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What Is Fire Protection?

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What Is Fire Protection? 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
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