Republic of the Philippines

Bicol University
INSTITUTE OF DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE
Legazpi City 4500

FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS

ABU1
BUILDING UTILITIES 1 - PLUMBING AND SANITARY
SYSTEMS

MARY ANN C. CESTINA

BS ARCHITECTURE 2F

AR. MAUREEN M. SIA, UAP, NAMPAP, MS ARCH

PROFESSORIAL LECTURER
WHAT IS FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS?

Fire protection systems refer to a

combination of active and passive
measures implemented to prevent, detect,
control, and suppress fires within buildings.
These systems are crucial for ensuring the
safety of occupants, protecting property,
and minimizing the risk of fire-related
incidents.

Fig.1: Fire Protection Systems

INTRODUCTION
It has become more apparent over the years how important it is to have adequate fire
protection in every building. For most people (Non-technical), what comes to mind when
they think of fire protection are Sprinkler system, smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.
However, these two elements only cover a small portion of the protection services you
should have at all times. There are in fact two types of fire protection: Active Fire
Protection (AFP) and Passive Fire Protection (PFP). One type of protection must not be
chosen over the other. On the contrary, both AFP and PFP must be used together for full
fire protection. It is important to understand the difference between AFP and PFP so that
you are confident that your building is protected by both types.
ACTIVE FIRE PROTECTION (AFP)
Active Fire Protection consists of the components
of fire protection that require some kind of action
to work. This action may be manual, like using a
fire extinguisher, or automatic like the sprinkler
system dousing flames. The action that results
from active fire protection is triggered by some
sort of alert or signal. The action itself will help
contain, suppress, or extinguish a fire that has
already started. Although fire suppression Fig.2: Active Fire Protection
systems are the most obvious examples of AFP,
fire detection or fire alarm systems are equally as important and are also considered
AFP. After picking up a signal, these systems will trigger a response such as alerting the
fire department, activating sprinklers, or closing fire doors. Working fire alarm system
and fire suppression systems can greatly increase your chances of suppressing a fire or
even extinguishing it before it causes harm.

Fig.2.1: Active Fire Protection Chart

Manual Fire Protection

 A fire blanket is a sheet of fire retardant material that is

designed to be placed over a fire to smother it out, small
fire blankets are meant for inception stage fires (Small
Fires).

Fig.2.2: Fire Blanket

 Portable fire extinguishers shall be installed as a first line

of defence to cope with small fires. As a first line of
defence during the initial stages of Fire, availability of
portable fire extinguishers is mandatory for all
occupancy for the use of occupants to extinguish the fire
before the fire grows out of control.

Fig.2.3: Fire Extinguisher

 A standpipe as an "arrangement of piping, valves, hose

connections, and associated equipment installed in a
building or structure, with the hose connections located in
 Fig.2.4: Stand Pipe such a manner that water can be discharged in streams or
System spray patterns through attached hose and nozzles, for the
purpose of extinguishing a fire, thereby protecting a
building or structure and its contents in addition to
protecting the occupants

 Yard hydrants are essential components for fire protection

in outdoor settings, particularly areas. These hydrants
provide access to water for firefighting purposes and can
be crucial in controlling fires before they escalate.

Fig.2.5: Yard Hydrant

 The manual fire alarm devices provide a means of

manually activating the fire alarm system and are used in
all types of fire alarm systems. They may be the only
initiating devices provided, or they may be used with
automatic initiating devices, such as heat or smoke
detectors.
Fig.2.6: Fire Alarm

Automatic Fire Protection

Automatic control means are any form of suppression that requires no human
intervention these can include a fire sprinkler system, a gaseous clean agent or
Automatic foam suppression system.

Water Based
 Fire sprinkler systems are installed in all types of
buildings, commercial and residential. They are usually
located at ceiling level and are connected to a reliable
water source. A typical sprinkler system operates when
heat at the site of a fire causes a fusible link or glass
component in the sprinkler head to activate, thereby
Fig.2.7: Sprinkler System releasing the water from the sprinkler head. This means
that only the sprinkler head at the fire location operates -
not all the sprinklers on a floor or in a building. Sprinkler
systems help to reduce the growth of a fire, thereby
increasing life safety and limiting structural damage.

 Foam fire suppression are used to create a barrier in order

to reduce/eliminate the "fueling" of fire and therefore
deprive the fire from one of its necessary elements
(oxygen). They are mostly installed in fuel storage or other
flammable liquid storage.

