PKD

Fixed / Installed Fire Fighting Systems

P. K. Duggal
Sr. Consultant ( IHS & FIRE )

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View of Sub Station

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Transformer at a Location

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Fire a Disaster

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Fire Hazards at Work Place

• Heat generating appliances

• Storage and handling of flammables/combustibles

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• Open flames

• Vehicles and equipment

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Fire Fighting Dangers

• Flame
• Heat

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• Smoke
• Toxic vapours
• Suffocation
• Explosions

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Electrical Fire Hazards

• Overloaded electrical systems

• Frayed or damaged wiring
• Substandard Cables / Inferior quality

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• Defective machinery or power tools
• Poor housekeeping

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Fire Protective Measures

• ACTIVE FIRE PROTECTIVE MEASURES

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• PASSIVE FIRE PROTECTIVE MEASURES

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Fire Protective Equipments

• FIRE SAFE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

• AVAILABILITY OF MEANS OF ESCAPE
• SEGREGATION, ISOLATE OF HAZARDOUS OCCUPANCIES

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• MAINTAING SAFE DISTANCE
• FIRE RESISTANCE WALL OR BARRIER

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Water Type Fire Extinguishers

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Water Type fire extinguisher

Most commonly used and ideal for wood, textile and paper fire and
general or domestic items.

Construction
• Upright and turnover types available.

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• Body made from a galvanized sheet in cylindrical or conical shape.
• A small inner cage holds an acid bottle.
• The outer container has sodium bicarbonate solution.
• Available in 9 litres capacity.

Operation
• Strike plunger on hard ground to smash the acid bottle.
• Acid coming in contact with the sodium bicarbonate generates CO2 gas.
• This ejects solution through the nozzle under pressure.
• The jet of water can reach a distance of 10 meters.
• Discharge lasts one-and-a-half to two minutes. 11
Water Type Fire Extinguishers

Caution
• Do not use on oil, electric and metal fire.
• Check once a quarter.

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DCP Type Extinguishers

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Dry chemical powder (DCP) fire
extinguisher
Can be used for all classes of fire. Particularly useful for metal fire. Extensively
used in oil refineries and fertiliser plants because of its instantaneous extinguishing
capability. Not very effective for Class A fire as it has no cooling effect.

Construction
• Stores dry chemical powder that contains approximately 97% sodium bicarbonate.

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• Available in 1, 2, 5 and 10 kilogram capacities.
• Larger units of 22.5 and 63.5 kilograms transported on wheels.

Operation
• Strike the plunger to release CO2.
• This expels powder from the cartridge.

Caution
• Maintenance of gas cartridge similar to that of CO2.
• Check once a quarter.

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ABC Type Fire Extinguishers

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Gas pressure extinguisher
Construction
• The outer container is similar to soda acid fire extinguishers.
• Gas cartridge is filled with CO2 under pressure.

• Operation

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• Pierce the gas cartridge to release pressurised CO2 into the body of the
extinguisher.
• This drives the water out through the discharge tube.

• Constant pressure extinguisher

• Construction
• It is filled with water.
• Dry air is introduced into the water and pressurised and sealed.

• Note: Both gas pressure and constant pressure extinguishers operate on the
cooling principle. 16
Co2 Types of Fire Extinguishers

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Carbon dioxide fire extinguisher

As CO2 is non-conductive, this is useful for electrical fire and

small fire in laboratories with delicate equipment.

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Construction
• Consists of one cylinder.
• Liquid CO2 is mechanically filled into this cylinder.
• Discharge horn to release gas.

Operation
• Operate valve to release and project onto fire 18
Caution

• Do not use on metal fire.

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• On oil fire, take precautions to avoid flash back or re-ignition

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Carbon dioxide fire extinguisher

• As CO2 is non-conductive, this is useful for electrical fire and

• small fire in laboratories with delicate equipment.

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Construction
• Consists of one cylinder.
• Liquid CO2 is mechanically filled into this cylinder.
• Discharge horn to release gas.

Operation
• Operate valve to release and project onto fire. 20
Caution

• Do not use on metal fire.

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• On oil fire, take precautions to avoid flash back or re-ignition

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Foam Type Fire Extinguishers

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Foam fire extinguishers

• Foam fire extinguishers

• This type of extinguisher is similar to the soda acid type in

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both construction and capacity. There are two types of foam
fire extinguishers

• Mechanical.

• Chemical
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Foam fire extinguishers
Mechanical foam extinguisher
• Three times more effective than the chemical foam extinguisher.

Construction
• Main body of mild steel fitted with cap and discharge hose.

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• Terminates with foam making branch pipe.
• Manganese steel gas cartridge containing CO2 gas is fitted to the cap.
• Outer container stores 9 litres of water.
• Foam concentrate (aqueous film-forming foam) is added to the water.

