ABUTLN2
Electrical, Electronic, and Mechanical
Systems in Buildings
Module 11
FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM IN BUILDINGS
Prepared by:
Ar. JOFFREY C. CHUNG, MEM
October, 2020
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. OBJECTIVES VII. SMOKE CONTROL
II. KEY ELEMENTS VIII.FIRE SUPPRESSION
III. FIRE HAZARDS TRIANGLE
IV. DETECTION & ALARM
SYSTEM
V. EXITS: MEANS OF EGRESS
VI. COMPARTMENTATION
I. OBJECTIVES OF FIRE PROTECTION PROGRAM
What is the objective of fire protection in a building?
• Maintain life safety
• Protection of property
• Minimize business interruption
II. KEY ELEMENTS OF FIRE PROTECTION
What are the elements of fire protection?
1. Early Detection & Alarm System
2. Means of Egress
3. Compartmentation
4. Smoke Control
5. Fire Suppression System
6. Emergency Power
III. FIRE HAZARDS TRIANGLE
What are the elements in a Fire Hazards Triangle?
1. Smoke
2. Heat
3. Time
IV. DETECTION & ALARM SYSTEM
A. DETECTORS
Signal initiator in a fire detection & alarm system
1. Heat: least expensive and widely used; the simplest and
most reliable, but takes time to detect fire.
2. Smoke: photoelectric in operation and detects smoke in the
smoldering stage; best suited where fire is anticipated
to produce large volumes of smoke before temperature
increases
3. Ionization: very sensitive as it detects fire during the incipient
(fast-burning open combustion) stage; expensive
compared to other types and susceptible in false
alarms; effective in detecting fires from electrical
overload and open-flame fires
IV. DETECTION & ALARM SYSTEM
A. DETECTORS
(Continued)
4. Flame: suitable to fire accidents where smoke is not generated
first like gasoline; responds to infrared or ultraviolet
radiation
5. Water flow: used for buildings with partial or complete fire
sprinkler system
6. Manual Pull Station: contains a glass rod that is broken to
move or actuate the switch restrained by a spring
IV. DETECTION & ALARM SYSTEM
A. DETECTORS
HEAT DETECTOR IONIZATION SMOKE DETECTOR
DETECTOR
FIRE DETECTOR WATER FLOW DETECTOR MANUAL PULL STATION
IV. DETECTION & ALARM SYSTEM
B. ALARMS
Means of alerting occupants in an emergency evacuation
1. Fire Alarm: actuates fire extinguishing or protection
functions (operates dampers, fans, etc.)
2. Alarm Indicator: sends coded signals like sirens, bells, or
flashing lights
3. Annunciation: delineate exact location of alarm-initiating
device; has indicator light for each zone
covered by panel
IV. DETECTION & ALARM SYSTEM
B. ALARMS
4. Electric Supervision: automatically sounds when electricity
supply is cut off
5. Emergency Power: Alarm system switches on the use of
24V DC battery supply
IV. DETECTION & ALARM SYSTEM
B. ALARMS
ALARM INDICATOR
BUILDING FIRE ALARMS
ALARM ANUNCIATOR EMERGENCY POWER
IV. DETECTION & ALARM SYSTEM
C. COMBINING FUNCTIONS
Integrates the control function of HVAC, intercom & security, and
other building functions
D. VOICE FIRE ALARMS
For high-rise building, for public address system
D. FIRE-FIGHTERS’ COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
Composed of simple intercom system for use between fire fighters'
stations
D. PUBLIC EMERGENCY REPORTING SYSTEM (PERS)
When handset is lifted, operator is in direct communication with
other PERS stations
IV. DETECTION & ALARM SYSTEM
B. ALARMS
VOICE FIRE ALARMS PUBLIC EMERGENCY
REPORTING SYSTEM
V. EXITS: MEANS OF EGRESS
A. EXITS: MEANS OF EGRESS
1. Elevators: Smoke shafts (elevator shaft) carry smoke
upward by stack effect and out of the vent
opening; elevator codes requiring automatic
fire recall system, which makes elevator return
to a predetermined lower floor and park with
doors open
2. Exit Signs: To indicate reliably the proper path
VI. COMPARTMENTATION
A. COMPARTMENTATION
Means dividing a building or large space into two or more separate
enclosures, each totally enclosed within fire-barrier envelope
consisting of floor / ceiling assemblies and walls; purpose is to protect
building occupants and property by:
• Confining the fire, heat, smoke, and toxic gases to the area of origin
until fire is extinguished or has completely burned itself out
• Provide areas of refuge for the occupants and protect fire fighters
1. Confinement: walls / partitions with fire-resistance ratings
2. Area of Refuge: areas free from smoke, gas, heat, fire, and
structurally capable of sustaining essential
services, with direct access to stairs, fire doors,
and intercom system
VII. SMOKE CONTROL
A. GENERAL
• In actual, smoke accounts for more than 80% of all casualties in
fire accidents than the fire itself, 20% resulting from heat
exposure.
