Fire Protection Systems PDF

# Fire Protection Systems ## In This Chapter: - Details of various fire protection systems. - Application of fire protection systems. - Design criteria for various hazards. - Inspection and maintenance of fire systems. ## Intent of the Chapter: - provide protection for life and property from fire...

# Fire Protection Systems ## In This Chapter: - Details of various fire protection systems. - Application of fire protection systems. - Design criteria for various hazards. - Inspection and maintenance of fire systems. ## Intent of the Chapter: - provide protection for life and property from fire through fire protection systems such as standpipes, hydrants, sprinkler systems and other types of fire suppression systems. - To ensure properly designed fire systems and adequate quantity of water is available for fire fighters. - To ensure Fire systems are designed, installed, inspected and maintained as per international standards. ## Definitions ### General - **Shall:** It is a mandatory requirement by Civil Defence. - **Should:** It is a recommendation by Civil Defence but it is not mandatory. - **Listed:** Approved and registered by the individual Emirates' Civil Defence material department. - **Bar (bar):** Unit of measurement for pressure. Though it is not a Sl unit, it is a common practice to use this unit of measurement in fire protection. $1 \text{ Bar} = 14.5 \text{ psi}$. $1 \text{ psi} = 0.0689 \text{ bar}$. - **US Gallons (Gal.):** Unit of measurement for volume. Though it is not a Sl unit, it is a common practice to use this unit of measurement for water volume in fire protection. $1 \text{ Gal.} = 3.785\text{ L} ($Liters$)$. $1 \text{ L} = 0.264 \text{ Gal}$. $1 \text{ Cubic Meter} = 1000 \text{ L}$ . $1 \text{ Cubic Meter} = 264.17 \text{ Gal}$. - **GPM (Gallons per minute):** Unit of measurement for flow. Though it is not a Sl unit, it is widely a practice to use this unit of measurement for water flow per square feet in fire protection. $1 \text{ GPM} (\text{gpm/minute}) = 3.78 \text{ Liter/minute} (\text{LPM})$. - **Breeching inlet:** A connection through which the Civil Defence fire department can pump supplemental water into the sprinkler system, standpipe, or other system, furnishing water for fire extinguishment or to supplement existing water supplies. - **Fire Vehicle (Fire Fighting Apparatus):** Fire Vehicle or Fire Fighting Apparatus is designed for fire fighters and is used by Civil Defence trained fire fighters to carry water and equipment to fight fires. These Vehicles are equipped with Water, pumps, extinguishing agents, extinguishers, Rescue and smoke venting tools and equipment. - **Fire Suppression:** Sharply reducing the heat release rate of a fire and preventing its regrowth by means of direct and sufficient application of extinguishing agents such as water or gas or chemicals through the fire plume to the burning fuel surface. - **Water based Fire Protection Systems:** Water is the most widely used and available fire-extinguishing agent. Water is effective in fire suppression. The techniques and mechanisms using water and its heat absorbing, cooling and fire extinguishing properties to fight and extinguish fires are Water Based Fire Protection Systems such as Standpipe System, Automatic Sprinkler Systems, Water Spray Systems, Water Mist Systems, Fire Hydrant Systems, and Foam Systems etc. - **Gas and Chemical based Fire Suppression Systems:** Gas extinguishing technology is based mainly on the principle of removing oxygen. By introducing a gaseous extinguishing agent into the room's atmosphere the oxygen content is reduced to the point where the combustion process is halted. The gas extinguishing process uses either inert or chemical gases. This technique and mechanism using various gases and chemicals such as Clean Agents, CO2, Dry Chemical and Wet Chemical agents and their fire extinguishing properties to fight and extinguish fires are called Gas and Chemical based Fire Protection Systems. - **High-Challenge Fire Hazard:** A fire hazard typical of that produced by fires in combustible high-piled storage. ### Hazard Classification for Sprinkler Protection - **Light Hazard:** The areas and occupancies which and contain low quantity and low combustible materials which are expected to release low heat release rates during fire condition shall be classified as light hazard occupancies. - Assembly, Group C: (Art galleries, Community halls, Mosques, Churches, Temples, Courtrooms, Funeral parlors, Gymnasiums, Fitness Centers, Seminar halls, Libraries, Museums, Open air Theaters, Amphitheaters, Parks, Beaches) - Assembly, Group B: (Amusement Parks, Grandstands, Stadiums, Bleachers, Swimming Pools, Skating Rinks, Indoor Kid's