2016

Fire Fighting System

Project

Supervisor:

Dr. Shatha Ammourah

BY: MOLHAM MASRI 201411028

MAHMOUD MANDOW 201410263
SHADI SAFFOUR 201311794

PHILADELPHIA UNIVERCITY
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of contents: ............................................................................................. 1

Figure contents....................................................................................... 2

1.1 Introduction to Fire Fighting .............................................................. 4

1.2 Fire Systems Classification................................................................. 5

1.3 Fire Protection Systems .................................................................... 6

1.3.1. Dry Pipe Fire Sprinkler System ................................................... 6

1.3.2. Wet Pipe Fire Sprinkler System .................................................. 7

1.3.3. Pre-action Fire Sprinkler System ................................................. 8

1.3.4. In-Rack Sprinkler System .......................................................... 9

1.3.5. Quell Fire Sprinkler System ....................................................... 9

1.3.6. ESFR (Early Suppression Fast Response Fire Sprinkler Systems) ............10

1.3.7. Vortex Fire Suppression System .................................................10

1.3.8. Foam / Chemical Suppression ...................................................11

1.3.9. CO2 Fire Suppression Systems ...................................................12

1.3.10. Gaseous Fire Suppression: INERT GASES .......................................13

1.4 Fire Fighting Systems Control ............................................................14

2.1 A Brief history about Firefighting .......................................................16

2.2 History of Fire Sprinkler Systems ........................................................18

2.3 History of Fire Detection ..................................................................19

3.1 References .................................................................................20

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Figure and Table contents

Figure 1: Dry Pipe Fire Sprinkler System ................................................ 3

Figure 2: Wet Pipe Fire Sprinkler System ............................................... 7

Figure 3: Pre-action Fire Sprinkler System ............................................. 8

Figure 4: In-Rack Sprinkler System ....................................................... 9

Figure 5: Quell Fire Sprinkler System .................................................... 9

Figure 6: Early Suppression Fast Response Fire Sprinkler System .................. 10

Figure 7: Vortex Fire Suppression System .............................................. 11

Figure 8: Foam / Chemical Suppression ................................................ 11

Figure 9: CO2 Fire Suppression System ................................................. 11

Figure 10: Gaseous Fire Suppression: INERT GASES................................... 11

Figure 11: Fire Fighting System Control ................................................ 11

Figure 12: Fire Sprinkler .................................................................. 11

Figure 13: Fire Detector .................................................................. 11

Table 1: Fire Classifications: …………………………………………………………………………………5

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1
Introduction

1.1 Introduction to Fire Fighting

1.2 Fire Systems Classification

1.3 Types of Fire Protection Systems

1.4 Fire Fighting Systems Control

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1. Introduction

Protection from fire damage is essential to the preservation of library and archival

materials. A firefighting system is probably the most important of building services,

its aim is to protect human life and property.

Buildings must be constructed in accordance with the building code that is in effect

when an application for a building permit is made.

Fire Fighting, techniques and equipment are used to extinguish fires and limit the

damage caused by them. And it consists of large tanks, pumping system, network of

pipes, and hydrants or sprinklers.

All repositories, house library and archival materials should be equipped with a fire

detection and alarm system wired directly to the local fire department 24-hour

monitor.

Most firefighting consists of applying water to the burning material, cooling it to the

point at which combustion is no longer self-sustaining. Fires involving flammable

liquids, certain chemicals, and combustible metals often require special extinguishing

agents and techniques. With some fuels the use of water may actually be dangerous.

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 2. Fire Systems Classification:

Firefighting systems depends on removing one or more of the three elements essential

to combustion: fuel, heat, and oxygen.

There are two types of firefighting systems: mechanical such as the hoses and

electrical such as sprinklers.

The type of fire extinguishing system used depends on the burning material and we

can classify four types of fires:

Table 1: Fire Classifications:

Also automatic sprinklers are now considered by most fire safety professionals,

librarians and archivists to be the best protection from fire for libraries and archives.

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3. Fire Protection Systems:

3.1. Dry Pipe Fire Sprinkler System

A dry pipe sprinkler system is one in which pipes are filled with pressurized air or

nitrogen, rather than water.

Advantages: Using dry pipe fire sprinkler systems include: Dry pipe sprinkler

systems provide automatic protection in spaces where freezing is possible.

Disadvantages: Using dry pipe fire sprinkler systems include: Increased complexity,

higher installation and maintenance costs, lower design flexibility, increased fire

response time, and increased corrosion potential.

Figure 1: Dry Pipe Fire Sprinkler System

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 3.2. Wet Pipe Fire Sprinkler System

Wet pipe systems are the most common fire sprinkler system. A wet pipe system is

one in which water is constantly maintained within the sprinkler piping.

Advantages: Using a wet pipe fire sprinkler system include: System simplicity and

reliability, relatively low installation and maintenance expenses, and ease of

modification.

