A BASIC DESIGN GUIDELINE FOR MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

SYSTEMS COULD BE CATEGORISED INTO FIVE (5) SECTIONS SUCH AS;

A)

B)

SANITARY AND SEWERAGE PIPE MANHOLE SERVICES

All design guideline for Sanitary and Sewerage Pipe Manhole Services are based on Guide to Sewerage Systems - Malaysian
Water Association (MWA)/(BS5572:1994)
Make sure all proposed design calculations and drawings documentation to be prepared earlier and need to be endorsed &
sign by the Clients before doing any final Building Submissions to the authorities. (e.g. Majlis Perbandaran Selayang, Majlis
Perbandaran Kelang, Majlis Perbandaran Shah Alam, Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur and etc. Those approval processes would
take around three (3) to four (4) months from the date of submission.
HOT & COLD WATER PLUMBING SERVICES AND SUCTION & ELEVATED ROOF WATER TANK & PUMPING SYSTEM

All proposed design guidelines are based on Guide to Water Supply System JKR/MWA
Make sure all proposed design calculations and drawings for Hot & Water Plumbing and Suction/Elevated Roof Water Tank
and Pumping System need to be prepared for Tender for Construction purposes and JBA/Syabas and District Council
Authorities submission and approval.
The Size of Elevated Storage/Domestic Water Tank is based on the number of population per sq.ft. (100 sq.ft/ 1 person) or
Specified Required Gallons of Water Demand per sq.m (2.2 Ig/ 1 sq.m) this case would be direct tapping from the Main
Bulk Water Meter to the Elevated Storage/Domestic Water Tank. Hence, under Penang Water Authorities (PBA) the total
Water Demand would be around 5.5 Igals/ 1 sq.m.
In any special case if there is a very low pressure from the Main Bulk Water Meter to the Elevated Water Tank, it is
required to have One Suction Tank that would be *1/3 of Storage/day from the total water demand and balance 2/3 of
Storage/day is for the Elevated Roof/Storage Tank. It is noted that all final selection of Water Tank Size is depends upon
on the incoming size of the pipe from the Water Reticulation (e.g. Size of Ductile Iron Pipe = 65 mm, need to consider the
free board of 10 from the surface of sitting ball valve to the inner surface of the tank height and the balance bottom
height
of 3 where from the height of the water outlets to the inner surface of the bottom water tank.
A Suction Pump (Booster Multistage Vertical Type) need to be analysed and designed for 6 to 8 hours Operation/day in a
proper way by considering all water supply from the Suction Tank to be controlled by On/Off Procedures (Pressure
Regulating Control Valves) where could be read off by the Motorised Valve at Roof Storage Tanks. The effective capacity
(KW) of the Suction Pump would be considered by the following criterias:
Design flow rates (Q Igpm) = Total Water Demand / 8 X 60 min.
Total Pump Head (ft.) = Highest Static Head + Pipe Friction Head Loss
(Pipe friction head loss = s.factor, 20% X Pipe friction factor [Equivalent Pipe Length + Straight Pipe Length]
Min. Pump Cap. = 1.2 X Pump B.H.P X 0.746; i.e. Pump B.H.P = TPH X Q / 3300 X Pump effieciency (60% to 65%)
The location of the Suction Tank would be at the Ground or Lower Ground Floor depends upon S.O Architects requirements.
Material of Suction Tank shall be FRP Fibre Reinforced Plastics or R.C Reinforced Concrete.
A Booster Pump for Roof Tanks calculations could be determined by considering the number and type of fittings to be used
and its individual loading units factor. So, by totaling up the number of loading units factor then only the required Design
Flow Rates (Igmin. Imperial Gallon/min.) could be determined by referring to CP310:1965 Graph Fig.1 (Water Supply
Rules JKR)
All Total Pump Head need to be considered by estimating the Total Pump Head (TPH) would be considered same like
determining the Suction Pump.
A Break Tank for Cold Water Plumbing Services only needed as per SYABAS requirement if the High Rise
Apartment/Condominium level height above 75 m.
Below table is a sample plant room & risers that for High Rise Apartment/Condominium that need to be clarified with S.Os
Architects;

Sample Plant Room for Cold water:

Roof tank room
10m x 10m x 4.6m (H)
Roof pump room

4m x 2m x 3m (H)

Suction tank room

10m x 5m x 3.5m (H)

Suction pump room

4m x 3m x 3.5m (H)

Cold water riser

1.2m x 0.75m

Centre roof area

Shall be attached to
roof tank room
Within apartment
footprint
Shall be attached to
suction tank room
Required near
staircase 1, 2 & 3

Cold Water Break Tank (if Building height > 75m)

(TANK TYPE : FRP)
a) Tank Sizing

4m(W) x 4m(L) x 2m(H)

