)

Ionization smoke detector

Figure 9: Operation of ionization smoke detector

Ionization sensor smoke alarms contain a small amount of radioactive material,
americium embedded in a gold foil matrix within an ionization chamber. The matrix is
made by rolling gold and americium oxide ingots together to form a foil approximately
one micrometre thick. This thin gold-americium foil is then sandwiched between a
thicker (~0.25 millimetre) silver backing and a 2 micron thick palladium laminate. This is
thick enough to completely retain the radioactive material, but thin enough to allow the
alpha particles to pass.
The ionization chamber is basically two metal plates a small distance apart. One
of the plates carries a positive charge, the other a negative charge. Between the two

plates, air molecules-made up mostly of oxygen and nitrogen atoms-are ionized when
electrons are kicked out of the molecules by alpha particles from the radioactive material
(alpha particles are big and heavy compared to electrons). The result is oxygen and
nitrogen atoms that are positively charged because they are short one electron; the free
electrons are negatively charged.
The diagrams below illustrate how ionization technology works. The positive
atoms flow toward the negative plate, as the negative electrons flow toward the positive
plate. The movement of the electrons registers as a small but steady flow of current.
When smoke enters the ionization chamber, the current is disrupted as the smoke particles
attach to the charged ions and restore them to a neutral electrical state. This reduces the
flow of electricity between the two plates in the ionization chamber. When the electric
current drops below a certain threshold, the alarm is triggered.
3. Fire control panel

Figure 10: Fire control panel

It is the controlling component of a fire alarm system. Fire control panel receives
information from sensors designed to detect changes associated with fire. The panel may
also supply electric energy to operate any associated sensor, control, transmitter or relay.
We also found this equipment in the security room.

How to operate:

The panel receives information from environmental sensors designed to detect

changes associated with fire, monitors their operational integrity and provides for
automatic control of equipment, and transmission of information necessary to prepare the
facility for fire based on a predetermined sequence. Each device on a SLC has its own
address, and so the panel knows the state of each individual device connected to it. Zones
are usually made by dividing a building, or area into different sections. Then depending
on the specific zone, a certain amount and type of device is added to the zone to perform
its given job.

Fire Suppression
1. Fire sprinkler system ( dry pipe system )

Figure 11: Fire sprinkler system

This is the most abundant fire safety product that found in that hall because it is
located everywhere in the hall. Type of fire sprinkler system used in this hall is dry pipe
system. The function of this fire sprinkler system is to allowing water to flow from that
sprinkler and help to control the fire.
How to operate:
Fire sprinkler system- dry pipe system

Figure 12: Operation of dry pipe system

A dry pipe sprinkler system is one in which pipes are filled with pressurized air.
This air holds a remote valve, known as a dry pipe valve, in a closed position. Located in
a heated space, the dry-pipe valve prevents water from entering the pipe until a fire
causes one or more sprinklers to operate. Once this happens, the air escapes and the dry
pipe valve releases. Water then enters the pipe, flowing through open sprinklers onto the
fire.
Pre-action and deluge systems are variations of the dry pipe system. Pre-action
systems must be triggered twice before water is dispensed from the sprinkler head. The
first trigger -- usually a smoke detector or a heat detector that is separate from the
sprinkler head -- allows water into the pipes. Once this trigger occurs, the system acts like
a wet pipe system. The second trigger, the individual sprinkler heads, releases the water,
pushing it through the sprinkler head to extinguish the fire. This type of system provides
added protection against false sprinkler head activation. If a sprinkler head is falsely
triggered, an alarm will sound, but no water will be released, since the pipes remain dry
until the second trigger has been activated.

2. Hose reel

Figure 13: Hose reel

The hose reel was found at the lobby of the hall and outside of the hall. The
function of hose reel is to provide a reasonably accessible and controlled supply of water
for fire extinguisher.
The system is manually operated and activated by opening a valve enabling the
water to flow into the hose that is typically 30 meters away. The system pressure loss will
activate the pump ensuring adequate water flow and pressure to provide a water jet of
typically a minimum of 10 meter.

