PRE-ACTION AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

 Often used where the use of sprinklers could cause extensive material or equipment
damage, such as in retail stores and computer areas.
 Similar to dry pipe except that water first fills the pipe as an alarm is set off, providing an
opportunity to extinguish the fire manually before the sprinklers open.
How does it work?
 Water is stopped at feeders (in the walls before the pipes supplying the sprinkler heads)
by a pre-action valve. This valve is electronically activated by a heat detecting device
within the area, and a signal is sent to the valve and the valve opens. Water will then flow
to all heads but will only discharge through the activated heads. If there is an accidental
break of a sprinkler line, water will not immediately discharge because the valve is
holding back the water flow and not the sprinkler heads (unlike the wet pipe or dry pipe
systems). This type of operation is known as a standard or single-interlock system.
Advantages
 The dual action required for water release.
o 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
 Higher installation and maintenance costs
 o Pre-action systems are more complex with several additional components, notably
a fire detection system. This adds to the overall system cost.
 Modification difficulties
o As with dry-pipe systems, pre-action sprinkler systems have specific size
limitations which may impact future system modifications. In addition, system
modifications must incorporate changes to the fire direction and control system to
ensure proper operation.
 Potential decreased reliability
o The higher level of complexity associated with pre-action systems creates an
increased chance that something may not work when needed. Regular
maintenance is essential to ensure reliability.
DELUGE AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

 This system is very similar to the pre-action system, except all sprinkler heads are open.
 It allows all sprinkler heads to go off at the same time.
How does it work?
 A Deluge Automatic Sprinkler System is a sprinkler system with an empty pipe system,
meaning there is no water stored in the piping network. The water is instead stored
behind a control valve. A typical Deluge system will have a control valve, a dedicated
water supply, and a sprinkler operated detection system.
 A Deluge system is directly connected to a dedicated water supply. Once a heat detecting
device activates the valve, water will flow from all heads within the area.
 Deluge systems are generally installed in hazardous areas where extremely rapid-fire
spread is anticipated and that requires immediate application of water.
Advantages
 Great for protecting buildings that are at risk for rapidly spreading fire.
 They are connected and triggered by the Fire Alarm System, they can also be set off
manually.
o To set off the system manually someone would either need to pull a pull station or
flip the valve switch. While it is preferred to have the system work automatically,
it is also great insurance to be able to set it of yourself.
Disadvantage
 All of the heads are open and connected.
o This means that once water flows, water will pour out of every single fire
sprinkler connected to that system. While this is the point of the system, it could
also be a disadvantage in some instances.
ALTERNATIVE FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS
 It will protect a specific hazard when water is not a key suppression agent.
 Conventional sprinklers demand high water supply rates and are associated with fixed
large diameter pipe networks around the area to be protected.
 The necessity for large amounts of water has some inherent disadvantages:
o Damages most of the building’s contents and interior finishes.
o Flammable oils tend to float on the water’s surface and continue to burn.
o If it vaporizes into steam, it may be harmful to the firefighters.
 Other methods may be considered when these disadvantages are of major concern. These
alternative methods include the following:
o Water Mist Automatic Sprinkler Systems
o Clean Agent Gas Fire Suppression Systems
o Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Fire Suppression Systems
o Foam Fire Suppression Systems

A. Water Mist Automatic

Sprinkler Systems
 Use very small water droplets
to extinguish or control fires and they
must produce a directional mist or fog
of fine water drops through a nozzle.
 These droplets are effective
at controlling fires while using less
water and having smaller piping than a
standard sprinkler system due to the increased cooling effects, oxygen displacement and
pre-wetting that the droplet size and distribution provide.
  The droplets must be small enough to penetrate all areas
behind obstructions, yet large enough to penetrate to the
surface of the combusting fuel.
o The optimum water droplet size ranges from 0.003 to
0.005in (80 to 200µm), although larger droplet sizes
can be used. The nozzle design must produce a small
droplet with an orifice sufficiently large to avoid
clogging from suspended particulates that may be
present in the water stream.
Advantages
 It uses about 85% less than a system with sprinklers, with savings in economic and
environmental terms.
 The small amount of water used also causes less damage to the contents of the
environments affected by the fire.
Disadvantages
 May not function properly if the temperature in the room is not considerably increased by
the fire.
o This system requires heat for the evaporation of the droplets. If the fire does not
have the power to heat the room temperature considerably, the necessary amount
of water vapor cannot be created.
 The operation of water systems outdoors or in ventilated rooms is critical.
o The supply of air from the outside prevents oxygen from reducing below the
necessary level.

