MODULE 3

FIRE PROTECTION
Fire protection is the study and application of scientific and technical principles of mitigating
the unwanted effects of potentially destructive fires

Three Primary Objectives of Fire Protection:

1. Prevent fire from becoming destructive
2. Reduce the impact of uncontrolled fire
3. Save lives and property

Secondary Objectives:
1. Compliance to legislations (Fire Code of the Philippines, National Building Code, Phil.
Electrical Code and the Philippine Mechanical Engineering Code)
2. Peace of mind knowing that your property is fire protected
3. Reduce premium cost on insurance

Fire Protection involves the implementation of safety planning practices and drills, education
on fire, research, investigation, building construction, safe operations, training and testing of
mitigating systems and also includes evacuation procedures.

Republic Act No. 9514 known as the “Revised Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008” dictates
it’s the State policy to ensure public safety & promote economic development through the
prevention and suppression of all kinds of destructive fires
Chapter 23, Section 2003 of the 2012 Philippine Mechanical Engineering Code stated that
“An approved automatic sprinkler systems in new buildings and structures shall be provided in
the locations in accordance with the RA 9514, Revised Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008.”
The 2012 PME Code specifies that buildings 55 Feet (16,764 mm) or more in height requires
that automatic sprinkler system shall be installed throughout buildings with a floor level having
an occupant load of 30 or more above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access.

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 The Code also specifically stated that spaces or areas in telecommunications buildings used
exclusively for telecommunications equipment, associated electrical power distribution
equipment, batteries and standby engines are exempted provided:
a. Those spaces or areas are equipped throughout with an automatic fire alarm system, and
b. Separated from the remainder of the building by fire barriers consisting of not less than 1-
hour fire-resistance-rated walls and 2-hour fire-resistance-rated floor/ceiling assemblies.

SUMMARY OF RA 9514 FIRE PROTECTION REQUIREMENT:

a. Assembly Occupancies
• Bars with live entertainment
• Dance halls, Discotheques
• Assembly occupancies with festival seating.
• Occupant load greater than 300 persons.

b. Educational Occupancies
• Every portion of educational buildings below the floor of exit discharge shall be
protected with complete automatic sprinkler protection.
• Any flexible building or open building in which the travel distance to exits exceeds
forty six (46) meters shall have approved, supervised sprinkler systems.

c. Health Care Occupancies

• Approved, supervised sprinkler system shall be provided throughout all hospitals,
nursing homes, and residential-custodial care facilities.

d. Detention and Correctional Facilities

• All buildings classified as Use Condition II – V under the National Building Code shall be
protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system.

e. Residential Occupancies (Hotels, dormitories and apartment buildings)

• All buildings shall be protected throughout by an approved, supervised sprinkler
system except in buildings where all guest sleeping rooms or guest suites have a door
opening directly outside at the street or grade level or exterior exit access in buildings
up to and including three (3) storeys in height.

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 f. Mercantile Occupancies
• Approved and supervised automatic sprinkler system protection shall be provided for
mercantile occupancies as follows: 1. throughout all mercantile occupancies three or
more storeys in height OR exceeding 1,115 m2 in total floor area. 2. Floor area
exceeding 232 m2 when used for the sale, storage or handling of combustible goods and
merchandise.

g. Business Occupancies
• All business occupancy buildings fifteen (15) meters or more in height shall be provided
throughout with approved, supervised sprinkler system. Building height shall be measured from
the ground level to floor of the topmost storey.

g. Industrial and Storage Occupancies

• Every high hazard occupancy shall have:
1. Automatic fire suppression system protection or other equivalent protection as may
appropriate to the particular hazard
2. Explosion venting for any area subject to an explosion hazard,
3. Any other means of protection designed to minimize danger to occupants in case of
fire or other emergency before they have time to utilize exits to escape.

THE FOUNDING ORGANIZATIONS OF FIRE PROTECTION ENGINEERING

A. FACTORY MUTUAL (FM)

• FM provides comprehensive global commercial and industrial property insurance,

engineering-driven underwriting and risk management solutions and services.

• FM Approved products provide the right materials to address exposures and

protection of facilities. The Approval Guide, an innovative product of FM Approvals,
contains “real-time” information about tens of thousands of products and services
tested and FM Approved, as well as essential engineering data and technical
information on the application and use of listed products.

