Welcome
4/11/2016 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 1 Name That Movie?
4/11/2016 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 2 Towering Inferno (1974)
4/11/2016 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 3 Myths & Our Understanding of Fire
• Most peoples understanding of fire from Hollywood – Towering Inferno (1974); Fire start and spread – Die Hard (1988); Sprinklers – Backdraft (1991); Flashover conditions – Sponge Bob the Movie & The Incredible (2004); Sprinklers • Fire prevention measures are built in ALL around us • Real fire protection not as “cool” as Hollywood
4/11/2016 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 4 Michael Stewart PE,PRA Fire Protection Engineer / Professional Reserve Analyst Design fire suppression systems, fire protection code consulting, assessing hazards, reviewing construction documents for clients and a broad knowledge of building components and mechanical principals. • M.S. Fire Protection Engineering • B.S., Mechanical Engineering Licensed Fire Protection Fire Protection 2001- Present (15 years) Engineer (Oregon) • Certified Fire Protection Reserve Studies 2010-Present (6 years) Specialist (CFPS) • NICET Level III Certified, Automatic Sprinkler System
4/11/2016 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 5 Learning Objectives/Goals
• What is fire protection? • Major components of fire protection & Life Safety • Identification of components • Resources • Identification of system types • What to look for on site • Cost and Useful life of components THE GOOD STUFF!
4/11/2016 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 6 What is Fire Protection?
The protection of people/property from fire and smoke by Identifying potential risk and designing SAFEGUARDS to prevent, control, and mitigate the effects of fire and smoke.
• Assessing the Risk • Passive Fire Protection • Active Fire Protection • Institutional Controls Assessing the Risk
• People or Property • Building type – Construction type (Wood, Concrete, Steel) • Use of building – Processes, Manufacturing, Storage – Healthcare, institutional – Residential • Occupants and Occupant Load – How many people – Human behavior • Familiar with surrounding, intoxication, sleeping
4/11/2016 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 8 Passive Fire Protection
Inherently built into the building Code Driven • Construction, location and materials • Fire walls, smoke barriers • Construction type. Materials used in finish • Proximity to adjacent buildings • Egress • Quantity and location of exits • Hallway & door width, stair treads height and width • Door swing direction
4/11/2016 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 9 Active Fire Protection-Alarm Detection
• Detection • Requirement by codes Application reference standards • Smoke Detectors – Ionized (Flaming Fires) – Photoelectric (Smoldering Fires) • Beam Detectors – Tall Ceiling – Stratification • Flame Detection • Aspirating Type Smoke Detection
4/11/2016 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 10 Active Fire Protection-Alarm Notification
• Notification • Visual – Strobes • Audible – Horns • Public Address System • Mass Notification System
4/11/2016 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 11 Active Fire Protection-Suppression
Wet System Dry System Fire Extinguisher Water mist Foam System Special Chemical Hybrid
4/11/2016 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 12 Active Fire Protection-Suppression-Head/Nozzle
Types: • Bulb vs Link • Pendant • Upright • Sidewall • Nozzles Components • Defector •Bulb •Orifice • Thread
4/11/2016 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 13 Active Fire Protection-Suppression
Most Common Wet system • Pipes continuously filled with pressurized water. • Upon activation (thermal bulb break) at a sprinkler head, water is delivered immediately out of the sprinkler head/orifice.
Dry System • Pipes continuously filled with pressurized air • Upon activation (thermal bulb break) at a sprinkler head, air is purged from the pipe through the orifice. • Once the air pressure in the pipe is purged, valve at start of system releases and allow water to fill pipes which then flows out of the open sprinkler head.
4/11/2016 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 14 Active Fire Protection-Suppression-Wet
• Supply • Valve OS&Y • Check Valve •Drain •FDC •Bell • Flow switch •Main •Line • Heads • Insp./ Test
4/11/2016 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 15 Active Fire Protection-Suppression-Dry
• Supply •Valve • Drain •FDC •Bell • Pressure Switch •Main •Line • Heads • Insp./ Test
4/11/2016 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 16 Active Fire Protection-Suppression-Dry vs Wet
Flow Switch
Dry Pipe Valve
Pressure Switch
4/11/2016 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 17 Institutional Control
• Housekeeping • Storage and processes • Fire Drill • Testing, Inspection & Maintenance • Replacement
4/11/2016 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 18 Fire Protection as a whole
• Assessing the Risk • Passive Fire Protection • Active Fire Protection • Institutional Controls
4/11/2016 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 19 What to Look for & how to Report
If it doesn’t look right it probably isn't!