For the building

height above 75m.
Within 1 no. of
apartment unit for
Block A & B. At Level
17th. Sharing with the
apartment unit of Wet
Riser break tank.

b) Tank & Pump

Room

C)

4m(W) x 7m(L) x 2m(H)

Swimming Pool Requirement
a)
Swimming
Pool 6(W) x 5(L) x 5(H)
Balancing
Tank
Room
(TANK TYPE : RC)
Swimming
Pool 5(W) x 5(L) x 5(H)
Balancing
Tank
Pump Room

AIR
& MECHANICAL VENTILATION SERVICES

Within
footprint

apartment

Shall be attached to
swimming
pool
balancing tank room

CONDITIONING

All proposed design guidelines are based on HVAC and Air Conditioning System ASHRAE/MASHRAE or SMACNA
Make sure all proposed design calculations and drawings for Air - Conditioning and Mechanical Ventilation System need to
be prepared for Tender for Construction purposes.
The selection of Chiller Unit is firstly to Determine the tentative heat loads for Chiller Condensing unit by doing the
estimation on the Average between maximum and minimum of Grand Total Cooling Load/effective area, Sq.Ft. as can be
referred to Table 1 Design and Cooling Load Checks (e.g. GTC Hospital = 80 Btuh/Sq.Ft. Factories = 80 Btuh/Sq.Ft.,
Offices = 75 Btuh/Sq.Ft., Shopping Complexes = 60 Btuh/Sq.Ft. Houses, Condominiums & Apartments = 65 Btuh/Sq.ft. and
etc.).
Then only the Chiller Cooling Load in Btuh Unit need to convert into Ton of Refrigerant - T.R (1 T.R = 12,000 Btuh) and not
to forget by adding up the Safety factor of 10 to 15 percent.
Smoke Control System for the Air Handling Unit for all types of buildings should consider the Suction Air and Return Air. A
basic rule of thumbs as referred from below formula;
CFM (Suction Air) = RSH (Room Sensible Heat)/1.08 X 15 and CFM (Return Air) = 0.8 GTC
Cooling Tower Unit need to be determined by adding up 25% (i.e. multiply by factor of 1.25) from the total Chiller Cooling
Unit. (T.R unit)
The Size of Make Up Water Tank need to be determined by considering below formula;
Total Size of Cooling Tower (CT-T.R) X 3.0 U.S Gallons X 8 hours of pump operations. (convert to Ig Imperial Gallons,
multiply by factor of 0.833)
Sub total capacity of Chilled Water Flow Rates - for individual AHU Units (m/h) = (GTC, KW)/1.16 X (7C - different of
temp. on the refrigerating effects)
Total Capacity of Chilled Water Flow Rates (m/h) = 7% of Sub total capacity of Chilled Water Flow Rates
Total Condenser Water Flow Rates (m/h), as at 30C-32C = 25% of Total Chilled Water Flow Rates(m/h), as at 24C26C

D)

Chilled/Condensing Water Pump Capacity = Total Flow Rates,igpm (Condenser/Chiller) X total pump head (ft)/3300 X Pump
effieciency; considering 1 unit each on standby and 2 units each on duty (total overall = 6 units of Condenser/Chilled Water
Pumps)
Chilled/Condenser Water Pipes could be determined same like the Cold Water Pipe Calculations but the only difference is to
take care any heat/cold losses from those piping works by considering the fire rated pipe insulations.
Condenser Water flow rates for Water Cool Package Unit (l/min) = (GTC + Input) KW / (7C - different of temp. on the
refrigerating effects) X 0.07
Fan Coil Unit Power Consumption; for Air Cooled Package = 1.5KW/ton and Water Cooled Package = 0.9KW/ton
Exhaust/Fresh Air Fan for Gen-set and Electrical Switch room; the Air Change/hr (ACH) = 15, Toilet = 10, Kitchen= 20,
Basement = 6, Restaurant = 15 to 20 (depends on the heat loads of the restaurant), Car-park = 12, Lift Motor Room = 12,
Auditorium = 0.14 cmm/seat, Canteen = 0.28 cmm/seat and the Air Flow Rates can be calculated, CFM = Room Volume (m) X
ACH / 60
Total Pressure Losses for AHU Ducting Lines; Pressure Duct Losses = ( ? ft. X 0.1wg/100ft) + fan losses = 0.2wg + Grille
Losses = 0.1 wg
AHU Fan Power Rated; Air Flow Rates (m/s) X Total Pressure Losses (mm wg)/102 X motor effieciency (65%)
The Air Cooled Supply Velocity from the AHU Air Handling Unit could be determined by using the Ductulator (e.g.
TRANE, YORK DUNHAM BUSH)
Air Fan Capacity for Kitchen Area (m/hr) = Kitchen Room Size (m) X 25 ACH / 1 hr.
Kitchen Hood Size = W (m) X L (m) X 1.02 (h)
Suction Air Fan at the Kitchen Hood (CFM) = (1.4 X 0.4m/s X 2(W+L) X 1.02, by converting to CFM) X Grille losses, 0.5wg

