FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

PULAU PINANG LABORATORY MANUAL ATORY MANUAL

COURSE MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

COURSE CODE CEM 472
LEVEL OF OPENNESS 0
CATEGORY FULLY OPEN ENDED
DEGREE OF OPEN-ENDED (%) 0
PERIOD OF ACTIVITY 1 WEEK

TITLE FIRE FIGHTING SYSTEM

1.1 Introduction

The need for an open-ended laboratory (OEL) activity is emphasized in enhancing

independent learning activities and inculcating creativity and innovation of
students.

The traditional methods of conducting laboratory activities (assigned as Level 0)

will not be able to provide the avenue for students to enhance independent
learning activities and inculcate creativity and innovation. The traditional method
is fully prescriptive where the three elements namely problem, ways & means and
answers are provided/fully given to the students. However, it is still necessary to
be implemented as part of the whole laboratory course activity specially to first
and second year students.
In this laboratory activity students will be exposed to the apparatus and
appropriate methods to understand the operation of the various fire-fighting
system in the building.
1.2 Situation
PREAMBLE

The management of any building must regularly investigate its own property to
ensure that it is comply to fire requirement as stipulated by Fire-Fighting
Department. All fire-fighting provisions must meet their standard requirements as
set by Fire-Fighting Department.
1.3 Learning Outcomes

At the end of the laboratory activities, students would be able to:

a) illustrate the floor plan and locate all fire-fighting equipment of the given
area of a level.
b) explain the function and identify the types, number and location of fire-
fighting equipment and utilities used in the building.
c) understand the basic concept and principle of the fire sprinkler system.
d) select the suitable fire sprinkler system as a safety device in building.
e) understand the basic concept and principle of fire extinguishers.
f) select the suitable fire extinguishers as a safety device in building.
@ FKA, UiTM, PULAU PINANG MARCH 2022
 FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PULAU PINANG LABORATORY MANUAL ATORY MANUAL

g) explain the basic principles for each of the components in the fire alarm
trainer.
h) differentiate between ionization and visible smoke detector heads.
i) describe the safety components and the essential wiring of a typical two
types of zone detector circuit or dual alarm system.
1.4 Theoretical Background
.
Firefighting system may be active or passive. It is a system to prevent fire from
spreading in a building. For most firefighting purposes, water represents the ideal
extinguishing agent. Fire sprinklers utilize water by direct application onto flames
and heat, which causes cooling of the combustion process and prevents ignition of
adjacent combustibles.

Fire-fighting system and equipment vary depending on the age, size, use and type
of building construction. A building may contain some or all of the following
features: fire extinguishers, fire hose reels, fire hydrant systems and automatic
sprinkler systems. Fire extinguishers are provided for a 'first attack' fire-fighting
measure generally undertaken by the occupants of the building before the fire
service arrive. It is important that occupants are familiar with which extinguisher
type to use on which fire. Most fires start as a small fire and may be extinguished
if the correct type and amount of extinguishing agent is applied whilst the fire is
small and controllable. The extinguishing agents used for fire extinguishers that
currently available include water, foam, carbon dioxide, dry chemical, wet
chemical, and special purpose. Fire extinguisher locations must be clearly
identified. Extinguishers are colour coded according to the extinguishing agent.

Fire-fighting systems are required to meet the needs of tackling small fires and to
prevent fire from spreading in a building. All fire alarm system basically operates
on the same principle. If the detector detects smoke or heat, or fire alarm were
triggered by glass breaking, then the alarm sounders operate to warn others in the
building that there might be a fire and need to evacuate.

For the system that protects property, it is likely that additional fire alarm signals
will incorporate remote equipment that would alert the fire brigade in the central
station. Fire alarm systems are wired and can be broken down into three
categories, Conventional, Addressable Analog and Addressable.
In Conventional Fire Alarm System, the number of points of call or a few points
call, and detector are wired to the Fire Alarm Control Panel in each zone, where
usually a person will wire the circuit each floor or fire compartment. Fire Alarm
Control Panel will have several lighting zones. The reason for the zone is to
provide a rough location of where the fire occurred, and each zone is controlled by
the number of Zone Control Panel.

Control Panel will be wired to a minimum of two sounder circuits that might
contain bells, electronic sounders or another audible device. Each circuit will have
a final line device used for monitoring purposes.

@ FKA, UiTM, PULAU PINANG MARCH 2022

 FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PULAU PINANG LABORATORY MANUAL ATORY MANUAL

2.1 Problem Statement

Fire-fighting systems are most effective during the fire's initial flame growth stage,
while the fire is relatively easy to control. A properly selected sprinkler will detect
the fire's heat, initiate alarm, and begin suppression within moments after flames
appear. In most instances sprinklers will control fire advancement within a few
minutes of their activation, which will in turn result in significantly less damage
than otherwise would happen without sprinklers. It is significant to understand
the operation of any sprinkler system, the time of sprinkler activation and the
water pressure required for the system to the stabilize.

