Professional Documents
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SILVER
CERTIFICATION COURSE
TELECOM SUPPORT INFRASTRUCTURE
AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM AND
FIRE SAFETY
Version 1 June 2013
Telecom Support Infrastructure (TSI) Air Conditioning System & Fire Safety
INDEX
3.1 Introduction......................................................................... 2
3.2 Objective .............................................................................. 3
3.3 Types Of air conditioning system .................................... 3
3.4 Fire safety. ......................................................................... 13
3.5 Fire protection .................................................................. 13
3.6 Summary............................................................................ 20
3.7 Self assessment questions ................................................ 21
3.8 References and suggested further readings.................. 21
STRUCTURE
3.1 INTRODUCTION
3.2 OBJECTIVE
3.3 TYPES OF AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM
3.4 FIRE SAFETY.
3.5 FIRE PROTECTION
3.6 SUMMARY
3.7 SELF ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS
3.8 REFERENCES AND SUGGESTED FURTHER READINGS
3.1 INTRODUCTION
3.2 OBJECTIVE
At the end of the lesson the participants shall be able to:
Know the various A/C systems in use.
Select a suitable A/C system for a particular requirement.
Know innovative strategies for Air Conditioning.
Active and passive fire measures.
Implement the active and passive fire protection system in Telecom buildings.
Inspect the building with respect to active and passive fire protection measures.
List the Classes of Fire and Fire Extinguishers
Explain Wet riser system definitions
Know the Components of wet riser system
configuration & evaporator temperature, air handling arrangements and other variations
that are available in the control system are rarely possible with unitary systems.
a) DIRECT EXPANSION TYPES AC PLANT:
In this type of system evaporation of refrigerant takes place in the cooling media.
Refrigerant cools the air which is in direct contact with it. The heat which is given out by
air is picked by the refrigerant and the condenser water picks that heat from the
refrigerant and reject into atmosphere by means of cooling tower.
b) CHILLED WATER TYPE A.C. PLANTS:
In chilled water type A/C plants water as second intermediate heat transfer
medium is used. Water absorbs heat from the air returned from the conditioned space and
then transfers the same to the refrigerant in the chiller. Here water circulates in chillers,
water pumps and air handling unit coils. In some of the big installations there are more
than one chilled water circuits like primary and secondary circuits. Other items remain
similar to that of direct Expansion Type Plants.
3.3.5 COMPONENTS OF A.C. SYSTEM:
A.C. system can be broadly sub-divided into three areas :
Refrigerant Circuit.
Water Circuit.
Air Circuit.
Refrigerant Circuit :
COMPRESSOR:
Compressor only helps to maintain pressure difference in evaporator and
condenser so that the refrigerant cycle can work continuously. It expands Freon Gas from
the evaporator as fast as it is formed and maintains low pressure 69 p.s.i.g at low Temp.
[400F].
It compressors and discharges the gas to the condenser at a pressure of about 229
p.s.i.g at a Temp. 1100F.
Because of rapid compression, the refrigerant becomes hot.
CONDENSER:
It is intended for cooling the hot gas and liquefying it under pressure. It may be air
cooled or water cooled. At the condenser, the refrigerant vapour which is maintained at
high pressure releases heat to the condenser water through heat transfer surface of
condenser water tubes and becomes liquid by principle of Latent heat of condensation.
EXPANSION VALVE:
Its function is to control and regulate the rate flow of liquid Freon under pressure
and allow it in to the evaporator under low pressure.
EVAPORATOR:
This constitutes the cooling unit in which the liquid Freon under a low pressure
evaporates and in doing so picks up heat from the air [By principle of Latent Heat of
Evaporation] thereby cooling the medium surrounding the cooling coil.An important
point to note is that the compressor and Expansion valve constitute the two dividing
points between high and low pressure that the condenser and evaporator contains the
refrigerant both in liquid and gas form and that they both act as heat exchanger i.e.,
Evaporator absorbs heat and condenser gives out heat. In other words the refrigerant cycle
can be used either for cooling or for heating.
WATER CIRCUIT :
The condenser water picks up heat from the refrigerant system and in turn reject
heat into the atmosphere with the help of cooling tower, where the water is sprayed and
subject to cooling by atmospheric air and re-circulated to the condenser by pumps.
Reasonably soft water is to be supplied for makeup of condenser water. Hard water
causes fouling of condenser tubes thereby reducing the heat transfer efficiency.