FIRE PROTECTION SERVICES & FIRE ALARM SYSTEM

All proposed design calculations and drawings for Fire Protection Services & Fire Alarm System need to follow a design
guidelines that based on the book title; Guide To Fire Protection in Malaysia 2 nd.edition, March 2006 (Active Submission, by
refer to Chapter 5 to 13 Portable Fire Extinguisher, External Fire Hydrant System, Hose Reel System, Dry Riser System,
Wet Riser System, Downcomer System, Automatic Sprinkler System, Automatic CO2 Extinguishing System, and Automatic
Fire Detection & alarm System)
Pressurisation System in Building, Smoke Control System Using Natural Displacement or Powered Extracted Ventilation, Fire
Lift, and Emergency Power System would be put under separate submission due to the building requirements (by refer to
Chapter 14 to 17)
All Passive Submission and Performance Base would be under Architectural and C&S Scope of Works Only. (Chapter 4 and 18
only)
Make sure all proposed design calculations and drawings for Active Fire Protection Services need to be prepared for Tender
for Construction purposes and BOMBA submission and approval.
Portable Fire Extinguisher

It could be categorised into different types of Media and Application/Classes by following its Colour Coding;
Water Suit for *Class A fires (in red colour code)
Foam Suit for Class A & B fires (in cream colour code)
Dry Chemical Powder Suit for Class A, B, C and E fires (in blue colour code)
Carbon Dioxide Suit for Class B & E fires (in black colour code)
Halon Suit for Military, Aviation or Special Application (in golden yellow colour code)
Wet Chemical System new requirement by BOMBA that need to be installed at all Kitchen Areas. suit under Class F
Selection of the P.F.E Potable Fire Extinguisher; e.g., at the floor area of 1600m:
0.065 X 1600 = 104A
104A = 13A X 8 Units of PFE Cylinders X 4 Kg; or
108A = 27A X 4 Units of PFE Cylinders X 6 Kg

External Fire Hydrant System

Design Standard MS1489 Part 1 (Hydrant System, Hose Reels and Foam Inlets)
- MS1395 Part 1 (Pillar Hydrant)
Design Method could be categorised into two types of external fire hydrant systems;
Direct from main intake to all the pillars

 Pressurised by Fire Pumps

Pillar Hydrant Location is < 30m from the breeching inlet at the building
Hydrant Pillar System location 6m from the building if it is a High Rise Building
Hydrant Pillar Spacing 90m in between and each location has a min. 6m (width) that could withstand 26 tons.
Each Hydrant Pillar should be provided with 30m of 65mm dia. Canvas Hose, Coupling and Nozzles that to be placed in the
special cabinets nearby.
In any special case for Pressurised Installation (used Pumps) each Hydrant Pillars (twin outlets) need to have a Water Supply
at the minimum flow rates of 1000 lit./min (1m/h) and at Working Pressure of 4 Bar (58 Psi/9m head/30ft. head).
Each outlets from the Hydrant Pillars 500 lit/min (0.5 m/h) and at min. Working Pressure of 2 Bar (29 Psi/4.5m head/15ft.
head)
Pressure Regulating type of outlet valve need to be introduced if ever the outlet pressure from the fire mains boost to 7 Bar
(101.5 Psi/16m head/53ft. head)
Pipe Material of the Hydrant Systems could be categorised into two (2) types that approved by BOMBA;
Cement Lined Steel Pipe
ABS (anti corrosion pipe)
Hydrant Pump Specifications; One (1) Unit Standby 3 m/min (3000 lit./min) Electrical/Diesel Engine driven, One (1) Unit
On Duty - 3 m/min (3000 lit./min) Electrical driven and One (1) unit of Jockey Pump To maintain system pressure and as
a Start Up for On Duty/Standby Pumps and usually an electrical motor driven with a capacity of around 120 lit./min (0.12
m/min)
The Flow rates for both Standby/On Duty Hydrant Pumps could be increased depends upon the number of Pillar Hydrants to
be installed
because the limitation for the flow rates of 3000 lit/min each pumps are only limited to 3 n.o.s of Pillars hydrant only; i.e. 1
n.o.s of Pillar Hydrant = 1000 lit. /min and as example if 6 n.o.s of Pillars Hydrant = 6000 lit. /min and so forth.
The Hydrant Pump - Set should be protected from weather (i.e. effect by flooding season)
The Fire Water Storage Tank should be sized for a minimum effective capacity of 135, 000 lit. /min (Approximately: 35,000
to 36,000 Imp. Gallons) that would consider the Upper Level height (free board) and bottom level height (600mm/0.6m)
Before doing any testing on the Hydrant Pumps all procedures below need to be followed;
Starting the duty pump-set at 80% of the system pressure;
Starting the standby pump set at 60% of the system pressure; and
Starting and Stopping the jockey pump set at 90% and 110% of the system pressure.

