- Introduction to Fire Fighting
- Fire Systems Classification
- Fire Protection Systems
- Fire Fighting Systems Control
- A Brief history about Firefighting
- History of Fire Sprinkler Systems
- History of Fire Detection
2. 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of contents: ............................................................................................. 1
Figure contents....................................................................................... 2
1.1 Introduction to Fire Fighting .............................................................. 4
1.2 Fire Systems Classification................................................................. 5
1.3 Fire Protection Systems .................................................................... 6
1.3.1. Dry Pipe Fire Sprinkler System ................................................... 6
1.3.2. Wet Pipe Fire Sprinkler System .................................................. 7
1.3.3. Pre-action Fire Sprinkler System................................................. 8
1.3.4. In-Rack Sprinkler System.......................................................... 9
1.3.5. Quell Fire Sprinkler System ....................................................... 9
1.3.6. ESFR (Early Suppression Fast Response Fire Sprinkler Systems) ............10
1.3.7. Vortex Fire Suppression System .................................................10
1.3.8. Foam / Chemical Suppression ...................................................11
1.3.9. CO2 Fire Suppression Systems ...................................................12
1.3.10. Gaseous Fire Suppression: INERT GASES .......................................13
1.4 Fire Fighting Systems Control ............................................................14
2.1 A Brief history about Firefighting .......................................................16
2.2 History of Fire Sprinkler Systems ........................................................18
2.3 History of Fire Detection..................................................................19
3.1 References .................................................................................20
3. 2
Figure and Table contents
Figure 1: Dry Pipe Fire Sprinkler System ................................................ 3
Figure 2: Wet Pipe Fire Sprinkler System ............................................... 7
Figure 3: Pre-action Fire Sprinkler System ............................................. 8
Figure 4: In-Rack Sprinkler System....................................................... 9
Figure 5: Quell Fire Sprinkler System.................................................... 9
Figure 6: Early Suppression Fast Response Fire Sprinkler System .................. 10
Figure 7: Vortex Fire Suppression System.............................................. 11
Figure 8: Foam / Chemical Suppression................................................ 11
Figure 9: CO2 Fire Suppression System ................................................. 11
Figure 10: Gaseous Fire Suppression: INERT GASES................................... 11
Figure 11: Fire Fighting System Control................................................ 11
Figure 12: Fire Sprinkler.................................................................. 11
Figure 13: Fire Detector .................................................................. 11
Table 1: Fire Classifications: …………………………………………………………………………………5
4. 3
1.1 Introduction to Fire Fighting
1.2 Fire Systems Classification
1.3 Types of Fire Protection Systems
1.4 Fire Fighting Systems Control
Introduction
1
CH
5. 4
1. Introduction
Protection from fire damage is essential to the preservation of library and archival
materials. A firefighting system is probably the most important of building services,
its aim is to protect human life and property.
Buildings must be constructed in accordance with the building code that is in effect
when an application for a building permit is made.
Fire Fighting, techniques and equipment are used to extinguish fires and limit the
damage caused by them. And it consists of large tanks, pumping system, network of
pipes, and hydrants or sprinklers.
All repositories, house library and archival materials should be equipped with a fire
detection and alarm system wired directly to the local fire department 24-hour
monitor.
Most firefighting consists of applying water to the burning material, cooling it to the
point at which combustion is no longer self-sustaining. Fires involving flammable
liquids, certain chemicals, and combustible metals often require special extinguishing
agents and techniques. With some fuels the use of water may actually be dangerous.
6. 5
2. Fire Systems Classification:
Firefighting systems depends on removing one or more of the three elements essential
to combustion: fuel, heat, and oxygen.
There are two types of firefighting systems: mechanical such as the hoses and
electrical such as sprinklers.
The type of fire extinguishing system used depends on the burning material and we
can classify four types of fires:
Also automatic sprinklers are now considered by most fire safety professionals,
librarians and archivists to be the best protection from fire for libraries and archives.
Table 1: Fire Classifications:
7. 6
3. Fire Protection Systems:
3.1.Dry Pipe Fire Sprinkler System
A dry pipe sprinkler system is one in which pipes are filled with pressurized air or
nitrogen, rather than water.
Advantages: Using dry pipe fire sprinkler systems include: Dry pipe sprinkler
systems provide automatic protection in spaces where freezing is possible.
Disadvantages: Using dry pipe fire sprinkler systems include: Increased complexity,
higher installation and maintenance costs, lower design flexibility, increased fire
response time, and increased corrosion potential.
Figure 1: Dry Pipe Fire Sprinkler System
8. 7
3.2.Wet Pipe Fire Sprinkler System
Wet pipe systems are the most common fire sprinkler system. A wet pipe system is
one in which water is constantly maintained within the sprinkler piping.
Advantages: Using a wet pipe fire sprinkler system include: System simplicity and
reliability, relatively low installation and maintenance expenses, and ease of
modification.