• It started when Zachariah Allen, a prominent mill owner in Rhode Island in 1835,
combined the concepts of mutual insurance and property protection to form
Manufacturers Mutual Fire Insurance Company. This insurance company was based on
the concept of insuring factories that were good risks and but would ultimately pay less

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for insurance. By utilizing proper fire prevention methods and regular fire inspections,
the concept proved to be successful and the Factory Mutual (FM) system was born.

• FM grew in influence and became one of the major insurers of highly protected risks
(HPRs) worldwide, continuing the concept of using fire protection engineering to
achieve property loss prevention.

B. UNDERWRITERS LABORATORIES (UL)

• UL is a premier global independent safety science company, a benchmark of trust and

delivers peace of mind to businesses, governments and consumers all over the world.

• UL certifies, validates, tests, inspects, audits, and advises and trains. It provides
expertise from compliance and regulatory issues to trade challenges and market access.

• It started in 1893 when insurance companies concerns about the fire risk of the
electrical wiring of 100,000 Edison incandescent light bulbs at the Palace of Electricity at
the Worlds Columbian Exposition (World’s Fair) of 1893 in Chicago . It resulted in the
hiring of a young electrical engineer from Boston, William Henry Merrill, to ensure that
the exhibition was safe.

• The success of this venture led Merrill, with the financial support of the National
Board of Fire Underwriters (NBFU), to set up a laboratory to test the safety of electrical
products which became Underwriters Laboratories.

C. NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION (NFPA)

• Founded in 1896, NFPA is a global, non-profit organization devoted to eliminating

death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards. The
association delivers information and knowledge through more than 300 consensus
codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach and advocacy.

• In response to concerns about the reliability of automatic sprinkler systems due to a

lack of standardization, a group of insurance company representatives formed NFPA to
provide the science and improve the methods of fire protection and to circulate
information on this subject.

• NFPA organized technical committees of experts to establish consensus on the design

of fire protection systems and fire protection safeguards for various hazardous
occupancies.

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• Throughout the 20th century, many of the advances in fire protection were brought
about as a reaction to disastrous fires. NFPA and its technical committees were
instrumental in shaping the foundation of fire protection engineering. The rationale for
fire protection engineering solutions was published in the NFPA Fire Protection
Handbook.

• Throughout the remainder of the 20th century, UL grew to become a major

independent, not-for-profit testing organization in America and a leader in advancing
the science of fire protection engineering.

FIRE PROTECTION IN LAND-BASED BUILDINGS, OFFSHORE CONSTRUCTION

OR ONBOARD SHIPS IS TYPICALLY ACHIEVED BY THE FOLLOWING TYPES:

1. Passive fire protection - the installation of firewalls, fire proofing, fire rated floor
assemblies, isolation of fuel materials and compartmentalization intended to limit
the spread of fire, high temperatures and smoke.

2. Active fire protection - manual and automatic detection and suppression of fires,
such as fire sprinkler systems, fire hydrant, standpipes and fire alarm and detection
systems.

3. Education - the provision of information regarding passive and active fire protection
systems to building owners, operators, occupants, and emergency personnel so that
they have a working understanding of the intent of these systems and how they
perform in the fire safety plan.

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 ACTIVE FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM IS ANCHORED ON PERFORMANCE
BASED CODES THAT EMPHASIZE BOTH LIFE SAFETY AND PROPERTY
PROTECTION

1. WATER-BASE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM

2. POWDER OR DRY CHEMICAL-BASE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM

3. GAS-BASE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM

WATER-BASED SYSTEM
 HYDRANT

 WATER MIST SPRAY

 FOAM

 SPRINKLER

HYDRANT SYSTEM
A fire hydrant, also called fireplug, is a connection point by which firefighters can tap into a
water supply

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In a building, a fire hydrant system is a safety measure or emergency equipment that comprises
a series of components that when assembled together provide a source of water to assist fire
authorities in case of fire.

Fire hydrant systems comprise the following primary components:

•Water Supply •Pipework & Valves
•Pump Set

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•Hydrant Valve or Landing Valve & Coupling
•Fire Hose

WATER MIST SPRAY

A water mist system is a fire protection system which uses a very fine water sprays that
produces mists.

