CHALLENGES OF FIRE WATER PUMPS INSTALLATION IN

SHALLOW WATERS

By: Elmer Revilla and Bernard Leong

Chevron ETC-Fire Protection Engineers

Design Opportunity

Fire water and jockey pumps installed in shallow waters face the challenges of taking in mud and silt during operation that could damage the pump and increase maintenance cost

Design Variables

• Sea water depth

• Silt mean particle size and density

• Fire water or jockey pump flow rates

CFD Analysis

Figure . 1 Optimum dimensions from pump suction inlet to pump bell and water surface

Fig.2 Changing the suction inlet at 2 ft (24 in) below the silt-free height will create 0.2% mud volume fraction.

Physical Model Test Objective

Physical hydraulic laboratory test model objectives: Assess surface and subsurface vortex

formation. Qualitatively evaluate silt movement at the

seafloor. Assess the proposed design will provide

satisfactory hydraulic results in accordance with Hydraulic Institute

Physical Model

Fig. 3 Scale down model (1:2) Laboratory Set Up

Fig. 4 Intake Flange Position

Hydraulic Institute Design Criteria

• Free surface and sub-surface vortices entering pump suction

• Velocities at the throat of the pump bell shall be within 10% of the cross-sectional average velocity.

Fig. 5 Vortex Classification Based on

Hydraulic Institute Standards for Pump Intake Design ANSI/IHI 9.8.2012

Hydraulic Institute Design Criteria

• Swirl meter (rotometer) installed in the model pump (Fig.6)

• Swirl angles, indicated by swirl meter rotation must be less than 5 degrees

Fig. 6 Swirl Meter

Conclusions

• Pump Can with two side inlets satisfied the research objective.

• Flow pre-swirl, surface and sub-surface vortex activity and velocities met the specified Hydraulic Institute(ANSI/IHI 9.8.2012) acceptance criteria.

Acknowledgements

• Peerless Pump/Grundfos PumpBrookshire,Texas

• Northwest Hydraulic ConsultantsEdmonton,Canada

Use of antifreeze solutions in fire protection systems

Jeffrey Rosen, CFEI

jrosen@exponent.com

Exponent Inc. 13

Outline• Background

• Code requirements for antifreeze solutions

• Water mist system with antifreeze testing

• Discharge ignition criteria of antifreeze solutions

• Decision model for suitability of antifreeze solution in fire protection systems

14

Incidents with Antifreeze:

• Bethel, ME –1997

• Monmouth, NJ –2002

• Denver, CO –2006

• Truckee, CA –2009

• Herriman, UT –2010

Alternatives to Antifreeze:

• Insulation

• Trace heating of system

• Dry pipe systems

• Pre-action system

15

Antifreeze Background

16

NFPA 13: Standard for Installation of Sprinkler Systems - 2016

17

NFPA 25: Standard for the inspection, testing, and maintenance of water-based fire protection systems – 2014

Newly introduced requirements for antifreeze solutions• CPVC piping and fittings shall be protected only with glycerine.

• New antifreeze systems must only use factory premixed solutions.

• Annually test specific gravity (density relative to water) of antifreeze solution with hydrometer or refractometer at the top and bottom of the system.

*Demonstrate heat release rates of design fires

Propylene Glycol Glycerine

No action required ≤ 30 vol. % ≤ 38 vol. %

Deterministic Risk Analysis*

30-40 vol. % 38-50 vol. %

Not Permitted >40 vol. % >50 vol. %

Antifreeze concentration limitations per NFPA 25 (2014)

• Studies:− Flammability of antifreeze in automatic sprinkler systems

• SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden

− ESFR sprinklers protecting Class II commodities in cold storage

• UL Inc. and Viking Corporation

− Antifreeze solutions in home fire sprinkler systems• Code Consultants Inc.