Hose Reel System

Design Standard
M.S.1489 Part 1: Hydrant System, Hose Reels and Foam Inlets;
M.S.1447 - Hose Reels with semi rigid hose;
M.S.1488: Semi rigid hoses for first aid fixed installations.
Design Method of Hose Reel System;
It should be complied with M.S.1447 and stated detailed under the 10 th.Schedule (refer to UBBL)
The location for each hose reel are usually to be placed where could cover 30 meters of hose coverage between the hose reels
stack.
Each hose reel outlet to discharge a minimum of 30 lit/min (1.8 m/min) of water within 6 meters of all parts of the space
protected.
The rubber hoses should comply to M.S 1488 (min: 30 m in length)
Size of Hose Reel Pipe is 50mm (nom. dia.) and the material is Galvanised Steel Medium Grade Class B for above ground but
for Underground G.I Pipe -Heavy Grade Class C & to be feed to individual hose pipe size 25mm dia.
The pipe shall be painted with primer and finished with red paint or may be identified with red bands.
Hose Reel Pumps 1 (One) unit on Duty and 1 (One) unit on Standby
Pump Flow Rates 120 lit/min@ operating pressure at 2 to 3 bars (4 Hose Reels could be activated at one time)
The Standby Hose Reel Pump Set should be supplied with power from the emergency generator or diesel engine driven (fuel
supply should be adequate for min. 1 hour of operation)
Starting and Stopping the Duty pump-set need to be set at 80% and 100% of System pressure respectively;
Starting and Stopping the Standby pump set need to be set at 60% to 100% of system pressure respectively.
Diesel pump set should be capable of automatic starting but should only be stopped manually.
If the total hose reel < 4 Units than no need to use emergency power; i.e Electrical Generator or Diesel Engine Driven.

 All hose reels system shall not be tapped off from Automatic Sprinkler System
Min. Floor Size Area of Hose Reel Stacks : 1200mm - Length X 800mm - Depth (mm)
Minimum Effective Capacity of Fire Water Storage Tank should be sized based 2275 litres (500 Ig) for the first hose reel
and 1137.5 liters (250 Ig) for every additional hose reel. The maximum effective capacity is approximately 9100 litres (2001
Ig).
The Material used for the Fire Tank is either made from Pressed Steel (hot dipped galvanised and coated internally with
Bituminous paints for corrosion protection), FRP Fiberglass Reinforced Plastics or R.C Concrete.
This Hose Reel Tank need to be refilled with 50mm Supply pipe and at the min. flow rates of 150lit/min (33 Igpm)
Pump Rooms would be located at the Ground Floor or Roof Floor Level and the min. Fire Protection Plant Room Size as
following below table;

Plant Room for Hose Reel Tank

Hose Reel Tank

Room

3(W)
x
2(L) x 5(H)

Within apartment footprint and could be

shared with Wet Riser Tank Room if
Required.

(TANK TYPE :
RC)

If the location of hose reel tank at roof

top than it is advisable to combine with a
Roof Storage Water Tank (i.e Shopping
Complexes like Carrefour, Tesco or Giant)
Ventilation slots should be provided with
insect screen to prevent entry of vermin

Dry Riser System

Design Standard
M.S.1489 Part 1: Hydrant System, Hose Reels and Foam Inlets;
M.S.1210 Part 2: Landing Valves for Dry Risers;
M.S 1210 Part 3: Inlet Breeching Inlet for Risers Inlet
M.S 1210 Part 4: Boxes for Landing Valves for Dry Risers
Design Method of Dry Riser System;
It should be complied with UBBL 1984, the by Laws 230 and 232
Dry Risers are a form of internal hydrant and are only required for buildings where the topmost floor is higher than 18.3
meters and less than 30.5 meters.
Dry Risers are basically dry and all depends upon the Fire Engine to pump water into the system by considering the Breeching
Inlet to be located about 30 meters from the External Hydrant System.
Landing Valves are provided on each floor and should comply with M.S 1210: Part 2.
Those Landing Valves would be located within the fire access lobbies, protected staircases or other protected lobbies at not
more than 0.75 meters from the floor level.
To protect the landing valves, boxes may be provided and these should comply with M.S.1210 Part 4.
Fire Hose Reel Pipings > 38mm dia., 30 meters in length, complete with 65mm dia. Quick Coupling and nozzle should be
provided at each landing valve.
Breeching Inlet would be installed at the bottom of the riser and should comply with M.S. 1210: Part 3. The breeching inlet is
enclosed within a box, the enclosure should comply with M.S.1210 Part 5 and labeled Dry Riser Inlet and a typical drain
should be provided at the bottom of the riser to drain the system after used.