Play Areas, Bowling alleys, Pool/billiard parlors, Waiting areas in transportation terminals, Airport Terminal Buildings, Restaurant seating areas, Food courts seating areas) - Educational, Group A: (Nurseries, Kindergartens, Preschool center, Talent Grooming centers for kids) - Educational, Group B: (Schools for up to 12th grade students) - Educational, Group C: (Colleges, Universities, Training centers for adults) - Healthcare, Group B: (Clinics) - Healthcare, Group C: (Ambulatory healthcare centers) - Residential, Group A: (Residential buildings, Apartments, assisted Living homes) - Residential, Group B: (Staff accommodation, Hostels, Monasteries, School boarding house) - Residential, Group C: (Labor accommodation) - Daycare, Group A: (Child day care, old age day care) - Daycare, Group B: (Adult day care) - Detention and Correctional, Group A: (Adult Prisons, Adult Detention centers, Adult Jails, Adult Correctional centers, Adult Pre-release centers) - Detention and Correctional, Group B: (Juvenile Prisons, Juvenile Detention centers, Juvenile Correctional centers) - Detention and Correctional, Group C: (Medical quarantines, Airport quarantines) - Industrial, Group C: (Beverages (non-alcoholic), Brick and masonry, Gypsum, Ice, Metal products (fabrication and assembly), Telecommunications signal processing, Telephone exchanges, GSM Switching Stations) - Animal Housing, Group A: (Animal Market, Pet Shops, Bird Market, Veterinary Clinic) - Animal Housing, Group C: (Zoo) - **Ordinary Hazard, Group 1:** The areas and occupancies which contains medium quantity and moderate combustible materials and the storages up to 2.4 meters which are expected to release moderate heat release rates during fire condition shall be classified as Ordinary Hazard group-1. - Assembly, Group A: (Banquet halls, Night clubs, Discos, Restaurants with more than 50 people, Pubs, Bars, Theaters, Concert Halls, Cinemas, Indoor Stadiums, Studios with audience, Exhibition halls, Casinos) - Hotel, Group A: (Hotels, Hotel apartments, time share properties) - Hotel, Group B: (Dormitories, Motels, Lodging) - Hotel, Group C: (Resorts) - Mercantile, Group A: (Hardware Stores, Paint Stores, Chemical Stores, Furniture Stores, Motor Vehicle Showrooms, Restaurants) - Mercantile, Group B: (Department Stores, Supermarkets, Hypermarkets, Shopping Centers, Anchor stores, Showrooms, Retail stores, Whole sale stores, Boutiques, Drugstores, Gift Shops) - Storage, Group C: (Frozen Food, Asbestos, Glass or ceramic, Cement in bags, Chalk and crayons, Dairy products in nonwaxed coated paper containers, Dry cell batteries, Electrical coils, Electrical motors, Empty cans, Foods in non-combustible containers, Fresh fruits and vegetables in nonplastic trays or containers, Frozen foods, Glass bottles, empty or filled with noncombustible liquids, Gypsum board, Inert pigments, Ivory, Meats, Metal cabinets, Metal desks with plastic tops and trim Metal parts, Metals, Mirrors, Oil-filled and other types of distribution transformers, Parking garages, open or enclosed, Porcelain and pottery, Stoves, Talc and soapstones, Washers and dryer) - Industrial, Group B: (Appliances, Athletic equipment, Automobiles, Bakeries, Beverages (alcoholic), Bicycles, Boat building, Brooms or brushes, Business machines, Cameras and photo equipment, Cold Storage, Canvas or similar fabric, Carpets and rugs, Clothing, Construction, Disinfectants, Dry-cleaning/dyeing, Electric light plants and power houses, Substations, Electronics, Engines, Food processing,) - **Ordinary Hazard, Group 2:** The areas and occupancies which are used for commercial & industrial uses and contain medium quantity and moderate to high combustible materials and the storages up to 3.6 meters which are expected to release moderate heat release rates and the storages up to 2.4 meters which are high heat release rates during fire condition shall be classified as Ordinary Hazard group-2. - Animal Housing, Group B: (Stable, Animal sheds, Livestock Shelter, Slaughter Houses) - Malls, Group A: (Covered Malls) - Industrial, Group B: (Paper and pulp mill, Paper process plants, Piers and wharves, Plastics fabrication, including blow molding, extruding, and machining; excluding operations using combustible, hydraulic fluids, Post offices, Printing and publishing, Racetrack stable/kennel areas, including those stable/kennel areas, barns, and associated buildings at state, county, and local fairgrounds, Repair garages, Resin application area, Stages, Textile manufacturing, Tire manufacturing, Tobacco products manufacturing, Wood machining, Wood product assembly). - **Extra Hazard, Group 1:** The areas and occupancies which are used for industrial uses and contains high quantity and very high