B. Clean Agent Gas Fire Suppression

Systems
 Make use of an inert gas or chemical that is
stored in a container and discharge as a gas
on the surface of combusting materials
(when a fire is detected).
 Consists of cylinders of a liquid agent under
high pressure, heat/smoke detectors, and
discharge nozzles connected to a network of
pipes.
How does it work?
 Large amounts of heat energy are absorbed from the surface of the burning material,
lowering the surface temperature below the ignition point.
o Clean agent gases can be released in a building space without leaving residue.
When released, they extinguish the fire rapidly but do little harm to building
occupants, firefighters, interior contents, and equipment.
Advantages

 No cleanup: clean agents leave behind no residue when they are discharged which means
you won’t have a mess to cleanup.
 Safe: Clean agents are safe to use in occupied spaces.
 No Damage to Sensitive Assets: Water and other suppression agents can cause damage
to sensitive assets like technology and electronics. Since clean agents are gaseous upon
discharge, they cause no harm to assets.
 Fast Acting: Clean agents discharge within seconds, limiting fire damage to a small area,
 Minimal Downtime: Since clean agents are fast acting, leave behind no residue and
don’t damage sensitive assets, your business will see minimal downtime when a fire
occurs.
 Environmentally Friendly: Most clean agents are safe for the environment with zero
ozone depleting potential.

Disadvantages
 Require more agent to suppress fires, therefore take up more space.
 Inert gas clean agent systems take longer to activate.
 C. Carbon Dioxide (CO ) Fire Suppression Systems
2

 Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Fire Suppression Systems discharge a CO 2 gas that extinguishes
fire by displacing oxygen or taking oxygen away from the fire. Fire suppression systems
are designed to suppress or extinguish a fire in sensitive environments where water from
a fire sprinkler is not a desired extinguishing agent.
o Because of its ability to quickly displace oxygen, carbon dioxide (CO 2) gas has
long been used as a fire suppressor in a variety of safety and industrial
applications. While some suppression agents like water reduce the heat of fire, a
CO2 fire suppression system displaces the oxygen to suppress the fire.

How does it work?

 A fire needs oxygen, fuel, and heat to continue to burn. By eliminating one of these three
elements, a fire can be suppressed or extinguished. While some suppression agents
reduce the heat of the fire, a CO2 fire suppression system eliminates the oxygen to
suppress the fire. When the suppression system detects smoke or fire, it then releases the
CO2 agent into the space it is protecting. At the same time an alarm is sounded to warn
any occupants to leave the room immediately. The CO 2 level in the space quickly
increases as the oxygen level quickly drops causing the fire to be suppressed or
extinguished.

Advantages

 Since carbon dioxide is colorless, odorless, electrically non-conductive gas, and an inert
gas, it does not react with metals or plastics and leaves no residue behind.
o This makes it a superior solution to water which oxidizes to cause rust. Any
sensitive equipment that is in the protected space is not damaged by the CO 2,
which reduces downtime and costs. Once the CO 2 has dispersed to safe levels
from the protected space, personnel can access any damage from the fire or smoke
and quickly get back to work with no cleanup needed.

Disadvantages

 It must be used in fairly high concentrations.

 o high CO2 concentrations deplete much of the oxygen in a space, this type of
system cannot be used with occupants or other living beings present. CO 2 levels
above 5% are an asphyxiant (vapor or gas which can cause unconsciousness or
death by suffocation (lack of oxygen) and can quickly render occupants’
unconscious.

D. Foam Fire Suppression Systems

 A type of wet sprinkler, discharge a high volume of gas-filled bubbles that rapidly fill a
space. Foam masses are lighter than water and flammable liquids, and they may be either
air or chemical gas bubbles.
 They float on the surface of burning liquids to deplete oxygen and smother the fire. This
water-based fire sprinkler suppression system can extinguish extensive fires in mere
seconds with incredible efficiency.
 A type of wet sprinkler system that combines both water and a foaming agent for large
scale fire extinguishment.
 The “foam” in foam fire suppression systems is an extinguishing agent that can
extinguish flammable or combustible liquid by cooling and separating the ignition source
from the surface. The foam suppresses and smothers fire and vapors alike. It can also
prevent reignition. It is also known as “firefighting foam.”
 This foaming agent is made up of small air-filled bubbles that have a lower density than
water. Foam is made up of water, foam concentrate, and air. Different manufacturers have
their own foam solutions and concentrate. The proportion of foam to water depends on
the application.