• Housekeeping • Signs of Failure • Inspection Reports • General Safety • Reporting House Keeping
• Housekeeping and good record keeping • Indicative of the functionality of the system • Reduce useful life, increase cost, make recommendation. • “Assumes regular and adequate maintenance is being performed”
4/11/2016 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 21 Signs Failure
• Rusting or oxidizing sprinkler heads • Paint on Sprinkler bulbs or link • Damaged Pipe or Sprinkler Head • CPVC typically not exposed • Nothing on Plastic (CPVC) pipe – No wires (softener) – No sharpies –No Paint
4/11/2016 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 22 Inspection/Service Reports
• Look in Fire Sprinkler Riser Room • Ask Manager or Board for records • Usually separate companies conduct Sprinkler & Alarm • Alarm company different than monitoring company • What to look for in report – Date,Proof testing and inspection completed – Any impairments reported. If so, disclose and inquire
4/11/2016 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 23 General
• Chained Doors • Chained Valves – Can be normal • Blocked FDC • Fire Hydrant Interference • Water below pipes or valves
4/11/2016 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 24 Reporting
• Note ”LIFE SAFETY”
• Disclose, disclose, disclose – Say something on site – Document observation(s) in report – Separate email or letter if warranted/severe
• Stress maintenance, deferred maintenance not an option – Unlike HVAC and Plumbing-Immediate impact – Dormant for long periods then called into action
4/11/2016 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 25 What is covered in inspection and testing of sprinkler systems? • Water flows • Gages, pipe and heads inspected • Valves checked Fire Sprinkler Inspection-5 year
• National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) standard 25-Inspection Testing, and Maintenance of Water- Based Fire Protection Systems • Annual inspections are required (Operating Budget) • Reserve addresses inspections and testing that occurs every 5 years. • Inspections at 5 year more comprehensive
4/11/2016 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 27 Fire Sprinkler Inspection-5 year
NFPA 25 (2013)
4/11/2016 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 28 Fire Sprinkler Inspection-Pipe Obstruction
NFPA “white paper” NFPA 25
4/11/2016 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 29 Fire Sprinkler Inspection-Gages
NFPA 25
4/11/2016 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 30 Fire Sprinkler Inspection-Sprinkler Heads
NFPA 25
• How to know if it is quick response or standard response? QR or FR
• What is a “representative sample?
4/11/2016 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 31 Fire Sprinkler Inspection-Dry Heads
NFPA 25
• Dry Head vs Dry System • Costal Properties • Corrosive resistant heads or wax cover • Heads replaced anyway/Area cant be left unprotected • Sampling still required to determine if remaining heads need replacement
4/11/2016 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 32 What is covered in inspection and testing of Fire Alarm System? • Panels • Devices • Communication Inspection & Testing-Fire Alarm System
• Required yearly in accordance with NFPA 72 • Driven by: – Technology and Code change – Electronic equipment • Unlike fire sprinkler (Pipe and Metal). • Review of Annual updates/reports important. – Replacement needed?
• What do they do? – Test lights on panel – Visual of devices – Test smoke detectors (can of smoke) verify on panel – Test tampers and flow switches – Confirm signal with central monitoring station – Load test batteries
• Replace as needed
Useful Life: 0 years Cost: Operating Budget
4/11/2016 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 34 Useful Life & Cost
The “Good Stuff”!
• Individual components Inspection & Testing-Fire Sprinkler System
• Global replacement of individual system components is VERY RARE. • Repair/Replacement (gages, switches, ,select sprinkler heads, and more…) as needed & paid for out of Operating Budget.