• Previous study parameters:− Continuous flow of antifreeze solution− Use of traditional or ESFR sprinklers

18

Previous research on antifreeze

• Investigate various chemical compositions and concentrations of antifreeze for use in water mist systems

• Identify representative antifreezes based on chemical composition

• Provide baseline information for the selection of an application-specific antifreeze and the preliminary design criteria necessary to develop an antifreeze-protected water mist system

19

Goals of the study

20

Antifreeze Solution Composition• Three components of solutions:

− Freezing point depressant• Can ranged from 20%-70% by volume

− Corrosion inhibitor• Approx. 5% by volume• Has minimal impacts on properties of antifreeze solution (except

corrosivity)

− Water• Remaining component

• Only used freezing point depressant and water for this testing

21

Selected Antifreezes for Study• Six categories of antifreeze chemistries:

• Eliminated category candidates:− Alcohols- volatile in water, lethally toxic and can be

absorbed through skin− Petroleum- not miscible in water− Sugar- extremely viscous

• Remaining categories:− Glycols- propylene glycol− Salts- potassium acetate− Others- glycerine, betaine

22

Lowest Mean Temperatures in the United States and Canada

Selected Antifreezes for Study

Spray performance variables• Viscosity (ASTM D446)• Density (ASTM D1122)• Surface Tension (ASTM D971)

Potential Risk of System Failure• Thermal Expansion (Dilatometer - volumetric expansion)• Corrosion (ASTM G1 and ASTM G31)

Antifreeze and Fire Interactions• HRR contribution (ASTM E603 and ASTM E1354)

23

Key Study Variables

Water Mist Nozzles

24

Property High Pressure Nozzle Low Pressure NozzleOperating Pressure

48.7 bar (706.3 psi) 4.7 bar (68.17 psi)

Number of Orifices

9 1

Atomization Pressure and single fluid Pressure and single fluid

Discharge shape

Solid cone Solid Cone

K-factor 0.13 gpm/psi1/2 0.2 gpm/psi1/2

Antifreeze and Fire Interactions

25

4 ft. of ½ in. 304 Stainless Steel

BallValve

Propane Source

Pressure Washer

Check Valve

Water Source

Ball Valve

Drain

BallValve

FillArea

Pressure Gauge

1 ft x 2 ft.Propane Diffusion Burner

ß 8

ft. à

ß 8 ft. à

21 ft. of ½ in.

Hydraulic Hose

Standard Compartment

Custom Water Mist System for Testing• Antifreeze fill capacity:

900 mL

• Antifreeze discharge time:~10 seconds

• Water discharge time:~50 seconds (turn off valve)

• Propane flow:138 lpm

• Fire size:200 kW fire

26

• Region 1 - pretest, fire ignition, and fire growth period

• Region 2 - discharge period of both antifreeze and water

• Region 3 - re-establishment the fire after discharge termination

• Region 4 - fuel source termination and post-test venting

Average Non-dimensionalized HRR with Pure Water Discharge vs. Time

27

High Pressure Test Videos

28

High Pressure Qualitative Observations Summary of Non-dimensionalized HRR Peaks

29

Addition of antifreeze to water resulted in (all cases):• Increases in viscosity (larger droplets)• Increases in density (smaller droplets)• Decreases in surface tension (smaller droplets)

Increases in pressure also creates smaller droplets

• No droplet image analysis – quantities effect unknown how the properties impact droplet size between antifreezes and concentrations

• Visual droplet size difference between high and low pressure• Viscosity would become dominant property as temperature decreases