Operation
• Remove the clip and strike the knob.
• Needle will puncture the cartridge and CO2 will pressurise cylinder.
• Foam concentration solution is thrown out through the discharge hose. 24
• Solution mixes with air to generate foam.
Chemical foam extinguisher
Chemical foam extinguisher
• Most useful for Class B fire; can also be used for Class A.
• Construction
• Normal capacity nine litres; larger ones available.
• Has two containers.
• The outer container contains a solution of sodium bicarbonate and

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foam-forming agent.
• The inner container contains aluminium sulphate solution.

Operation
• Remove the disc of the inner container, then turn the valve.
• Solutions of both containers come into contact, starting a chemical
reaction. This generates CO2 gas.
• Foam is also generated and ejected through the nozzle under pressure.
• Foam jet can reach a distance of 6-8 metres.
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• Discharge will last for one to one-and-a-half minutes
Parts of Fire Extinguisher

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Operation of Fire Extinguisher
• Pull: Pull the pin at the top of the extinguisher, breaking the seal.
Test the extinguisher by aiming in a harmless direction, never
towards a person or sensitive equipment. This is to ensure that the
extinguisher works and also shows the operator how far the stream
travels.

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• Aim: Approach the fire standing at a safe distance. Aim the nozzle
towards the base of the fire.

• Squeeze: Squeeze the handles together to discharge the

extinguishing agent. Release the handles to stop the discharge.

• Side to side: Sweep the fire extinguisher from side to side while
aiming at the base.

• Smother: If required, use a fire blanket to smother and suppress any 27

small fire that remains.
Halon fire extinguisher
• Halon is the most effective extinguishing agent. Ideal for intense and rapidly flammable fire.
Halon is non-conductive making it suitable for electrical fire and leaves no trace. Halon is
twice as effective as CO2 in terms of weight and five times as effective in terms of volume.

Construction
• Made of a cylindrical seamless/welded vessel.
• Halon is stored under pressure.
•

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Squeeze grip nozzle is provided on top of the cylinder valve.
• Discharge tube is also provided for larger capacity.

• Operation
• When operated, it is discharged as a semi-liquid jet at high velocity.
• Evaporates rapidly to cover the fire in a blanket of mist.

Note: The following tip may be kept in mind for emergency response.
• R-A-C-E: Rescue. Alarm. Contain. Extinguish.
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Passive Fire Protective Equipments

• FIRE RETARDANT TREATMENT

• COMPARTMENTATION, SUB DIVISION OF LARGE RISK INTO
SMALL ONES

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• FIRE STOPS PENETRATION SEAL FOR CABLES (VERTICAL OR
HORIZONTAL OPENING)
• FIRE RESISTANT DOORS
• VENTILATION SYSTEM OR DUST EXTRACTION SYSTEM

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Fire Blankets
• A fire blanket is a safety device designed to extinguish small
fire. It consists of a sheet of fire-retardant material which is
placed over a fire to smother it.
Materials

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Fibreglass is most commonly
used for small fire blankets for
domestic use. These can be
folded into a quick-release
container for easy storage.
Woven asbestos fibre was
sometimes used in older fire
blankets.

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Passive Fire Protective Equipments

• USE OF APPROPRIATE MATERIAL FOR CONSTRUCTIONS

AS PER HAZARDS / FIRE RATING
• IS-1641 CODE OF PRACTICE FOR FIRE SAFETY OF

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BUILDING IN GENERAL MAY BE COMPLIED.
• EXPLOSIVE VENTS, AUTOMATIC EXPLOSIVE VENTING
WHERE FLAMMABLE DUST AND VAPORS ARE HANDLED
• NO OPENING IN SEPARATING WALLS IF UNAVOIDABLE.
• AUTOMATIC FIRE CHECK DOOR

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Passive Fire Protective Equipments

• FLAME PROOF AND DUST PROOF FITTINGS

• PROPER EARTHING AND BOUNDING OF EQUIPMENTS
• LOCATION OF CABLES RACKS OTHER INSTALLATION IN A

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MANNER TO FACILITATE PROPER INSPECTION
• EFFECTIVE ENCLOSURES ALL OF VERTICALWAYS SHIFTS,
ELEVATORS AND PROCESS OPENINGS
• PROPER DRAINAGE OF FLAMMABLE LIQUID IN DYKES
• CONTOUR OF GROUND TO AVOID FLOW OF FLAMMABLE
/HAZARDOUS LIQUID FROM ACCIDENTAL SPILLAGE.
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Active Fire Protective Equipments

• THESE SYSTEMS INCLUDE FIRE DETECTION,

ALARM, AND FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT
/INSTALLATION.

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• THESE CAN BE FURTHER CLASSIFIED INTO
FOLLOWING CATEGORIES.

