Fire fighting system

Abbreviations of Fire Fighting System:-

B.O.P – Bottom of Pipe

COV. – Coverage

ESFR – Early suppression Fast-Response sprinkler

FDV – Landing fire department valve

FE-1 – 6Kg portable dry powder fire extinguisher

FE-2 – 6Kg portable CO2 fire extinguisher

FFL – Finish floor level

FHR – Fire Hose Reel

FHS – Fire Hose Station (FHR/FE)

FM-200 – Clean agent

F.S.P – Fire stand pipe

GPM – Gallons per minute

NRS – Non-rising stem

NTS – Not to scale

OS & Y – Outside screw and yoke

PG – Pressure Gauge

PRV – Pressure reducing valve

SPR – Sprinkler

T/A – To Above

T/B – To Below

U/G – Underground

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HMD – Hydraulic most demand

FSP – Fire standpipe system

N – Not available

K – Sprinkler k-factor

EL – Elevation

Psi – Pressure in pound/square inch

Available Codes and Standards:-

 NFPA – National Fire Protection Association
 NFPA-13 – Standard for the installation of sprinkler system
 NFPA-14 – Standard for the installation of standpipe & hose system
 NFPA-15 – Standard for portable fire extinguishers
 NFPA-20 – Standard for installation of stationary pumps for fire protection
 NFPA-101 – Standard for life safety code

Unit and Conversion Factors:-

Name of Unit Symbol Conversion Factors
Liter L 1 gal = 3.785 l
Foot Ft 1 m =3.28 ft
Bar Bar 1 bar = 14.5 psi
Pascal Pa 1 psi = 6894.757 pa
Gallons Per Minute GPM 1 GPM = 0.227 m3/hr
Feet per Second ft/s 1 ft/s = 0.305

National building code of India

Fire and Life Safety

Terminology:
For the purpose of this part, the following definitions shall
apply.

 Automatic Fire Detection and Alarm system:-

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 Fire alarm system comprising components for automatically detecting a fire, initiating
an alarm of fire and initiating other actions as appropriate.

 Automatic sprinkler system:-

A system of water pipes fitted with sprinkler heads at suitable intervals and heights and
designed to actuate automatically control and extinguish a fire by the discharge of water.

 Combustible Material:-

The material which either burns itself or adds heat to a fire, when tested for non-
combustibility in accordance with accepted standard.

 Down Comer:-

An arrangement of fire fighting within the building by means of down-comer pipe

connected to terrace tank through terrace pump, gate valve and non-return valve and having
mains not less than 100mm internal diameter with landing valves on each floor/landing. It is also
fitted with inlet connections at ground level for charging with water by pumping from the service
appliances and air release valve at roof level to release trapped air inside.

 Dry Riser:-

An arrangement of fire fighting within the building by means of vertical rising the
building by means of vertical rising mains not less than 100mm internal diameter with landing
valves on each floor/landing which is normally dry but is capable of being charged with water
usually by pumping from fire service appliances.

 Fire Door:-

A fire-resistive door approved for openings in fire separation.

 Fire Exit:-

A way out leading to an escape route having panic bar hardware provided on the door.

 Fire Lift:-

The lift installed to enable fire services personal to reach different floors with
minimum delay, having such features as required in accordance with this part.

 Fire Load:-

Calorific energy of the whole contents contained in a space including the facings of the
walls, partitions, floors and ceilings.

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  Fire Load Density:-

Fire load divided by floor area.

 Fire Resistance Rating:-

The time that a material or construction will withstand the standard fire exposure as
determined by fire test done in accordance with the standard methods of fire tests of
materials/structures.

 Fire Resistance:-

Fire resistance is a property of an element of building construction and is the measure

of its ability to satisfy for a stated period some or all of the following criteria:

a) Resistance to collapse
b) Resistance to penetration of flame and hot gases and
c) Resistance to temperature rise on the unexposed face up to a maximum of 180 oC and/or
average temperature of 150 oC.
 Fire Protection:-

The distance in meters measured from the external wall of the building concerned to the
external wall of any other building on the site, or from other site, or from the opposite side of
street or other public space for the purpose of preventing the spread of fire.

 Fire Separating Wall:-

The wall provides complete separation of one building from another or part of a
building from another or part of a building from another part of the same building to prevent any
communication of fire or heat transmission to wall itself which may cause or assist in the
combustion of materials on the side opposite to that portion which may be on fire.