combustible materials which will support fast development of fire and are expected to release very high heat release rates during fire condition and having less or no combustible or flammable liquids & gases shall be classified as Extra high hazard group 1. - Storage/Industrial, Group B: (Storage and activities involving Aircraft hangar, Bags: cloth/burlap/paper, Bamboos and rattan, Baskets, Belting: canvas/leather, Books and paper in rolls or packs, Boots and shoes, Buttons, Cardboard, its boxes, Clothing, woolen wearing apparel, Cordage, Dry boat storage (indoor), Furniture, Furs, Glues, mucilage, pastes, Grains, Horns and combs, other than celluloid, Leather, Linoleum, Lumber, Motor vehicle repair garages, Photo engravings, Resilient flooring, Silks, Soaps, Sugar, Tobacco, cigars, cigarettes and snuff etc. Upholstery and mattresses, Wax candles, Combustible hydraulic fluid use areas, Die casting, Metal extruding, Plywood and particleboard manufacturing, Printing [using inks having flash points below 100°F, (38°C)], Rubber reclaiming, compounding, drying, milling, vulcanizing, Saw mills, Textile picking, opening, blending, garnetting, or carding, combining of cotton, synthetics, wool shoddy, or burlap Upholstering with plastic foams) - **Extra Hazard, Group 2:** The areas and occupancies which are used for industrial uses and contain moderate to high quantity of flammable & combustible liquids and gases which will support rapid growth of fire and expected to release very high heat release rates during fire condition shall be classified as Extra High Hazard group 2. - Storage/Industrial, Group A: (Storage and activities involving Explosives, Detonators, Pyrophoric material, Unstable (Reactive) material, Organic Peroxide, Oxidizer, Fire Works, Aerosols Level 1,2,3, Combustible Liquid Class I, II, III, Combustible Fiber, Combustible Dust, Pyrotechnic Material, Cryogenics, Flammable, Oxidizing, Flammable Gas, Flammable Liquid, IA, IB, IC, Flammable Solid, Oxidizing Gas, Water Reactive Material, Perfumes, Baled Cotton, Corrosive Material, Toxic Material, Plastic products, Tires, Asphalt saturating, Flammable liquids spraying, Flow coating, Manufactured home or modular building assemblies, where finished enclosure is present and has combustible interiors), Open oil quenching, Plastics manufacturing, Solvent cleaning, Varnish and paint dipping etc.) - Parking, Group B: (Robotic, Mechanical parking) ### Commodity Classes - **Commodity Class-l:** Class I commodity are the noncombustible materials that are - stored directly on wooden pallets. - single layer corrugated cartons with or with out pallets. - Or shrink wrapped or paper wrapped as unit load with or without pallets. - **Commodity Class-II:** Class II commodity are the noncombustible materials that are stored in slatted wooden crates, solid wood boxes, multiple-layered corrugated cartons, or other similar combustible packaging material, with or without pallets. - **Commodity Class-III:** Class III commodity are the materials manufactured from wood, paper, natural fibers or Group C plastics with or without cartons, boxes or crates and with or without pallets. The materials that contain 5% by volume or by weight of group C plastics products may also be considered as class 3 commodities. - **Commodity Class-IV:** Class IV commodity are the materials manufactured from group B plastics-tics or from free flowing group A plastics or contain within itself or its packing 5-15% by weight or by volume of group A plastics. #### Group -A Plastics Examples of Group A plastic materials are ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer), Acetyl (polyformaldehyde), Acrylic (polymethyl methacrylate), Butyl rubber, EPDM (ethylene-propylene rubber), FRP (fiberglass-reinforced polyester), Natural rubber (if expanded), Nitrile-rubber (acrylonitrile-butadiene-rubber), PET (thermoplastic polyester), Polybutadiene, Polycarbonate, Polyester elastomer, Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Polystyrene, Polyurethane, PVC (polyvinyl chloride - highly plasticized, with plasticizer content greater than 20 percent) (rarely found), SAN (styrene acrylonitrile) and SBR (styrene-butadiene rubber). #### Group -B Plastics Examples of Group B plastic materials are Cellulosics (cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate, ethyl cellulose), Chloroprene rubber, Fluoroplastics (ECTFE - ethylene-chlorotrifluoro-ethylene copolymer; ETFE ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene-copolymer; FEP fluorinated ethylene-propylene copolymer), Natural rubber (not expanded), Nylon (nylon 6, nylon 6/6) and Silicone rubber. #### Group -C Plastics Examples of Group C plastic materials are Fluoroplastics (PCTFE - polychlorotrifluoroethylene; PTFE