 2 Way Breeching Inlet should be provided for a 100mm dia. Of dry riser pipes but 4 Way Breeching Inlets : 200mm dia. Of
Dry Riser Pipes and should be located 18 meters from the fire appliance access road. (the distance of fire fighters truck to
be placed)
The riser pipe diameter size 150mm usually located within the fire access lobby or staircase if the highest outlet is more
than 22.875m above the breeching inlet. Otherwise the riser pipe diameter size 100mm.
The material of the Riser Pipe shall be Galvanised Iron to B.S. 1387 (heavy gauge) or Class C, tested to 21 Bars (305 Psi)
All feeding Pipe-works that runs horizontally need to be sloped to enable proper draining after used and also an Air Release
Valve should be installed at the top of the riser to relief air trapped in the system.
The riser pipe should be electrically earthed or connected to the building earth to achieve equipotential.
The riser to be hydraulically tested to a pressure of 14 Bars for 2 hours that to be measured at the Breeching inlet and not
forget to check all leakage at the joints and landing valves connections.

Wet Riser System

Design Standard
M.S.1489 Part 1: Hydrant System, Hose Reels and Foam Inlets;
M.S.1210 Part 2: Landing Valves for Dry Risers;
M.S 1210 Part 3: Inlet Breeching Inlet for Risers Inlet
M.S 1210 Part 4: Boxes for Landing Valves for Dry Risers
Design Method of Wet Riser System;
It should be complied with UBBL 1984, the by Laws 231, 232 and 248
Wet Risers are a form of internal hydrant and are always charged with water. The topmost floor is higher than 30.5 meters
and less than 70.15 meters for each stage of Wet Risers. If > than 70.15 meters, so a Break Tank is required.
Wet Riser System comprises duty fire pump with standby pump discharging into a 150mm diameter riser pipe with landing
valves at each floor and to which canvas hose with nozzles can be connected to direct the water jet at the fire.
The function of a Jockey Pump is to maintain system pressure.
Landing valves that usually being installed at each floor should comply with M.S. 1210: Part 1 and located within fire fighting
access lobbies, protected staircases or other protected lobbies.
The height of the landing valves should be < 0.75 m from the floor level and for the safety purposes this landing can be
protected by providing boxes and need to comply with M.S 1210: Part 4
Recommended pressure for each landing valve should be in between 4 to 7 bars (58 to 102 Psi)
Landing Valve could be categorised into two types : Pressure reducing type with relief outlet require a wet
riser return pipe
Pressure reducing type without relief outlet
Size of the Fire Hose Canvas type 38mm and the required length is 30m. complete with 65mm dia. Of quick coupling and jet
and spray nozzle should be provided in a hose cradle beside each landing valve.
Breeching Inlet for the Wet Riser System is normally same with the Dry Riser System where the firemen could usually pump
the water from the water source (External Fire Hydrant Pillar located < 30m from the breeching inlet) into the Wet Riser
Storage Tank to make up for water used.
These breeching inlets need to be located < 18m from the fire appliance access road.
The Breeching inlet should be a 4 Way type complying with M.S 1210: Part 3 and enclosed within a box that also complies
with M.S 1210: Part 5. These box enclosures need to be labelled as Wet Riser Inlet and to provide a drain at the bottom of
the riser to drain the system after use.
Wet Riser Main Pipeline usually located within the Smoke Lobby or protected areas and such that all spaces are to be within
45m coverage from a Landing Valve and more than one riser is required for each floor.
Distance between the risers should not exceed 60m and also where between the lowest and topmost landing valve in any upper
stage risers.
The Size of the Pipe Riser should be 150mm dia. (Galvanised Iron to B.S. 1387 Heavy Gauge or Class C)
The Size of Relief Pipe shall be at min. of 100mm dia. (Galvanised Iron to B.S. 1387 Medium Gauge or Class B, where
discharging back to the Wet Riser Tank whenever possible and all air relief need to be installed at the top of the riser to
relief any air trapped in the system).
The Wet Risers pipe should be coated with primer and finished with red gloss paint or any special condition those wet riser
pipes can be colour coded with red bands of 100mm width but only at the elbows & tees need to be fully painted in red.
All Wet Riser Pipe should be electrically earthed to achieve equipotential with the building.

