Fire Protection Systems

Fire Protection SystemsIntermediateSFFMA Objectives: 13-02.01 13-02.106Hrs receivedSFFMA Objectives13-02.01 Trainee shall identify the main drain valve on the system. 13-02.02 Trainee shall open and close a main drain valve on the system. 13-02.03 Trainee shall identify the main control valve on the system. 13-02.04 Trainee shall operate a main control valve on the system from open to closed and back to open. 13-02.05 Trainee shall define the value of automatic sprinklers in providing safety to the occupants in a structure. 13-02.06 Trainee shall identify and define the dangers of premature closure of sprinkler main control valve, and of using hydrants to supply hose streams when the same water system is supplying the automatic sprinkler system. 13-02.07 Trainee shall identify the difference between an automatic sprinkler system that provides complete coverage and a partial sprinkler system. 13-02.08 Trainee shall identify at least three sources of water for supply to an automatic sprinkler system. 13-02.09 Trainee shall identify the following: A. wet sprinkler system C. deluge sprinkler system B. dry sprinkler system D. residential sprinkler system 13-02.10 Trainee shall demonstrate removing one head from a sprinkler system and replacing it with a head of the same type. Principle Parts of Automatic Sprinkler SystemWater supplySprinkler valveAlarmManual valveSystem drainFirefighter II163(Continued)Principle Parts of Automatic Sprinkler SystemFirefighter II164

(Continued)Principle Parts of Automatic Sprinkler SystemTest connectionSprinkler headRiserFeed mainCross mains

Firefighter II165SprinklersDischarge water after release of cap or plug activated by some heat-responsive element such as fusible link

Firefighter II166(Continued)

SprinklersIdentified by temperature at which designed to operate, either by color-coding, using different colored liquid, stamping temperature on sprinkler

Firefighter II167(Continued)SprinklersFusible link

Frangible bulbFirefighter II168

(Continued)SprinklersChemical pellet

Firefighter II169

Sprinkler PositionPendant

UprightFirefighter II1610

(Continued)Sprinkler PositionSidewallSpecial-purpose

Firefighter II1611

Sprinkler StorageStorage cabinet to house spare sprinklers, a sprinkler wrench usually installed near sprinkler rise, main shut-off valveCabinets hold a minimum of six sprinklers and sprinkler wrench in accordance with NFPA 13 and 13D

Firefighter II1612(Continued)Sprinkler StorageIn many jurisdictions, job of changing sprinklers must be performed by representatives of buildings occupants qualified to perform work on sprinkler systems

Firefighter II1613(Continued)

Sprinkler StorageIn other jurisdictions, firefighters allowed to replace fused/damaged sprinklers to restore system to service soonerFirefighter II1614Water SupplyMinimum water supply has to deliver required volume of water to highest sprinkler in building at residual pressure of 15 psi (105 kPa)

Firefighter II1615(Continued)

Water SupplyMinimum flow depends on hazard to be protected, occupancy, building contentsIn most cases, water supply for sprinkler systems designed to supply only fraction of sprinklers actually installed on system

Firefighter II1616(Continued)Water SupplyIf large fire occurs/pipe breaks, sprinkler system will need outside source of water and pressure

Firefighter II1617(Continued)Water SupplySprinkler FDCs should be supplied with water from pumpers that have capacity of at least 1,000 gpm (4 000 L/min) or greater; minimum of two 2-inch (65 mm) or larger hoses should be attached to the FDC

Firefighter II1618(Continued)Water SupplyAfter water flows through FDC into system, passes through check valve Proper direction of water flow through check valve usually indicated by arrow on valve or appearance of valve casingFirefighter II1619(Continued)Water SupplyFirefighter II1620

(Continued)Water SupplyDepartmental preincident plans may identify the pressure at which a sprinkler system should be supported

Firefighter II1621Effects of Sprinkler Systems on Life SafetySafety of building occupants enhanced by presence of sprinkler system because it discharges water directly onto fire while still relatively smallFirefighter I1622(Continued)Effects of Sprinkler Systems on Life SafetyBecause fire extinguished/controlled in early growth stage, combustion products limitedSprinklers also effective in other situationsThere are times when sprinklers alone are not as effectiveFirefighter I1623DiscussionWhat are some of the dangers of prematurely closing a sprinkler main at control point and using supply hose lines when the same water system is supplying the automatic sprinkler system?Water SupplyDepartmental preincident plans may identify the pressure at which a sprinkler system should be supportedWhat are three sources of water for supply of an automatic sprinkler system?

Firefighter II1625Wet-Pipe SystemsUsed in locations where temperatures below 40F (4C) not expectedSimplest type of automatic fire sprinkler systemFirefighter II1626(Continued)

Wet-Pipe SystemsGenerally require little maintenanceContain water under pressure at all timesConnected to public/private water supply so fused sprinkler immediately discharges water spray, actuates alarmFirefighter II1627(Continued)Wet-Pipe SystemsUsually equipped with alarm check valve installed in main riser adjacent to where feed main enters buildingNewer versions may have a backflow prevention check valve and electronic flow alarm.Firefighter II1628(Continued)Wet-Pipe SystemsMay be equipped with retarding device as part of alarm check valveFirefighter II1629Dry-Pipe SystemsUsed in locations where piping may be subjected to temperatures below 40F (4C)

Firefighter II1630(Continued)

Dry-Pipe SystemsHave pitched (sloped) pipes to help drain water in system back toward main drain Replace water in sprinkler piping with air under pressure

Firefighter II1631(Continued)Dry-Pipe SystemsDesigned so small amount of air pressure above dry-pipe valve will hold back much greater water pressure on water supply side of dry-pipe valve Equipped with electric or hydraulic alarm-signaling equipmentFirefighter II1632(Continued)Dry-Pipe SystemsLarger systems may have several-minute delay while air expelled from system

Firefighter II1633

Preaction SystemsDry systems that employ deluge-type valve, fire detection device, closed sprinklersUsed when especially important to prevent water damage, even if pipes brokenFirefighter II1634(Continued)Preaction SystemsWill not discharge water into sprinkler piping except in response to smoke- or heat-detection system actuationSound alarm to give warning before opening of sprinklersFirefighter II1635Deluge SystemsSimilar to dry-pipe system in no water in distribution piping before system activationDiffer from dry-pipe systems in sprinklers have no fusible links, do not function as fire detection devicesFirefighter II1636(Continued)Deluge SystemsDesigned to quickly supply large volume of water to protected areaSometimes used to discharge foam/other extinguishing agents in occupancies containing flammable liquids, other volatile fuelsFirefighter II1637Residential SystemsInstalled in one- and two-family dwellingsDesigned to give occupants of dwelling chance to escape, prevent total involvement in room of originFirefighter II1638(Continued)

Residential SystemsEmploy quick-response sprinklersUse several types of piping systemsMust have pressure gauge, flow detector, means for draining and testing system

Firefighter II1639(Continued)

Residential SystemsCan be either connected directly to public water supply or to dwellings domestic water system Firefighter II1640(Continued)

Residential SystemsRequire control valve to turn off water to sprinkler system and to domestic water system if connected; if sprinkler system supplied separately from domestic water system, sprinkler control valve must be supervised in open positionFirefighter II1641(Continued)Residential SystemsOperate in same manner as other wet-pipe/dry-pipe systemsMay be equipped with fire department connection (FDC); FDC may be 1-inch (38 mm) connection

Firefighter II1642Practical ExerciseFirefighter shall:Demonstrate removing one sprinkler head from the system and replacing it with a head of the same type