How to operate:

Figure 14: Operation of hose reel

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Ensure that you have a clear egress between you and the nearest exit door.
Turn on the stop valve.
Run out the length of hose as required.
Turn on the water at the nozzle and direct the stream at the base of the fire.
Fire hose reel systems consist of pumps, pipes, water supply and hose reels
located strategically in a building, ensuring proper coverage of water to combat a
fire.

3. Portable fire extinguisher (Dry Chemical Fire Extinguishers)

Figure 15: Portable fire extinguisher

The portable fire extinguisher is located near with the hose reel. It is placed at the
certain point of the hall. The function of the portable fire extinguisher is as a first line of
defence to cope with fire of limited size. It is still needed even when a facility is equipped
with automatic sprinkler and hose.

How to operate:

Figure 16: Operation of portable fire extinguisher

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Ensure that you have a clear egress between you and the nearest exit door.
Pull the pin and test the extinguisher before approaching the fire.
Aim the extinguisher at the base of the fire.
Squeeze the operating handle to operate the extinguisher.
Sweep the extinguisher from side to side to cover the entire base of the fire.
Dry Chemical fire extinguishers extinguish the fire primarily by interrupting the

chemical reaction of the fire triangle. Todays most widely used type of fire extinguisher
is the multipurpose dry chemical that is effective on Class A, B, and C fires. This agent
also works by creating a barrier between the oxygen element and the fuel element on
Class A fires. Dry chemical extinguishers are filled with foam or powder, usually
potassium bicarbonate or sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), and pressurized with
nitrogen. Baking soda is effective because it decomposes at 158 degrees Fahrenheit and
releases carbon dioxide, which smothers oxygen once it decomposes. Dry chemical
extinguishers interrupt the chemical reaction of the fire by coating the fuel with a thin
layer of powder or foam, thereby separating the fuel from the surrounding oxygen. They
work by smothering the fire: when you put a layer of powder or foam on the fire, you cut
the fuel off from the oxygen around it, and the fire goes out.
4. Fire hydrant

Figure 17: Fire hydrant

The function of fire hydrant is to provide source of water service to enable fire
fighter to tap into the municipal water supply to assist in extinguishing a fire.

How to operate:

Figure 18: Operation of fire hydrant

Each fire hydrant is connected to a large underground pipe that carries water. The
firefighter attaches a hose to the fire hydrant and then opens a valve on the hydrant to
provide a powerful flow of water. User should take care not to open or close a fire
hydrant too quickly, as this can create a water hammer which can damage nearby pipes
and equipment. The water inside a charged hose line causes it to be very heavy and high
water pressure causes it to be stiff and unable to make a tight turn while pressurized.
When a firefighter is operating a hydrant, he or she typically wears appropriate personal
protective equipment, such as gloves and a helmet with face shield worn. High-pressure

water coursing through a potentially aging and corroding hydrant could cause a failure,
injuring the firefighter operating the hydrant or bystanders.

5. Fire suppression system

Figure 19: Fire suppression system

Fire suppression system is used in conjunction with fire detection system to
increase public safety. This system is governed by the codes under the NFPA (National
Fire Protection Association). Their main function is to quickly extinguish a developing
fire and alert occupants before extensive damage occurs by filling the protected area with
a gas or chemical extinguishing agent. We found this system in the security room inside
the hall of the building.

How to operate:

Figure 20: Operation of fire suppression system

Fire suppression system is a balanced mix of 50% Argon & 50% Nitrogen. The
fire suppression agent provides good buoyancy, which keeps it in the protected space for
longer, thus optimizing the suppression period.
Fire suppression systems are used to suppress flames in the event of a fire. These
systems work in conjunction with heat sensors, smoke detectors and fire alarm systems to
improve and increase public safety. When the system is activated, water mist is created
by pushing plain water or plain water and compressed gas (nitrogen) through specially
designed sprinkler and spray heads using high-pressure pumps or accumulators.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

1. Dry Pipe Fire Sprinkler System
Advantages
a) Dry pipe sprinkler systems provide automatic protection in spaces where freezing
is possible. Typical dry pipe installations include unheated warehouses and attics,
outside exposed loading docks and within commercial freezers.