AIR CIRCUIT:
Cooling and dehumidification of air is done at cooling coil to offset sensible and
latent heat of the space. Distribution of conditioned air to the areas in proportion to the
load is achieved through supply air ducting with the help of the fan. Collection of return
air back to the Air Handling system takes place through return air space and fan provides
the necessary suction force. Dust filtration by filters is provided in return air stream.
Buildings are highly energy intensive buildings and requires round the clock reliable air-
conditioning system for optimum performance of Telecom equipment. Heating,
ventilation and air-conditioning [HVAC] systems consume nearly 50 to 60% of the total
power consumption in any telecom / commercial buildings and thus offer huge potential
and challenge to reduce the energy consumption by employing innovative strategies.
Some of the innovative strategies, which are now employed in the air-conditioning
systems to reduce the energy bills, are as under:
Building Orientation/ Architectural Features.
Establishing Baseline Performance Indices.
High Sensible Air-Conditioning System.
Automation and Building Management System.
Variable Voltage and Variable Frequency Drives [VVVFD].
Heat Recovery Wheel / Desiccant Cooling System for Fresh air.
Panel Cooling.
Vapour Absorption Machines [VAM]
Roof Top Chillers.
Free Cooling or Cooling by Total Air Displacement.
1200-1700 1.5
1700-2300 2
There are several other factors that you also need to consider for effective AC
cooling.
The number of Windows in the room.
Application that produce heat such as TV, Desktop etc.
If the room gets too much sunlight.
GENERAL ASSUMPTIONS:
Wall thickness - 9 inch.
Cooling thickness - 6 inch.
Room height - 10 ft or less
Indoor Temperature - 24-25°C
EETP/ BSNL Silver Certification Course Page 7 of 23
For Restricted Circulation
Telecom Support Infrastructure (TSI) Air Conditioning System & Fire Safety
The package AC units have been also provided with dehumidification mechanism
by reducing effective coil area to 2/3rd whenever dehumidification is required. The
control system enables a solenoid valve to cut off 1/3rd of the cooling coil, thus,
providing a lower evaporating temperature and dehumidification without any heating and
thus, saving of precious electrical energy. Constant airflow is maintained even during
dehumidification.
Precise air conditioning
Compared to yesterday's monolithic telephone system, today's worldwide
communications network is a much more complex and constantly evolving cluster of
interconnected systems. And with continually more mission-critical processes reliant on
transmission accuracy and 100 percent uptime, the requirements for reliability and
performance have never been greater. Precise air conditioning is one cornerstone of a
well-designed support system for this telecom & IT network. Unlike common commercial
air conditioning systems, these precise air conditioning units are designed to run
continually, require little maintenance, and provide precise control of temperature and
humidity. Standard air conditioners quickly lose efficiency and break under continual
operation. Since electronic equipment does not release or absorb moisture, the air
conditioner selected for a communications site should primarily cool the air, not remove
moisture. The air conditioner should normally be selected with a "sensible heat ratio" of
no lower than 78 percent. A system more typical of a commercial application, with a
sensible heat ratio of only 65 percent, could consume as much as 20 percent more
electricity to cool the same site, and could reduce humidity levels in the space to
unacceptable levels.
Precise air conditioning is designed from the ground up to protect equipment, not
people. "Comfort" air conditioning systems are designed for the comfort of people, and
simply cannot provide the kind of environment required by high-performance telecom
equipment.
Comparison between Precision and Comfort Air conditioning is as below:
Precision Vs Comfort Air-conditioning
Precision Comfort
Sensible Heat Ratio 0.90 - 0.95 0.70 - 0.75
Temperature Control + 1oC + 3oC
Humidity Control + 5% RH No control
Operating Hours 8760/annum 2000/annum
Air Movement 500-650 CFM/Tr 300-400 CFM/Tr
Filtration Efficiency 95% 65%
DAMPERS
FRESH AIR
PLENUM
Space
Return Air
Plenum
TO CONDITIONED
ATMOSHERE RETURN AIR
EXHAUST FAN
Figure 3. Free Cooling system
Free cooling assumes importance in view of the need for energy conservation and
also for achieving global competitiveness. Free cooling assures power saving to the extent
of 80% as in free cooling operation, we require power only for operation of fans for
circulation of the outside air and exhaust of the inside air. This system needs to be
encouraged and the manufacturers / vendors have to come forward to fine tune the filters,
sensors, control of dampers and for optimum operation of free cooling mechanism.