polytetrafluoroethylene), Melamine (melamine formaldehyde), Phenolic, PVC (polyvinyl chloride - flexible PVCs with plasticizer content up to 20 percent), PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride), PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride), PVF (polyvinyl fluoride) and Urea (urea formaldehyde). #### Rolled paper Store - **Heavy weight Class:** Heavyweight class shall include paperboard and paper stock having a basis weight per 92.9 m² of 9.1 kg. - **Medium weight Class:** Medium weight class shall include all the broad range of papers having a basis weight per 92.9 m² of 4.5 kg to 9.1 kg. - **Lightweight class:** Light weight class shall include all papers having a basis weight per 92.9 m² of 4.5 kg. - **Tissue:** Shall include the broad range of papers of characteristic gauzy texture, which, in some cases, are fairly transparent such as crepe wadding and the sanitary class including facial tissue, paper napkins, bathroom tissue, and toweling. ### Combustible Liquid - **Combustible Liquid:** A liquid that has a closed-cup flash point at or above 37.8°C (100°F). - **Combustible Liquid Class II:** Any liquid that has a flash point at or above 37.8°C (100°F) and below 60°C (140°F). - **Combustible Liquid Class III A:** Any liquid that has a flash point at or above 60°C (140°F), but below 93°C (200°F). - **Combustible Liquid Class III B:** Any liquid that has a flash point at or above 93°C (200°F). - **Flammable Liquid:** A liquid that has a closed-cup flash point that is below 37.8°C (100°F) and a maximum vapor pressure of 2068 mm Hg (40 psia) at 37.8°C (100°F). - **Flammable Liquid Class I:** Any liquid that has a closed-cup flash point below 37.8°C (100°F). - **Flammable Liquid Class I A:** Any liquid that has a flash point below 22.8°C (73°F) and a boiling point below 37.8°C (100°F). - **Flammable Liquid Class I B:** Any liquid that has a flash point below 22.8°C (73°F) and a boiling point at or above 37.8°C (100°F). - **Flammable Liquid Class I C:** Any liquid that has a flash point at or above 22.8°C (73°F) but below 37.8°C (100°F). ## Fire Pumps - **Fire Pump Unit:** An assembled unit consisting of a fire pump, driver, controller, and accessories. - **Fire Pump:** A pump that is a provider of liquid flow and pressure dedicated to fire protection. - **Fire Pump Controller:** A group of devices that serve to govern, in some predetermined manner, the starting and stopping of the fire pump driver and to monitor and signal the status and condition of the fire pump unit. - **Horizontal Pump:** A pump with the shaft normally in a horizontal position. - **Horizontal Split-Case Pump:** A centrifugal pump characterized by a housing that is split parallel to the shaft. - **Vertical Lineshaft Turbine Pump:** A vertical shaft centrifugal pump with rotating impeller or impellers and with discharge from the pumping element coaxial with the shaft. The pumping element is suspended by the conductor system, which encloses a system of vertical shafting used to transmit power to the impellers, the prime mover being external to the flow stream. - **Total Head, Horizontal Pumps:** The measure of the work increase, per kilogram (pound) of liquid, imparted to the liquid by the pump, and therefore the algebraic difference between the total discharge head and the total suction head. Total head, as determined on test where suction lift exists, is the sum of the total discharge head and total suction lift. - **Total Head, Vertical Turbine Pumps:** The distance from the pumping water level to the center of the discharge gauge plus the total discharge head - **Total Discharge Head:** The reading of a pressure gauge at the discharge of the pump, converted to meters (feet) of liquid, and referred to datum, plus the velocity head at the point of gauge attachment. - **Total Rated Head:** The total head developed at rated capacity and rated speed for either a horizontal split-case or a vertical shaft turbine-type pump. - **Total Suction Head:** Suction head exists where the total suction head is above atmospheric pressure. Total suction head, as determined on test, is the reading of a gauge at the suction of the pump, converted to meters (feet) of liquid, and referred to datum, plus the velocity head at the point of gauge attachment. - **Centrifugal Pump:** A pump in which the pressure is developed principally by the action of centrifugal force. - **End Suction Pump:** A single suction pump having its suction nozzle on the opposite side of the casing from the stuffing box and having the face of the suction nozzle perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. - **Automatic Transfer Switch:** Self-acting equipment for transferring one or more