which would increase the droplet size

Spray performance - Opposing Effects

30

Trends in Key Study VariablesTrend

Surface Tension

Viscosity DensityExpansion Coefficient

Corrosivity HRR Contribution

High Water Glycerine K Acetate P Glycol Betaine P Glycol

Betaine P. Glycol Glycerine Glycerine K Acetate Betaine

Glycerine Betaine Betaine Betaine P Glycol Glycerine

K Acetate K Acetate P Glycol K Acetate Glycerine Water

Low P Glycol Water Water Water Water K Acetate

Summary of study variables ranked from highest to lowest property value

No antifreeze is ideal among all categories

31

First Order Decision Model for Use of Antifreeze in Water Mist Systems

System Test Pressure

Concentration to DepressFreezing Point

GlycerinePropylene

GlycolBetaine

Potassium Acetate

Low -20ºC - Smoke HazardPerformed under tested conditions

Did not test - Corrosive

Low -40ºC- Smoke Hazard- Viscosity

- Viscosity - Corrosive - Corrosive

High -20ºC - Smoke HazardPerformed under tested conditions

Did not test - Corrosive

High -40ºC- Discharge Ignition- Smoke Hazard- Viscosity

- Discharge Ignition-Viscosity

- Discharge Ignition- Corrosive

- Corrosive

• Antifreeze flammability is a function of both droplet size and concentration of antifreeze

• High pressure, - 40ºC concentration solutions of PG, Gly., and B have flammability and ignition concerns.

• All test conditions, KA had the most significant reduction of the HRR or caused extinguishment.

• - 40ºC concentrations of PG and Gly. experience exponential increases in viscosity as the temperatures approach the solution’s freezing point.

• - 40ºC concentrations of KA and B should be limited in application due to corrosivity concerns with system materials.

32

Conclusions

• Professor Kathy Notarianni, WPI Fire Protection Engineering

• Project partners:

− Michael Szkutak− Stephen Jaskolka− Matthew Connolly

33

Acknowledgements

Use of antifreeze solutions in fire protection systems

Jeffrey Rosen, CFEI

jrosen@exponent.com

Exponent Inc. 34Work performed at WPI

FIRE PROTECTION ENGINEERING

OF

FIRE STANDPIPE FOR BRIDGES

INTRODUCTION ENGINEERINGBRIDGE STRUCTURE - PROJECT TEAM

CODES & STANDARDS - SAFETY ISSUES

FIRE STANDPIPE ENGINEERING

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

COMMISSIONING - KEY TAKE AWAY

BRIDGE STRUCTURES Cantilever - Arch – Truss

Cable - Stayed

Draw & Vertical Lift Bridges

Suspension Bridges

Each Present Unique Challenges and

Require Different Design Concept

SUSPENSION BRIDGES

Geo

rge

Was

hing

ton

Brid

ge -

GW

B

Ben

Fra

nklin

Brid

ge –

BFB

GWB–REFERENCED DATA

14 Lanes of Traffic, 8 Upper, 6 Lower Decks

Bridge is 4,760 Feet Long – Width 119 Feet

Center Span 3,500 Feet Tower to Tower

Upper Level - Pedestrians and Bicycles

Fire Standpipe (FSP) System

STAKEHOLDERS

Owner - Agency – AHJ - First Responder, Facility Maintenance - State Highway DOT, Local Fire Marshall, Insurance Underwriters - United States Army Corps of Engineers-USACE & US Coast Guard

PROJECT TEAMFire Protection, Plumbing, Mechanical

Electrical, Structural, Materials, Traffic,

Civil, Environmental, Architecture,

Construction Management, Estimating

Project Management, Facility Personnel.

CODES & NFPA STANDARDSBuilding, Fire Codes(FC) and Local Regulations

NFPA 502–Standard for Road Tunnels, Bridges and Other Limited Access Highways (NYC-FC:2011Edition)

NFPA 13 – Installation of Sprinkler Systems

NFPA 14 – Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems

CODES & NFPA STANDARDSNFPA 20 – Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection

NFPA 24 – Private Fire Service Mains and their Appurtenances

NFPA 25– Inspection Testing and Maintenance of Water Based fire Protection

NFPA 70 – N.E.C & NFPA 72 – Fire Alarm Code

OSHA & DEP- Regulations

SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

Safety – Briefing, Training, Shoes and Vest.

Fall Protection - Safety Harness required.

Traffic - Lane Closures Required For Piping System Survey and Night Time hrs.

Weather - Service Walkway, Icy & Slippery.

