FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM

(Lecture 2)
Prepared By
Manoj Paudel

Fire Detection and Alarm

Fire is detected by observing the temperature
rise, pressure rise or presence of smoke.
Early detection means, early evacuation and
so less damage (life and property)
Two types of detectors are used for fire
detection:
Heat Detectors
Smoke Detectors

As soon as the detectors get activated they

activate the alarm
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Heat Detectors
Aheat detectoris a fire alarm device
designed to respond when the convected
thermal energy of a fire increases the
temperature of a heat sensitive element.
fixed temperature heat detector operate
when the surrounding reaches threshold
temperature
Rate of rise heat detector operate on rapid
rise of temperature (degrees per minute)
of the surrounding
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Smoke Detectors

Smoke detectors set the alarm

when they detect the fire.
Two types: Photoelectric Smoke
Detectors and Ionization Smoke
Detectors.

Photoelectric
Smoke
There
is a light source and a
Detectors
sensor, but they are
positioned at 90-degree
angles to one another
In the normal case, the light
from the light source on the
left shoots straight across
and misses the sensor. When
smoke enters the chamber,
however, the smoke
particles scatter the light
and some amount of light
hits the sensor.
The sensor then sets off the
horn in the smoke detector.

Ionization Smoke Detector

Ionization smoke detectors use anionization

chamberand a source ofionizing radiationto
detect smoke.
Inside an ionization detector is a small amount
(perhaps 1/5000th of a gram) ofamericium-241.
It ionizes the air.
When there is no smoke the current flows whereas
when smoke enters the chamber, current is

Fire Suppression System

1-Fire is sensed by Detectors and signal is sent to the Control Unit

2-The Control Unit performs a series of actions; shutting down ventilation
systems and equipment, sounding alarms
3-The Agent Containers is propelled through Piping and Nozzles into the
protected area
4-Discharges as a gas to all areas and quickly suppressing the fire

Hydrant System
The hydrant system is an arrangement of pipes,
valves, hose outlets and allied equipment.
The outlets are located strategically to cover a
large area (arc of 18-30m) and thus put out the
fire and hence protect both equipments and
occupants.
Water is discharged in stream through hose and
nozzles attached to such hose outlets.
Pumps are provided to supply water to the hose
outlets.
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Hose Reel
Installation

Dry Hydrant
For building of height 18 40m.
Pipe initially do not contain water, fire
pumps pump water when required
Suitable for cold climate

Wet Hydrant
Pipe is permanently charged with water
Not Suitable for cold climate as water
may freeze in pipe and block flow
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Fire Hydrant Equipments

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Indoor Fire Hydrant

Outdoor Fire Hydrant

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Fire Sprinkler System

AFire Sprinkler Systemis used as an active

fire protection and fire fighting measures in
commercial and residential industries and
many more, comprising with a water supply
system which provides an enough pressure
and flow rate to a water supply piping system
onto whichfire sprinklersare attached.
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Hose Reel and Sprinkler Water

Supply

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Fusible link: a soldered

Sprinkler
link
in a system of levers
holds
the water outlet shut.
Head
At a predetermined
temperature the solder
melts and water flow starts.
Chemical: similar to the
fusible link but using a
block of chemical
depending on the
application.
Glass bulb: a quartz bulb
containing a coloured fluid
with a high coefficient of
expansion. Glass breaks
due to expansion of fluid at
high temperature
Open Type : no trigger

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Types of Fire Sprinkler

System
Wet pipe

Pipes are permanently charged with water, Most

common type
Dry-pipe
Pipes are filled with compressed air
where pipework is exposed to air temperatures below 5
degree celsius or above 70 degrees celsius
Deluge
for high hazard applications, occupancies with rapid
fire spread
Pre-Action
where concerns over water damage
a dry pipe installation but has additional heat detectors
which preempt the opening of sprinkler heads and
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admit water into the pipework

Wet Pipe System

Composed ofsteelpipes that are always
filled with water (hence, the term "wet").
Has pressurized water inside the system
for extinguishing a fire when any sprinkler
head gets hot enough to open.
When the sprinkler head is activated, the
pressurized water in the pipes is
immediately released, providing a faster
reaction time than any other type of
system.
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Advantages of Wet System Design

System simplicity and reliability - Wet pipe sprinkler
systems have the least number of components .
Relative
low
installation
and
maintenance
expense - Due to their overall simplicity, wet pipe
sprinklers require the least amount of installation time
and capital. Maintenance cost savings are also realized .
Ease of modification - Wet pipe fire sprinkler systems
are advantageous since modifications involve shutting
down the water supply, draining pipes and making
alterations.
Faster Reaction Time

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Disadvantages
Freezing of water in pipe: Not suitable
for cold climate regions where water
could freeze in pipe
Flooding Threat: due to leakage in
pipes.
Suitable for: Most commercial buildings
Not suitable for: Buildings where accidental
leaks could be detrimental, very cold
climate
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Dry Pipe System

The pipes are not filled with water - they're
actually filled with compressed air.
When the sprinkler head is activated, a
valve releases the compressed air through
the sprinkler head. Once all of the air is
released, the pressure in the pipe changes,
allowing water to fill the system.
Then, this water puts out the fire.
Deluge and Pre-Action Systems are
variations of dry system
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 In Deluge Systems water enters the pipes when

triggered by a heat or smoke detector, separate
from the sprinkler heads. There may also be a
manual function, where pushing a button or
pulling a cord activates the system. The sprinkler
heads in a deluge system are open, meaning they
don't have a trigger function and are activated
simultaneously.

Pre-action systemsmust be triggered twice

beforewateris 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 21

Use of Dry, Deluge and PreAction Systems

Dry System are installed in cold areas
where freezing of water occurs, unheated
buildings, warehouses
Deluge Systems are suitable for chemical
plants or other areas where the spread of
fire would be exceptionally hazardous.
Pre-Action Systems are suitable for places
dealing with sensitive property like in a
museum or library.
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In Comparison to Wet System Dry

System has following
disadvantages
Increased complexity
Higher installation and maintenance
costs
Lower design flexibility
Increased fire response time
Increased corrosion potential
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