load conductor connections from one power source to another. - **Diesel Engine:** An internal combustion engine in which the fuel is ignited entirely by the heat resulting from the compression of the air supplied for combustion. The oil-diesel engine, which operates on fuel oil injected after compression is practically completed, is the type usually used as a fire pump driver. ## Fire Hose Systems - **Fire Hose Cabinet (FHC):** A cabinet housing combination of instantaneous connection outlets for Landing Valve, Hose reel along with, nozzle and fire extinguishers. - **Landing Valve:** A 65 mm diameter instantaneous water outlet normally located near the staircase for trained or Civil Defence fire fighters to use during fire. - **Hose Reel or Hose Rack:** A 25 mm Hose reel or 40 mm diameter Hose rack, instantaneous water outlet with a connected hose for trained occupants or Civil Defence fire fighters to use during fire. - **Standpipe:** The vertical portion of the system piping that delivers the water supply for hose connections (and sprinklers on combined systems), vertically from floor to floor. The term standpipe can also refer to the horizontal portion of the system piping that delivers the water supply for two or more hose connections (and sprinklers on combined systems) on a single level. - **Combined System:** A piping system that feeds both Landing valves, Hose systems and Sprinkler system network. - **Dry Riser System (Manual Standpipe System):** Dry riser systems are normally dry without permanent water connection to them and depend on the Civil Defence fire truck to pump water into the system. Dry riser system comprises of one or multiple vertical riser pipes or horizontal runs of piping that are terminated to the two way breeching inlets located at the ground level and connected to the 65mm diameter landing (Fire Department) valve outlets coupled or uncoupled with 65mm diameter, 30 m long re-inforced rubber lined (RRL) hose with multipurpose hose nozzle that are placed inside a cabinet for the use of Civil Defence personnel or other trained fire fighting personnel. - **Wet Riser System (Wet Standpipe System):** Wet riser systems are normally pressurized with water having permanent water supply from fire water pumps and fire water storage tanks. Wet riser system comprises of one or multiple vertical riser pipes or horizontal runs of piping that feed the Sprinkler System, Water Spray System as well as Hose and Landing Valve connections. These risers are connected to fire pumps and fire water storage tanks located within the buildings. 25mm for Hose Reel System, 40 mm for Hose Rack system, 65 mm diameter for Landing Valve tapping will be made from the wet riser in each floor level and fitted with multipurpose hoses and nozzles that are placed inside a cabinet for the use of Civil Defence personnel or other trained fire fighting personnel. In addition the four way breeching inlets located at ground level are connected to the bottom of the wet riser to pump water from the Civil Defence fire truck as supplementary water supply. - **Class I Hose System:** Class I systems comprises of 65 mm diameter Landing Valve outlets coupled or uncoupled with 65mm diameter, 30 m long, double jacket synthetic fiber reinforced hose with a multipurpose hose nozzle for the use of Civil Defence department personnel or other trained fire fighting personnel. - **Class II Hose System:** Class II systems comprise of 25 mm diameter bore for Hose Reel System or 40 mm diameter bore for a Hose Rack System, 30 m long double jacket synthetic fiber reinforced, coupled with 6 or 8 mm bore multipurpose nozzle, for the use of occupants to extinguish small fires or when the fire is at its incipient stages until the arrival of Civil Defence fire fighters. - **Class III Hose System:** Class III system is a combination of both Class I & Class II systems for the use of trained personnel and as well as Civil Defence use. In general the class I system equipment are installed in lower level or compartment of the FHC and class II system equipment in upper level or compartment of FHC. - **Wet Riser Zoning:** A vertical subdivision of a standpipe system by height. - **High Zone:** The high zone within a subdivided standpipe system which is usually due to pressure limitations of the design. (When wet riser FHC height exceeds 45 m from pump location or when pressure in the system exceeds 12 bar, standpipe is arranged in a separate looped zone, known as High Zone). - **Low Zone:** The low zone within a subdivided standpipe system which is usually due to pressure limitations of the design. (When wet riser FHC height exceeds 45 m from pump location or when pressure in the system exceeds 12 bar, lower section of standpipe