How does it work?

 This system extinguish fire by separating the fuel from the oxygen. In more technical
terms, these systems are used to “cool the fire and coat the fuel that the fire is consuming
 to prevent contact with oxygen and reduce combustion ability.” The water content of the
foam then cools the fuel and the area of foam covering the fuel to prevent reignition via
flammable vapors.
 Stored water flows through a network of pipes where it is then discharged through
nozzles. The foaming agent is stored separately from the water and the two are mixed
within the piping system prior to discharge. At the end of the piping is a nozzle. The
foaming agent is added or ejected into the water at the very last moment before
discharge. When the water mixes with the foaming agent, expansion occurs and creates
an immense coverage of foam to fill expansive areas.

Advantages
 It is quite efficient and effective when used correctly.
 Have very minimal negative environmental impact.
o The foaming agent is readily biodegradable in natural environments and sewage
treatment facilities.
 Can cover and fill larger areas in mere seconds.
o These systems are ideal if you need an extinguishing agent to dump and expand to
cover a huge area fast.
 It is more cost effective from both an installation and maintenance standpoint.

PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHER

 Generally provided as "first attack" units, can be used to put out most fires in their early
stages.
 They are classified according to their ability to handle specific classes and sizes of fires.
 Not all fuels are the same, and if a fire extinguisher is used on the wrong type of fuel, it
can make matters worse. Labels on extinguishers indicate the class and relative size of
fire that they can be expected to handle.
Types of Portable Fire Extinguishers

Class A Extinguishers – suitable for use on fires in ordinary combustibles such as wood,
paper, rubber, trash, and many plastics, where a quenching-cooling effect is required. The
numeral indicates the relative fire extinguishing effectiveness of each unit. Class A extinguishers
are rated from 1-A to 40-A. Extinguishers rated for Class A hazards are water, foam, and
multipurpose dry chemical types.

Class B Extinguishers – suitable for use on fires in flammable liquids, gases, and greases,
where an oxygen-exclusion or flame-interruption effect is essential. Class B extinguishers are
rated from 1-B to 640-B. (A discussion follows.) Extinguishers rated for Class B hazards are
foam, Halon alternative, and CO2 and multipurpose dry chemicals.

 Water or Air Pressurized Water (APW) Extinguisher – use of ordinary water (H O) to 2

suppress fire.
 Foam Fire Extinguishers – have a cream label and are highly effective on class A and
class B fires (the foam agent helps to prevent re-ignition).
 CO Fire Extinguishers – have a black label. They were originally designed for use on
2

flammable liquid fires and therefore have a class B fire rating.

 Halon Alternative – also referred to as a Clean Agent Fire Extinguisher, any type of fire
extinguishing agent that is electrically non-conductive, volatile, or gaseous, and that
does not leave a residue upon evaporation.
 Dry Chemical Fire Extinguisher – used for Class A, B, and C fires
(Note: The numbers indicate the level of effectiveness in extinguishing fires, with 10 rated 10
times more effective than 1. A 1-A fire requires 1 1 ⁄4 gal (5 L) of water to extinguish. A 2-A fire
needs 2 1 ⁄2 gal of water (10 L) or twice that of the 1-A fire. So, an extinguisher rated 5- A will
put out a fire five times as large as one rated 1-A. For Class B extinguishers, the numerical
codes are even more complicated, and generally this type of information is of most use to
professional firefighters.)

Class C Extinguishers – suitable for use on fires involving energized electrical equipment and
wiring where the dielectric conductivity of the extinguishing agent is of importance. For example,
water-solution extinguishers cannot be used on electrical fires because water conducts
electricity and the operator could receive a shock from energized electrical equipment via the
water.

Class D Extinguishers – suitable for use on fires in combustible metals such as magnesium,
titanium, zirconium, sodium, and potassium. No numeral is used for Class D extinguishers; the
relative effectiveness of these extinguishers for use on specific combustible metal fires is
detailed on the extinguisher nameplate.

Class K Extinguishers – normally required where deep-fryers and/or griddles are utilized to
prepare large quantities of food. An example would be a commercial kitchen similar to those
found in restaurants and cafeterias.

Remember to follow the PASS method when using a fire extinguisher:

 Pull the pin,

 Aim at the base of the fire,
 Squeeze the trigger,
 Sweep from side to side.