Explain the important design requirements for a CO

2
total flooding
system.
Total flood installation :- It consists of fixed supply of CO
2
normally connected to a fixed network of
pipes, nozzles and discharge horns arranged to evenly distribute sufficient quantity of the gas
throughout the entire enclosure(s) and capable of extinguishing fire within the enclosure(s)
regardless of location of fire.
Design requirements:-
Types- The fire extinguishing part of the installation should be designed to perform any of the
following functions:
a) Total flooding of the space or spaces, affected by fire, by carbon dioxide - the total flood
installation;
b) For local application of carbon dioxide to a specific hazard - the local application installation; and
c) A combination of (a) and (b).
General Requirements
The installation shall be designed to provide instant means of combating a fire that may
break out, even when the premises are unoccupied or unattended. It shall also be capable of
sounding an alarm to prevent loss of life by warning occupants to evacuate the affected
premises quickly and to secure the immediate attention of the fire fighting staff or the fire
brigade or both, This shall be maximum 60s before release of extinguishment.
For the purpose of satisfying the requirements given the installation shall be fully automatic
in action. But means shall also be provided to operate the installation manually in case of
any defect in the automatic system, or while carrying out maintenance, etc.
Detector must be sensitive enough to the fuel in question to give rapid response to fire at an
early stage, at the same time not far too sensitive to produce false actuation. A simple way
to combine successfully both sensitivity and reliability is by utilising multiple detectors
connected in a double circuit, or a cross-zoned mode of operation. An operation of one
detector provides an alarm, but only when a second detector in the same area operates the
extinguishing media discharge (that is, operation of single detector zone triggers the alarm
sequence, whilst operation of second detector zone triggers extinguishment release).
Cabling from control panel to electrical actuating units shall be preferably monitored for
open circuit and short circuit conditions. An alarm shall alert fault conditions. The gas
discharge panel shall have provision for relay contacts to indicate the following:
o Zone 1 alarm,
o Zone 2 alarm,
o System alarm
o System trouble.
The carbon dioxide supply shall be of the high pressure type, in which the gas is stored in
rechargeable containers designed to store liquefied carbon dioxide at atmospheric
temperature corresponding to a nominal pressure of 6 MN/m2 (60 kgf/cm ) at 27C. High
pressure cylinder shall hold pressurised CO2 in liquid form at ambient temperature
corresponding to a nominal pressure of 6 MN/m2 (60 kgf /cm2) at 27C .
The complete equipment design shall be reliable in operation. All components of the
installation should be located, installed or suitably protected to ensure that no mechanical,
chemical or other damage is possible which may render these inoperative.
All devices used in the installation shall be capable of functioning satisfactorily between -
29% and 65C. Where the devices do not satisfy this condition, the temperature range within
which these are capable of correct operation should be suitably marked.
Important requirements:
The construction of the enclosure to be protected by carbon dioxide total flooding systems
shall be such as to prevent ready escape of the gas.
Openings and ventilation systems shall be closed or shutdown automatically before, or at
least simultaneously with, initiation of discharge of the carbon dioxide, and remain shut.
Where opening cannot be shut or where there is an absence of walls or ceilings, additional
carbon dioxide quantities shall be provided.
Automatic closing devices for openings should be able to overcome the discharge pressure
of the carbon dioxide.
For deep seated fires, there should be no unclosable opening other than small openings or
pressure vents near the top of the enclosure.
Carbon dioxide should not be discharged inside flammable liquid vessels by total flooding,
if unburned vapours might escape through access openings and create an explosion hazard.
In this case ,discharge should be external, across the openings by local application.
The free venting area needed may be estimated as :

Where, X= free venting area ,sq. in.
R=rate of carbon dioxide injection, lb/min
P=strength of the enclosure, lb/sq ft.

REFERENCES:
a) IS:6382-2000(Reaffirmed)-code of practice of design and installation of fixed carbon dioxide
fire extinguishing system
b) Is:15528-2004-Gaseous Fire Extinguishing Systems Carbon Dioxide Total Flooding And Local
Application , High And Low Pressure(Refrigerated) Systems
c) Fire safety in building by V.K Jain






Explain the important design requirements for a DCP fixed
installation system
General.
The following factors shall be considered in determining the amount of dry chemical
required:
(1) Minimum quantity of dry chemical
(2) Minimum flow rate of dry chemical
(3) Nozzle placement limitations including spacing, distribution, and obstructions
(4) High ventilation rates, if applicable
(5) Prevailing wind conditions, if applicable
Compensation for Special Conditions.
Additional quantities of dry chemical and additional nozzles, if necessary, shall be provided
to compensate for special condition(s) such as high ventilation rates or prevailing wind
conditions that could adversely affect the extinguishing effectiveness of the system.
Where systems protect hazards that are normally heated, the power or fuel supply to
heaters shall be shut off automatically upon actuation of the extinguishing systems.
Where systems protect hazards that have flowing flammable or combustible fluids or
gases, the system shall be provided with automatic means to ensure shutoff of power
and fuel valves upon operation of the extinguishing systems.
Where systems protect hazards that have conveyors moving flammable or
combustible materials or commodities, the conveyors shall be automatically shut off
upon operation of the extinguishing systems.
All shutoff systems shall be fail-safe.
All shutoff systems shall require manual resetting prior to restoration of the operating
conditions existing before operation of the extinguishing systems.
All shutoff devices shall function with the system operation Expellant gas that is used
to pneumatically operate shutoff devices shall be taken prior to its entry into the dry
chemical tank.
Safety Requirements.
Where total flooding and local application systems are used and there is a possibility
that personnel could be exposed to a dry chemical discharge, suitable safeguards shall
be provided to ensure prompt evacuation of such locations.
Safety procedures shall provide a means for prompt rescue of any trapped personnel.
Safety items to be considered shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(1) Personnel training
(2) Warning signs
(3) Predischarge alarms
(4) Discharge alarms
(5) Respiratory protection

REFERENCE:
a) NFPA 17- Standard For Dry Chemical Extinguishing Systems

Explain the important design requirement for a fixed foam system.
General
The system should be designed to suit the particular hazard and the following points should be
considered:
Full details of the flammable liquid, its storage, handling and location need to be known
before any foam system is considered.
The most suitable foam-making concentrate (P, FP, AFFF) in the appropriate concentration.
The most suitable solution application rate.
Most suitable equipment for making and delivering foam.
NOTEThe selection may depend upon the available water pressure.
System operating time.
Quantity of foam concentrate required for extinction.
Most suitable proportioning method(s).
Pipework sizes and pressure losses.
Water supply requirements, quantity, quality and pressure so that suitable pumps may be
selected.
System operation and any fire or gas detection equipment.
Any special considerations such as the use of electrical equipment in areas where flammable
vapours may be present.
Reserve foam concentrate supply.
Drainage and bunds.
A premixed foam installation comprised of a cylindrical storage tank, designed for a
maximum working pressure of about 10 bars, which is filled with a foam solution.
The capacity of the tank is determined by the quantity and depth of foam coverage required.
Pump operated mechanical foam installation comprises of a foam concentrate tank outside
the area to be protected, the capacity being dependent on the area involved.
The tank has a water supply and an inductor fitted on it.
Self-contained pressurized type comprises
Automatic Operation
In conditions where the onset of a fire may lead to a rapid escalation, the use of fixed foam systems
designed for automatic operation should be considered.
This will apply particularly to a risk situated in a building where any heat generated by fire cannot
disperse as readily as in a similar outdoor risk. It is therefore desirable that indoor fixed foam
systems be designed for automatic operation, supplemented by auxiliary manual operation.