FIRE PROTECTION SERVICES

SECTION 9 – WET CHEMICAL SYSTEM

1. General

The wet chemical extinguishing system shall be designed, installed, tested and maintained
in accordance with the latest applicable standards of NFPA-17A, the requirements of
Jabatan Perkhidmatan Bomba Malaysia and this specification. Generally the most
stringent conditions shall prevail if there are any discrepancies among these requirements.

The system installed shall be of the pre-engineered type and consist of but not limited to
the followings:-

(a) Storage cylinders complete with discharge valves, control head, flexible
connectors and metal cylinder rack.

(b) Distribution piping inclusive of all fittings, discharge nozzles, pipe supporting
system.

(c) Heat detection system for actuation of wet chemical extinguishing system.

(d) Fire alarms and indicators for the operation of the system, hazard to personnel,
equipments failure and signal wirings to local Fire Alarm Panel.

(e) Manual discharge keyswitch device.

(f) Control panel shall be complete with battery charger, 24V D.C. Ni-Cd battery,
ammeter, voltmeter, function indicators, alarm sounder and indication, alarm test
switches etc. The control panel shall be supplied by a reputable manufacturer and
must be an approved by local Fire Department.

(g) Gas shut off valve.

(h) All necessary warning signs, instructions and accessories pertaining to the fully
automatic operation of the system.

All materials, components of the system shall be manufactured in accordance with the
requirements of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) of America, British Standards
and other standards as approved by the Engineer. Certificates of approval as listed by a
testing laboratory may need to be submitted as requested by the Engineer.

2. Agent

The liquid agent is shall be a potassium carbonate-based solution designed to supress

fires by its saponifying and cooling effects. The agent shall not require periodic
replacement. For rapid fire knockdown, the agent shall have a high expansion ratio. It
shall not have adverse effects on stainless steel appliances, hoods and ducts.

3. Storage Containers

The cylinder shall be manufactured and tested in accordance with DOT specifications. It
shall be undercoated with zinc chromate or red xide and overcoated with red high floss
enamel. The cylinder shall be pressurized to 175 psi to ensure rapid discharge at
temperatures as low as 1 F. A highly polished metal enclosure shall be available when
required.

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SECTION 9 – WET CHEMICAL SYSTEM

4. Distribution System

The distribution system shall be installed with due consideration given to equipment
arrangement and good engineering practices.

Piping used shall be black steel, stainless steel, schedule 40 or approved equivalent. No
galvanised pipe shall be used. Flexible connectors, dip tube if used shall be approved
materials and pressure ratings.

All fittings shall be malleable, ductile, cast iron, steel or brass.

Reduction shall be made with reducing fittings of the same rating specified above, or with
swage nipples of suitable schedule and material. Reducing Bushings shall not be used.

The distribution system shall be securely supported with due allowance for agent thrust
forces, thermal expansion and contraction and shall not be subjected to mechanical,
chemical, vibration or other damages.

Pipe shall be reamed and clean before assembly, and after assembly the entire piping
system shall be blow out before nozzles and discharge devices are installed.

All valves including control head, pressure relief devices, gauges, etc. shall be suitable for
the intended use, particularly in regard to flow capacity, operation, temperature and other
relevant conditions.

Unions shall be incorporated downstream of threaded valves and adjacent to equipment

items to facilitate repair and maintenance.

Discharge nozzles shall be suitable for the use intended and shall be listed or approved for
discharge characteristics.

Discharge orifices shall be of corrosion-resistant metal. The size shall be compatible with
the design discharge rate. Means shall be provided to protect the nozzle orifice from
grease built-up.

Nozzles shall be permanently marked to identify the nozzles and to show the equivalent
single orifice diameter.

5. Detection and Operation

Automatic detection and actuation shall be used. An automatic detection shall be by

approved high temperature heat detectors. Multiple detectors within the some control
zone shall be wired in parallel.