FSP-EXISTING CONDITIONSAging Systems - Results in Pipe Failures

Joint Separation Pipe Corrosion

Riser Joints and Anchor Point

MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE

TYP - Above Deck Access TYP - Below Deck Access

USACE - Restrictions Crowded Sidewalk

Tripping Hazard

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS Protection of Structure - Cooling Effect

Risk Analysis – Economic Impact to region

FSP Type – Manual or Semi-automatic

Foam Delivery System-Local or Permanent

Fire Truck Availability and Response Time

System Reliability & Potential Fire Size.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS-1NFPA 502-*6,8,9 &10

1000 Feet Length requires standpipe. Still may need Risk Assessment for shorter length.

100 Feet Wide or a physical lane separation or Barrier Requires Standpipe connections on both sides of traffic.

Baseline–10mins Fill Time

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS-2Class I Standpipe 100psig min

2-1/2 inch Hose Valves minimum with

Hose Thread - NFPA 1963

Water Supplies, Hydrants, Signage

Manual fire alarm box - 0.6Miles Nema 4x

Portable Fire Extinguisher - 2Miles

DESIGN ELEMENTS-COORDINATION Coordinate Utilities and Avoid Conflicts

Locate Electrical Conduits, Drain Pipes

Avoid Low Points in Piping for Freezing

Consideration For Automatic Drain Valves

Expansion Joints, Motorized Valves

Staging and Phasing of FSP System

SYSTEM CHALLENGES - 1 Identify FSP Location, Options and Evaluate: Location of FDC Siamese, size and length of

standpipe to furthest Hose Valve. Hose Valves – Spacing -275ft(NYC-FC 200ft) and

Drainage RequirementsUse of sectional valves to minimize pipe fill timesAdvantages of pipe loops on larger bridges with

sectional valves to increase system reliability

SYSTEM CHALLENGES - 2 FSP Piping – Hanging Pipe Versus

Supported at Walkway

Combination Air Relief -Vacuum Valve High Point(M&R)

Coordination With Local Fire Department For Pumper Truck Performance.

TYPICAL AIR RELIEF VALVE

FSP SCHEMATIC PLAN

FSP SCHEMATIC RISER

LOWER LEVEL

**

Flow Test, Calculations – Computer Based

NFPA 502 – 2010 requires a horizontal standpipe which changed from 2008.Larger main will require less total pump

discharge pressure, but more fill time. 6” = 1.6 gal/LF 8”= 2.6 gal/LF

Minimum 500 gpm-100psi–most remote location

HYDRAULIC CALCULATIONS

SYSTEM - EQUIPMENTPumps Houses (PH)- For An Automatic Dry

System, Conceptualize Location. Fire Pump Selection is influenced by

location, fill time minimum flow & pressures.

Locate pumps as close as possible to Bridge structure to minimize pipe fill time and Project Costs

Consider space availability for backflow preventers, foam tanks, oil tanks, electrical equipment, SCADA, maintenance for building layout.

PH- Fire rating and Ventilation provisions

FIRE PUMPS - SCENARIOElectric Type - Each Side -100% Redundancy

1 Electric-1 Diesel Each Side-(Hybrid)

2 Diesel–Each Side – (Minimum Fuel Capacity)

Emergency Generator-(Requirements)

2 State Electric Power Source Availability

Dual Feed One From Each Side of the Bridge

BRIDGE EXPANSIONTypes of bridge affects the location and

amount of expansion needed in piping.

Structural Engineer provides expansion

Joint, bridge movement and type of joints.

Multi-directional Movement and vibration

Finger vs. Slip

AN EXISTING FINGER JOINT

10 – 30”

MOVEMENT-IMPACT FSP SYSTEMBRIDGE LOCATIONS MOVEMENT COMPENSATION

SUSPENSION TOWER TO TOWER 28-64 INCHES LARGER

SIDE SPAN - ANCHORAGE 8-16 INCHESCANTILEVER PIER - PIER 4-5 INCHES/JOINT SMALLER

APPROACH – VIADUCTS 2-4 INCHES, FIXED BEARING TO FIXED BEARING

EXPANSION JOINTS TYPES

Ball Joint

Packed Slip Joint

Flex Hose with Low Point Drain

EXPANSION JOINT INSTALLATIONSpecific Location of Piping Expansion JointsJoints accessible for inspectionJoints installed with outside

temperature consideration applied Anchors, Rollers and Guides per

manufacturers requirements toAccommodate applied forces.