is arranged in a separate zone, within 12 bar range, known as Low Zone). - **Static Pressure:** Pressure acting on a point in the piping with no flow from the system. - **Residual Pressure:** Pressure acting on a point in the piping with flow being delivered or discharged. - **Pressure Reducing Valve:** A valve designed for the purpose of reducing the downstream water pressure under both flowing (residual) and no flowing (static) conditions. - **Rated Capacity:** The flow available from an outlet, at the designated residual pressure. ## Automatic Sprinkler Systems - **Automatic Sprinkler:** A fire suppression or control device that operates (bursts) automatically when its heat-activated element is heated to its thermal rating or above, allowing water to discharge over a specified area. - **Automatic Sprinkler System:** For fire protection purposes, the sprinkler system installation includes one or more automatic water supplies. The portion of the sprinkler system is a network of specially sized or hydraulically designed piping installed in a building, structure, or area, generally overhead, and to which sprinklers are attached in a systematic pattern. The valve controlling each system riser is located in the system riser or its supply piping. Each sprinkler system riser includes a device for actuating an alarm when the system is in operation. The system is usually activated by heat from a fire and discharges water over the fire area. - **High-Piles storage:** Solid-piled, palletized, rack storage, bin box, and shelf storage in excess of 3.7 m in height. - **Hydraulically Designed System:** A calculated sprinkler system in which pipe sizes are selected on a pressure loss basis to provide a prescribed water density, in gallons per minute per square foot (mm/min), or a prescribed minimum discharge pressure or flow per sprinkler, distributed with a reasonable degree of uniformity over a specified area. - **Pipe Schedule System:** A sprinkler system in which the pipe sizing is selected from a schedule that is determined by the occupancy classification and in which a given number of sprinklers are allowed to be supplied from specific sizes of pipe. - **System Working Pressure:** The maximum anticipated static (non flowing) or flowing pressure applied to sprinkler system components exclusive of surge pressures. - **Closed loop Sprinkler System:** A wet pipe sprinkler system having non-fire protection connections to automatic sprinkler systems in a closed-loop piping arrangement for the purpose of utilizing sprinkler piping to conduct water for heating or cooling, where water is not removed or used from the system but only circulated through the piping system. - **Dry pipe Pre-action Sprinkler System:** A sprinkler system employing automatic sprinklers attached to a piping system containing air under pressure with a supplemental detection system installed in the same areas as the sprinklers. The operation of the detection system actuates tripping devices that open dry pipe valves simultaneously and without loss of air pressure in the system. The operation of the detection system also opens listed air exhaust valves at the end of the feed main, which usually precedes the opening of sprinklers. The detection system also serves as an automatic fire alarm system. - **Deluge Sprinkler System:** A sprinkler system employing open sprinklers that are attached to a piping system that is connected to a water supply through a valve that is opened by the operation of the detection system installed in the same areas as the sprinklers. When this valve opens, water flows into the piping system and discharges from all sprinklers attached thereto. - **Branch line:** The pipes in which the sprinklers are placed, either directly or through risers. - **Cross Mains:** The pipes supplying the branch lines, either directly or through risers. - **Feed Mains:** The pipes supplying cross mains, either directly or through risers. ### Types of Sprinklers, based on installation orientation - **Upright Sprinkler Head:** A sprinkler designed to be installed in such a way that the water spray is directed upwards against the deflector. - **Pendent Sprinkler Head:** A sprinkler designed to be installed in such a way that the water stream is directed downward against the deflector. In pendent there are two types based on its mounting application. - **Recessed Pendent Sprinkler Head:** A sprinkler in which all or part of the body, other than the shank thread, is mounted within a recessed housing. - **Concealed Pendent Sprinkler Head:** A recessed sprinkler concealed with cover plates. - **Conventional Sprinkler Head:** A sprinkler that is designed to install both pendent or upright position. - **Sidewall Sprinkler