89

FIRE FIGHTING
CLASS OF FIRE:
A: SOLID MATTERS FORMING GLOWING
RESIDUES (Wood, Rubber, Car Tire, Paper,
Textiles.)
B: LIQUID COMBUSTIBLE MATTER (Petrol, Oil,
Grease, Ether, Alcohol.)
C: Burning gases emerging under pressure
(Propane, Butane, Methane, Acetylene, Town
gas.)
D: FIRES ON ELECTRICAL PLANTS.
NFPA :- Natural Fire Protection Association.
 90
Sprinklers Types
1. Pendant Type Each sprinkler 0.20gpm
2. Up-right type 6ft 6ft

3. Side Type Each fire hose cabinet

=50gpm
Pipe size No. of Sprinklers
O1” 2
FHC 30M 30M FHC
O1.25” 3
60M
O1.5” 5
Maximum distance between two
O2” 10
fire hose cabinets (FHC).
O2.5” 30
O3” 50
O4” 80
O5” 160
O6” 275
 91

SPRINKLER :- A sprinkler installation comprises of inter- connected

pipes into which sprinkler heads are fitted on a definite basis of
distribution i.e.. 12-15 feet apart according to nature of risk. The
heads are so constructed that the heat arising from fire will cause
them to rupture thus permitting the water to discharge in the form of
spray. The main function of the sprinkler installation are:-
1) To detect the fire 2) To sound an Alarm 3) To attack the fire
4) To restrict the spread of fire
Types of sprinkler system:-
a) Wet system:- it is installed where there is no danger of the water
in the pipes freezing & the pipes are always filled with water.
b) Dry system:- it is employed where temp. is liable to fall below
freezing point, the pipes are always kept charged with air under
pressure. Some times found in cold stores.
c) Alternate wet and dry system:- it is used where the risk of freezing
is present at certain period of year at which times the water is
drained from the pipes and the system is charged with air under
pressure.
 93

• FOAM:- Fire fighting foam =foaming agent +

water aerated used for oil fires.
• Powders Burning metals, chemicals fire,
form sticky residue over the fire.
• Class A organic material (wood, paper,
cloth, plastic etc.)
• Class B flammable liquid (petrol, paints,
solvents).
• Class C Flammable gas (LPG, Acetylene).
• Class D combustible metals (Mg, Na, k).
• Class E Electrical fires, motors, switch gear.
 Over 99
Head
Tank
22,500L
Water supply for 30 min before
the pump starts.
sprinkler

Deluge System Total flooding System which

comes in operation with the help of a single heat
sensing sprinkle used to protect electrical
transformer, Main Deluge Valve is located out
side the risk area.
 92

WATER EXTINGUISHERS:- These are filled with regular tap water

& pressurized with air.
DRY CHEMICAL EXTINGUISHERS:- These are filled either with
foam or powder, usually soda or potassium bi carbonate &
releases carbon di oxide. Dry chemical extinguishers interrupt
the chemical reaction by forming a thin layer of powder or
foam, separating the fuel from the surrounding air.
CARBON DI OXIDE (CO2) EXTINGUISHERS:- These contain CO2 a
non-flammable gas, these extinguishers work by displacing
away oxygen from the surrounding air.
 In high rise building (15-16 stored & 101
`
above) Static
Air vessel

becomes high so divide

pump

Tank

the building into vertical hydraulic zones & use pressure

reducing valves. Min pressure provided in a wet Riser =
3.5kg/sq cm.
63mm 12mm Nozzle.

Water=500l/m

Automatic Sprinkler System:- Spacing is determined by –

Hazard classification, Exposure & height at which it is &
installed.
 103

Hydrant stations are provided to serve an area.

Place the Hydrant station near staircase or Lobby.

Hydrant station contains:-

* First Aid Hose reel with dia.20mm, Rubber hose 30-
36m long with dia.6mm nozzle.
* dia.63mm  Single ordouble headed landing valve.
15m x dia.63mm  reinforced Rubber lined hose, &
a brand pipe with 12mm Nozzle.
 105

CO2 & Halon system:- Electrical switch room,

control room, computer room, storage area, in
libraries, archives, museums.
co2 if concentration is more than 9-10% can
cause severe in consciousness.
Halons less toxic but environmentally hazards.
CO2 is used for dosing electrical fires or other
fires which cannot be put out with water.
Halogenated Agents ( Halons )
Hydrocarbons  in which one
or more ‘H’ atom is replaced with Fl, Cl, Br or I
 70
Fire Alarm System
Analog low profile high
S S performance optical smoke
7.5m sensor
Minimum distance between each
smoke detector S cost=400/-SR
(or)
Heat detector H Installed in kitchen
cost=370/-SR
S
7.5m 5M 5M 5M
S

5m allowed but 3.75m recommended by civil

defense.
 74

Auto Dialer system to automatically dial the three

programmed number in case of fire.
• Fire Alarm control panel for Analogue
addressable fire alarm system, 4 loop with
maintenance free Rechargeable batteries (3hrs
duration)  12,000/-SR
• Emergency light with Rechargeable batteries.
{COST: 50SR ~ 1500SR+100SR
(Labour+ wiring) +25%profit+10%over heads}
= 345/-SR