AN EXISTING PACKED JOINT

FSP EXPANSION JOINTS LAYOUT

Pipe Guide

EXPANSION PACKED SLIP JOINTPA

CKED

SLIP

JOIN

T ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

Cost less as Compared to Ball joints

Less pumping system pressure drop

Accepts forces and movement in axial direction only. More pipe guiding required to jointLarge Main Anchor ForcesMore maintenance with packingLess space on service walkway

EXPANSION BALL JOINTBA

LL J

OIN

T

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES Accepts forces and movement

in multiple directions. Require Less pipe guides FM Approval Minimal Anchor Forces Minimal maintenance More space on service

walkway; less tripping hazard at expansion joint and guides

Aesthetics for bridge Increase in

Construction Cost. More fittings with

slightly higher pump pressure required.

SUPPORT CHALLENGESFSP system components are impacted by support installation and can result in:

Damaged pipe expansion joints

Misaligned pipe guides & Corroded piping

Pipe breakage & Inoperable hose connection

Disruption to the facility operations.

PIPE SUPPORT GUIDELINESMethod of Attachments To Bridge Steel

Welding is usually not acceptedBolted Conditions requires drilling into steelMechanical Details are required for each conditionconnection to steel, connection to concrete Piping Supports need to be heavy duty, hot dipped galvanized steel (Minimum)

Roller support

TYPICAL SUPPORT DETAIL

EngineeredPedestalMount Supporton ConcreteSidewalk

AIR VENTING

Air collects at High Points Air pockets create restriction in flow Air can eventually stop flow all together or Part of Air Pocket will break away creating

surge in piping and causing damage

FSP – FACILITIES CHALLENGESSectional piping replacement

Staging and Phasing-Temporary FSP provision

Minimize FSP service interruption

Minimize Bridge operation interruption

Facility emergency operations could impact the construction schedule

Temporary FSP

FSP REPAIR CHALLENGESRiser to a section of pipe may impact several components:

Risers with hose connections

Motorized Drain valves

Pipe supports

Miscellaneous structural AIR AND MOTORIZED VALVE

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES Outdoor Conditions- Rain, Snow & Road Salt.

FSP-Minimum 3 coats of epoxy Paint

similar to a bridge structure environment.

Drainage – Wetland protection provisions

from the use of Foam or hazardous spill.

CONTROL AND OPERATIONSSCADA System – NFPA 72 Constraints

OCC-Communication Desk-24/7 (UL-FM)

CCTV Monitors FSP(>1000ft) Recent

FP-Remote Start – Stop Capabilities

FSP-Winter - Summer Operations (SOP)

Emergency Response Plan

Coordinate access and Staging Area

COMMISSIONING

Acceptance Test

Fire Pumps

Electrical & Communication systems

Mechanical Equipment & motorized valves

Provide System Detailed O&M Manual

Motorized valve

FIRE DEPARTMENT PARTICIPATION

Fire Department semi Annual Testing

SUMMARY OF BRIDGE FSP Adhere to safety procedures

Establish Basis of Design and think outside

the box. (Above Minimum NFPA 502 Standards)

Establish Minimum Design Criteria Maintain

System Reliability and Redundancy

Confirm First Responders and Coordinate–AHJ

FSP - KEY TAKE AWAYMaintain Adequate Fire Protection and provide

FSP State of readiness to:

Ensure Life Safety and minimized damages, Mitigate Structural Damage and Prevent progressive Structural Collapse, Minimize Economic Impact and Coordinate with stake

holders

QUESTIONS ?

THANK YOU ALL!