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First –aid Fire Protective Equipments

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS ARE THE FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE IS

READILY AVAILABLE AND PROMPTLY APPLIED. PORTABLE FIRST
AID FIRE FIGHTING APPLIANCES SHOULD BE INSTALLED

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THROUGH OUT THE PLANT AS THIS FIRST AID FIRE FIGHTING
EQUIPMENT PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO DEAL ANY FIRE.

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Fire Detection Systems

• MANUALLY OPERATED CALL POINTS ARE PROVIDED AS A

MEANS FOR SOUNDING THE FIRE ALARM.

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• CALL POINT ARE TO BE PROVIDED CLOSE TO THE FIRE EXITS
ON EVERY FLOOR AND OTHER STRATEGIC LOCATIONS.

• THEY ARE TO BE BREAK GLASS TYPE TO REDUCE MISUSE OR

• ACCIDENTAL OPERATION.
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AUTOMATIC FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM
SYSTEM

• AN AUTOMATIC ALARM SYSTEM IS INSTALLED IN HIGH

HAZARD AREA FOR ENSURING
• EARLY EVACUATION TO PLACE OF SAFETY, BEFORE

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ESCAPE ROUTES BECOME OBSCURED BY SMOKE.
• DIFFERENT TYPES OF SMOKE, HEAT AND FLAME
DETECTORS ARE INSTALLED IN THE SYSTEM TO SENSE
THE BY PRODUCTS OF FIRE AND GIVE ALARM.

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Fire Protection Systems

• WATER BASED FIXED FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM

• HYDRANT SYSTEM – OUT DOOR

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• LANDING VALVE SYSTEM –INDOOR

• HOSE REEL HOSE SYSTEM

• HOSE BOXES
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Fire Protection Systems Contd.

• WATER SPRINKLER/ DRENCHER SYSTEM

• DELUGE VALVE/ WATER SPRAY SYSTEM

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• WATER MIST SYSTEM

• NON WATER BASED SYSTEMS

• CO2 FIXED INSTALLATION / FOAM SYSTEM

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Fixed fire fighting installations and fire
detection equipment
• Hose pipe: A long delivery pipe
through which water is supplied
for fire fighting. Hose pipe has
two ends.

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• Controlling valve: A device in the
wet riser/hydrant through which
water is supplied and flow of
water is controlled.

• Branch pipe: A device through

which water is delivered in a form
of a fine jet. It is an attachment to
facilitate the throw water to a 39
large distance or height.
Fixed fire fighting installations and fire
detection equipment
Hose pipe box: A box in which the
hose pipe and branch pipe is stored.
It generally contains two hose pipes
and one branch pipe.

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Hose reel hose: A device which has
a long coil of rubber hose attached
which can be opened and recoiled in
the reel. It is connected with the wet
risers in high rise buildings.

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Fixed fire fighting installations and fire
detection equipment
• The fire detection equipment
• All employees should be aware of the following fire detection
equipment

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Heat/flame detector
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Emergency response procedures

Flames
• If flames are high and intense, close the door to prevent oxygen
from feeding the fire and move back.
• If the flames are low use the appropriate extinguisher to put it out.

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Fire exits
• Use the nearest fire exit.
• If an exit is blocked by fire, do not panic; use an alternative exit.
• Assist others to do the same.

Lifts
• Avoid using lifts, especially in fire-related emergencies.
• Fire can cause short circuits and trap people inside the lift reducing
the chances of rescue significantly. 42
Emergency response procedures

• Smoke can be as serious a threat to life as actual fire. It is

necessary to know how to control or restrict the spread of fire
and smoke to minimise its effects and spread.
• Evaluate the risk to people on the premises.

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• Do not open door if the door or doorknob is hot, or if there is
smoke coming through the cracks or under the door.
• Pack doorframe with wet towels, sheets, and other available
materials to stop the smoke from entering the room.
• Cover face with a wet towel or cloth.
• If the doorknob is cool and there is no smoke, open the door
slowly and carefully, head for the exit and escape from the
building. 43
Fixed fire fighting installations and fire
detection equipment

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Manual alarm Smoke detector 44
Emergency response procedures
Assembly area

A safe site should be located to assemble all persons affected by

the fire, preferably:

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An outside location at least 50 feet from the affected building.
Away from roads used by emergency and rescue vehicles.
Away from walkways used by rescue personnel.
A building nearby, which is helpful in bad weather.

The on-site incident commander decides if personnel should be

moved from the evacuation assembly area to a safer evacuation 45
site.
Maintenance of Systems

• A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT IS SPENT TO PROVIDE VARIOUS FIRE

FIGHTING INSTALLATIONS & EQUIPMENT BUT IF THEY ARE
NOT MAINTAINED IN PERFECT WORKING CONDITION DUE TO

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WANT OF AWARENESS OR SPENDING SMALL AMOUNT, THE
VERY PURPOSE OF INSTALLING THEM IS DEFECTED.

