FIRE SAFETY

in
BUILDING
Fire Fighting, House keeping and Maintenance

Syed Azizul Haq, PEng.

M.Engg.(Env.)
Superintending Engineer
Public Works Department

Engineering Staff College, Bangladesh

Institution of Engineer’s Bangladesh, Ramana, Dhaka.
INTRODUCTION
Fire Suppressing (fighting) system aims at breaking any of the arms of the
triangle of combustion.
Heat may be removed and brought below the ignition point of the material
under fire by pouring water on.
or
Supply of oxygen can be stopped by smothering fire by spraying foam or dry
sand.
or
Removing the combustible substances from the scene of the fire i.e. by
isolating substances under fire.

Fire Fighting System

Fire fighting also termed as fire suppression is a system to control or to
extinguish a fire in building by spraying water. The purpose of fire
suppression is to protect both life and property. The most common types of
fire suppression systems are 1. Fire sprinkler system and 2. Fire hydrant
systems.
Fire Fighting in Building
Fire extinguisher

Fire extinguisher: Fire extinguishers are hand operated first-aid appliances

which can be allowed to operate by untrained persons to douse a fire. Fire
extinguishers must have following information printed on the body.
01. Operation instruction
02. Effective on type of fire
03. Capacity
04. Manufacturer
05. Date of manufacturing
06. Date of last testing for pressure.
Fire Fighting Agents
01. Water: Water is most effective agent for suppression of fire. Water has the
greatest heat absorbing capacity of the common substances. The latent heat of
vaporization for water is 970.3 Btu/lb (539.55 cal/gm). Water expands at a rate
of approximately 1600:1 when energized at 212 0F (100 0C)

02. Foam: Foam has three constituents, foam compound (3%-6% Aqueous
Film Forming Foam AFFF; ARC; ..) , air and water. Foam is a deoxidizing agent
when released on fire makes a blanket over the flame and creates smothering
effect to douse fire. Normal foam expand at the ratio 6 and 8 to 1 and high
expansion foams expand at the ratio between 600 and 1000 to 1.

03. CO2: CO2 is also an effective fire extinguishing agent. When released on
fire it seizes O2. Thus insufficiency of O2 retards the fire .

04. Powder: Ammonium phosphate ABC powder; Sodium/Potassium

bicarbonate BC powder based agent extinguishes fire by preventing the
chemical reaction between fuel, heat and oxygen.
Fire Extinguisher
It is an active fire protection device used to
extinguish or control small fires, often in emergency
situations.

Typically, a fire extinguisher consists of a hand-held

cylindrical pressure vessel containing an agent which
can be discharged to extinguish a fire.

It is not intended for use on an out-of-control fire,

such as one which has reached the ceiling,
endangers the occupants (i.e. no escape route,
smoke, explosion hazard, etc.), or otherwise requires
the expertise of a fire department.
Operating an Fire Extinguisher
Remember the acronym PASS, keep a clear exit behind you and
stand 6-8 feet away from the fire.
Ø Pull the pin to activate the handle.

Ø Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire

Ø Squeeze the handle to expel the

extinguishing agent. (When the agent first
hits the fire, the fire may briefly flare up.
This should be expected.)

Ø Sweep the extinguishing agent from

side to side pushing the fire away from
you. Discharge the entire contents of the
extinguisher.
Once the fire is out, the user should
carefully back away from the fire with the
extinguisher ready until the user is safe.
Never turn your back on fire as it could
flare back up.
Classification of Fire: Fuel and Extinguisher

Class Fire in wood, paper cloth and products there of.

A Water is suitable for suppressing such fire.
Class Fire in volatile and inflammable liquid like all petroleum products.
B Smothering air round the flame by spraying chemical foam.

Class Fire involving flammable gases under pressure including liquefied

C gas.
Water repellent chemical dry powder is suitable.
Class Fire caused due to evaluation of heat by chemical reaction in
D combustible metals.
CO2, Halogenated hydrocarbons are suitable

Class Fire involved in electrical appliances due to short circuit or over

E loading.
CCl4, Methyl Bromide, Chlorobromomethane etc are suitable.
Common Types of Fire Extinguishers
Using the wrong type of extinguisher for the wrong type of fire can be life-
threatening.