THE SMALL WATER DROPLETS ALLOW THE WATER MIST TO CONTROL,

SUPPRESS OR EXTINGUISH FIRES BY:
1. Cooling both the flame and surrounding gases by evaporation
2. Displacing oxygen by evaporation
3. Attenuating radiant heat by the small droplets themselves

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The effectiveness of a water mist system in fire suppression depends on its spray
characteristics, which include the droplet size distribution, flux density and spray dynamics
such as the shielding of the fuel, fire size and ventilation conditions.

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WATER MIST FIRE SUPPRESSION, WHEN COMPARED TO THE USE OF GASEOUS
AGENTS AND TRADITIONAL SPRINKLER SYSTEMS, HAS THE FOLLOWING
ADVANTAGES:
1. Immediate activation
2. High efficiency in the suppression of a wide variety of fires
3. Minimized water damage
4. Environmentally sound characteristics
5. No toxic issues

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FIRE SUPPRESION FOAM SYSTEM
Fire suppression foam is comprised of three parts: foam concentrate, water and air.

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When mixed correctly, these parts form a homogeneous foam blanket that extinguishes
flames by the combined mechanisms of:
1. Cooling
2. Separating the flame source from the product surface
3. Suppressing vapors
4. Smothering

AIR FOAM CONCENTRATE MAKES FINE FOAMS WITH EXCELLENT STABILITY AND THERMAL
RESISTANCE, AND FREELY FLOWS AND DEVELOPS ON LIQUID SURFACE SUCH AS PETROLEUM
TO PROMPTLY EXTINGUISH A FIRE. IT ALSO STICKS FIRM TO A SOLID SURFACE, LEVEL OR
VERTICAL, TO PREVENT THE FIRE FROM SPREADING.

THE FOAM BLANKET EFFICIENTLY TRANSPORTS SMALL AMOUNTS OF WATER TO THE FIRE,
ENCAPSULATING THE FLAMMABLE VAPORS AND CAUSING SUPPRESSION AND
EXTINGUISHMENT.

APPLICATIONS:
1. Aircraft hangars
2. Basements and cable tunnels
3. Flammable packaging areas
4. Flammable and combustible liquid drum storage areas
5. Hazardous waste facilities
6. LNG tank farms and loading facilities
7. Mines
8. Roll-paper warehouses
9. Shipboard engine rooms
10. Storage buildings and warehouses

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The system comprises Water Source, Fire Pump, Air Foam Concentrate, Proportioner, Foam
Maker, Foam Discharge Outlet, Control Panel, Pipe, Fire Alarm and Detectors

POWDER OR DRY-CHEMICAL-BASE SYSTEM

The extinguishing powders used in powder extinguishing systems are highly efficient, quick-
acting extinguishants.
The three-dimensional extinguishing effect of the powder cloud is caused by the suffocation
effect and the so-called anti-catalytic effect, a chemical intervention into the combustion
process.
Extinguishing powders mainly consist of nonpoisonous inorganic salts mixed with waterproofing
and pouring agents. They are used for fires with solid, liquid or gaseous substances and for
metal fires.

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APPLICATIONS:
• Chemical plants
• Tank farms
• Compressor stations
• Substations for oil and gas
• Gas burner stations on boilers systems
• Oil storage facilities
• Rolling mills
• Motor test beds
• Hydraulic systems
• Aircraft hangars
• Storage facilities for hazardous substance and flammable liquids
• Laboratories
• Special waste facilities

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 BASICS OF WET TYPE AUTOMATIC FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM DESIGN
a. AFSS BRIEF
b. SPRINKLER SYSTEM PIPING DESIGN
c. BASIC COMPONENTS OF WET TYPE AFSS
d. DESIGN REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS

WATER-BASED FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM

A fire sprinkler system is an ACTIVE fire protection measure, consisting of water supply system,
providing adequate pressure and flow of water through a distribution piping system, onto
which fire sprinklers are connected.

Sprinkler systems have been around since the late 1880’s.

Combustion of products is limited with extinguishment in the incipient stage.
Controls 70% of all fires with five or fewer sprinklers activated.

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The 2012 PME Code defines an Automatic Fire Sprinkler System as an integrated
system of underground and overhead piping designed in accordance with the
fire protection engineering standards

The portion of the system above the ground is a network of specially sized or hydraulically
designed piping.

Automatic sprinklers are connected in a systematic pattern.

The application of heat will cause that single sprinkler to operate, permitting water to
discharge over its area of protection.

