Fire 3 Extinguishing Systems

Rafay Hasan

Extinguishers available

Automatic

Sprinkler Systems (water)

Foam
Gas

Manual Systems (First Aid)

Hose reels (water)

Portable (water, foam, powder, gas, chemical)

Frangible bulb

deflector

Basic sprinkler
system

wet system

Always fully charged with water

Pressure maintained using jockey pump
Drop of pressure on sprinkler head operating
Main pumps start
Alarm bell activated
FDA activated
More heads operate if fire spreads

Extinguishes or limits growth of fire by cooling the

burning/pyrolysing material

Sprinkler head spacing

Rectangular or staggered layout

Maximum floor area covered per head depending on hazard

classification

Maximum linear distance between heads and distance from walls

Need to consider down beams and ductwork obstructions

Needs careful integration within ceiling plan and other services (eg
lighting)
Maximum number of heads per system

sizing

Pipework and pumps sized to achieve water

design water flow rate (typically 5-10 L/s)
Tanks sized to provide this flow rate for a
minimum period of time (typically 1 hours)
Design flow rate based on Hazard
Classification
(Sizing dealt with later)

Deluge- for high risk areas

Permanently open drencher
heads so all operate
simultaneously when
deluge valve opens

Alternate Wet-Dry

Used where risk of freezing during winter

In summer, operates as normal wet system
In winter, water drained and replaced with
pressurised air on operation of sprinkler
head, system charged with water

Water Mist

Conventional sprinkler
head

Water mist sprinkler head

Water mist

Very fine droplets rapidly evaporated by heat

of fire to form steam:
Cools burning material
Absorbs radiant heat
Cools smoke/flame
displaces combustion air

Reduces amount of water required

Use wet or deluge system

Foam systems

Displaces combustion air

Little cooling potential
Useful for flammable liquid fires

Gas Extinguishing Systems

Halocarbons - displace combustion air and may inhibit burning

Inert gases displace combustion air
Both dangerous to people (suffocation)

Fire Hose Reels

Can be used by occupants or fire

brigade
Not recommended by some fire
authorities risk to user
Locate in a protected fire escape