MEBS 7013

FIRE SERVICE INSTALLATIONS

WATER BASED FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS
 Water Based Fire Suppression systems

• Water based fire suppression systems include

• the use of hand held hose lines or equipment (such as fire
hydrant, fire hose reel and portable water type fire
extinguisher),
• reticulation pipe network (such as automatic sprinkler
system and water spray system,),
• or other means (such as water bombers) to deliver
extinguishing agent.

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 Why Water?

Water is the most widely used and available fire

extinguishing agent for many reasons:
• inexpensive
• most abundant and available on Earth
• effective in fire suppression
• transportable and can be pumped from a source to the fire
• easily available from domestic water distribution systems,
streams, wells, ponds, lakes and swimming pools,
• safe, non-toxic, non-corrosive, and stable (does not
break down into its basic elements of hydrogen and oxygen,
both of which would encourage fire growth)
• can be applied as an extinguishing agent when occupants
are still in the fire compartments, unlike some gaseous
extinguishing agents, which may cause asphyxiations or 3
adverse side effects.
 Physical Properties of Water
• Physical Properties:
• A water exists as a stable liquid from 0oC to 100oC.
• Water has a high density which allows it to be discharge from the
projected nozzles, etc. Water’s surface tension allows it to exist
from ‘small droplets’ to a ‘stream of water’.
• Water has high latent heat of fusion and evaporation capacity
• latent heat of fusion = 333.2kJ/kg
• latent heat of vaporization = 2260kJ/kg
• High specific heat = 4.186kJ/kgK in liquid state
• Water expands from a liquid state to a vapour state to 1600 to
1700 times the liquid volume (displace away the air (oxygen)
during vaporization)

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 Extinguishing Properties of Water –
Extinguishing by Cooling
• Water principally extinguishers fires by cooling the fuel
surface.
• The role of cooling of a fire must not be overlooked as it is
the predominant method by which fires are extinguished.
• Water is effective as a cooling agent because of its high
latent heat of evaporation.
• Water introduced to a fire promotes heat loss in the heat
transfer action from the fire to the water. When the heat
loss exceeds the fire heat gain, the fuel surface will begin
to cool until the flame can no longer exist at the surface.
• Water is an effective coolant for solid fuel surfaces by the
reduction of radiant heat flux of the flame to the fuel
surface, and by reducing the rate of hydrolysis of the fuel.
This includes the cooling effects from water droplets and5
steam.
 Extinguishing Properties of Water –
Extinguishing by Cooling
• The amount of water required to extinguish a fire depends
on the heat output of the fire.
• How quickly a fire is extinguished depends on how the
water is applied, how much is applied, and in what form
water is applied.
• To achieve extinguishment by cooling, it is best to apply
water so that the maximum amount of heat will be
absorbed. Water absorbs the most heat when it is
converted into steam, and it will be converted into steam
more easily from smaller droplets than from a stream or
jet.
• The droplet size in application is important. A water droplet
approaching the fire can evaporate in the fire plume, thus
only cooling the fire plume but not effectively cooling the
fuel surface. The smaller the droplet, the higher the speed
with which water extracts heat from the fire and fire gases,
therefore using a lower volume of water. 6
 Extinguishing by Smothering
• When water is applied to a fire, steam is formed.
• The dilution of the air supply around the fuel sources
provided suppression by a smothering action.
• Suppression by this method is more effective if the
steam and water droplets are confined around the fuel
source. The steam and water droplets also continue to
extinguish a fire by cooling as the water droplets
continue to evaporate around the heated area of fire.
• Fires in ordinary combustibles are normally
extinguished by the cooling effect of water – not by the
smothering effect created by steam.
• Water mist system, which may be used as an
alternative to sprinkler systems or certain gaseous
extinguishing systems, have been found to be
effective in controlling and extinguishing fires by 7
cooling and smothering.
 Extinguishing by Smothering
• Water may be used to smother a burning flammable
liquid when the liquid has a higher flash point
temperature, at specific gravity greater than 1, and is
not water soluble.
• To achieve this more effectively, a foam concentrate is
added to the water to form a foam-water solution. The
foam water solution must then be applied gently to the
surface of the flammable liquid.
• In case where oxygen is produced while a building
material decomposes, smothering by any agent is not
possible.