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THREE TYPES OF SPRINKLER SYSTEMS DESIGN ACCORDING TO PIPING
ARRANGEMENT

LOOPED SPRINKLER SYSTEM -a sprinkler system in which multiple cross mains are tied together
so as to provide more than one path for water to flow to an operating sprinkler and branch
lines are not tied together.

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GRIDDED SPRINKLER SYSTEM- a type of sprinkler system in which parallel cross mains are
connected by multiple branch lines. An operating sprinkler will receive water from both ends of
its branch line while other branch lines help transfer water between cross mains.

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TREE SPRINKLER SYSTEM – a type of sprinkler system in which multiple branch lines are directly
connected to the cross main. An operating sprinkler will receive water only from its branch
lines. Branch lines are not tied together. Most widely used design.

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FOUR TYPES OF SPRINKLER SYSTEMS ACCORDING TO CONDITIONS OF
APPLICATION

Wet Pipe Sprinkler System is the most common installation in an environment not subject to
freezing to protect the property, contents and personnel.

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USING WATER AS ITS EXTINGUISHING AGENT, ONE WET SYSTEM MAY COVER AS
MUCH AS 4,831 M2 IN A SINGLE FIRE AREA (LIGHT & ORDINARY HAZARD)

 Pipes are always filled with water. Heat from fire opens a sprinkler head.

 Usually only one or two heads open.

 Water flows until it is manually shut off.

 The open sprinkler head(s) is replaced and the system is reset.

 A check valve prevents water from re-entering the water supply.

 Gauges on both sides of the main valve, register pressure on the supply and system
sides.

 A retard chamber prevents sudden pressure surges which could cause a false alarm.

 An alarm check valve detects water flow and activates the alarm system.

 There is a main drain valve which drains the system during maintenance.

 An Inspectors Test Valve, usually at the end of the system, used to simulate flow from
a single head and to measure the system response.

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Wet type Sprinkler System is the least expensive type of automatic sprinkler
system.

MAJOR DRAWBACK:
1. Cannot be used in areas where temperatures drop below freezing
2. Will also flow water if a sprinkler head is accidentally opened or a leak occurs in the piping

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DRY PIPE SPRINKLER SYSTEM IS USED WHERE THE WATER IN THE PIPING
WOULD BE SUBJECT TO FREEZING. WATER IS HELD BACK FROM THE PIPING
NETWORK BY A SPECIAL DRY PIPE VALVE WHICH IS KEPT CLOSED BY AIR OR
NITROGEN PRESSURE MAINTAINED IN THE PIPING.

Dry Pipe Sprinkler System uses a dry pipe valve that keeps pressurized air above the supply
water pressure

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 Dry pipes systems are used in unheated buildings, but the valve room must be
heated.

 Pipes are not filled with water (but with pressurized gas or air).

 Heat from a fire opens a sprinkler head. Usually only one or two heads open.

 Air pressure drops in the piping and opens the dry-pipe valve that allows Water fills
the pipes and exits through an open sprinkler head(s).

 The clapper valve has a locking mechanism to keep the clapper open until it is reset
by draining the system and resetting the lock.

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DELUGE SPRINKLER SYSTEM IS A SYSTEM THAT DOES NOT USE AUTOMATIC
SPRINKLERS BUT OPEN TYPE SPRINKLERS TO DELIVER A LARGE QUANTITY OF
WATER OVER A SPECIFIED AREA IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME FOR HIGH
HAZARD APPLICATION.

 Fire suppression agent may be water or foam.

 A deluge valve is activated by a fire detection system installed in the same area as the
sprinklers.
 When the deluge valve opens, water flows into the system and discharges from all the
attached sprinklers in the system.

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DELUGE SPRINKLER SYSTEM

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DELUGE SYSTEMS ARE USED FOR PROTECTION AGAINST RAPIDLY SPREADING,
HIGH HAZARD FIRES OR EXTRA HAZARD OCCUPANCIES

 PIPES IN PROTECTED AREA ARE EMPTY, IT IS NOT FILLED WITH WATER (OR GAS).

 ADETECTOR SIGNAL TRIGGERS THE SYSTEM, ALLOWING WATER/FOAM TO ENTER

 PIPES AND FLOW FROM ALL SPRINKLER HEADS (WHICH ARE ALREADY OPEN).

 PRIMARILY INSTALLED IN SPECIAL HAZARD AREAS THAT HAVE FAST SPREADING FIRE
OR LOW FLASH POINT, ( I.E. FLAMMABLE LIQUID STORAGE, LUMBERYARDS, LARGE
AIRPLANE HANGARS AND ELECTRICAL TRANSFORMERS.