3.3.7 OTHER IMPORTANT TRENDS IN AIR CONDITIONING
Star Rating of Air Conditioners
The purpose of star rating is to help consumers to make informed choice while
taking a decision to purchase Air-Conditioners. More the number of stars, more energy
saving will result from the air-Conditioners. Details of star rated models of various
manufacturers are available on BEE web site.
The use of CFCs is now beginning to be phased out due to their damaging impact
on the protective tropospheric ozone layer around the earth. The Montreal Protocol of
1987 and the subsequent Copenhagen agreement of 1992 mandate a reduction in the
production of ozone depleting Chlorinated Fluorocarbon (CFC) refrigerants in a phased
manner, with an eventual stop to all production by the year 1996. In response, the
refrigeration industry has developed two alternative refrigerants; one based on
Hydrochloro Fluorocarbon (HCFC), and another based on Hydro Fluorocarbon (HFC).
The HCFCs have a 2 to 10% ozone depleting potential as compared to CFCs and also,
they have an atmospheric lifetime between 2 to 25 years as compared to 100 or more
years for CFCs.
A non exchange direct fire emergency magneto telephone shall be provided in the
equipment room to all Telecom buildings for direct communication with the fire brigade.
One of the extensions of the non exchanges line shall also be available at the ground floor
hi the sentry cabin or at the reception. The fire telephone shall be tested daily.
Fire fighting appliances
Sufficient number of fire Extinguishers (portable type) shall be brought or kept in
shelves or mounted on wheels at conspicuous places (but not too close to the equipment).
The operating instructions shall be clearly printed on the body of extinguishers.
Sufficient quality of refills for the extinguishers shall be stored.
For buildings above 15 mt. in height, one wet riser for every 1000 sq. mtr or part
therefore of floor area shall be provided. The hydrant shall be so located that it is not
farther than 30 mt. from any point in the area covered.
In data centers, automatic flooding system is provided keeping in view the
importance and fire risk involved.
Two water buckets and two sand buckets shall be provided at each floor.
All fire fighting appliances shall be maintained in working condition.
Brigade Pump in case of failure of fire Pump. Fire brigade inlet connection is also
provided for the underground static water storage tank.
COVERAGE OF WET RISER
For buildings above 15 mt. in height, one wet riser for every 1000 sq. mtr or part
therefore of floor area shall be provided. The riser shall be fully charged with a minimum
Pressure of 3kg/sq cm. at the top most landing at all times and shall be automatic in
operation. The hydrant shall be so located that it is not farther than 30 mt. from any point
in the area covered.
and pump shall be assembled on a common bed plate fabricated from mild steel channel
type. The pump shall be only direct driven by means of a flexible coupling. Coupling
guard shall also be provided. The speed shall be 1500/1800 RPM as specified.
Specifications
FIRE PUMP: same as electric fire pump.
E. DIESEL ENGINE
The Engine shall be cold starting type without the necessity of preliminary heating
of the engine cylinder or combustion chamber. The engine shall be multi cylinder/vertical
4 stroke cycle, water cooled diesel engine, devolving suitable H.P. at operating speed
specified to drive the fire pump. The capacity shall be at least 20% greater than the
maximum H.P. required to drive the pump at its duty point. It shall also be capable of
driving the pump at 150% of the rated discharge at 65% of rated head. The engi ne shall
be capable of continuous non-stop operation for 8 hours and at least 3000 hours of
operation before major overhaul. The engine shall have 10% over load capacity for one
hour in any period of 12 hours.
F. PIPING FOR WET RISER SYSTEM
The wet riser system piping shall comprise cast iron or galvanized iron pipe work
as specified with necessary C.I. or G.I. fittings and accessories C.I. pipe shall be used in
location where the pipes are buried under ground. G.I. pipes shall be used in other
locations. The wet riser piping system shall remain pressurized at all times during
operation and as such the piping work shall be carried out to withstand the same.
G.I. pipes and accessories and fittings shall be of heavy class conforming to
IS1239 part I/1974 and part II/1979 as amended up-to-date, hot dip galvanized to grade-I.
The pipe joints shall be flanged with smooth faced flanged.
C.I. pipes shall be of class B to IS 1537-1976 and fittings shall be of heavy to IS
1538-1976. The flanged shall be smooth faced.