01. Water or APW (air-pressurized water) Extinguishers are suitable for class
A fires only. Water extinguishers are filled with water and pressurized with
oxygen. Only fight the fire occurred on ordinary combustible materials only.

Water extinguishers must not be used on grease fire, electrical fires or class D
fires - the flames will spread and make the fire bigger!

02. Dry Chemical Extinguishers come in a variety of types and are suitable
for a combination of class A, B and C fires. These are filled with foam or
powder and pressurized with Nitrogen.

a. BC Extinguishers - This is the regular type of dry chemical

extinguisher. It is filled with Sodium bicarbonate or Potassium bicarbonate.
The BC variety leaves a mildly corrosive residue which must be cleaned
immediately to prevent any damage to materials.
Common Types of Fire Extinguishers

b. ABC Extinguishers- This is the multipurpose dry chemical extinguisher.

The ABC type is filled with Mono-Ammonium Phosphate, a yellow powder that
leaves a sticky residue that may be damaging to electrical appliances such as a
computer
Dry chemical extinguishers have an advantage over CO 2 extinguishers since
they leave a non-flammable substance on the extinguished material, reducing
the likelihood of re-ignition.

03. CO2 Extinguishers are used for class B and C fires. CO2 extinguishers
contain carbon dioxide, a non-flammable gas, and are highly pressurized. The
pressure is so great that it is not uncommon for bits of dry ice to shoot out the
nozzle. They don't work very well on class A fires because they may not be
able to displace enough oxygen to put the fire out, causing it to re-ignite.
CO2 extinguishers have an advantage over dry chemical extinguishers since
they don't leave a harmful residue - a good choice for an electrical fire on a
computer or other favorite electronic device such as a stereo or TV.
Various Extinguishers Effective for different type of fires.

SI Type Method of operation Capacity Horizont Fire

no. (range) al type
stream
(m)
01 Water (Soda Chemically generated 9-150 liter 1-3 A
acid)
02 Foam Chemically generated 9-150 liter 1.5-3 B

03 C2O (gas) Self-expelling 2-2.25 kg 1-3 B,C.E

04 Dry chemical Storage pressure 1-1.4 kg 1.5-6 B,C.D,E

cartridge
05 Halon 1301 Stored pressure 1.2-2 kg 8-10 E

06 Halon 1211 Stored pressure 2-5 kg 8-18 E

Fire fighting modes using water
A. Fixed hydrant type: Manual or Automatic
1. Dry riser system
2. Wet riser system

B. Automatic fire fighting

1. Wet sprinkler system
Fixed Hydrant system

Fire hydrant system consists of following components

1. Water in reservoir.
2. Pump
3. Stand pipe or riser
4. Hydrants
Hydrants: Each hydrant comprises of a 62 mm gun metal landing valve fitted
with 62 mm instantaneous coupling. The coupling shall is fitted with an
internal plug secured by a chain. Landing valve is positioned 1 to 1.2m
above floor level.
Hose, Nozzle: For use with each hydrant sufficient lengths of hose fitted with
nozzle are kept in box made of iron sheets fitted on wall or in recess in walls
specially designed for. Length of hose shall be such that when laid to their
full extents the nozzle shall not be at a distance more than 15 meter from the
remotest point to be protected. Maximum length of hose kept to be about 30
meter.
Components of Fire Hydrant Air relief valve
Roof

1. Water reservoir
2. Pump
a. Fire pump
b. Jokey pump Hose Station

2. Stand pipe Stand pipe

3. Siamese connection
4. Hose station Siamese connection

Fire
Pump
GF

Water
Drain valve
Reservoir
Basement
Water Storage Requirement for fire fighting. Table 4.41. BNBC