 ALSO USED TO APPLY PROTEIN AND FOAMS SUPPRESSION AGENT.

 ACTIVATION CAUSES WATER TO FLOW SIMULTANEOUSLY FROM ALL OF THE OPEN

SPRINKLERS THUS CREATING A FIRE BUFFER ZONE BY COOLING SURFACES TO
PREVENT DEFORMATION OR STRUCTURAL COLLAPSE.

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 PREACTION SPRINKLER SYSTEM IS SIMILAR TO A DRY SYSTEM THAT USES
AUTOMATIC SPRINKLERS. AIR PRESSURE IS USUALLY MAINTAINED IN THE
PIPING NETWORK TO ENSURE THAT THE SYSTEM IS AIR TIGHT.

PRE-ACTION SYSTEMS ARE GENERALLY USED WHERE ACCIDENTAL

DISCHARGE OF WATER COULD SEVERELY DAMAGED FACILITIES OR
EQUIPMENT SUCH AS HISTORICAL ITEMS OR COMPUTER AREAS.

 SIMILAR TO DRY-PIPE AND DELUGE SYSTEM;

 PIPES ARE NOT FILLED WITH WATER.

 PIPING IN A PREACTION SYSTEM DOES NOT CONTAIN WATER AND MAY OR MAY NOT
BE FILLED WITH PRESSURIZED AIR OR GAS,
 WATER DOES NOT FLOW TO THE SPRINKLER HEADS UNTIL DETECTOR ACTIVATES.

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 WATER FROM THE SUPPLY PIPING IS HELD BACK BY A PREACTION VALVE AND IS
RELEASED TO THE SYSTEM PIPING WHEN THE FIRE DETECTION SYSTEM AND/OR
SPRINKLERS ARE ACTIVATED.

 ALL SPRINKLER HEADS ARE OF THE STANDARD CLOSED TYPE. WATER ONLY FLOWS
FROM A SPRINKLER HEAD IF IT IS OPENED BY HEAT FROM A FIRE.

 WATER FLOWS UNTIL SYSTEM IS SHUT OFF AND RESET IS DONE.

TYPES OF PREACTION SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

1. SINGLE INTERLOCK PREACTION SYSTEM:

It uses a deluge valve with single interlock trim, the system is used to protect high-value
electronic equipment in areas such as computer rooms.

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DOUBLE INTERLOCK SYSTEM:

Double Interlock uses Electric and Pneumatic Actuation designed for use in
applications, such as refrigerated areas, requiring the maximum degree of protection
against inadvertent flooding of the sprinkler system piping.

The Double Interlock Preaction System will automatically actuate only when both the
Dry Pilot Actuator and the Solenoid Valve are open at the same time. Activation of
either one will only cause an alarm and no water flow.

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BASIC COMPONENTS OF WET PIPE AUTOMATIC FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM

ALARM CHECK VALVE ASSEMBLY is designed to hold back water pressure in the piping
system until the sprinkler is activated.

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WATER ALARM GONG OR BELL is a mechanical device, operated by the flow of water
oscillating a hammer that strikes a gong, causing an audible alarm signal.

PRESSURE GAUGES are used to monitor water pressures in the system and in the water
supply as well as the air pressure in the system.

RETARD CHAMBER primarily serves as a hydraulic time delay to prevent false alarms
associated with fluctuating water supply pressure.

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AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER is a fire suppression or control device that operates
automatically when its heat-responsive element is heated to its thermal rating or
above, allowing water to discharge over a specified area.

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GATE VALVE is the isolating and flow controlling device for the system. It is basically
located and installed in the system riser or the supply piping. For fire protection service,
an outside screw and yoke (OS and Y) type Gate Valve is required.

CHECK VALVE is a backflow prevention device.

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FIRE DEPARTMENT CONNECTION is a connection through which the fire department
can pump supplemental water into the sprinkler system or standpipe system.

 Used as either as supplement or the main source of water when water tank is
empty.

 Should be visibly located near main entrance of building and must be

recognizable

 Have a sign with at least 1” letters that read “AUTO SPRINKLER”

 Min size of fittings 2 ½” (65 mm)

 Shall not be less than 18” or more than 48” above grade.