Many people view dry pipe sprinklers as advantageous for protection of collections and
other water sensitive areas. This perceived benefit is due to a fear that a physically
damaged wet pipe system will leak while dry pipe systems will not. In these situations,
however, dry pipe systems will generally not offer any advantage over wet pipe systems.
Should impact damage happen, there will only be a mild discharge delay, i.e. 1 minute,
while air in the piping is released before water flow.

Disadvantages
a) Increased complexity - Dry pipe systems require additional control equipment
and air pressure supply components which increases system complexity. Without
proper maintenance this equipment may be less reliable than a comparable wet
pipe system.
b) Higher installation and maintenance costs - The added complexity impacts the
overall dry-pipe installation cost. This complexity also increases maintenance
expenditure, primarily due to added service labor costs.
c) Lower design flexibility - There are strict requirements regarding the maximum
permitted size (typically 750 gallons) of individual dry-pipe systems. These
limitations may impact the ability of an owner to make system additions.
d) Increased fire response time - Up to 60 seconds may pass from the time a
sprinkler opens until water is discharged onto the fire. This will delay fire
extinguishing actions, which may produce increased content damage.
e) Increased corrosion potential - Following operation, dry-pipe sprinkler systems
must be completely drained and dried. Otherwise remaining water may cause
pipe corrosion and premature failure. This is not a problem with wet pipe
systems where water is constantly maintained in piping.

2. Smoke Alarms

i. Photoelectric smoke alarms

ii. Ionisation smoke alarms
i.

Photoelectric smoke alarms

Advantages
Good for smouldering fire and dense smoke.
a) Not as prone to cooking nuisance alarms as ionisation alarms.
b) Contain no radioactive material.
c) Suitable for general use.
Disadvantages
a) Slightly more expensive than ionisation alarms.
b) Nuisance alarms can occasionally occur from dust and insects.
c) They must be kept clean

ii.

Ionisation smoke alarms

Advantages
a)
b)
c)
d)

Slightly cheaper than other types of smoke alarms.

Very good with fast flaming fires with little visible smoke.
Less prone to false alarms caused by dust and steam.
Suitable for general use

Disadvantages
a) Can be susceptible to nuisance alarms if placed too close to cooking.
b) May be slow to respond to slow smoldering fires.
c) Contain a very small amount of radioactive material

3. Dry Chemical Powder Fire Extinguisher

Advantages
a) Versatile - can be used on many different types of fire
b) Powerful - extinguish fires quickly
c) Compact - when comparing effectiveness / size against other types of fire
d)
e)
f)
g)

extinguisher
Economical - low prices gives them a great price / performance ratio
Coverage - can provide fire protection for large areas
Variety - come in may differing sizes and ratings
Safe - due to their versatility they are safe for use on electrical fires

Disadvantages
a) Cleanup - due to the powder cleanup can be extensive after use
b) Dust - The dust can affect sensitive equipment such as computers
c) Visibility - When used in enclosed spaces visibility can be reduced to almost zero.
Always know where the exit is before use!
d) Respiratory - The powder can make breathing almost impossible in enclosed
spaces.
e) Single shot - Although all fire extinguishers should be refilled / replaced after
use, dry chemical powder fire extinguishers lose pressure quickly even if only
active for a fraction of a second. This is due to the powder getting stuck in the
valve and allowing the pressure to leak.
f) Compacted powder - If not serviced or not correctly serviced the dry chemical
powder can settle and compact at the bottom of the fire extinguisher. This result in
the powder not discharging either fully or correctly when used.

4. Hose Reel
Advantages

a) Has bigger supply of water than any portable extinguisher, assuming it has been
properly maintained. More water means a person can extinguish a larger amount
a)
b)
c)
d)

of fire, all things being equal (type of fire, amount of fuel, location, etc).
It does supply copious water supply until the fire is extinguished.
The tube can stretch up to 30m from the fire hose reel.
Fire hose reels are built larger and more rigid to support the extra length and load
It can be operated and controlled by one man.

Disadvantages
a) Hose reels require more training than an extinguisher
b) It cannot be used on all types of fires, only recommended for ordinary
combustible materials class fires only.
c) If there is a water cut it will not work.
d) Can cause massive amounts of damage if used improperly (flooding, water
damage, broken windows, etc. )
e) It is not portable, cannot be moved beyond a limited space.