Disadvantages: Using a wet pipe fire sprinkler system include: Wet pipe systems are

not suited for sub-freezing environments. There may be also concern from leaking

and severe damages in pipes.

Figure 2: Wet Pipe Fire Sprinkler System

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 3.3. Pre-action Fire Sprinkler System

Pre-action fire sprinkler systems employ the basic concept of a dry pipe system that

water is not normally contained within the pipes. The difference, however, is that

water is held from piping by an electrically operated valve, known as a pre-action

valve. Valve operation is controlled by independent flame, heat, or smoke detection.

Advantages: Using pre-action fire sprinkler systems include: The dual action required

for water release - the pre-action valve must operate and sprinkler heads must fuse.

This feature provides an added level of protection against inadvertent discharge. For

this reason, pre-action systems are frequently employed in water sensitive

environments such as archival vaults, fine art storage rooms, rare book libraries and

computer centers.

Disadvantages: Using pre-action fire sprinkler systems include: Higher installation

and maintenance costs, modification difficulties, and potential decreased reliability.

Figure 3: Pre-action Fire Sprinkler System

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 3.4. In-Rack Sprinkler System

Warehouse fires are extremely challenging, they spread quickly and have immense

increases in heat release rate over a short period of time. In-rack fire sprinkler systems

are specifically designed for the protection of racked storage areas in warehouses.

Figure
Figure 4: In-Rack 4
Sprinkler System

3.5. Quell Fire Sprinkler System

The Quell Fire Sprinkler System is designed for cold storage and/or unheated

warehouses using a "surround and drown" method to save the building and goods

stored. Quell Fire System is a double interlock pre-action system design scenario

developed for the protection of high piled storage.

Figure 5: Quell Fire Sprinkler System

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 3.6. ESFR (Early Suppression Fast Response Fire Sprinkler Systems)

ESFR (Early Suppression, Fast Response) ceiling mounted sprinklers can be used in

warehouses in place of in-rack fire sprinkler systems. ESFR provides protection that

exceeds that of in-rack systems. ESFR high output, high volume systems are located

in ceiling spaces as with conventional fire sprinkler systems. It incorporates very

large high volume, high-pressure heads to provide the necessary protection without

the need for in-rack sprinklers.

Figure 6: Early Suppression Fast Response Fire Sprinkler System

3.7. Vortex Fire Suppression System

The Vortex Fire Suppression System uses both water and nitrogen homogeneously to

extinguish fires. This technology uses a small water drop that will absorb more heat

while the nitrogen will reduce the oxygen feeding the fire.

Advantages: Using Vortex Fire Suppression System: With smaller water drops there

is minimal wetting, nitrogen is safe to use with people still in the room, and green

design that is completely safe for the environment.

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 Figure 7: Vortex Fire Suppression System

3.8. Foam / Chemical Suppression

Foam is used whenever there is a possibility of a liquid fire. The Foam will mix with

water and then expand over the liquid that is on fire, cool the fire, and finally will be

extinguished. The distribution of a foam blanket over a flammable liquid will

extinguish a fire by eliminating the fire's oxygen supply and provide a cooling effect

on the burning fuel. Foam is also available for the protection of hydrocarbon fuels

and polar solvent fuels such as ethanol.

Figure 8: Foam / Chemical Suppression

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 3.9. CO2 Fire Suppression Systems

CO2 systems are the preferred choice as an extinguishing for a multitude of critical

facilities. Fast, efficient and adaptable to a wide range of hazards, the discharge of

carbon dioxide [a low-cost clean agent] is non-damaging to property and electrically

non-conductive.

Advantages: Using CO2: Fast, environmentally friendly, non-damaging, and non-

conductive

Figure 9: CO2 Fire Suppression System

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 3.10. Gaseous Fire Suppression: INERT GASES

Gaseous fire suppression is a term to describe the use of inert gases and chemical

agents to extinguish a fire. Inert gasses work by removing the oxygen in the hazard

to a point where it will not support a fire.

Advantages: Using INERT GASES: Non-conductive, non-corrosive, safe for People,

does not leave a residue, and working on a molecular level is faster fire suppression,

often within seconds.

Figure 10: Gaseous Fire Suppression: INERT GASES

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4. Fire Fighting Systems Control:

The control systems of the firefighting is divided into two parts: the first one consist

of the fire alarm systems that involve detectors, the second one consist of the pumping

system, and both parts are interconnected by the control panel.

When a fire occurs, the sensor in smoke detection device senses a danger in the area

and sends a signal to the control panel in the alarm system, which is in turn connected

to a valve, then the valves open due to the signal from the sensor. Sprinkler now is

opened to send the proper materials so the fire is extinguished quickly.