 There two sets of Wet Riser Pumps One (1) unit is on duty and One (1) unit on standby and both pump capacity are usually
sized to deliver 1500 l/min at a running pressure in between 4 to 7 Bars that would cater for three (3) landing valves at one
time of operation during building in fire.
All Standby Wet Riser Pump-set should be supplied with power from the emergency generator set or otherwise by using a
Diesel Engine Driven.
All Fuel Supply should be adequate for minimum 2 hours of continuous mode of operations.
Batteries for the Diesel Engine driven type of Standby Pump should maintenance free type.
All electrical cabling to Supply Power the Wet Riser Pumps should be of MICC or Fire Rated Cable Type.
All Wet Riser Pump Sets should be protected away from fire and flooded areas.
A Sump Pump need to be considered for any special case of that Wet Riser Pump Sets to be located at the basement below
the external drainage levels. This Wet Riser Pump Sets room also need to be naturally or mechanical ventilated with a
necessary signage and to provide a CO2 Portable Type of Fire Extinguisher for any case of fire.
Effective Capacity of the Wet Riser Tank need to be sized up to minimum capacity of 45,500 liters (10,009 Imp. Gallon) c/w
automatic refill rate of 455 lit/min (100.1 Igpm).
The Intermediate Break Tank for upper stages of the Wet Riser should be sized up to a minimum effective capacity of 11,375
liters (2503 Imp. Gallon) c/w automatic refill rate of 1365 lit/min (300.3 Igpm).
Wet Riser Tank Materials are usually from a Pressed Steel, Fibre Reinforced Polyester (FRP) and Reinforced Concrete (R.C)
Pressed Steel Wet Riser Tank should be Hot Dipped Galvanised and Coated Internally with Bituminous paint for corrosion
protection.
Both Pressed Steel and FRP Wet Riser Tank need to be compartmented unless they are Reinforced Concrete (R.C) and all
compartmented wet riser tanks need to provide with a separate Ball Float Valves, Overflow Pipes, Drain Pipes and Water
Level Indicator.
All Wet Riser Tank need to be painted red or else a red band of minimum 200mm should be painted to indicate that this is a
fire tank.
All Wet Riser Tank could located on the Ground Floor, 1 st.Lower Ground Floor or 2nd.Lower Ground Floor level.
Wet Riser Tanks are usually separated from the Domestic Water Storage/Suction Tanks but however could be combined with
Hose Reel Tank and need to be compartmented.
Pump Starter Panel should be complete with indicator lights as shown at the appendix a.
All types of ventilation slots should be provided with insect screen to prevent entry of vermin (small insects; i.e. ants, spiders
and etc.)
Power Supply cables to the panel should be of mineral insulated copper cable (MICC) or fire rated type of cables within areas
with low risk.
The Fire Pump Starter panel should be placed within the same room as the fire pumps it controls.
Wet Riser Pumps need to be automatically started upon actuation of the pressure switches but should only be stopped
manually. Usually three pressure switches are provided with the following suggested pressure settings:
starting the duty pump set : 80% of the system pressure
starting the standby pump set: 60% of the system
pressure
starting and stopping the jockey pump set at 90% and
110% of the system pressure respectively.
Testing requirements for the Wet Riser System are the following;
Static Pressure Test to clear up the debris from the inside of Those main wet risers and hydraulically the
pressure to be tested up to 14 Bars or 150% the Working Pressure, whichever is the
higher for 2 hours, measured at the lowest landing valve and a check is carried out for
leakage at all joints and landing valve connections.
.
Flow Test A three way of landing valve should be provided on the roof or topmost floor for testing purposes
where the main motif is to measure the water flow rates

Downcomer System

Design Standard
M.S.1489 Part 1: Hydrant System, Hose Reels and Foam Inlets;
M.S.1210 Part 2: Landing Valves for Dry Risers;
M.S 1210 Part 3: Inlet Breeching Inlet for Risers Inlet
M.S 1210 Part 4: Boxes for Landing Valves for Dry Risers

 Design Method of Downcomer System;