5. Fire Hydrant System

Advantages
a) Fire Hydrant System is very strong and can be used from medium to large sized
fires.
b) Has a long range. Since the Fire Hydrant System is spread out, the fire hydrant
can attack fire from different angles
c) Requires low maintenance and virtually, does not leak water.
d) Has a long life
Disadvantages

a) It has to be manually activated. The flow of Fire Hydrant System is so strong that,
there are two men required to hold the water hose.
b) Fire Hydrant System may cause damage to the instruments or machines.

6. Gas Suppression System

Advantages
a) The main advantage of Gas Suppression System, system is that it is very quick.
b) The gas used in Gas Suppression System, does not have any smell or colour. It is
also friendly to nature. Gas Suppression System also has very easy maintenance
and occupies lesser space.
c) It does not have any kind of flavour.
Disadvantages
a) Only be used in enclosed spaces
b) Relatively costly

7. Manual Fire Alarm Detection

Advantage
a) Upon discovering the fire, they provide occupants with a readily identifiable
means to activate the building fire alarm system. The alarm system can then serve
in lieu of the shouting person's voice.
b) They are simple devices, and can be highly reliable when the building is
occupied.

Disadvantage
a) They will not work when the building is unoccupied. They may also be used for
malicious alarm activations.

RECOMMENDATIONS
Based on our observation, there are some recommendations that we want to
propose to improve the fire safety of the Dewan Sultan Ismail in University of Tun
Hussein Onn Malaysia.
Firstly, we suggest replacing the current manual fire alarm detection with
automatic fire alarm detection. This is because the utilization of this hall is not so
frequently. Therefore, if the fire is caused by short circuit when there is no occupant
inside the building, the manual fire alarm will be unable to function. For more safety
purpose, we propose automatic fire detection because once the heat is detected, the
location of the fire will be automatically connected to the fire department.
Another recommendation on the manual fire alarm detection, the call point should
be located beside the break glass button. After the person who found the fire occurrence
triggers the alarm, he can call fire department directly before too late. This can minimize
the loss of property.

Figure: The example of call point for emergency

Besides that, there is no much utilization of fire resistance elements such as the
fire resistance rated door in this hall. Therefore, we suggest using these elements to
extend the time for the fire occurrence at outside to enter the building. The picture below
is one the example of fire resistance rated door and the components inside the door.

Figure: The fire resistance rated door

Other than that, the ventilation and smoke extraction inside the hall is not
sufficient and should be improved. As the ventilation inside this building is aided by the
air conditional system, there is no much window and openings for the smoke extraction
during the occurrence of fire. Hence, the application of openings can aid fire control by
eliminating smoke, heat, toxic and inflammable gasses from the source of fire. This can
also retain visibility of escapers and also to provide clear access for firefighters.
Other than improvement of the current systems inside the hall, maintenance of the
fire safety protection has to done regularly. The equipment such as fire extinguisher, hose
reel, sprinkler system and smoke detector have to be checked regularly to make sure it
can function during fire occurrence. Other than that, the water supply and fire
suppression system have to be sufficient to handle the emergency case occurred.
On the other hand, to ensure occupants able to leave the building through the
available number of exits in a reasonable amount of time, without tripping or trampling
each other in a panicked situation, possibly blinded by smoke, the limit on the number of

people that can occupy a space set by fire-protection authorities must be followed. Hence
education is also an important element of improving fire safety.

REFERENCE
1. http://www.epa.gov/radiation/sources/smoke_ion.html
2. http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/household-safety/fire/firesprinker-system3.htm
3. http://www.chrislewisfs.co.uk/fire-protection/manual-call-points-break-glass
4. http://www.grundfos.com/service-support/encyclopedia-search/fire-hose-reelsystems.html
5. http://www.firesafe.org.uk/basic-means-of-escape-from-fire/
6. http://www.marioff.com/water-mist/fire-suppression-with-hi-fogr-how-does-itwork
7. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_hydrant
8. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_alarm_control_panel