WELCOME 3/1/2017 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 1 Name That Movie? 3/1/2017 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 2 Towering Inferno (1974) 3/1/2017 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 Incredibles (2004); Sprinklers • Fire prevention measures are built in ALL around us • Real fire protection not as “cool” as Hollywood 3/1/2017 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 principles. • M.S. Fire Protection Engineering • B.S., Mechanical Engineering Fire Protection 2001- Present (15 years) Licensed Fire Protection Engineer (Oregon) Reserve Studies 2010-Present (6 years) • Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS) • NICET Level III Certified, Automatic Sprinkler System 3/1/2017 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! 3/1/2017 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 3/1/2017 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 • Dead-ends • Confusing paths (Casinos) • Hallway & door width, stair treads height and width • Door swing direction 3/1/2017 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 – Bullet manufacturer/Explosion • Aspirating Type Smoke Detection 3/1/2017 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 10 ACTIVE FIRE PROTECTION- ALARM NOTIFICATION • Notification • Visual – Strobes • Audible – Horns • Public Address System • Mass Notification System 3/1/2017 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 11 ACTIVE FIRE PROTECTION- SUPPRESSION Wet System Dry System Fire Extinguisher Water mist Foam System Special Chemical Halon-Stops Chemical reaction Hybrid 3/1/2017 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 3/1/2017 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. 3/1/2017 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 3/1/2017 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 15 ACTIVE FIRE PROTECTION- SUPPRESSION-DRY • Supply • Valve • Drain • FDC • Bell • Pressure Switch • Main • Line • Heads • Insp./ Test 3/1/2017 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 16 ACTIVE FIRE PROTECTION- SUPPRESSION-DRY VS WET Flow Switch Dry Pipe Valve Pressure Switch 3/1/2017 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 17 INSTITUTIONAL CONTROL • Housekeeping • Storage and processes • Fire Drill • Testing, Inspection & Maintenance • Replacement 3/1/2017 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 18 FIRE PROTECTION AS A WHOLE • Assessing the Risk • Passive Fire Protection • Active Fire Protection • Institutional Controls 3/1/2017 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” 3/1/2017 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 21 SIGNS OF FAILURE • Rusting or oxidizing sprinkler heads • Paint on sprinkler bulbs or link • Damaged pipe or sprinkler head • Plastic Pipe (CPVC) typically not exposed • Nothing on plastic – No wires (softener) – No sharpies – No Paint 3/1/2017 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 • Fire alarm company different than the monitoring company • What to look for in report – Date, proof testing and inspection completed – Any impairments reported. If so, disclose and inquire Example: “Replaced 3 leaking heads…” 3/1/2017 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 23 GENERAL • Chained Doors • Chained Valves – Can be normal • Blocked FDC • Fire hydrant Interference • Signs of leaks 3/1/2017 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 – Life safety systems are dormant for long periods then called into action 3/1/2017 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 3/1/2017 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 27 FIRE SPRINKLER INSPECTION- 5 YEAR NFPA 25 (2013) Table 5.1.1.2 3/1/2017 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 28 FIRE SPRINKLER INSPECTION- PIPE OBSTRUCTION NFPA “white paper” NFPA 25 3/1/2017 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 29 FIRE SPRINKLER INSPECTION- GAUGES NFPA 25 (2013) 3/1/2017 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 30 FIRE SPRINKLER INSPECTION- SPRINKLER HEADS NFPA 25 (2013) • How to know if it is quick response or standard response? QR or SR • What is a “representative sample? 3/1/2017 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 31 FIRE SPRINKLER INSPECTION- DRY HEADS NFPA 25 • Dry Head vs Dry System • Coastal properties • Corrosive resistant heads or wax cover • Heads replaced regardless; Area can’t be left unprotected. 3/1/2017 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 • What do they do? – Test lights on panel – Visual inspection of devices – Test smoke detectors & verify on panel – Test tampers and flow switches – Confirm signal with central monitoring station – Load test batteries • Replace failed devices as needed • Unlike NFPA 25 specific 5 year or 10 year requirements Useful Life: 0 years Cost: Operating Budget 3/1/2017 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 34 USEFUL LIFE & COST The “Good Stuff”! • Individual components FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM-5 YEAR INSPECTION • Global replacement of a whole fire sprinkler system is RARE. • Budget for 5 year inspection • What do they do at 5 year inspection? – See NFPA 25 Table 5.1.1.2 • Flow water • Test gauges • Open and close valves Useful Life: 5 years Cost: 2x or 3x Annual Inspection Cost 3/1/2017 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 36 FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM- SPRINKLER HEADS • Global replacement of all heads is RARE. • Continue “inspection & testing” every 5 years • No mandate to replace. • Global replacement hard to predict – Replacement of all heads would occur if: • Heads fail at 5 year test • Remodel may force code upgrade • Insurance incentive • Faulty heads Useful Life: 50 -75 years Cost: $150 to $500/head 3/1/2017 APRA Symposium (2016) -Fire Protection 37 FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM-PIPE