Disadvantages: Using a wet pipe fire sprinkler system include: Wet pipe systems are
not suited for sub-freezing environments. There may be also concern from leaking
and severe damages in pipes.
Figure 2: Wet Pipe Fire Sprinkler System
9. 8
3.3.Pre-action Fire Sprinkler System
Pre-action fire sprinkler systems employ the basic concept of a dry pipe system that
water is not normally contained within the pipes. The difference, however, is that
water is held from piping by an electrically operated valve, known as a pre-action
valve. Valve operation is controlled by independent flame, heat, or smoke detection.
Advantages: Using pre-action fire sprinkler systems include: The dual action required
for water release - the pre-action valve must operate and sprinkler heads must fuse.
This feature provides an added level of protection against inadvertent discharge. For
this reason, pre-action systems are frequently employed in water sensitive
environments such as archival vaults, fine art storage rooms, rare book libraries and
computer centers.
Disadvantages: Using pre-action fire sprinkler systems include: Higher installation
and maintenance costs, modification difficulties, and potential decreased reliability.
Figure 3: Pre-action Fire Sprinkler System
10. 9
3.4.In-Rack Sprinkler System
Warehouse fires are extremely challenging, they spread quickly and have immense
increases in heat release rate over a short period of time. In-rack fire sprinkler systems
are specifically designed for the protection of racked storage areas in warehouses.
3.5.Quell Fire Sprinkler System
The Quell Fire Sprinkler System is designed for cold storage and/or unheated
warehouses using a "surround and drown" method to save the building and goods
stored. Quell Fire System is a double interlock pre-action system design scenario
developed for the protection of high piled storage.
Figure 4Figure 4: In-Rack Sprinkler System
Figure 5: Quell Fire Sprinkler System
11. 10
3.6.ESFR (Early Suppression Fast Response Fire Sprinkler Systems)
ESFR (Early Suppression, Fast Response) ceiling mounted sprinklers can be used in
warehouses in place of in-rack fire sprinkler systems. ESFR provides protection that
exceeds that of in-rack systems. ESFR high output, high volume systems are located
in ceiling spaces as with conventional fire sprinkler systems. It incorporates very
large high volume, high-pressure heads to provide the necessary protection without
the need for in-rack sprinklers.
Figure 6: Early Suppression Fast Response Fire Sprinkler System
3.7.Vortex Fire Suppression System
The Vortex Fire Suppression System uses both water and nitrogen homogeneously to
extinguish fires. This technology uses a small water drop that will absorb more heat
while the nitrogen will reduce the oxygen feeding the fire.
Advantages: Using Vortex Fire Suppression System: With smaller water drops there
is minimal wetting, nitrogen is safe to use with people still in the room, and green
design that is completely safe for the environment.
12. 11
3.8.Foam / Chemical Suppression
Foam is used whenever there is a possibility of a liquid fire. The Foam will mix with
water and then expand over the liquid that is on fire, cool the fire, and finally will be
extinguished. The distribution of a foam blanket over a flammable liquid will
extinguish a fire by eliminating the fire's oxygen supply and provide a cooling effect
on the burning fuel. Foam is also available for the protection of hydrocarbon fuels
and polar solvent fuels such as ethanol.
Figure 7: Vortex Fire Suppression System
Figure 8: Foam / Chemical Suppression
13. 12
3.9.CO2 Fire Suppression Systems
CO2 systems are the preferred choice as an extinguishing for a multitude of critical
facilities. Fast, efficient and adaptable to a wide range of hazards, the discharge of
carbon dioxide [a low-cost clean agent] is non-damaging to property and electrically
non-conductive.
Advantages: Using CO2: Fast, environmentally friendly, non-damaging, and non-
conductive
Figure 9: CO2 Fire Suppression System
14. 13
3.10. Gaseous Fire Suppression: INERT GASES
Gaseous fire suppression is a term to describe the use of inert gases and chemical
agents to extinguish a fire. Inert gasses work by removing the oxygen in the hazard
to a point where it will not support a fire.
Advantages: Using INERT GASES: Non-conductive, non-corrosive, safe for People,
does not leave a residue, and working on a molecular level is faster fire suppression,
often within seconds.
Figure 10: Gaseous Fire Suppression: INERT GASES
15. 14
4. Fire Fighting Systems Control:
The control systems of the firefighting is divided into two parts: the first one consist
of the fire alarm systems that involve detectors, the second one consist of the pumping
system, and both parts are interconnected by the control panel.
When a fire occurs, the sensor in smoke detection device senses a danger in the area
and sends a signal to the control panel in the alarm system, which is in turn connected
to a valve, then the valves open due to the signal from the sensor. Sprinkler now is
opened to send the proper materials so the fire is extinguished quickly.