G. QAIR VESSEL AND RELEASE VALVE
Air vessel on top of each wet riser piping shall be fabricated of at least 10 mm
thick steel to with stand the pressure, with dished ends and supporting legs. This shall be
of 450 mm dia and 2m high. This shall be complete with necessary flame connection to
the wet riser piping and air release valve with necessary piping to meet the functional
requirement of the system. The air vessel shall be of continuous welded constructions and
galvanised. This shall be tested for twice the working Pressure.
H. RING MAIN AND YARD HYDRANT
In the open compounds a ring main or tree main with suitable no. of yard hydrants
shall also be provided so that one hydrant is available at every 60 mtr length of the
building. Each hydrant point shall be provided with a hose Box with 2 Nos 15 metre
length hose pipes. The hydrant main shall be buried at a minimum depth of 1 mtr. below
ground level. Yard hydrant shall be of stand post type conforming to IS: 908-1975 and
stand post for single outlet flame riser and single headed brass/gunmetal valve.
I. HOSE REELS AND HOSE BOXES
First aid hose reels and hose boxes shall be installed on all floors of the buildings.
The hose reels shall be connected to one of the female couplings of twin couplings of
landing values of the wet riser installation by means of an adapter. The hose boxes shall
be provided with 2 Nos. 15 mtr. Length 63 mm hose pipes with couplings and one branch
pipe nozzle.
Hose pipes shall be rubber lined woven jacketed and 63 mm in diameter. They
shall conform to Type –2 of IS 636-1979 as amended up-to-date. The hose shall be
sufficiently flexible and capable of being rolled.
J. STATIC WATER STORAGE
A satisfactory supply of water for the purpose of fire fighting shall always be
available in form of an underground static storage
The capacity of underground tank shall be as under:
For buildings up to 15 mt. in height ----- 50,000 litres
For buildings beyond 15 mt. & upto 24 mt in height ----- 1, 00,000 litres
For buildings beyond 24 mt. in height ----- 2, 00,000 litres
Arrangement for replenishing of the static tank with main or alternative source of
water supply at the rate of 1000 litre/minute should be available. When this is not possible
the capacity of the static storage tank shall be suitably increased in with the local fire
brigade. To prevent stagnation of water in the static tank the suction tank of domestic
water supply shall be fed only through an over flow arrangement to maintain level therein
at the minimum specified capacity.
The static water tank shall be provided with a fire brigade inlet connection with 4
Nos. 63 mm dia instantaneous male inlet arranged in a valve box at a suitable point at
street level and connected to the static tank with a suitable fixed pipe of not less than 15
cm. diameter to discharge the water into the tank at the rate of 2250 litres/minute. All the
buildings above 15 mt. in height shall in addition to the static water tank be provided with
terrace tank of 20,000 litre capacity along with dry riser both duly connected as per
specifications. This need not be provided if automatic pumps are provided at ground
level.
K. POWER AND CONTROL PANEL
The power and control panel shall be totally enclosed, free standing floor mounted
cubical type fabricated out of sheet steel not less than 2mm thick. General construction
shall be of compartmentalization and sectorisation such as main incomer, electric fire
pump, diesel fire pump, pressurization pump, and control, so that there is no mixing of
power and control wiring and connections in the same section as far as possible. The
panel shall be front operated type with all connections accessible from the front. Front
doors shall be hinged type. Back doors shall be hinged type or removable type for
inspection. A direct feeder, without any tappings shall be laid from the sub-station to the
control panel. The control panel shall be located in the pump house.
3.6 SUMMARY
Air Conditioning System in Telecom Infrastructure not only maintains the desired
temperature level but fulfills the overall comfort requirements of the Telecom
Equipments. Now a days emerging updated technology for AC system not only conserve
energy and environment but control the different Air-Conditioning parameters to a
required level. The Fire Safety is very important for any organization as fire may result in
damage to property and loss to human lives. Suitable measures should be adopted to
prevent the occurrence of fire. Fire can be extinguished by detection in early stage and
application of suitable fire extinguishing media.
Answers
1 Direct Expansion
2 Condenser
3 Window
4 30feet
5 0.9 to 0.95
6 Free-Cooling
7 Class C
8 2 hour
9 No
10 0.2 sq. mtr.
11 Negative terminal
12 one wet riser for every 1000 sq. mtr or part therefore of floor area
13 10 mm atleast