Cleveland Division of Fire SOP 2: Operations in Buildings With Water-Based Fire Protection Systems PDF

CLEVELAND DIVISION OF FIRE STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE NUMBER: 2 CLASS: S.O.P. DATE: April 18, 2023 SUBJECT: Operations in Buildings with Water-Based Fire Protection Systems 1. Purpose 1.1 The intent of this SOP is to describe the procedures to operate in buildings equipped with water-based fire...

CLEVELAND DIVISION OF FIRE STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE NUMBER: 2 CLASS: S.O.P. DATE: April 18, 2023 SUBJECT: Operations in Buildings with Water-Based Fire Protection Systems 1. Purpose 1.1 The intent of this SOP is to describe the procedures to operate in buildings equipped with water-based fire protection systems. 1.2 The procedures identified in SOP 1 Fire in a Structure also apply to operations in buildings equipped with water-based protection systems; however, where there is a conflict between SOP 1 and SOP 2, the provisions of SOP 2 shall apply. 2. Definitions 2.1 Combination System- A system where the same water piping system services both sprinklers and standpipes. 2.2 Pressure Restricting Regulating Device (“PRD”) - A valve or device designed to reduce, regulate, restrict, or control water pressure. 3. Apparatus Positioning 3.1 When responding to structures with water-based fire protection systems, engine companies shall position within fifty (50) feet of a Fire Department Connection (FDC) unless the configuration of the incident makes such placement impossible. 3.2 Engine companies supplying FDCs should attempt to position the apparatus with the pump panel away from the building. 3.3 When a structure has more than one (1) FDC available, engine companies (in order of their arrival) shall position their apparatus as described in Sections 3.1 and 3.2 until there is an engine company staged near every FDC unless ordered otherwise by the Incident Commander. 4. Hose Connections 4.1 Fire Department Connections for sprinklers shall be supplied first followed by Fire Department Connections for standpipes, unless ordered otherwise by the Incident Commander. S.O.P. #2 Page 1 of 5 April 18, 2023 4.2 Three (3) inch high-pressure line (blue) shall be used to supply FDC’s. Four (4) inch supply line shall not be used as it will not accommodate the working pressure required. 4.3 If the FDC on the exterior of the building is damaged or inoperative, a system may be supplied via a standpipe outlet on the interior of a building; however, this tactic may not be effective in supplying a sprinkler system unless part of a combination system. 4.4 If Pressure Regulating Devices (PRD’s) are present they should be removed or disabled if possible unless ordered otherwise by the Incident Commander. 5. Sprinklers 5.1 Sprinkler System Pump Pressure- 150 psi + 5 psi per floor (e.g. for a fire on 20th floor the initial pumping pressure = 250psi). 5.2 When an outside water flow alarm/motor gong is operating this may indicate water is flowing in the system. 5.3 When there is no visible steam, smoke or fire showing this may indicate an incipient fire that has been controlled by one or two sprinklers. 5.4 When there is light steam or smoke showing this may indicate the sprinklers have operated and may have the fire in check or contained but not necessarily completely controlled. 5.5 When heavy fire and/or smoke is showing this may indicate the sprinkler system is not operational and/or a supply valve is closed. Determine as quickly as possible that all system control valves (post-indicator valve, outside screw and yoke, and/or floor/sectional valves) are open. 5.6 When a fire has been determined to be under control, the sprinkler system for the affected portion of the building shall be temporarily shut down using applicable sectional valves. The main sprinkler control valve should not be used unless a sectional valve cannot be located or is inoperable. 5.7 If no building representative is on the scene, the Incident Commander (with assistance from the FDC as necessary) shall attempt to contact the owner or their representative and the fire alarm company to inform them the sprinkler system has operated. 5.8 The Incident Commander shall request the FDC to contact the on-call Life Safety Officer from the FPB who shall be advised of the sprinkler activation; the estimated number of sprinkler heads that operated; and the operational status of the sprinkler system. The Life S.O.P. #2 Page 2 of 5 April 18, 2023 Safety Officer shall be requested to respond if the sprinkler system is not fully restored or if there is any question as to its serviceability. 