 Fire Stop:-

A fire resistant material, or construction having a fire resistance rating of not less than
the fire separating elements, installed in concealed spaces or between structural elements of a
building to prevent the spread propagation of fire and smoke through walls, ceilings and like as
per the laid down criteria.

 Fire Tower:-

An enclosed staircase which can only be approached from the various floor through
landings or lobbies separated from both the floor areas and the staircase by fire-resisting doors
and open to the outside air.

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  Fire Resisting Wall:-

A fire resistance rated wall, having protected openings, which restricts the spread of
fire and extends continuously from the foundation to at least 1m above the roof.

 Floor Area Ratio (FAR):-

The quotient obtained by dividing the total covered area (plinth area) on all floors by
the area of the plot:

 FAR = Total covered area of all floors/plot area

 High Rise Building:-

For the purpose of this part, all buildings 15m or above in height shall be considered as
high rise buildings.

 Horizontal Exit:-

An arrangement which allows alternate egrees from a floor area to another floor at or
near the same level in an adjoining building or an adjoining part of the same building with
adequate fire separation.

 Means of Egrees:-

A continuous and unobstructed way of travel from any point in a building or structure
to a place of comparative safety.

 Occupancy or Use Group:-

The principal occupancy for which a building or a part of a building is used or intended
to be used for the purpose of classification of a building according to the occupancy, an
occupancy shall be deemed to include subsidiary occupancies which are contingent upon it.

 Plinth Area:-

The built-up covered area measured at the floor level of the basement or of any storey.

 Pressurization Level:-

The pressure difference between the pressurized space and the area served by the
pressurized escape route, expressed in Pascal (pa).

 Pressurization:-

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 The establishment of a pressure difference across barrier to protect a stairway, lobby,
escape route or room of a building from smoke penetration.

 Roof Exits:-

A means of escape on to the roof of a building, where the roof has access to it from
the ground. The exit shall have adequate cut-off within the building from staircase below.

 Site Plot:-

A parcel (piece) of land enclosed by definite boundaries.

 Travel Distance:-

The distance to be travelled from any point in a building to a protected escape route,
external escape route or final exit.

 Stack Pressure:-

Pressure difference caused by a temperature difference creating an air movement

within a duct, chimney or enclosures.

 Ventilation:-

Supply of Outside air into, or the removal of inside air from an enclosed space.

 Venting Fire:-

The process of inducting heat and smoke to leave a building as quickly as possible by
such paths that lateral spread of fire and heat is checked, fire fighting operations are facilitated
and minimum fire damage is caused.

 Wet Riser:-

An arrangement for firefighting within the building by means of vertical rising mains
not less than 100mm nominal diameter with landing valves on each floor/landing for firefighting
purposes and permanently charged with water from a pressurized supply.

Fire Prevention:
Classification of Building Based on Occupancy:-

General Classification:-
All buildings whether existing or hereafter erected shall be classified according to the use or the
character of occupancy in one of the following groups:

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  Group A: Residential
 Group B: Educational
 Group C: Institutional
 Group D: Assembly
 Group E: Business
 Group F: Mercantile
 Group G: Industrial
 Group H: Storage
 Group J: Hazardous

 Group A: Residential Buildings

 Buildings and structures under Group A shall be further sub-divided as follows:

I. Sub-division A-1: Lodging or rooming houses
II. Sub-division A-2: One or Two family private dwellings
III. Sub-division A-3: Dormitories
IV. Sub-division A-4: Apartment houses (flats)
V. Sub-division A-5: Hotels
VI. Sub-division A-6: Hotels (starred)

 Group B: Educational Buildings

I. Sub-division B-1: Schools up to Senior secondary level

II. Sub-division B-2: All others/training institutions

 Group C: Institutional Buildings

I. Sub-division C-1: Hospitals and Sanatoria

II. Sub-division C-2: Custodial Institutions
III. Sub-division C-3: Penal and mental institutions

 Group D: Assembly Buildings

I. Sub-division D-1: Buildings having a theatrical or motion picture or any other stage and
fixed seats for over 1000 persons.
II. Sub-division D-2: Buildings having a theatrical or motion picture or any other stage and
fixed seats up to 1000 persons.
III. Sub-division D-3: Buildings without a permanent stage having accommodation for 300 or
more persons but no permanent seating arrangement.
IV. Sub-division D-4: Buildings without a permanent stage having accommodations less than
300 persons with no permanent seating arrangement.
V. Sub-division D-5: All other structures including temporary structures designed for
assembly of people not covered by sub-divisions D-1 to D-4, at ground level.