Building Type Sprinkler system Standpipe system Duration (minute)**

(l/min)* (l/min)*
Light hazard-I 1000 1000 30
Light hazard-II 1900 1900 50
Ordinary hazard-I 2650 1900 75
Ordinary hazard-II 3200 1900 75
Ordinary hazard-III 4800 1900 75
Notes:
* Values will be for one riser serving floor area of 1000 sqm.
** These duration shall be for building up to the height of 51 m. For greater height of 51-102 m and
above, the duration will be 1.25 times and 1.5 times respectively.
Light hazard-I : Occupancy groups A1, A2, A4.
Light hazard-II : Occupancy groups A3,A6, A7, A8, B, C, D, E2, E4, E7, F1 & F2
Ordinary hazard-I : Occupancy groups E1, E3, E5, F3, F4, F5, F6, F7, G1 & G4.
Ordinary hazard-II: Occupancy groups G2 & H1
Ordinary hazard-III: Occupancy groups G3 & H2
Extra hazard: Occupancy group: J, Pressure and flow requirement for this group shall be determined by
Fire Department but shall not be less than required value for Ordinary hazard III.
Fire pump
Fire pump is a centrifugal and self priming type pump. Uninterrupted power for
pump shall be ensured. Fire pump shall start automatically but there shall be
provision of manual starting and stopped manually. Pump shall be fully
operational after 30 seconds of start.
Fire pump shall not be used for other purpose.
Automatic Fire Pumps are either Electric Motor driven or Compression ignition (
Diesel) types.
For motor driven pumps select 3500 rpm rather than 1750 rpm.

Jockey Pump
A jockey pump is a small pump connected to a fire sprinkler system and is
intended to maintain pressure in a fire protection piping system to an artificially
high level so that the operation of a single fire sprinkler will cause an
appreciable pressure drop which will be easily sensed by the fire pump
automatic controller, causing the fire pump to start. The jockey pump is
essentially a portion of the fire pump's control system.
Engine Driven Fire Pump
The engine driven high pressure fire pumps delivers up to 156 PSI and 250
GPM. They shall be equipped with an exhaust primer and can handle solids
up to 5/16" diameter. All units have a built-in check valve and include a
discharge pressure gauge, brass hose adapters. A portable 6.5 gallon fuel
tank with a 6 foot fuel line and primer bulb is also available with electric start
(less battery).

Engine 13 HP Kohler
Inlet 2 1/2"
Outlet 1 1/2"
Start Type Pull Start
Fire Pumping System Requirements
When a fire pump system consisting of two automatic pumps, at least one
shall be driven by a compression ignition (diesel) engine. Each pump shall be
capable of providing required pressure and flow independently.

When a fire pump system designed considering three automatic pumps, at

least two shall be driven by a compression ignition (diesel) engine. Any two
pumps together shall be capable of providing necessary pressure and flow.

In both the system pumps shall be capable of operating in parallel, i.e. with
similar pressure and flow characteristics.
Automatic starting of pumping system shall be tested weekly.
Automatic starting of pumping system shall at the same time provide a visual
and audible alarm at suitable location preferably at control room.
Motor switches shall be clearly labeled and well instructed .
Stand Pipe or Riser:

Riser shall be located within a lobby approaching staircase or lift or within the
staircase when there is no lobby. There shall be one stand pipe for each 1000
sqm of floor area. The static pressure in stand pipe shall not exceed 650 kPa
at hose outlet.
Type of Stand pipe: There are two types of stand pipes or risers basing on
their operating system. They are
01. Wet riser/stand pipe and
02. Dry riser/stand pipe
In wet riser system the piping is kept filled with water and pressure in the
system is maintained by installing pumping system.
In dry riser system the piping is not kept filled with water. To run the system
pump shall have to operated first.
Stand Pipe Sizing (Table 4.4.2 BNBC)
No storey Building height (m) Size of Stand pipe (mm)
Up to 5 Up to 17 75*
Up to 10 Up to 33 100
10 to 20 33 to 63 150
20 to 54 63 to 165 200
*This size may be used only for occupancy group A1, A2 & A4.