Fig.2.8: Foam Suppression

System

Gas Based
 Gaseous clean agents are installed in places where water
or dry chemical extinguishing agents will do more harm
than good. They are mostly installed in server or computer
rooms where water or fine dust particles will cause vast
amounts of damage. The system works by flooding an
area with an inert or a mix of inert gasses to break the fire
tetrahedron.
Fig.2.9: Gaseous Clean
Agents
  A kitchen hood fire suppression system is a specialized
fire protection system designed specifically for commercial
kitchens, restaurants, and other foo preparation areas
where the risk of grease fires is high.

Fig.2.10: Kitchen Hood System

 Smoke alarms play crucial role in fire safety by providing

early detection of smoke, which can alert occupants to
presence of a fire and facilitate timely evacuation. While
smoke alarms themselves do not engage in fire fighting,
they serve as an integral component of fire prevention and
life safety measures.

Fig.2.11: Smoke Alarm

PASSIVE FIRE PROTECTION (PFP)

Passive fire protection is an important
component of any fire safety strategy.
It plays a vital, and increasingly
significant, role in safeguarding people,
as well as limiting damage to buildings
and their contents from fire and smoke.

Passive fire protection works by:

1. Limiting the spread of fire, heat,
and smoke by containing it in a
single compartment in its area of
origin Fig.3: Passive Fire Protection
2. Protecting escape routes and
providing vital escape time for occupants & Fire Fighters
3. Protecting a building’s critical structural members
4. Protecting a building’s assets

 A firewall is a fireproof barrier used to prevent the spread

of fire between or through buildings or structures for a
prescribed period of time.

Fig.3.1: Firewall

 A fire door is a door with a fire-resistance or fire-

protection rating. It is used to reduce the spread of fire or
smoke between compartments, and to give occupants
enough time to enable safe escape from a building.

Fig.3.2: Fire Door

 Smoke barriers play a critical role in fire protection by

containing smoke, limiting its spread, and safeguarding
occupants during fire emergencies. These barriers are
integral components of building safety systems and are
essential for enhancing fire safety and mitigating the risks
associated with smoke inhalation.
Fig.3.3: Smoke Barrier
  Fire-resistant floors are critical elements of building safety
systems that provide essential protection during fires.
These floors contribute to compartmentalization, structural
integrity, and smoke control, enhancing overall fire safety
and supporting firefighting efforts in buildings. Proper
design, construction, and maintenance of fire-resistant
Fig.3.4: Fire-resistant floors are essential for ensuring effective fire protection
Floors and enhancing the safety of occupants and property.

 Fire-resistant ceilings are integral to building fire safety

systems, providing essential protection against fire and
smoke spread, enhancing occupant safety, and
supporting firefighting efforts during emergencies. Proper
selection, installation, and maintenance of fire-resistant
ceilings are essential to ensure their reliability and
Fig.3.5: Fire-resistant performance in the event of a fire.
Ceiling

 Emergency exit lights are essential components of fire

safety systems, providing critical illumination, guidance,
and safety measures for occupants and firefighters
during emergencies. Their significance lies in their ability
to enhance evacuation efficiency, reduce panic, comply
with regulations, and ultimately contribute to saving lives
in fire fighting scenarios.
Fig.3.6: Emergency exit
lights

 Fire dampers are passive fire protection devices installed

within duct work systems to close automatically in the
event of a fire. They act as barriers that prevent the
spread of fire, heat, and smoke from one compartment to
another through ducts. Fire dampers are integrated with
other fire protection systems, such as smoke control
systems, fire alarms, and sprinkler systems, to create a
comprehensive fire safety strategy. They work in
conjunction with these systems to contain fires and
protect occupants and property.
Fig.3.7: Fire dampers

In conclusion, fire protection systems are critical components of building safety, reducing
the impact of fires and protecting both lives and property. These systems are critical
components that constitute the foundation of a safe environment, providing proactive
steps to successfully fight fire hazards. The combination of early detection, efficient
suppression, and controlled evacuation provided by fire prevention systems is crucial for
ensuring the safety and well-being of the building's residents.

REFERENCES:

https://fsep.usc.edu/fire-safety/building-fire-protection-systems/

https://fire.nv.gov/uploadedfiles/firenvgov/content/bureaus/FST/4-ifipp-PSsm.pdf

https://www.phoenixfirenc.com/types-fire-protection

https://firesystems.net/2022/09/30/what-are-the-two-types-of-fire-
protection/#:~:text=Active%20types%20of%20fire%20protection,together%20to%20com
bat%20fire%20directly.

https://www.jimsfiresafety.com.au/active-passive-fire-protection-systems

https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/active-passive-protection-system-life-
safety/235145902