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VI. Sub-division D-6: Buildings having mixed occupancies providing facilities such as
shopping, cinema theatres, and restaurants.
VII. Sub-division D-7: All other structures, elevated or underground, for assembly of people
not covered by sub-divisions D-1 to D-6.

 Group E: Business Buildings

I. Sub-division E-1: Offices, banks, professional establishments like offices of architects,

engineers, doctors, lawyers and police station.
II. Sub-division E-2: Laboratories, research establishments, libraries and test houses.
III. Sub-division E-3: Computer Installations
IV. Sub-division E-4: Telephone Exchanges
V. Sub-division E-5: Broadcasting Stations and T.V. stations

 Group F: Mercantile Buildings

I. Sub-division F-1: Shops, stores, departmental stores markets with area up to 500 m2.
II. Sub-division F-2: Shops, stores, departmental stores markets with area more than 500 m2.
III. Sub-division F-3: Underground Shopping Centre.

 Group G: Industrial Buildings

I. Sub-division G-1: Buildings used for low hazard industries.

II. Sub-division G-2: Buildings used for moderate hazard industries.
III. Sub-division G-3: Buildings used for high hazard industries.

 Group H: Storage Buildings

I. These shall include any building or part of a building used primarily for the storage or
sheltering (Including servicing, processing, or repairs incidental to storage) of goods,
ware or merchandise (except those products or materials) vehicles or animals, for
example warehouses, cold storage, fright depots, transit sheds, storehouses, truck and
marine terminals, garages, hangers, grain elevators, barns and stables. Storage properties
are characterized by the presence of relatively small number of persons in proportion to
the area. Any new use which increase the number of occupants to a figure comparable
with other classes of occupancy shall change the classification of the building to that of
the new use, for example, hangers used for assembly purposes, warehouses used for
office purposes, garages buildings used for manufacturing.

 Group J: Hazardous Buildings

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 Examples of buildings in this class are those buildings which are used for:

a. Storage under pressure of more than 0.1 N/mm2 and in quantities exceeding 70 m3 of
acetylene, hydrogen, illuminating and natural gases, ammonia, chlorine, phosgene,
sulphur dioxide, carbon dioxide, methyl oxide and all gases subject to explosion, fume or
toxic hazard, cryogenic gases, etc.
b. Storage and handling of hazardous and highly flammable liquids, liquefiable gases like
LPG, rocket propellants, etc.
c. Storage and handling of hazardous and highly flammable or explosive materials (other
than liquids); and
d. Manufacture of artificial flowers, synthetic leather, ammunition, explosives and
fireworks.

Automatic Sprinkles:-
Automatic sprinkles shall be installed in:

a) Basements used as car parks or storage occupancy, if the area exceeds 200 m2.
b) Multi-level basements covered upper floors used as car parks, and for housing essential
services ancillary to a particular occupancy or for storage occupancy, exceeding any area
to be used for sub-station, A.C. plant and DG set;
c) Any room or other compartment of a building exceeding 125 m2 in area except as in (g),
if so advised by local authority.
d) Departmental stores or shops, if the aggregate covered area exceeds 500 m2. (see note 1)
e) All non-domestic floors of mixed occupancy which constitute a hazard and are not
provided with staircases independent of the remainder of the buildings.
f) Go downs and warehouses as considered necessary.
g) On all floors of the buildings other than residential and educational buildings, if the
height of the building exceeds 15m (45m in case of group housing and apartment).
h) Dressing room, scenery docks, stages and stage basements of theatres;
i) In hotels, hospitals, industries low and moderate hazard mercantile buildings of height
15m or above.
j) In hotels below 15m, if covered area at each floor is more than 1000 m2.
k) False ceiling voids exceeding 800mm in height; and (see note 2)
l) Canteen provided in upper floor of D-1 and D-2 occupancies shall be sprinkled.

 Notes:-

i. It is desirable that all high rise buildings should be fully sprinkled irrespective of their
height and occupancy. If selective sprinklering is adopted, there is a real danger of a fire
starting on one of the lower unsprinklered floors as a fully developed fire. In such an
event, the sprinklers can be rendered useless or ineffective.

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 ii. Use of false ceiling voids for storage or as return air plenums should be discouraged.
iii. For areas having very high ceiling height and other special function area, where
automatic sprinklers cannot be provided, appropriate sprinkler/provisions shall be
provided in consultation with local fire authorities.