It should be complied with UBBL 1984, relating to Downcomer systems is the 10 th.Schedule and relevant standards for
Downcomer systems as above mentioned.
Downcomers are a form of internal hydrant and are only required for buildings where the topmost floor is not higher than 60
meters above the fire appliance access level and should be adopted for low cost flats only.
Downcomer system comprises a high level water storage tank discharging into a 150mm dia. Riser pipe with landing valves at
each floor and to which canvas hose with nozzles can be connected to direct the water jet at the fire.
No pumps are provided and therefore the system pressure is limited to the static pressure head only.
Landing Valves are provided on each floor and should comply with M.S 1210: Part 2.
Those Landing Valves would be located within the fire access lobbies, protected staircases or other protected lobbies at not
more than 0.75 meters from the floor level.
A Semi rigid 40mm diameter hose and nozzles should be provided at every landing valve on each floor.
In addition, two sets of fire hose of the canvas type of not less than 38mm diameter, 30 metres in length complete with
65mm dia. quick coupling and jet and spray nozzle should be provided at the caretakers unit or property management office.
Fire Hose Reel Pipings > 38mm dia., 30 meters in length, complete with 65mm dia. Quick Coupling and nozzle should be
provided at each landing valve.
A 4 - Way type of Breeching Inlet would be installed at the bottom of the riser and should comply with M.S. 1210: Part 3. The
breeching inlet is enclosed within a box, the enclosure should comply with M.S.1210 Part 5 and labeled Downcomer Inlet and
a typical drain should be provided at the bottom of the riser to drain the system after used.
This Breeching inlet should be located at no more than 18 metres from the fire appliance access and not more than 30 metres
from the nearest external hydrant.
A Check Valve need to be installed between the topmost landing valve and the tank to prevent any backflow of water from the
Downcomer into the tank.
The Downcomer mains are usually located within smoke free lobby or protected areas and that all spaces are to be within 45
metres coverage from a landing valve.
If more than 60 metres, so then need to have more than one riser is required for each floor.
The Riser Pipe size should be 150mm and the material of the Riser Pipe shall be Galvanised Iron to B.S. 1387 (heavy gauge) or
Class C, tested to 21 Bars (305 Psi)
All feeding Pipe-works that runs horizontally need to be sloped to enable proper draining after used and also an Air Release
Valve should be installed at the top of the riser to relief air trapped in the system.
All Downcomer pipes should be coated with primer and finished with red gloss paint or otherwise can be colour coded with red
bands of 100mm width and the elbows and tees painted red.
The riser pipe should be electrically earthed or connected to the building earth to achieve equipotential.
The riser to be hydraulically tested to a pressure of 14 Bars for 2 hours that to be measured at the Breeching inlet and not
forget to check all leakage at the joints and landing valves connections.

Automatic Sprinkler System

Design Standard
BS EN 12845: 2003 Automatic Sprinkler Systems Design, Installation and Maintenance.
NFPA 13
Both above standards need to be followed unless the specific aspect is not covered in the selected standard.
Design Method of Automatic Sprinkler System;
It should be complied with UBBL 1984, the by Laws 226 and 228
An Automatic Sprinkler System is designed for having a response to detect, control and extinguishes a fire, and warned the
occupants of the occurrence of fire.
Basic mechanical installations for the Automatic Sprinkler System are such as like Fire Pumps, Water Storage Tanks, Control
Valve Sets, Sprinkler Heads, Flow Switches, Pressure Switches, Pipe works and valves. This system operates automatically
without human intervention.
The Sprinkler Head usually has a liquid filled glass bulb that breaks due to heat of the fire and releases water that sprays
over the fire.
There are various types of Sprinkler Systems are as follows;
Wet Pipe installation ready filled up with water anddischarge once the sprinkler bulb breaks
Dry Pipe installation always filled up with air under pressure and air is released once the sprinkler bulb
breaks then only the water fills the pipe and is discharged at the sprinkler head.
Pre action installation normally charged with air unde pressure and a valve is opened to fill the system with
water when fire is detected by smoke or heat detectors and also when the sprinkler bulb breaks.

 Deluge Installation the sprinkler head has no bulb and water is discharged simultaneously from all heads
when fire is detected and the deluge valve is open
Occupancy Hazards Groups;
Light Hazards : Non Industrial occupancies with low quantity and combustibility contents, e.g. apartments,
schools and hospitals.
Ordinary Hazards : Commercial and Industrial occupancies in which By handling and storing ordinary
combustible materials and group under the followings;
OH Group I for offices, restaurants and hotels,
OH Group II for laundries, bakeries and tobacco factory,
OH Group III for car parks, departmental stores, large retail shops and cinemas, clothing and paint factories and
OH Group IIIS for match factories, film and television studios.

1st Noted to Mech. Engr.s :

for high rise buildings with multiple type of occupancies,
the hazard class recommended is OH Group III

High Hazards : Commercial and Industrial occupancies in which By handling and storing the abnormal fire
loads covering process hazards, high piled storage hazards, oil and flammable liquid hazards
and group under thefollowings;
Process Risk, e.g. clothing, rubber, wood wool and paint factories High Piled Storage risks
could be categorised into four (4) categories; Category I Carpets and textile exceeding 4
meters in height, Category II furniture factory piled
above 3 meters, Category III rubber, wax coated paper piled > 2m and Category IV for
foam, plastics piled > 1.2m.

Sprinkler Pump Requirements;

Normal Standard One (1) unit on Duty, One (1) unit on Standby and One (1) of Jockey Pump
to maintain the system pressure.