Stand pipe system are classified as below NFPA14

Class I: For use of fire department or trained occupants. Hose station
consists 2-1/2 “ landing valve. Water supply in two hose stream of 250
gpm each at minimum pressure of 65 psi is permitted.
Class II: Can be used by the occupants. Hose station consists 1-1/2” landing
valve. Water supply of 100 gpm at minimum pressure of 65 psi is required.
Class III: Hose station consists both 2-1/2” and 1-1/2” landing valve with 100 ft
hose. Water supply shall be in two hose stream of 250 gpm each at minimum
pressure of 65 psi
 Requirements for Stand Pipe or Riser:
Type of Occupancy Building without Building with
Sprinklers Sprinklers
Stand Hose Stand Hose
pipe required? pipe required
Class Class ?
Building over 150 ft. height III Yes I No
Building less than 150 ft. height I and II or Yes I No
III
Assembly for more than 1000 persons II Yes None No
Assembly with area more than 5000 sq.ft II Yes II Yes
for exhibition
Institutional, Hazardous material storage, II Yes None No
business, school under 12 th grade and
less than 50 person per room, open
garage- less than 4 storey and but over
20,000 sq.ft per floor.

Note: Based on Uniform Building Code, International Conference of Building Officials

Dry riser system
In this system piping
is kept devoid of 1-1/2 “ dia pipe
water. In automatic Gate valve
system a special dry- Hose rack
pipe valve is installed
to held water back
from the piping Nozzle
network.

Hose real

Stand
pipe

Class II type Stand pipe and hose Station

 FIRE HOSE STATION
Class III: Hose station consists both
2-1/2” and 1-1/2” landing valve
with 100 ft hose. Water supply
shall be in two hose stream of
250 gpm each at minimum
pressure of 65 psi

Pin Rack Hose Assembly

Angle valve
2-1/2” dia pipe

Class III type Stand pipe and Hose Station

Sprinkler system Air relief valve
Roof

Sprinkler system consists of a network of

pipes containing water under pressure.
Sprinkler heads are connected to the Sprinklers
piping such that each sprinkler heads
protects an assigned area of coverage.
Sufficient heat received by any sprinkler
causes it to operate; permitting water to
spray over its area of coverage.
Stand pipe

Components of Sprinkler system

1. Water reservoir
2. Pump
Fire
a. Fire pump Pump Drain valve
b. Jokey pump
Water
3. Stand pipe Reservoir
Basement
Sprinkler and Stand pipe
Sprinklers heads are arranged in a grid pattern under the ceiling
and other enclosed spaces.
Sprinkler heads are fitted with
fusible links which are
available for fusing at various
temperature. When heat melts
the solder in a link, the cap Fusible link

held by the link and covering

the opening is released and
thrown from the head by water
Deflector
pressure. The water stream
strikes a deflector which
spreads it over the area it
protects Sprinklers head
 Dry Fire Sprinklers
A sprinkler activation will do less damage than a fire
department hose stream. 2.5 inch hose discharges about 250
gal/min. Sprinklers generally discharge about 20-40 gal/min.
However, Early Suppression Fast Response (ESFR) sprinkler
at a pressure of 50 psi will discharge approximately 100
gal/min, A sprinkler usually activates between one and four
minutes,

Each closed-head sprinkler is held closed by either a

Temperat Color of
ure liquid heat-sensitive glass bulb or a two-part metal link held
°C °F inside bulb together with fusible alloy. The glass bulb or link
57 135 Orange applies pressure to a pip cap which acts as a plug
68 155 Red which prevents water from flowing until the ambient
79 174 Yellow temperature around the sprinkler reaches the design
activation temperature of the individual sprinkler head.
93 200 Green
Because each sprinkler activates independently when
141 286 Blue
the predetermined heat level is reached, the number of
182 360 Mauve sprinklers that operate is limited to only those near the
227 440 Black fire, thereby maximizing the available water pressure
260 500 over the point of fire origin.
 Sprinkler System Design

Usually buildings are classified as -

Light hazard,
Ordinary hazard group 1, ordinary hazard group 2,
Extra hazard group 1, or extra hazard group 2.