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PRESSURE REDUCING VALVE is a valve designed for the purpose of reducing the
downstream water pressure under both flowing (residual) and non-flowing
(static) conditions. Usually use if the FP is installed in the roof top of the
building.

PRESSURE RELIEF valve is a device that is set to prevent a pressure build-up on

the fire protection to an amount the system is designed.

FLOW METER is a device installed on the discharge of a fire pump to accurately

determine pump performance.

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WATER FLOW SWITCH is a device that actuates when water flow occurs at the
downstream of the system.

TAMPER/SUPERVISORY SWITCH is used to monitor the open position of an

OS&Y type gate valve.

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PRESSURE SWITCH is provided in the system and the controller of the pump and
responsible for sending signal to automatically start the pump within 10 seconds
after detection of a pressure drop of more than 5 percent.

AIR RELEASE VALVE releases air that may accumulate in the piping system.

INSPECTOR TEST CONNECTION provides both the test function and the drain
function for a wet fire sprinkler system. It is usually located at the remotest area
of the system however it could be also installed after the water flow switch as
Alarm Test Connection.

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RISER - the aboveground horizontal or vertical pipe between the water supply and the mains
(cross feed) that contains a control valve (either directly or within its supply pipe) and a water
flow alarm device.

FEED MAIN - the pipe supplying cross main, either directly or through riser.

CROSS MAIN – the pipe supplying the branch line, either directly or through the riser.

BRANCH LINES - the pipe in which the sprinklers are placed, either directly or through risers.

THE MOST IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF AFSS IS THE WATER SUPPLY THAT

MUST ADDRESS SEVERAL CONSIDERATIONS
 WATER MAY COME FROM MUNICIPAL WATER SYSTEM, ONSITE STORAGE TANKS OR
STATIC WATER SOURCES.

 WATER SUPPLY MUST BE ABLE TO HANDLE DEMAND OF THE SPRINKLER SYSTEM, AS

WELL AS THE NEEDS OF THE FIRE DEPT.
 PREFERRED WATER SOURCE FOR A SPRINKLER SYSTEM IS A MUNICIPAL WATER SUPPLY.

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  MINIMUM SUPPLY – TO HIGHEST SPRINKLER AT 15PSI
 FLOW DEPENDS ON – HAZARD, OCCUPANCY, BUILDING CONTENTS
 CONNECTION – ADEQUATE VOLUME, PRESSURE, RELIABILITY

FIRE PUMPS
Used when the water comes from a static source
May also be used to boost the pressure in some sprinkler systems, particularly for tall buildings

STANDPIPE SYSTEMS
Network of pipes and outlets for fire hoses built into a structure to provide water for
firefighting purposes
Usually used in high-rise buildings, although they are required installation in many other
structures as well.

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CLASS I STANDPIPES
• Designed for use by fire department personnel only
• Each outlet has a 2 1/2" male coupling and a valve to open the water supply after the hose is
connected.

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CLASS II STANDPIPES
• Outlets generally equipped with a length of 1 1/2" single-jacket hose preconnected to the
system.
• Intended to enable occupants to attack a fire before the fire department arrives, but safety
and effectiveness is questionable.

CLASS III STANDPIPES

• Have the features of both Class I and Class II standpipes in a single system
• Have 2 1/2" outlets for fire department use as well as smaller outlets with attached hoses for
occupant use
• Fire fighters should use only the 2 1/2" outlets, even if they are using an adapter to connect a
smaller hose

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SPRINKLER HEADS ARE THE KEY COMPONENTS OF THE SYSTEM THUS HEADS
MUST BE SUITABLE IN DESIGN, PERFORMANCE, APPLICATION AND
TEMPERATURE FOR TYPE OF PROPERTY IT IS PROTECTING
 Standard heads are often marked with SSU (standard sprinkler upright) or SSP
(standard sprinkler pendent) on the deflector.

 The typical sprinkler head is activated by heat (temperature)

 opens when a triggering action occurs,
 a frangible bulb breaks (color indicates temperature setting),
 a fusible link melts,
 water flows when head is opened,
 water is manually shut off,
 once activated, head must be replace.

SPRINKLER HEADS ARE CLASSIFIED ACCORDING TO TEMPERATURE RATING, COLOR CODING

OF DEFLECTOR OR GLASS BUBS.