Nowadays, there are lack of safety awareness among citizens. This is because
citizens are not being properly educated and expose the importance of safety
especially in fire-fighting aspect. The importance of safety awareness must be
taking into consideration to increase the level of building safety.

PROBLEM STATEMENT Fire-fighting systems are required to meet the needs of tackling fires. Fire-fighting
system is a prevention system to prevent fire from spreading in a building.
Understanding each of the fire alarm system component and devices and how it
works is important in fire prevention operation.

The management of any building must regularly investigate its own property to
ensure that it is comply to fire requirement as stipulated by Fire-Fighting
Department. All fire-fighting provisions must meet their standard requirements as
set by Fire-Fighting Department.

In this case, students are required to verify according to Fire-Fighting Department,

the fire-fighting systems in student hostel OR Ground Floor of Laman Perdana in
UiTM Pulau Pinang.

The relevant information should be included are location, types, numbers of

firefighting equipment and their specific functions, pictures, sketches and labels,
floor plan.

Sprinkler System

3.1 Apparatus

WAYS & MEANS

Figure 3.1: Sprinkler System Model (Source: Alias et al, 2011)

@ FKA, UiTM, PULAU PINANG MARCH 2022

 FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PULAU PINANG LABORATORY MANUAL ATORY MANUAL

3.2 Procedures

a) Insert the sprinkler head into the sprinkler holder (make sure the seal
tape is used to prevent leakage of water at sprinkler heads)
b) Open water inlet valve and gas supply.
c) Turn ON the main switch.
d) Provide the heat on the sprinkler and wait until the sprinkler bust.

3.3 Data Acquisition

The group will note down the process of the model when in operation.

Fire Extinguisher

3.1 Apparatus

Figure 3.1: Fire Extinguisher

a) Stationary
b) Notebook

3.2 Procedures

a) Identify suitable location at any building level in UiTM area; say Level 1,
Blok Perdana.
b) Sketch the floor plan of building level equipped with the location of
each location for fire extinguisher found.
c) Record the data for each fire extinguisher such as type, agent and
number.

3.3 Data Acquisition

The group will note down data needed for the experiment.

@ FKA, UiTM, PULAU PINANG MARCH 2022

 FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PULAU PINANG LABORATORY MANUAL ATORY MANUAL

Fire Alarm Training Unit

3.1 Apparatus
Fire alarm trainer will be provided in this laboratory activity.

100_2689

Figure 3.1: Fire Alarm Training Unit (Source: Salina et al, 2011)

3.2 Procedures

Procedure for testing fire alarm system, smoke and heat detector:
a) Switch on the Main Switch of the Fire Alarm Training Unit.
b) Activate the test key provided at the break glass.
c) Open the magnetic contact.
d) Open the cover of the motion sensor and create the movement in
front of the sensor.
e) Apply heat by using hair dryer on the heat sensor.
f) Apply smoke by using smoke tester on the smoke sensor.
g) Push the emergency/panic button.
h) Switch off the Main Switch of the training unit.

3.3 Data Acquisition

The group will note down the process of each device in the trainer unit when in
operation.

4.1 Result, Discussion, Conclusion

ANSWER The group is required to submit the technical report of the laboratory results
highlighting the analysis carried out and the relevancy of the set-out output to
achieve the objective.

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 FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PULAU PINANG LABORATORY MANUAL ATORY MANUAL

Sprinkler System
The report must incorporate the followings:
a) The time taken during the experiment.
b) Type of the sprinkler head and detailing.
c) Pattern of the sprinkler head and water spurt.
d) Identify the temperature does it work.
e) The factors will influence the fire sprinkler system to work efficiently.

Table 1.1 Result of Experiment

Sprinkle Colour Time Taken (s) Temperature (ºC)

Fire Extinguisher

The report must incorporate the followings:

a) Complete floor plan with location of each fire extinguisher.
b) Types, agent and number for each fire extinguisher.
c) Class of fire for the types of fire extinguisher found.
d) The factors will influence the fire extinguisher to work efficiently.

Fire Alarm Training Unit

The report must incorporate the followings:

a) Complete the table below with each component device information
shown at fire alarm training unit and illustrate each device too.
b) List out function for each device.
c) The factors will influence the fire alarm system to work efficiently.

Table 1.2 Result of Experiment

Component Device with Illustration Function

The report must be submitted 7 days after the completion of the test.

@ FKA, UiTM, PULAU PINANG MARCH 2022