In building classified as light hazard, the design density would be 0.1

gallons per minute per square foot.
In building classified as ordinary hazard group 2 the design density would
be 0.2 gallons per minute per square foot.
Table 4.4.7: Ceiling Area for a Sprinkler

Building type Light hazard** Ordinary Extra hazard**

area, m2 hazard** area, area, m2
m2
Roof or Floor on 20(4.5*) 12(4.5*) 8.4(3.5)
Trusses,
Girders or beam -- 9.3(3.5*) 8.4(3.5)
with High Piling*** 12(4.5*) 12(4.5*) 8.4(3.5)
Open wood joists -- 9.3(3.5*) 8.4(3.5)
with high piling*** 15.6 (4.5*) 12(4.5*) 8.4(3.5)
Other type of -- 9.3(3.5*) 8.4(3.5)
construction
with high piling***

Notes :
* Maximum distance in m. between sprinklers and between line of piping.
** The definitions of these terms are given in Table 4.4.1
*** Storage facilities which permit closely piled materials over 4.5 m or materials
on rack over 3.6 m.
Table 4.4.5: Size of Water Supply Steel Pipe to Sprinklers

Pipe Size mm No. of Sprinkler No. of Sprinkler No. of Sprinkler

(inch) nominal Connection for Connection Connection Ordinary
Light Hazard* Ordinary Hazard* Extra Hazard*
25 2 2 1
32 (1¼) 3 3 2
38 (1½) 5 5 5
50 (2) 10 10 8
63 (2 ½) 30 20 15
75(3) 60 40 27
88(3½) 100 65 40
100(4) NL* 100 55
125(5) -- 160 90
150(6) -- 275 150
200(8) -- 400*** 225***
* Definition of these terms are given in Table 4.4.1
** No limit
*** One sprinkler system riser or combined system riser shall serve the floor area
not more than 4850 m2 for light and ordinary hazardous occupancy and 2325 m2 for
extra hazardous occupancy.
Fire Hose with Couplings
A lightweight flexible fire hose designed for
high volume supply incurring minimum
friction loss. This is formulated by
introducing synthetic nitrile rubber to
produce excellent resistance to fuels,
chemicals, oils, heat and environmental
pollutants. It is impervious to molds,
mildew and other airborne organisms.
Hose is available in Red and Yellow color.
It can pecked flat. Hose length available
50 to 200 feet or more. Size 1.5 inch,

Proof Pressure: 500 – 600 psi

Service Test Pressure: 250 – 300 psi
Working Pressure: 225-250 psi
Hose Nozzle: Straight Stream
The effective pressure to produce a good jet of spray is dependent
on the design of the nozzle. Nozzle shall be well and uniformly
tapered and the whole being streamlined with no ridges at the
joints. Care shall be taken so that the mouth of the nozzle is not
damaged otherwise the jet will be feather off at very low pressures
and the necessary striking force will be lost.

Brass Plain Hose Nozzle Nozzle sizes and the operating pressure.
Best
Nozzle Orifice operating
Nozzle Size
The horizontal reach of a length size Pressure
(psi)
jet. (Rule of thumbs)
3/4" NPSH 6" 1/4"
= Np/2 + 45 ft
(for nozzle pressure 1" NPSH 8" 5/16"
Np 50 – 90 psi) 1-1/4" NPSH 10" 3/8"
1-1/2" NPSH 10" 1/2" 35
2" NPSH 12" 9/16"
2-1/2" NPSH 12" 1" 100
Polycarbonate Plain Hose Nozzle
Hose Nozzle: Fog Stream
A fog nozzle is a firefighting hose nozzle that breaks the water that flows
through it into tiny droplets of water. The theory is that small droplets of water
create more surface area than a solid stream created by a smooth bore nozzle.
The water absorbs the heat, turns into steam, and displaces the oxygen,
smothering the fire. With the increase of surface area, this job is done quicker.
Specially designed fog nozzles may have no stream adjustment facility for use
on Class B & C hazards.

Automatic,1 1/2" Manually Adjustable

Fire Department Connections
A fire department connection is a device , mounted close to the ground on the
exterior of a building, which provides inlet connections for the hoses to help
supply the interior fire hydrant or sprinkler system.

Such a connection is considered to be a desirable auxiliary supply of water for

the system.

Building code specifies the location of fire department connections with regard
to street frontages of the building.

Typically, the fire department

connection is a wye with two
inlets called Siamese connection

Exposed Single Exposed Siamese (Two

Wall Hydrant Way) Wall Hydrant