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SPRINKLER HEADS ACCORDING TO INSTALLATION ORIENTATION
A. CONCEALED SPRINKLER IS A RECESSED SPRINKLER WITH COVER PLATES. These are
decorative sprinklers featuring a flat cover plate designed to conceal the sprinkler. It is
the best choice for architecturally sensitive areas such as hotel lobbies, office buildings,
churches & restaurants.

B. FLUSH SPRINKLER is a sprinkler in which all or part of the body, including the shank
thread, is mounted above the lower plane of the ceiling

C. PENDENT SPRINKLER is a sprinkler designed to be installed in such a way that the water
stream is directed downward against the deflector.

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D. RECESSED SPRINKLER is a sprinkler in which all or part of the body, other than the shank
thread, is mounted within a recessed housing.

E. SIDEWALL SPRINKLER is a type of sprinkler having special deflectors designed to

discharge most of the water away from the nearby wall in a pattern resembling
onequarter or a sphere, with a small portion of the discharge directed at the wall behind
the sprinkler.

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F. UPRIGHT SPRINKLER is designed to be installed in such a way that the water spray is
directed upwards against the deflector.

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PER NFPA 13, THE BASIC STEP IN THE HYDRAULICALLY DESIGNED
AUTOMATIC FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM IS THE IDENTIFICATION OF
DIFFERENT OCCUPANCY HAZARD CLASSIFICATION IN THE BUILDING TO BE
PROTECTED

LIGHT HAZARD

Light hazard occupancies shall be defined as occupancies or portions of other

occupancies where the quantity and/or combustibility of contents is low and fires with
relatively low rates of heat release are expected.

Light hazard occupancies include occupancies having uses and conditions similar to the
following:

1. Animal shelters
2. Churches
3. Prisons
4. Clubs
5. Eaves and overhangs
6. Educational
7. Museums
8. Residential
9. Restaurant seating areas
10.Theaters and auditoriums, excluding stages and prosceniums

Ordinary Hazard Group 1

Ordinary Hazard under Group 1 occupancies shall be defined as occupancies or portions

of other occupancies where combustibility is low, quantity of combustibles is moderate,
stockpiles of combustibles do not exceed 8 ft (2.4m), and fires with moderate rates of
heat release are expected.

Ordinary hazard (Group 1) occupancies include occupancies having uses and

conditions similar to the following:
1. Hospitals and Hotels
2. Libraries (excluding book stores)
3. Restaurants
4. Schools and Offices
5. Data processing center (computer room excluding tape storage)
6. Laboratories (physical)

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7. Laundries
8. Car parks
9. Leather good factories
10. Meat factories, Dairy products manufacturing and processing
11. Bakeries and Canneries
12. Biscuit and chocolate factories
13. Beverage manufacturing
14. Sheet metal product factories
15. Cement works

ORDINARY HAZARD GROUP 2

Ordinary Hazard under Group 2 occupancies shall be defined as occupancies or portions

of other occupancies where the quantity and combustibility of contents are moderate to
high, stockpiles do not exceed 12 ft (3.7 m), and fires with moderate to high rates of
heat release are expected.

Ordinary hazard (Group 2) occupancies include occupancies having uses and

conditions similar to the following:

1. Broadcasting and TV studios

2. Railway stations
3. Exhibition halls
4. Clothing factories, Weaving mills and Textile manufacturing
5. Furniture showrooms and upholstery shops with no plastic foams
6. Archives, Storage rooms, File rooms
7. Department stores and Shopping center
8. Corn mills, Dehydrated vegetable factory and Sugar factory
9. Glass factory, Tobacco products manufacturing
10. Radio equipment factory
11. Refrigerator and washing machine factory
12. Machine shops, Metal working, Wood products assembly
13. Paper and pulp mills, Plastic fabrication
14. Post offices, Printing and publishing
15. Automotive repair shops
16. Tire manufacturing

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EXTRA HAZARD GROUP 1

Extra Hazard under Group 1 occupancies shall be defined as occupancies or portions of

other occupancies where the quantity and combustibility of contents are very high and
dust, lint, or other materials are present, introducing the probability of rapidly
developing fires with high rates of heat release but with little or no combustible or
flammable liquids.

