FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT

R I S H AV RAJ

A1904017040
 Fire fighting systems and equipment vary depending on the age,
size, use and type of building construction. A building may
contain some or all of the following features:

fire extinguishers

GENERAL
FIRE fire hose reels
FIGHTING
EQUIPMENT fire hydrant systems

sprinkler systems.
FIRE
EXTINGUISHERS
• Fire extinguishers are provided for a 'first attack' fire
fighting measure, generally undertaken by the
occupants of the building before the fire service arrives.
It is important that occupants are familiar with which
extinguisher type to use on which fire.
• Most fires start as a small fire and may be extinguished
if the correct type and amount of extinguishing agent is
applied whilst the fire is small and controllable.
• The principle fire extinguisher types currently available
include:
Extinguishing Agent     Principle Use
Water wood and paper fires - not electrical
Foam flammable liquid fires - not electrical
Carbon dioxide electrical fires
Dry Chemical flammable liquids and electrical fires
Wet chemical fat fires - not electrical
Special Purpose various (eg metal fires)

• Fire extinguisher locations must be clearly identified. Extinguishers are colour coded according
to the extinguishing agent.
FIRE HOSE
REELS
• Fire hose reels are provided for use by occupants
as a 'first attack' fire fighting measure but may, in
some instances, also be used by firefighters.
• When stowing a fire hose reel, it is important to first
attach the nozzle end to the hose reel valve, then
close the hose reel valve, then open the nozzle to
relieve any pressure in the wound hose, then close
the nozzle.

• hose reels should be generally located next to an

exit, in an emergency it is possible to reach a safe
place simply by following the hose.
FIRE HYDRANT
SYSTEMS
• Fire hydrant systems are installed in buildings to help firefighters
quickly attack the fire. Essentially, a hydrant system is a water
reticulation system used to transport water in order to limit the
amount of hose that firefighters have to lay, thus speeding up the
fire fighting process.
• Fire hydrant systems sometimes include ancillary parts essential to
their effective operation such as pumps, tanks and fire service
booster connections. These systems must be maintained and
regularly tested if they are to be effective when needed.
• Fire hydrants are for the sole use of trained firefighters because of
the high pressures available serious injury can occur if untrained
persons attempt to operate the equipment
SPRINKLER
SYSTEMS
• Piping networks fitted with closed nozzles.

• The nozzles open separately when heated by fire or hot flue

gases.
• Extinguishing water is sprayed selectively on the source of the
fire.
• Water is also sprayed on the surrounding area and therefore
prevents the fire from spreading.
• Only a certain number of sprinklers open - the source of the
fire is brought under control and often extinguished
• The cooling effect of water - extraction of large quantities of
heat - conversion into steam.
SPRINKLER
SYSTEM TYPES
• Wet system –
For wet systems, the entire piping network leading up to the sprinklers is filled
with water. Once the sprinkler system is activated, the extinguishing water
flows over the wet alarm valve and the open sprinklers and targets the source of
the fire. The wet alarm valve simultaneously alerts a constantly manned station
via a pressure switch alarm. Wet systems should only be used in places which
are not exposed to a freezing or overheating (+95 °C) of the extinguishing
water in the piping network during the year.

• Dry system –
Dry systems are only filled with water up to the dry alarm valve. The sprinkler
piping network for this system type is then filled with pressurised air. If a
sprinkler opens in the event of a fire, the pressurised air first escapes and the
dry alarm valve then releases the extinguishing water to the sprinklers.
However, the different specifications in the guidelines for dry systems must be
followed as closely as possible.