Design and installation of fixed

automatic sprinkler fire extinguishing
systems-code of practice

FOREWORD:-
A sprinkler system consists of a water supply (or supplies) and one or more sprinkler
installations; each installation consists of a set of installation control valves and a pipe array
fitted with sprinkler heads. The sprinkler heads are fitted at specified locations at the roof or
ceiling; and where necessary between racks, below shelves, inside ovens or stoves or below
obstructions.

A sprinkler has two functions to perform. It must first detect a fire and must then provide an
adequate distribution of water to control or extinguish it. Each function is performed separately
and one is independent of the other except insofar as early detection makes extinction easier
because the fire has not grown large. The classic use of the sprinkler is in the hot gas layer which
forms beneath the ceiling of an enclosure in which a fire is developing.

The sprinklers operate at pre-determined temperatures to discharge water over the affected part
of the area below, the flow of water through the alarm valve initiating a fire alarm. The operating
temperature is generally selected to suit ambient temperature conditions. Only sprinklers in the
vicinity of the fire i.e., those which became sufficiently heated, operate. It should not be assumed
that the provision of sprinkler system entirely obviates the need for other means of fighting fires
and it is important to consider the fire precautions in the premises as a whole.

Definitions:-
 Alarm Test Valve: - A valve through which water may be drawn to test the operation of
the water motor fire alarm and/or of any associated electric fire alarm.
 Alarm Valve: - A check valve of the wet, dry or composite type that also initiates the
water motor fire alarm when the sprinkler installation operates.
 Alarm valve, pre-action:- An alarm valve suitable for a pre-action installation.

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 Alarm valve, Recycling: - An alarm valve suitable for a recycling installation.
 Alarm valve, Wet: - An alarm valve suitable for a wet installation.
 Arm pipe: - A pipe other than the last section of a range pipe, feeding a single sprinkler.
 Assumed Maximum Area of Operation (AMAO), Hydraulically Most Favorable location:
- The location in a sprinkler array of an AMAO of specified shape at which the water
flow is the maximum for a specific pressure.
 Assumed Maximum Area of Operation (AMAO), Hydraulically Most Unfavorable
Location: - The location in a sprinkler array of an AMAO of specified shape at which the
water supply pressure is the maximum needed to give the specified design density.
 Cut-off Sprinkler: - A sprinkler protects a door or window between two areas only one of
which is protected by the sprinkler.
 Design Density: - The minimum density of discharge in mm/min of water, for which a
sprinkler installation is designed, determined from the discharge of a specified group of
sprinklers in l/min divided by the area covered in m2.
 Design Point: - A point on a distribution pipe of a pre-calculated installation, downstream
of which pipe work is sized from tables and upstream of which pipe work is sized by
hydraulic calculation.
 Distribution Pipe: - A pipe feeding either a range pipe directly or a single sprinkler on a
non-terminal range pipe more than 300 mm long.
 Distribution Pipe Spur: - A distribution pipe from a main distribution pipe, to a terminal
branched pipe array.
 Drencher: - A sprayer used to distribute water over a surface to provide protection against
fire exposure.
 Drop: - A vertical pipe feeding a distribution or range pipe.
 End-side Array: - A pipe array with range pipes on one side only of a distribution pipe.
 End-centre Array: - A pipe with range pipes on both sides of a distribution pipe.
 Fastener: - A device for attaching pipe hanger components to a building structure or
ranking.
 Fire Door: - A door and frame of specified fire resistance conforming to IS 3614 (part 1)
and IS 3614 (part 2).
 Fire Resistance: - The ability of a component of the construction of a building to satisfy
for a started period of time, the appropriate criteria specified in IS 3809.
 Fire Shutter: - A shutter and frame of specified fire resistance complying with IS 3614
with respect to stability and integrity.
 Hanger: - An assembly for suspending pipe work from the elements of building structure.
 High-rise System: - A sprinkler system in which the highest sprinkler is more than 45m
above the lowest sprinkler or the sprinkler pumps whichever is the lower.
 Hydraulic Alarm, Intermittent: - Sounding of a hydraulic water motor alarm going for
intervals totaling less than the alarm period.