Head:** A sprinkler having special deflectors that are designed to discharge most of the water away from the nearby wall in a pattern resembling one-quarter of a sphere, with a small portion of the discharge directed at the wall behind the sprinkler. ### Types of Sprinklers, based on Coverage - **Standard Coverage Sprinkler Head:** A sprinkler that directs from 40 percent to 60 percent of the total water initially in a downward direction and that is designed to be installed with the deflector either upright or pendent. Nominal K-factors for standard ½ in. [12.7 mm) sprinklers are 5.6 [Km = 80]. - **Extended Coverage Sprinkler Head:** Extended coverage sidewall sprinklers are used in the horizontal position. They have larger areas of coverage than the areas of coverage allowed for standard sidewall sprinklers. They may be used in light-hazard occupancies. - **Large Drop Sprinkler Head:** A type of specific application control mode sprinkler sprinklers with a nominal K-factor of 11.2 (Km = 160) The deflector of a large drop sprinkler is specially designed and, combined with the greater discharge, produces large drops of such size and velocity as to enable the spray to penetrate strong updrafts generated by high-challenge fire hazards. ### Types of Sprinklers, based on Heat Sensing Element - **Standard Response Sprinkler Head:** A type of spray sprinkler that has thermal sensitivity measured in response time index (RTI) of 80 (meters-seconds) 1/2 or more. - **Early Suppression Fast-Response (ESFR) Sprinkler:** A type of fast-response sprinkler that has thermal sensitivity measured in response time index (RTI) of 50 (meter-seconds)1/2 or less and is listed for its capability to provide fire suppression of specific high-challenge fire hazards. - **Closed Array:** A storage arrangement where air movement through the pile is restricted because of 6-in. (152-mm) or less vertical flues. - **Open Array:** A storage arrangement where air movement through the pile is enhanced because of vertical flues larger than 6 in. (152 mm). ## Bin Box Storage Storage in five-sided wood, metal, or cardboard boxes with open face on the aisles. Boxes are self-supporting or supported by a structure so designed that little or no horizontal or vertical space exists around boxes. ## Clearance The distance from the top of storage to the ceiling sprinkler deflectors. ## Encapsulation A method of packaging consisting of a plastic sheet completely enclosing the sides and top of a pallet load containing a combustible commodity or a combustible package or a group of combustible commodities or combustible packages. Combustible commodities individually wrapped in plastic sheeting and stored exposed in a pallet load also are to be considered encapsulated. ## Expanded (Foamed or Cellular) Plastics Those plastics, the density of which is reduced by the presence of numerous small cavities (cells), interconnecting or not, dispersed throughout their mass. ## Exposed Group A Plastics Those plastics not in packaging or coverings that absorb water or otherwise appreciably retard the burning hazard of the commodity. (Paper wrapped or encapsulated, or both, should be considered exposed.) ## Palletized Storage Storage of commodities on pallets or other storage aids that form horizontal spaces between tiers of storage. ## Shelf Storage Storage on structures less than 30 in. (76.2 cm) deep with shelves usually 2 ft. (0.6 m) apart vertically and separated by approximately 30-in. (76.2-cm) aisles. ## Rack Any combination of vertical, horizontal, and diagonal members that supports stored materials. Some rack structures use solid shelves. Racks can be fixed, portable, or movable. Loading can be either manual, using lift trucks, stacker cranes, or hand placement or automatic, using machine-controlled storage and retrieval systems. ## Double Row Racks  Two single-row racks placed back-to-back having a combined width up to 3.7 m, with aisles at least 1.1 m on each side. ## Single Row Racks Racks that have no longitudinal flue space and that have a width up to 1.8 m with aisles at least 1.1 m from other storage. ## Multiple Row Racks Racks greater than 3.7 m wide or single- or double-row racks separated by aisles less than 1.1 m wide having an overall width greater than 3.7 m. ## K-factor K-factor is a dimensionless number used in fire protection hydraulics. $Q =K P $ OR $K =Q/P^{0.5}$ Where, $Q$ is the Flow in gpm (L/Min), $P$ is the Pressure in psi (bar), $K$ is a flow constant factor. ## Foam Systems - **Foam:** Foam is a stable aggregation of small gas filled bubbles of lower density than oil or water, formed from aqueous solutions of specially formulated concentrated liquid foaming agents that exhibits a tenacity for covering