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Maintenance of Systems contd.

• IT IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT TO REGULARLY SERVICE, TEST

AND MAINTAIN THE FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT IN
PERFECT WORKING CONDITION SO THAT IT IS READY TO

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WORK IN ANY EMERGENCY, WHICH NO ONE CAN EVER
PREDICT.

• IT IS THEREFORE RECOMMENDED TO TAKE SERVICES OF

PROFESSIONAL IN THE FIELD TO KEEP THE
INSTALLATIONS & EQUIPMENT IN PERFECT WORKING
CONDITION ALL THE TIME. 47
Fire Protection Suits

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Training

• IF THE FIRE IS NOT CONTROLLED IN ITS INCIPIENT STAGE WITH THE HELP
OF AVAILABLE FIRST AID FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT AND OTHER
INSTALLATIONS.
• IT MAY GROW BEYOND CONTROL. INITIAL FEW MINUTES ARE VERY
CRUCIAL. DECISION MAKING, FAST & ACCURATE ACTION WILL ONLY SAVE
LIFE AND PROPERTY.
• EVERY ONE PRESENT IN THE PRESENT IN THE PREMISES NEEDS TO BE

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AWARE AND TRAINED FOR CORRECT LINE OF ACTION IN CASE OF ANY
EMERGENCY.
• ALL THE EMPLOYEES, OTHER STAFF AND SECURITY STAFF WHO ARE
PRESENT ROUND THE CLOCK IN THE PREMISES ARE REQUIRED TO BE
REGULARLY TRAINED IN VARIOUS ASPECTS OF FIRE PREVENTION, FIRE
PROTECTION AND FOR EXTINGUISHMENT , INCLUDING HANDLING OF
FIRST AID FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT, USE OF HYDRANT, HOSE BOX, HOSE
REEL, FIRE ALARM SYSTEM, OTHER COMMUNICATION SYSTEM IN CASE OF
ANY EMERGENCY.
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Don’ts in Case of fire

DO NOT RUN IN PANIC.

DO NOT MAKE UNDUE RISK.
DO NOT TEMPER WITH ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION AIR
CONDITIONING SYSTEM ETC DURING FIRE FIGHTING. LEAVE THEM

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FOR AUTHORIZED HANDLING.
DO NOT ARGUE OR DISCUSS ON THE SCENE OF FIRE.
DO NOT LINGER WITH THE EQUIPMENT IF YOU DON’T KNOW ITS
OPERATION AND KEEP AWAY OR ASK SOMEONE NEARBY.
DON’T CROWD THE SCENE OF FIRE
DON’T RESORT TO BREAKING, CUTTING UNLESS REQUIRED.
DON’T USE ALL TYPES OF EXTINGUISHES ON ONE FIRE.
DON’T USE WATER OR WATER TYPE EXTINGUISHER ON ELECTRICAL
FIRE
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Do’s in case of Fires

• RAISE ALARM OR SHOUT “FIRE” AT THE PEAK OF YOUR TONE,

IF YOU NOTICE A FIRE WITHIN YOUR VICINITY.
• APPROACH THE SCENE WITHIN THE QUICKEST POSSIBLE

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• TRY TO ATTRACT OTHER’S ATTENTION AS FAR AS POSSIBLE ON
YOUR WAY TO THE SCENE OF FIRE.
• IF YOU ARE FIRST TO REACH, MAKE SURE THAT NO LIFE IS
TRAPPED.
• TRY TO PUT OFF THE FIRE WITH NEAREST APPROPRIATE TYPE
OF EXTINGUISHER.
• AS OTHER RUSH TO THE SCENE, TELL THEM WHAT IS THE TYPE
OF FIRE AND WHICH EXTINGUISHER TO USE. 51
Do’s in case of Fires contd.

• DO ARRANGE TO PUT OFF THE SUPPLY IN CASE OF ELECTRICAL

FIRES, DO NOT TAKE ANY CHANCE.
• DIAL TELEPHONE NUMBER OF FIRE STATION AND OTHER KEY

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PERSONNEL AND GIVE EXACT LOCATION AND THE ITEM WHICH HAS
CAUGHT FIRE.
• OPEN ALL DOORS AND WINDOWS AFTER THE FIRE IS COMPLETELY
EXTINGUISHED TO AVOID INHALATION OF ANY FUMES.
• KEEP YOURSELF POSTED WITH INFORMATION FROM TIME TO TIME
• EVERY INDUSTRY MUST HAVE A DISASTER/CRISIS MANAGEMENT
PLAN TO HANDLE DIFFERENT CONTINGENCIES WHICH MAY ARISE
DUE TO VARIOUS REASONS. 52
THANKS
FOR
YOUR
PATIENCE

PKD
HEARING

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