Firefighting systems with parallel-connected pumps are equipped with two to six
pumps, the pumps are mounted on a foundation supported by anti-vibration feet,
which gives the possibility to level the system and prevent the transfer of vibration,
each pump is fitted with non-return valves and cut-off fittings at the inlet and outlet,
the pumps are connected to the suction and discharge manifolds. These manifolds are
fitted with necessary sensors, pressure gauges and pressure vessels.
Figure 11: Fire Fighting System Control
16. 15
2.1 A Brief history about Firefighting
2.2 History of Fire Sprinkler Systems
2.3 History of Fire Detection
Literature
survey
2
CH
17. 16
1. A Brief History of Firefighting:
Fire Fighting, techniques and equipment used to extinguish fires and limit the damage
caused by them. Firefighting consists of removing one or more of the three elements
essential to combustion-fuel, heat, and oxygen-or of interrupting the combustion
chain reaction.
The first pump designed for firefighting may have been created by Ctesibius of
Alexandria around the 2nd century BC, which lost lately, and reinvented in Europe
during the 1500's.
During the reign of the Roman Emperor Augustus the fire-fighting teams was
established in 24 BC, who became later as alarm systems, the basic method used in
fire extinguishers at the time was the bucket to deliver water to the fire and the axe to
prevent the spread of fire, fire-alarm systems came with the invention of the
telegraph.
The fire engines in the 17th century, were as storages carried on wheels, and
sometimes housed a hand-operated pump, in the Netherlands about 1672, it was the
invention of a hand-stitched leather hose pipe enabled fire fighters to work closer to
the fire without endangering their engines to danger.
The first fire squad in the modern age were created in France in the early 18th century
in 1699 by François du Mouriez. He used "fire-preventing portable pumps" for
fighting fire, Thomas Lote built the first fire engine made in America in 1743.
18. 17
By the late 1800, the electric fire alarm system was invented. This was the first time
a thermostat could detect heat and trigger the sprinkler system to displace a fire. This
was also the birth of fire protection services.
The first self-propelled steam engine (pumper) was built in New York in 1841, and
John Ericsson is credited with building the first steam powered fire engine.
All fire service vehicles were generically referred to as “Apparatus”, these apparatus
are called depending on their functions. Some of them can do one or multi functions.
They can pump, transport personnel, and carry hose.
Examples of these functions were included:
• Transport Hose
• Transport (Major) Ladders and Equipment
• Pump Water
• Transport Water
• Transport Personnel
• Other specialized tasks.
19. 18
2. History of Fire Sprinkler Systems:
From 1852 to 1885, perforated pipe systems were used in textile mills throughout
England as a means of fire protection. However, they were not automatic systems;
they did not turn on by themselves. Inventors first began experimenting with
automatic sprinklers around 1860. The first automatic sprinkler system was patented
by Philip W. Pratt.
Henry S. Parmalee is considered the inventor of the first practical automatic sprinkler
head. Parmalee improved upon the Pratt patent and created a better sprinkler system.
Until the 1940s, sprinklers were installed for the protection of commercial buildings,
whose owners were generally able to recover their expenses with savings in insurance
costs. Over the years, fire sprinklers have become mandatory safety equipment, and
are required by building codes to be placed in hospitals, schools, hotels and other
public buildings.
Figure 12: Fire Sprinkler
20. 19
3. History of Fire Detection:
Fire detection is recognized to play an essential role in providing fire safety in
buildings, to protect people, property and contents.
The situation now is different from nearly 50 years ago when automatic detection was
rarely provided in buildings. The change in attitude has been the result of a series of
significant fire incidents and research developments.
Significant fires resulted in the loss of numerous lives and/or involved substantial
damage to property and contents and the lack of early detection was identified as a
major factor in the outcome of the fire.
The first smoke detector was developed in the early 1940’s by Meili and Jaegar,
smoke detectors was created before to heat detectors, smoke detectors would have
reduced the fatalities by 41%, while the heat detectors would have only reduced the
number of fatalities by only 8%.
Figure 13: Fire Detector
22. 21
3.1.References:
[1] Fred Hall & Roger Greeno, 19 May 2003; Building Services Handbook, fifth edition.
[2] fire protection systems and equipment , John M. Choline, jones & bartlett learning
[3] Irina G. Shepilova, Paris, November 1992, MAIN PRINCIPLES OF FIRE
PROTECTION IN LIBRARIES AND ARCHIVES
[4] American Bureau of Shipping , MAY 2005, GUIDANCE NOTES ON FIRE-
FIGHTING SYSTEMS
[5] http://www.vfpfire.com/
[6] http://www.fireline.com
[7] http://www.nfpa.org/
[8] https://www.nedcc.org/
[9] http://www.mfs.sa.gov.au
[10] http://www.fifisystems.com
[11] http://tfppemea.com
[12] http://www.emergencydispatch.org
[13] http://safelincsindia.com/
[14] http://www.firemain.com
[15] https://www.emergencydispatch.org
[16] http://www.ryanfp.com
[17] http://www.automaticfire.ie