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 Extinguishing by Emulsification
• An emulsion is formed when immiscible liquids are
agitated together and one of the liquids is dispersed
throughout the others.
• Extinguishment by this process can be achieved by
applying water to certain viscous flammable liquids,
since the effect of cooling the surfaces of such liquids
prevents the release of flammable vapours.
• With some viscous liquids, the emulsification is a
“froth” which retards the release of flammable vapours.
• Care must be used on liquids of appreciable depth,
however, because frothing may spread the burning
liquids over the sides of the container.
• A relatively strong coarse water spray is normally used
for emulsification. A solid steam of water should be
avoided, as it cause violent frothing.
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 Extinguishing by Dilution
• Fires in water-soluble, flammable material may, in
some instance be extinguished by dilution.
• The percentage of dilution necessary varies greatly,
as will the volume of water and the time necessary for
extinguishment.
• Dilution is not a common practice where tanks are
involved. The danger of overflow because of the
amount of water required, and the danger of frothing
should the mixture become heated to the boiling point
of water, make this form of extinguishment seldom
practical.

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 Water as an Extinguishing Agent
• According to NFPA, there are four types of fire:
• Class A : Ordinary combustibles
• Class B : Flammable and combustible liquids
• Class C : Electrical equipment
• Class D : Combustible metals
• Water is most effective on Class A fires
• Not appropriate or the most desirable agent choice for
Class B and D fires
• Using water for Class C must be considered carefully
before the water is applied. Water may not be an
acceptable agent where collateral water damage is
deemed unacceptable.

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 Water as an Extinguishing Agent
• The following possible personnel hazards must be
considered when choosing water as the extinguishing
agent:
• Exposure and/or inhalation of steam in all fires
• Electrocution or shock injury in electrical fires
• Adverse or explosive reactions in chemical and combustible
metal fires.

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 Water Based Extinguishing Systems

• Water spray system / Drencher system

• Fire hydrant and hose reel system
• Automatic sprinkler system
• Portable extinguishers
Although foam is water based, it is usually considered separately.
The design of foam system will not be covered in this course.

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WATER SPRAY SYSTEM
 Water Spray Technology
• NFPA 15 - Design and Installation Standard for Water Spray
Systems

WATER SPRAY DEFINED AS

A water spray provide a reliable source of fire
protection water supply and equipped with spray
nozzle.

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 Water Spray Characteristics

• The system can be used effectively for any one or a combination

of the following:-
• Fire Extinguishment
• Controlled Burning
• Exposure Protection
• Prevention of Fire

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 Application
• The system can be used protected the following types
of substances and equipment
• Ordinary Combustible Materials
• Paper
• Wood
• Textile
• Electrical Equipment Installations
• Transformer
• Switchgears
• Rotating Machinery
• Open Electrical Cable Trays and Runs

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 Application
• Flammable gas and liquid vessels
• Flammable processing structures and equipment
• In Hong Kong, application of Drencher system (similar
to water spray system) for :
• The purpose of compartmentation
• The protection of refuge floor

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 DELUGE SYSTEM
• A deluge system is employing open sprinklers or nozzles,
attached to a piping system connected to a water supply
through a valve that is opened by operations of an
automatic detection system installed in the same area
as the sprinklers or nozzles.
• Definition from CoP FSI:

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Sample
Drencher
System
Schematic
Diagram

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 DELUGE CONTROL VALVE

• DELUGE VALVE

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22
23
Operation of Flow Valve

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25
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 Automatic Detection System

• An automatic detection system is necessary to

activate the deluge / drencher system
• Pilot sprinkler system : an approved sprinkler mounted
on an array of pipework charge with water or under
pressure separate to the water distribution pipework,
the release of which causes the deluge valve to open.
• Detection system : an approved type of smoke/heat
detector, the actuation signal from detector to control
the release of deluge valve to open.
• For drencher system, operation by cross zone smoke
detection system.
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 Water Spray Nozzles