Operating devices shall include releasing valves, discharge controls and equipment
shut-down controls, all of which are deemed included for successful performance of the
system. The operation of all devices shall be by approved electrical means.

The normal electrical supply for the system operation would be derived from the public
supply system. Ni-Cd battery with automatic charger shall form the back-up energy
source. The back-up supply should have sufficient capacity to maintain the necessary
protection for at least 24 hours after fully charged.

All devices shall be located or suitably protected so that they are not subjected to
mechanical, chemical or other damage which would render them inoperative.

All valves controlling the release and distribution of wet chemical dioxide shall be provided
with an emergency manual control.

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SECTION 9 – WET CHEMICAL SYSTEM

The manual control shall be easily accessible at all times including the time of fire.
This control shall cause the complete system to operate in its normal fashion.

6. Alarm and Indication

Alarms and indicators shall be used to notify the operation of the system, hazard to
personnel or failure of any supervised device or equipment.

Pre-discharge alarm (audible and visual) shall be provided to give positive warning of
discharge and signalling for evacuation. In addition, the operation control shall shut down
all mechanical exhaust fans and fuel supply prior to the discharge of the wet chemical.

An alarm and indicator shall be provided to show that the system has operated and needs
recharging. Warning and instruction signs at the protected areas shall be provided for
safety requirements.

7. Control Panel

Control panel complete with battery charger 24V D.C. Ni-Cd battery, alarms, meters, and
discharging system shall be supplied and installed. Control panel exposed to weather
must be weatherproof type and the steel sheet shall be galvanised before painting.

Supervision of the systems including automatic detection system, electrical actuation

circuit, electrical power supply shall be provided to give immediate indication of failure
(audible and visual).

The control panel shall include at least the followings:

(a) Ammeter and Voltmeter.

(b) Main on, charger on, DC on indicating lights.

(c) Alarm reset

(d) Buzzer silence switch and indicating lights.

(e) Bell silence switch and indicating lights.

(f) Fault indicating lights.

(g) Fuse indicating light.

(h) Wet Chemical Pre-discharge Alarm and indicating light.

(i) Wet Chemical discharge alarm and indication.

(j) Wet Chemical cut-off switch and indicating light.

(k) Heat zone of isolation/normal/fault/test fault, isolation switch, indicating alarm and
isolated light.

Remote indication of alarm and fault conditions shall be provided at the local Fire Alarm
Panel located as shown in the drawing.

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SECTION 9 – WET CHEMICAL SYSTEM

Contacts shall be provided in each control panel for operating the motorised fire dampers
of the air-conditioned supply and return air ducts of each protected above floor level
space, tripping the AHU fan, as well as for shut down of fuel supply prior to discharge of
the wet chemical.

All control wiring in the panel shall be sized at minimum 1.5mm² cross-sectional area and
identified with cable ferrule markers. Cable termination blocks shall be klippon make
mounted on C-channel and each block identified physically and on the drawings.

8. Fuel Shut-Offs

Where gas-fired appliances exist, a gas shut-off valve of either the mechanical or electrical
type shall be provided. Gas shut-off valves shall be automatically closed upon system
actuation. The mechanical type shall be shut off through be mechanical actuator or a
pneumatic release installed in the discharge line. The electric type shall be wired through
a manual reset relay to either micro-switch or pressure switch wired through a magnetic
contactor.

9. Inspection and Tests

The completed system shall be inspected and tested by the Engineer to determine that the
system has been properly installed and function as specified. The followings shall be
performed.

(a) Visual inspection of the installed system for good engineering practice.

(b) Pressure test using dry air, nitrogen or carbon dioxide to ensure mechanical
tightness of the distribution piping and piping to operating devices.

(c) Full discharge test for one typical installation of Wet Chemical Extinguishing
System.

All testing and measuring equipments, consumable materials, replenishment of

the gas to operating conditions shall be deemed included under this contract.

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