Useful Life: 5 years Cost: 2x or 3x Annual Inspection Cost
4/11/2016 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 36 Air Compressor-Tank Mounted & Tankless
• Typically located in the “Fire Sprinkler Riser Room” • Services dry systems • Tank mounted vs no tank – Run more often – Shorter life – Nuisance
Useful Life: 10 to 15 years Cost: $1,500-$3,500
4/11/2016 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 37 Check Valve, Solenoid Valve, Gate Valve
• Parts can be rebuilt • Seats fail • Check maintenance records – History of failure? – Type of water influence • Accessibility •Size
Useful Life: 30 year Cost: $1500 to 3000
4/11/2016 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 38 Backflow device
• Parts can be rebuilt • Seats fail • Check maintenance records – History of failure? – Type of water influence • Accessibility •Size
Useful Life: 30 Cost: $1,500 to $3,000
4/11/2016 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 39 Fire Escape-Certification & Testing
City of Portland • Fire escape load testing can be implemented at any time if during routine inspection the fire escape shows signs of disrepair. • If serious hazard, corrective action will require immediate action. • If not deemed an imminent hazard, the inspector can give a 5 year notice to have the fire escape certified.
Certification 1. Engineering analysis completed that includes a test plan for load testing. 2. Repairs and painting to be completed as needed prior to load test. 3. Certified Load Test conducted on site.
Recertification • Required every 5 years thereafter with load testing every 10 years.
Costs (4-5 story building with fire escapes on 2-4 sides) • Initial engineering analysis and load test plan: $2,500. • Recertification, analysis only: $1,000 • Repairs and painting: $1,000 per platform (upper end) • Certified Load test $10,000
4/11/2016 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 40 Fire Pumps
Ask a contractor!!
4/11/2016 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 41 Fire Water Tanks
Ask a contractor!!
4/11/2016 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 42 Heat Trace
Ask a contractor!!
• Be aware of it • Different for plumbing & fire supplies • Fire line requires monitoring ($$$) • Does cost estimate include re-using insulation?
Useful Life: 15 years Cost: Varies Greatly
4/11/2016 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 43 Fire Alarm Panel
• Replacement due to failure, technology upgrade or code change • Compatibility may warrant replacement of both panel and devices • Proprietary (Simplex & Notifier) panels and Larger buildings cost more.
Useful Life: 20 years Cost: $3,000 to $8,000 Cost: $10,000 to $15,000
4/11/2016 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 44 Fire Alarm Panel (FAP) Batteries
• Inspected/tested annually. • Required to be replaced every 3 years • Paid for out of Operating Budget
Useful Life: 3 years Cost: $150 to $350
4/11/2016 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 45 Smoke Detectors, Pull Stations & Exit signs
• Includes parts, labor and Programming • Likely coincide with panel replacement
Useful Life: 20 years Cost: $150 to $250 Each
4/11/2016 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 46 Horns & Strobes
• Includes parts, labor and Programming • Likely Coincide with panel replacement • 1996 Code changes require synchronization. • Current codes require closer spacing of strobes • Result= Add more strobes – Add 15% • Historically emphasis on Detection now many buildings sprinklered emphasis on notification
Useful Life: 20 years Cost: $150 to $250 Each
4/11/2016 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 47 Fire Bell, Flow Switch, Tamper Switch
Includes parts, labor and Programming
Useful Life: 10 to 15 Years Cost: $150 to $250 Each
4/11/2016 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 48 Fire Extinguishers
•NFPA 10 • Yearly inspections covered under Operating Budget • Internal examination at 6-year interval – Typically more cost effective to replace • Hydrostatic test at 12-years – If replaced at 6 years not required
Useful Life: 6 years Cost: $40/fixture • * Add $200 for service call if minimal amount of fixtures
4/11/2016 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 49 Resources
Call your local contractor they are the BEST resource.
• NFPA 25-Inspection Testing & Maintenance • NFPA 13-Fire Sprinkler Systems • NFPA 72- Fire Alarm Systems • NFPA 10-Fire Extinguishers Final Comments
• Better understanding of the components • Validate costs and useful life with local contractors • Inspection testing and maintenance is imperative. • Greater uncertainty the older the building –Costs – Components starting to reach end of life • Passive components imperative • Active systems sit dormant called to act. – Inspection testing and maintenance important
• Towering Inferno, is a must!
4/11/2016 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 51 Questions?
4/11/2016 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 52