Firefighting systems with parallel-connected pumps are equipped with two to six

pumps, the pumps are mounted on a foundation supported by anti-vibration feet,

which gives the possibility to level the system and prevent the transfer of vibration,

each pump is fitted with non-return valves and cut-off fittings at the inlet and outlet,

the pumps are connected to the suction and discharge manifolds. These manifolds are

fitted with necessary sensors, pressure gauges and pressure vessels.

Figure 11: Fire Fighting System Control

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2
Literature
survey

2.1 A Brief history about Firefighting

2.2 History of Fire Sprinkler Systems

2.3 History of Fire Detection

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1. A Brief History of Firefighting:

Fire Fighting, techniques and equipment used to extinguish fires and limit the damage

caused by them. Firefighting consists of removing one or more of the three elements

essential to combustion-fuel, heat, and oxygen-or of interrupting the combustion

chain reaction.

The first pump designed for firefighting may have been created by Ctesibius of

Alexandria around the 2nd century BC, which lost lately, and reinvented in Europe

during the 1500's.

During the reign of the Roman Emperor Augustus the fire-fighting teams was

established in 24 BC, who became later as alarm systems, the basic method used in

fire extinguishers at the time was the bucket to deliver water to the fire and the axe to

prevent the spread of fire, fire-alarm systems came with the invention of the

telegraph.

The fire engines in the 17th century, were as storages carried on wheels, and

sometimes housed a hand-operated pump, in the Netherlands about 1672, it was the

invention of a hand-stitched leather hose pipe enabled fire fighters to work closer to

the fire without endangering their engines to danger.

The first fire squad in the modern age were created in France in the early 18th century

in 1699 by François du Mouriez. He used "fire-preventing portable pumps" for

fighting fire, Thomas Lote built the first fire engine made in America in 1743.

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By the late 1800, the electric fire alarm system was invented. This was the first time

a thermostat could detect heat and trigger the sprinkler system to displace a fire. This

was also the birth of fire protection services.

The first self-propelled steam engine (pumper) was built in New York in 1841, and

John Ericsson is credited with building the first steam powered fire engine.

All fire service vehicles were generically referred to as “Apparatus”, these apparatus

are called depending on their functions. Some of them can do one or multi functions.

They can pump, transport personnel, and carry hose.

Examples of these functions were included:

• Transport Hose

• Transport (Major) Ladders and Equipment

• Pump Water

• Transport Water

• Transport Personnel

• Other specialized tasks.

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2. History of Fire Sprinkler Systems:

From 1852 to 1885, perforated pipe systems were used in textile mills throughout

England as a means of fire protection. However, they were not automatic systems;

they did not turn on by themselves. Inventors first began experimenting with

automatic sprinklers around 1860. The first automatic sprinkler system was patented

by Philip W. Pratt.

Henry S. Parmalee is considered the inventor of the first practical automatic sprinkler

head. Parmalee improved upon the Pratt patent and created a better sprinkler system.

Until the 1940s, sprinklers were installed for the protection of commercial buildings,

whose owners were generally able to recover their expenses with savings in insurance

costs. Over the years, fire sprinklers have become mandatory safety equipment, and

are required by building codes to be placed in hospitals, schools, hotels and other

public buildings.

Figure 12: Fire Sprinkler

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3. History of Fire Detection:

Fire detection is recognized to play an essential role in providing fire safety in

buildings, to protect people, property and contents.

The situation now is different from nearly 50 years ago when automatic detection was

rarely provided in buildings. The change in attitude has been the result of a series of

significant fire incidents and research developments.

Significant fires resulted in the loss of numerous lives and/or involved substantial

damage to property and contents and the lack of early detection was identified as a

major factor in the outcome of the fire.

The first smoke detector was developed in the early 1940’s by Meili and Jaegar,

smoke detectors was created before to heat detectors, smoke detectors would have

reduced the fatalities by 41%, while the heat detectors would have only reduced the

number of fatalities by only 8%.

Figure 13: Fire Detector

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References

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 3.1. References:

[1] Fred Hall & Roger Greeno, 19 May 2003; Building Services Handbook, fifth edition.

[2] fire protection systems and equipment , John M. Choline, jones & bartlett learning

[3] Irina G. Shepilova, Paris, November 1992, MAIN PRINCIPLES OF FIRE

PROTECTION IN LIBRARIES AND ARCHIVES

[4] American Bureau of Shipping , MAY 2005, GUIDANCE NOTES ON FIRE-

FIGHTING SYSTEMS

[5] http://www.vfpfire.com/

[6] http://www.fireline.com

[7] http://www.nfpa.org/

[8] https://www.nedcc.org/

[9] http://www.mfs.sa.gov.au

[10] http://www.fifisystems.com

[11] http://tfppemea.com

[12] http://www.emergencydispatch.org

[13] http://safelincsindia.com/

[14] http://www.firemain.com

[15] https://www.emergencydispatch.org

[16] http://www.ryanfp.com

[17] http://www.automaticfire.ie

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