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 Installation, Pre-action:- A dry installation in which the alarm valve can be opened by an
independent fire detection system in the protected area.
 Installation, recycling: - A pre-action installation in which the alarm valve can be opened
and closed repeatedly by a heat detection system.
 Installation, wet pipe: - An installation in which the pipe work is always charged with
water.
 Jockey Pump: - A small pump used to replenish minor water loss to avoid starting an
automatic section or booster pump unnecessarily.
 Low-rise System: - A sprinkler system in which the highest sprinkler is not more than
45m above ground level or the sprinkler pumps.
 Main Distribution Pipe: - A pipe feeding a distribution pipe.
 Node: - A point in pipe work at which pressure and flow(s) are calculated; each node is a
datum point for the purpose of hydraulic calculations in the installation.
 Range Pipe: - A pipe feeding sprinkler directly or via arm pipes of restricted length.
 Riser: - A vertical pipe feeding a distribution or range pipe.
 Section: - The part (which may be one or more zones) of an installation on a particular
floor fled by a particular riser.
 Sling Rod: - A rod with a sling eye or screwed ends for supporting pipe clips, rings, band
hangers etc.
 Sprinkler, Ceiling or Flush Pattern: - A pendent sprinkler for fitting partly above but with
the temperature sensitive element below, the lower plane of the ceiling.
 Sprinkler Concealed: - A recessed sprinkler with a cover plate that disengages when the
heat is applied.
 Sprinkler Conventional Pattern: - A sprinkler that gives a spherical pattern of water
discharge.
 Sprinkler Glass Bulb: - A sprinkler which opens when a liquid filled glass bulb bursts.
 Sprinkler Horizontal: - A sprinkler in which the nozzle directs the water horizontally.
 Sprinkler Intermediate: - A sprinkler installed below, and additional to the roof or ceiling
sprinklers.
 Sprinkler Pendent: - A sprinkler in which the nozzle directs water downwards.
 Sprinkler, Roof or Ceiling: - A sprinkler protects the roof or ceiling.
 Sprinkler side-wall pattern: - A sprinkler that gives a downward parabolic pattern
discharge.
 Sprinkler System: - The entire means of providing sprinkler protection in the premises
comprising one or more sprinkler installation, the pipe work to the installations and the
water supply/supplies except town mains and bodies of water such as lakes or canals.
 Sprinkler Upright: - A sprinkler in which the nozzle directs the water upwards.
 Sprinkler Yoke Arms: - The part of the sprinkler that retains the heat sensitive elements
in load bears contact with the sprinkler head valve.

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  Staggered Sprinkler Layout: - An off-set layout with the sprinklers displaced one half
pitches along the range pipe relative to the next range or ranges.
 Standard Sprinkler Layout: - A rectilinear layout with the sprinkler aligned perpendicular
to the run of the ranges.
 Suction Pump: - An automatic pump supplying water to a sprinkler system from a suction
tank.
 Supply Pipe: - A pipe connecting a water supply to a trunk main or the installation main
control valve set (s); or a pipe supplying water to a private reservoir, suction tank or
gravity tank.
 Suspended Open Cell Ceiling: - A ceiling of regular open cell construction through which
water from sprinkler can be discharged freely.
 Terminal Main Configuration: - A pipe array with only one water supply route to each
range pipe.
 Terminal Range Configuration: - A pipe array with only one water supply route from a
distribution pipe.
 Toggle Support: - A swivel device for securing hangers to hollow sections ceiling or
roofs.
 Trunk Mains: - A pipe connection to two or more water supply pipes to the installation
main control valve set (s).
 User: - The person responsible for or having effective control over the fire safety
provision adopted in or appropriate to the premises or the building.

Components of Sprinkler System

General:-
 The various types of valves used in the installation are as under:
 Stop valves
 Test valves
 Drain valves
 Flushing valves
 Check valves
 Installation valves
 Pre-action valves
 Subsidiary valves
 All valves in the sprinkler installation shall be right-handed (i.e., the hand wheel or key
should be rotated clockwise to close the valve);
 Main stop Valves
 Test valves and Cocks

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  Alarm and pump start test valves
 Test cocks
 Drain Valves
 Flushing Valves
 Subsidiary Stop Valves
 Installation and Alarm Valves
 Multiple Controls
 Alarms and Alarm Devices
 Pressure Gauges

Sprinkler Types:-
A. Conventional pattern
B. Spray pattern
C. Ceiling or Flush pattern
D. Concealed pattern and
E. Side-Wall pattern

Types of Sprinkler Installations:-

 A sprinkler installation should be based on anyone of the following types:
 Wet Pipe Installation
 Pre-action type Installation
 Recycling Installation
 Deluge Installation

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