5.9 The Incident Commander shall determine if a building representative or a sprinkler service company can install a new sprinkler head(s) (of the proper type/rating) and fully restore the sprinkler system. If new sprinkler head(s) are not installed, the opened head shall be removed and replaced with an appropriately sized plug. The sprinkler system shall thereafter be restored to the fullest extent possible. In cases where a sprinkler system cannot be fully restored, a fire watch of the unprotected area shall be established. 5.9.1 Ladder company sprinkler kits shall consist of the following: sprinkler tongs, threaded pipe plugs (1/2", 3/4" and 1"), crescent or pipe wrench, hammer, and wedges. This equipment may be used to minimize water damage. No sprinkler heads shall be carried in these kits, and CFD personnel shall not install sprinkler heads obtained from the premises. 5.10 If a building representative is not present and/or is not able to maintain a fire watch, the Incident Commander shall order a suppression company to remain on site until relieved by a sprinkler service company or the Life Safety Officer (see Section 5.8 above). 6. Standpipes 6.1 Each engine shall be equipped with a standpipe kit that contains all of the following: • • • • • • • • • • Elkhart 15/16” integrated smooth bore tip (for fire control) with automatic fog tip adaptor (for overhaul and hydraulic ventilation only) 2 ½” to 1 ½” gated wye 30 degree droop fitting 2-1/2" pipe thread adapter (Female National Pipe thread to male CFD thread) 18" pipe wrench Piezometer Door Chocks Two Spanner Wrenches Rubber Mallet A minimum of 150 feet of 2” hoseline secured in bundles 6.2 It is generally quicker to use the building standpipe system when a fire is located more than two (2) floors above the lowest access level or the length of an attack line layout will exceed 300 feet. S.O.P. #2 Page 3 of 5 April 18, 2023 6.3 Standpipe Operations: 6.3.1 Disable or override any PRD that may be present (see Section 4.4 above) 6.3.2 Flush system to remove debris; 6.3.3 Attach Droop Fitting and Piezometer; 6.3.4 Attach 2 ½” to 1 ½” gated wye at the floor below the fire 6.3.5 Flake excess houseline up the stairwell leading to the floor above the fire for easier advancement. 6.3.6 One member should remain at the outlet to operate the Piezometer and coordinate with the pump operator for proper pressure (pressure must be set while water is flowing). 6.3.7 A subsequent arriving engine company shall attach back-up line to second outlet on wye. 6.3.8 Initial Standpipe Engine Pump Pressures: Fire Floors(s) Initial Pumping Pressure 1 – 10 11 - 20 21 - 30 31 - 40 41 – 50 51 – 60 61 – 70 150 psi 200 psi 250 psi 300 psi 350 psi 400 psi 450 psi 6.3.9 In High-rise operations a 2” attack line with a 15/16” smooth bore tip will provide approximately 185 gpm. This will lead to a friction loss of approximately 14 psi per 50’ section or 42 psi for a three section (150’) layout. 6.3.10 The pressure on the piezometer hooked up to the outlet on the floor below the fire with water flowing should read approximately 97 psi for 150’ layout (50 psi for the tip + 42 psi friction loss + 5 psi elevation. 7. High Pressure Pumping- All of the following apply when supplying sprinkler and standpipe systems where pump pressures of 250 psi or higher are required: 7.1 All personnel operating at the incident and civilians shall be removed from a distance of 50 feet on each side of the hoseline(s) supplying the FDC. Warning/Caution tape and/or S.O.P. #2 Page 4 of 5 April 18, 2023 traffic cones shall be used to secure the perimeter of this area unless the configuration of the incident scene makes this impractical. 7.2 Lines supplying the FDC shall be secured with a utility rope or Howd strap at a distance of not less than one (1) foot to relieve pressure from the coupling. 7.3 Supply and discharge lines shall be connected to the engine on the side opposite the pump panel. 7.4 Personnel in the stairwells where standpipes are under high pressure should be kept to a minimum to reduce the risk of injury from standpipe failure. 7.5 Operate hand line and floor outlet valves slowly to reduce the risk of a water hammer. By Order Of: Anthony Luke, Chief Cleveland Division of Fire S.O.P. #2 Page 5 of 5 April 18, 2023