Essentials of Fire Fighting,

1

• Essentials of Fire Fighting,
• 5th Edition

Chapter 16 Fire Detection, Alarm, and
Suppression Systems Firefighter I
2
Chapter 16 Lesson Goal

• After completing this lesson, the student shall
  be able to operate various fire detection, alarm,
  and suppression systems and operate at fires in
  protected properties following the policies and
  procedures set forth by the authority having
  jurisdiction (AHJ).

3
Specific Objectives

• 1. List functions of fire detection, alarm, and
  suppression systems.
• 2. Discuss general automatic sprinkler
  protection and types of coverage.
• 3. Describe control valves and operating valves
  used in sprinkler systems.

(Continued)
4
Specific Objectives

• 4. Describe major applications of sprinkler
  systems.
• 5. Discuss operations at fires in protected
  properties.
• 6. Operate a sprinkler system control valve.
  (Skill Sheet 16-I-1)

(Continued)
5
Specific Objectives

• 7. Manually stop the flow of water from a
  sprinkler. (Skill Sheet 16-I-2)
• 8. Connect hoseline to a sprinkler system FDC.
  (Skill Sheet 16-I-3)

6
Functions of Fire Detection, Alarm, Suppression
Systems

• To notify occupants of facility to take necessary
  evasive action to escape dangers of hostile fire
  
• To summon organized assistance to initiate or
  assist fire control activities

(Continued)
7
Functions of Fire Detection, Alarm, Suppression
Systems

• To initiate automatic fire control, suppression
  systems, sound alarm
• To supervise fire control, suppression systems to
  ensure operational status maintained

(Continued)
8
Functions of Fire Detection, Alarm, Suppression
Systems

• To initiate wide variety of auxiliary functions
  involving environmental, utility, process controls

(Continued)
9
Automatic Sprinkler Protection

• Consists of series of sprinklers arranged so
  system will automatically distribute sufficient
  quantities of water directly onto fire
• Water supplied to sprinklers through system of
  piping

(Continued)
10
Automatic Sprinkler Protection

• Sprinklers can extend from exposed pipes or
  protrude through ceiling or walls from hidden
  pipes
• Sprinkler coverage complete or partial

(Continued)
11
Automatic Sprinkler Protection

• Standards used as guides for installing sprinkler
  protection in most occupancies
• Sprinkler system should be listed by nationally
  recognized testing laboratory
• Automatic sprinkler systems fail to operate only
  in rare instances

12
Effects of Sprinkler Systems on Life Safety

• Safety of building occupants enhanced by presence
  of sprinkler system because it discharges water
  directly onto fire while still relatively small

(Continued)
13
Effects of Sprinkler Systems on Life Safety

• Because fire extinguished/controlled in early
  growth stage, combustion products limited
• Sprinklers also effective in other situations
• There are times when sprinklers alone are not as
  effective

14
Control Valves

• Part of every sprinkler system
• Used to turn off water supply to system in
  order to replace sprinklers, perform maintenance,
  interrupt operations

(Continued)
15
Control Valves

• Located between source of water supply, sprinkler
  system
• Usually located immediately under sprinkler alarm
  valve, dry-pipe or deluge valve, or outside
  building near sprinkler system it controls

(Continued)
16
Control Valves

• Either secured in open position with chain and
  padlock or electronically supervised to make sure
  not inadvertently closed

17
Indicating Control Valves

• Show at glance whether open or closed
• Outside stem and yoke (OSY) valve

(Continued)
18
Indicating Control Valves

• Post indicator valve (PIV)

(Continued)
19
Indicating Control Valves

• Wall post indicator valve (WPIV)

(Continued)
20
Indicating Control Valves

• Post indicator valve assembly (PIVA)

21
Operating Valves

• Alarm test valve
• Inspectors test valve
• Main drain valve

22
Wet-Pipe Systems

• Used in locations where temperatures below 40F
  (4C) not expected
• Simplest type of automatic fire sprinkler system

(Continued)
23
Wet-Pipe Systems

• Generally require little maintenance
• Contain water under pressure at all times
• Connected to public/private water supply so fused
  sprinkler immediately discharges water spray,
  actuates alarm

(Continued)
24
Wet-Pipe Systems

• Usually equipped with alarm check valve installed
  in main riser adjacent to where feed main enters
  building
• Newer versions may have a backflow prevention
  check valve and electronic flow alarm.