Extra hazard (Group 1) occupancies include occupancies having uses and conditions
similar to the following:
1. Aircraft hangars (except as governed by NFPA 409)
2. Combustible hydraulic fluid use areas
3. Die casting
4. Metal extruding
5. Plywood and particleboard manufacturing
6. Printing using inks having flash points below 100°F (38°C)
7. Rubber reclaiming, compounding, drying, milling, vulcanizing
8. Saw mills
9. Textile picking, opening, blending, combining of cotton, synthetics, wool shoddy, or
burlap
10. Upholstering with plastic foams

EXTRA HAZARD GROUP 2

Extra Hazard under Group 2 occupancies shall be defined as occupancies or portions of

other occupancies with moderate to substantial amounts of flammable or combustible
liquids or occupancies where shielding of combustibles is extensive.

Extra hazard (Group 2) occupancies include occupancies having uses and conditions
similar to the following:

1. Asphalt saturating
2. Flammable liquids spraying
3. Manufactured home or modular building assemblies (where finished enclosure is
present and has combustible interiors)
4. Open oil quenching
5. Plastics manufacturing
6. Solvent cleaning
7. Varnish and paint dipping

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THE MOST FAVORED DESIGN APPROACH FOR WET TYPE AUTOMATIC FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM
IS THE HYDRAULIC CALCULATION METHOD WHERE WATER DEMAND REQUIREMENT IS BASED
ON DENSITY/AREA CURVE

THE USE OF PIPE SCHEDULE IS ALSO A RECOGNIZED METHOD IN INSTALLING AUTOMATIC

FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM UNDER THE OCCUPANCY HAZARD FIRE CONTROL APPROACH (NFPA
13, CHAP. 11)
PIPE SCHEDULE METHOD SHALL NOT BE USED, EXCEPT IN EXISTING SYSTEMS OR EXTENSIONS
TO EXISTING SYSTEMS.
PIPE SCHEDULE METHOD SHALL BE PERMITTED ONLY FOR NEW INSTALLATIONS OF 5,000 FT2
(465 M2 ) OR LESS OR FOR ADDITIONS OR MODIFICATIONS TO THE EXISTING PIPE SYSTEMS
THAT IS SIZED ACCORDING TO PIPE SCHEDULE.

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PIPE SCHEDULE METHOD SHALL BE PERMITTED FOR USE IN SYSTEMS EXCEEDING 5,000 FT2
(465M 2) WHERE THE FLOWS REQUIRED AS SPECIFIED IN THE TABLE BELOW ARE AVAILABLE
AT A MINIMUM RESIDUAL PRESSURE OF 50 PSI (3.4 BAR) AT THE HIGHEST ELEVATION OF
SPRINKLER.

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58
THE HYDRAULIC CALCULATION METHOD OF THE OCCUPANCY HAZARD FIRE
CONTROL APPROACH WHICH IS THE MOST FAVORED ENGINEERING DESIGN,
CAN BE ACHIEVED WITH THE FOLLOWING SUB-METHODS

THE MINIMUM WATER SUPPLY REQUIREMENT FOR A HYDRAULICALLY DESIGNED

OCCUPANCY HAZARD FIRE CONTROL SPRINKLER SYSTEM SHALL BE DETERMINED BY ADDING
THE HOSE STREAM DEMAND TO THE WATER REQUIREMENT AS DETERMINED USING THE
DENSITY/AREA CURVE

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FOR SYSTEM WITH MULTIPLE HAZARD CLASSIFICATIONS, THE HOSE STREAM
AND WATER DEMAND SHALL BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING
• ADD THE HOSE DEMAND FOR THE HIGHEST HAZARD CLASSIFICATION WITHIN THE SYSTEM,
OR
• WHERE THE HIGHER CLASSIFICATION ONLY LIES WITHIN SINGLE ROOM LESS THAN OR EQUAL
TO 400 FT2 (37.18 M2 ) IN AREA WITH NO SUCH ROOMS ADJACENT, ADD THE HOSE DEMAND
FOR THE PRINCIPAL OCCUPANCY FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE SYSTEM.
• WHERE THE COMBINED SPRINKLER SYSTEM DEMAND AND HOSE STREAM ALLOWANCE
EXCEEDS THE REQUIREMENTS OF NFPA 13 & 14, THE HIGHER DEMAND SHALL BE USED.
• WATER DEMAND OF SPRINKLERS INSTALLED IN CONCEALED SPACES OR UNDER
OBSTRUCTIONS SUCH AS DUCTS MAY BE PERMITTED TO BE EXCLUDED IN THE COMPUTATION
FOR THE TOTAL DEMAND.

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