horizontal surfaces, producing an air excluding, cooling continuous layer of vapour-sealing, water-bearing material that prevents combustion. - **Foam Concentrate:** Foam concentrate is a concentrated liquid foaming agent as received from the manufacturer. - **Foam Solution:** A homogeneous mixture of water and foam concentrate in the proper proportions. For the purpose of this document, "foam solution" and "solution" are used interchangeably. - **Foam Proportioning:** Proportioning is the continuous introduction of foam concentrate at the recommended ratio into the water stream to form foam solution - **Foam-Water Sprinkler System:** A special system that is pipe-connected to a source of foam concentrate and to a water supply. The system is equipped with appropriate discharge devices for extinguishing agent discharge and for distribution over the area to be protected. The piping system is connected to the water supply through a control valve that usually is actuated by the operation of automatic detection equipment that is installed in the same areas as the sprinklers. When this valve opens, water flows into the piping system, foam concentrate is injected into the water, and the resulting foam solution discharging through the discharge devices generates and distributes foam. Upon exhaustion of the foam concentrate supply, water discharge follows and continues until shut off manually. Systems can be used for discharge of water first, followed by a discharge of foam for a specified period, and then followed by water until they manually shut off. Existing deluge sprinkler systems that have been converted to the use of aqueous film-forming foam or film-forming fluoroprotein foam are classified as foam-water sprinkler systems. - **Foam-Water Deluge System:** A foam-water sprinkler system employing open discharge devices, which are attached to a piping system that is connected to a water supply through a valve that is opened by the operation of a detection system, which is installed in the same areas as the discharge devices. When this valve opens, water flows into the piping system and discharges from all discharge devices attached thereto. - **Foam Discharge Duration:** Systems shall deliver foam to the hazards they protect for a specified period at given densities, either prior to water discharge or following water discharge, depending upon system design purpose. - **Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) Concentrate:** This concentrate is based on fluorinated surfactants plus foam stabilizers and usually diluted with water to a 1 percent, 3 percent, or 6 percent solution. The foam formed acts as a barrier both to exclude air or oxygen and to develop an aqueous film on the fuel surface capable of suppressing the evolution of fuel vapors. The foam produced with AFFF concentrate is dry chemical compatible and thus is suitable for combined use with dry chemicals. - **Film Forming Flouroprotein (AFFP) Foam Concentrate:** This concentrate uses fluorinated surfactants to produce a fluid aqueous film for suppressing hydrocarbon fuel vapors. This type of foam utilizes a protein base plus stabilizing additives and inhibitors to protect against freezing, corrosion, and bacterial decomposition, and it also resists fuel pickup. The foam is usually diluted with water to a 3 percent or 6 percent solution and is dry chemical compatible. - **Alcohol Resistant Foam Concentrate:** This concentrate is used for fighting fires on water-soluble materials and other fuels destructive to regular, AFFF, or FFFP foams, as well as for fires involving hydrocarbons. There are three general types. One is based on water-soluble natural polymers, such as protein or fluoroprotein concentrates, and also contains alcohol-insoluble materials that precipitate as an insoluble barrier in the bubble structure. The second type is based on synthetic concentrates and contains a gelling agent that surrounds the foam bubbles and forms a protective raft on the surface of water-soluble fuels; these foams can also have film-forming characteristics on hydrocarbon fuels. The third type is based on both water-soluble natural polymers, such as fluoroprotein, and contains a gelling agent that protects the foam from water-soluble fuels. This foam can also have film-forming and fluoroprotein characteristics on hydrocarbon fuels. Alcohol-resistant foam concentrates are generally used in concentrations of 3 percent to 10 percent solutions, depending on the nature of the hazard to be protected and the type of concentrate. - **Medium and High Expansion Foam Concentrate:** This concentrate, which is usually derived from hydrocarbon surfactants, is used in specially designed equipment to produce foams having foam-to-