(Continued)
25
Wet-Pipe Systems

• May be equipped with retarding device as part of
  alarm check valve

26
Dry-Pipe Systems

• Used in locations where piping may be subjected
  to temperatures below 40F (4C)

(Continued)
27
Dry-Pipe Systems

• Have pitched (sloped) pipes to help drain water
  in system back toward main drain
• Replace water in sprinkler piping with air under
  pressure

(Continued)
28
Dry-Pipe Systems

• Designed 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 equipment

(Continued)
29
Dry-Pipe Systems

• Larger systems may have several-minute delay
  while air expelled from system

30
Preaction Systems

• Dry systems that employ deluge-type valve, fire
  detection device, closed sprinklers
• Used when especially important to prevent water
  damage, even if pipes broken

(Continued)
31
Preaction Systems

• Will not discharge water into sprinkler piping
  except in response to smoke- or heat-detection
  system actuation
• Sound alarm to give warning before opening of
  sprinklers

32
Deluge Systems

• Similar to dry-pipe system in no water in
  distribution piping before system activation
• Differ from dry-pipe systems in sprinklers have
  no fusible links, do not function as fire
  detection devices

(Continued)
33
Deluge Systems

• Designed to quickly supply large volume of water
  to protected area
• Sometimes used to discharge foam/other
  extinguishing agents in occupancies containing
  flammable liquids, other volatile fuels

34
Residential Systems

• Installed in one- and two-family dwellings
• Designed to give occupants of dwelling chance to
  escape, prevent total involvement in room of
  origin
• Employ quick-response sprinklers

(Continued)
35
Residential Systems

• Use several types of piping systems
• Must have pressure gauge, flow detector, means
  for draining and testing system
• Can be either connected directly to public water
  supply or to dwellings domestic water system

(Continued)
36
Residential Systems

• Require 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 position

(Continued)
37
Residential Systems

• Operate in same manner as other wet-pipe/dry-pipe
  systems
• May be equipped with fire department connection
  (FDC) FDC may be 1½-inch (38 mm) connection

38
Important Factors in Occupancies With Activated
Sprinkler Systems

• Early-arriving pumper should connect to FDC in
  accordance with preincident plan
• Firefighters should make every effort to supply
  adequate water to operating sprinkler system

(Continued)
39
Important Factors in Occupancies With Activated
Sprinkler Systems

• Water supply may have to be conserved to supply
  sprinkler system
• Sprinkler system control valves must be open

(Continued)
40
Important Factors in Occupancies With Activated
Sprinkler Systems

• Sprinkler control valves should not be closed
  until fire officers convinced further operations
  will simply waste water, produce heavy water
  damage, hamper progress of final extinguishment

(Continued)
41
Important Factors in Occupancies With Activated
Sprinkler Systems

• When a sprinkler control valve closed,
  firefighter with portable radio should be
  stationed at valve in case it needs to be
  reopened
• In some departments, SOP to plug open sprinklers
  rather than shut entire system down

(Continued)
42
Important Factors in Occupancies With Activated
Sprinkler Systems

• Pumpers should not be disconnected from FDC until
  after extinguishment confirmed by thorough
  overhaul
• Sprinkler equipment should be restored to service
  before leaving premises

(Continued)
43
Important Factors in Occupancies With Activated
Sprinkler Systems

• Firefighters may be required to stop flow of
  water from single sprinkler that has been
  activated

44
Summary

• Many of the buildings to which firefighters are
  called for emergency operations are protected
  partially or fully by automatic fire detection
  and/or suppression systems.

(Continued)
45
Summary

• Firefighters need to familiarize themselves with
  the types of systems installed in their area of
  responsibility. They should also learn the
  locations of these systems as well as the
  capabilities and limitations of each type of
  system.

46
Review Questions

• 1. What are the functions of fire detection,
  alarm, and suppression systems?
• 2. What are the two general types of sprinkler
  coverage?
• 3. What is the function of control valves?

(Continued)
47
Review Questions

• 4. What is the difference between a wet-pipe
  system and a dry-pipe system?
• 5. When should sprinkler control valves be
  closed?