The nominal pressure and flow requirements under all types of hazards are as the followings;
Light Hazard
15 meters: flow - 0.3 m/min and at operating pressure of 1.5 bars
30 meters: flow - 0.34 m/min and at operating pressure of 1.8 bars
45 meters: flow - 0.375 m/min and at operating pressure of 2.3 bars

Ordinary Hazard Group I

15 meters: flow 0.9 m/min and at operating pressure of 1.2 bars
30 meters: flow 1.15 m/min and at operating pressure of 1.9 bars
45 meters: flow 1.36 m/min and at operating pressure of 2.7 bars

Ordinary Hazard Group II

15 meters: flow 1.75 m/min and at operating pressure of 1.4 bars
30 meters: flow 2.05 m/min and at operating pressure of 2.0 bars
45 meters: flow 2.35 m/min and at operating pressure of 2.6 bars

Ordinary Hazard Group III

15 meters: flow 2.25 m/min and at operating pressure of 1.4 bars
30 meters: flow 2.70 m/min and at operating pressure of 2.0 bars
45 meters: flow 3.10 m/min and at operating pressure of 2.5 bars

Ordinary Hazard Group IIIS

15 meters: flow 2.65 m/min and at operating pressure of 1.9 bars
30 meters: flow 3.05 m/min and at operating pressure of 2.4 bars

2nd. Noted to Mech. Engr.s

 for Building exceeds 45m than the multiple stage of sprinkler installations should be implemented. This would be able to
serve the full height of the building with each stage not exceeding 45 meters.
A standby Sprinkler Pump Set should be supplied with power from the emergency generator or else need to use a
diesel engine driven. All Diesel Oil Supply could withstand 4 hours Ordinary Hazards and 6 hours for High Hazard
applications.
All Electrical Cabling to supply the power to the Sprinkler Pumps should be a fire rated cable type or MICC. Batteries
for the diesel engine also need to be a maintenance free type
All Sprinkler Pumps that protecting the high rise buildings need to consider the static pressure between the pump and
the lowest sprinkler head by adding up to the above pump pressure requirement.
All Sprinkler Pumps should be under positive head as far as possible, protected from fire and flooded areas. Sump Pump
could be considered if this Sprinkler Pump to be located at the Basement below the the external drainage levels. As usual
this Pump Room that located at the basement need to be naturally / mechanical ventilated
c/w a necessary signage and must also provide a CO2 Portable Extinguisher.
All Sprinkler Pump Starter Panels and Controls should be Compartmented for each duty, standby and jockey pumps c/w
indicator lights as shown in the figure 11.2 (as per the attachments at apprendix - A
As normal practice all Fire Fighting Pump room need to provide with an insect screen to prevent entry of vermin (e.g.
insects, flies, cockroach and etc.) and the location of Pump Starter Panel should be placed at the same room as the fire
pumps it controls.

Usually three pressure switches are provided with the following Suggested pressure settings:

starting the duty pump set : 80% of the system pressure

starting the standby pump set: 60% of the system pressure
starting and stopping the jockey pump set at 90% and 110% of the system pressure respectively.

Electrical interlocks should be provided so that the sprinkler pumps at each installation would not operate in
parallel simultaneously and a buzzer should be sounded and the isolator should be in the off or manual position.
All Sprinkler Pump Sets should be able to start automatically and stop manually.

Sprinkler Fire Tanks

-

Light Hazard
15 meters: flow - 9 m (1980 Imp. Gallon)
30 meters: flow - 10 m (2200 Imp. Gallon)
45 meters: flow - 11 m (2420 Imp. Gallon)
Ordinary Hazard Group I
15 meters: flow - 55 m (12,100 Imp. Gallon)
30 meters: flow - 70 m (15,400 Imp. Gallon)
45 meters: flow - 80 m (17,600 Imp. Gallon)

Ordinary Hazard Group II

15 meters: flow - 105 m (23,100 Imp. Gallon)
30 meters: flow - 125 m (27,500 Imp. Gallon)
45 meters: flow - 140 m (30,800 Imp. Gallon)

Ordinary Hazard Group III

15 meters: flow - 135 m (29,700 Imp. Gallon)
30 meters: flow - 160 m (35,200 Imp. Gallon)
45 meters: flow - 185 m (40,700 Imp. Gallon)

Ordinary Hazard Group IIIS

15 meters: flow - 160 m (35,200 Imp. Gallon)
30 meters: flow - 185m (40,700 Imp. Gallon)

High Hazard
Storage Capacity shall be dependent on the design density of discharge in mm/min

It is noted for all Mechanical Engineers to read and understand all other standard & proceedures that required from the
latest Fire Protection Services (Second Edition 2006) at Chapter 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 till Chapter 20.

Design reference from last and current projects.