• Water is discharged through the spray nozzles (all of

them) once the system is actuated.
• High velocity spray nozzles/projectors discharge in the
form of a spray-filled cone
• For liquid with flash point higher that 66oC
• Projector Water Running Pressure : 2.5 bar to 5 bar
• Low velocity spray nozzles/sprayers usually deliver a
much finer spray in the form of a spray-filled
• For liquid with flash point lower than 66oC
• Sprayer Water Running Pressure : 1.4 bar to 3.5 bar

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• Internally Impinging
Type Nozzle
• Solid cone of water
spray
• Produce spray by
giving water streams
a rotary motion in
spiral passages
inside nozzles
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• Nozzle using the
deflector principle of
a sprinkler
• A conical distribution
of water spray
• Discharge orifice
projects a solid,
cylinder stream of
water onto a deflector

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 Window type Nozzle
• For drencher system
• The directional
discharge produce a
flat 180oC fan-shaped
spray patter, used to
produce a water curtain.

Nominal Hex Wrench

NPT Thread Size Orifice Size Height Listings and Approvals
Base Identification K-Factor Boss Size

Part No. No.1

Inches mm Inches mm U.S. metric Inches mm Inches mm UL ULC FM NYC

4
01320B VK790 1/2 15 1/4 6 1.5 21 1-3/4 1 25 Yes Yes
Ye
Yes
4 s

4
01321B VK791 1/2 15 5/16 8 2.1 30 1-3/4 1 25 Yes Yes
Ye
Yes
4 s

1 3. 4
01322B VK792 1/2 15 3/8 43 1-3/4 1 25 Yes Yes
Ye
Yes
0 0 4 s

1 4. 4
01323B VK793 1/2 15 7/16 62 1-3/4 1 25 Yes Yes
Ye
Yes
1 3 4 s

1 5. 4
01324B VK794 1/2 15 1/2 84 1-15/16 1-1/4 32 Yes Yes – Yes
3 8 9
1 5
01325B VK795 3/4 20 5/8 6.9 99 2-1/16 1-1/4 32 Yes Yes – Yes
6 2
1 5
01326B VK796 3/4 20 3/4 7.7 111 2-3/16 1-1/4 32 Yes Yes – Yes
9 6 31
1 Identification numbers provided in accordance with the 1999 edition of NFPA 13, Section 3-2.2.
 CASE STUDY – 400KV SUBSTATION
• SURFACE AREA
• TRANSFORMER
• OIL TANK
• COOLER
• DESIGN DENSITY
• 10.2 LITER/MIN /SQ.M
• TOTAL WATER
CONSUMPTION
• SURFACE AREA × DESIGN
DENSITY
• DESIGN DISCHARGE
PERIOD
• 30 MINUTES
32
• TOTAL WATER REQUIRED
• 180,000 LITRES
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 Water Spray Layout

•
DETECTION
LINE

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CASE STUDY – DRENCHER SYSTEM AT
REFUGE FLOOR FOR RESIDENTIAL

Front Elevation of Close-up of Refuge Floor

Residential Development 36
Drencher Inlet
Drencher Inlet Booster Pump Control Valve

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Pump Set and Tank
at Refuge Floor

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Area of Opening at Refuge Floor

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Hydraulic Calculation for part of the pipework

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Installation and Testing Point

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 OPERATION CONTROL

(1) (2) (3)

By Heat Detector By Manual Call-Point on By Manual Release at G/F
(Not Cross Zone) Respective Refuge Floor Drencher Deluge
Control Room
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PERFORMANCE

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FIRE HYDRANT AND HOSE REEL
SYSTEM
Hose Reel and Manual Fire Alarm Call Point

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Fire Hydrant using building water supply
Water Tank

FS Pump (ON)

Water
Flow

Fire Hydrant

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Fire Hydrant using water supply from FSI
Water Tank

FS Pump (OFF)

FS Inlet

Fire Hydrant

Water
Flow

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AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEM
Sprinkler heads

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PROOFING PIPE FOR
TESTING PURPOSE

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Water Alarm Gong

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