• Smoke from plastics compounded by the increase of toxicity,
volumes of smoke, and fire gases generated by polymers are
considered very fatal.
• The following should be considered when judging the relative
hazards of service materials in buildings:
1. Ease of ignition
2. Rate of flame spread
3. Rate of heat release
VII. SMOKE CONTROL
A. GENERAL
(Continued)
4. Rate of carbon monoxide production
5. Toxicity of combustion products
a. Rate of toxic gas released during combustion or not
b. Flammability of gas released
c. Physiological effects
d. Damage to other materials
6. Ability to be extinguished
7. Basic integrity of product
8. Number of burning
VII. SMOKE CONTROL
B. METHODS OF SMOKE CONTROL
1. Smoke Management – passive method either by using fire
barriers or compartmentation, smoke vents, and smoke shafts
2. Smoke Control System – the use of mechanical fans and
pressure differences to control movement of smoke
a. Use of pressure difference to create airflow which in turn,
controls smoke
b. Pressurization of stairwells
c. Compartmentation of stairwells
d. Zone smoke control (ex. Area of refuge)
e. Fire dampers
f. Fire & smoke detectors
g. Smoke removal
VII. SMOKE CONTROL
B. METHODS OF SMOKE CONTROL
PRESSURIZING STAIRWELL
STAIRWELL COMPARTMENTATION
VII. SMOKE CONTROL
B. METHODS OF SMOKE CONTROL
PRESSURIZING STAIRWELL
STAIRWELL COMPARTMENTATION
VIII.FIRE SUPPRESSION
A. GENERAL
• Three (3) essential elements in sustaining a fire are: fuel, heat, &
oxygen. An absence of one of these elements will stop a fire.
• High rise buildings, as defined in fire codes, should satisfy these
three (3) conditions:
1. Building is too high for fire departments to reach all floors
from the ground.
2. Building requires an inordinate length of time to evacuate all
its occupants.
3. Building is capable of creating a stack effect internally.
VIII.FIRE SUPPRESSION
A. GENERAL
FIRE TRIANGLE
VIII.FIRE SUPPRESSION
B. FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM
1. Sprinkler System
This is a fire protection system, usually automatic, which when
actuated, sprays fire suppressing substances over a large area in
a systematic pattern.
It usually consists of a network of specially sized or hydraulically
design piping, installed generally overhead (ceiling), and supplied
commonly with water, gas, or chemicals which are discharged and
dispersed thru the actuation of automatic sprinkler heads. These
heads are fitted with fusible links or glass / quartzoid bulbs, which
break at temperature 68 - 180°C. Fire sprinkler systems using
water is supplied with such either from house tank or public water
mains.
VIII.FIRE SUPPRESSION
B. FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM
2. Types of Sprinkler Heads
a. Upright: Installed above the supply pipe with the orifice
facing upward and deflector situated on top
b. Pendant: Head hangs down from the pipe with the orifice
or opening facing downward and deflector
located below.
c. Side Walls: Installed on top of walls in side position
VIII.FIRE SUPPRESSION
B. FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM
SPRINKLER HEADS
VIII.FIRE SUPPRESSION
B. FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM
3. Occupancy Hazard Classification
a. Light: Density of water discharge is at max. of 18m2
protection area allotted per sprinkler head, with
allowed horizontal distance of 4.60m between
lines and between sprinkler heads. Staggered
arrangement is not allowed.
b. Ordinary: 12m2 per head for protection area of non-
combustible ceiling and 11m2 for combustible
ceilings; allowed horizontal distance of 4.60m
between lines and between sprinkler heads.
Staggered arrangement is allowed.
VIII.FIRE SUPPRESSION
B. FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM
3. Occupancy Hazard Classification
c. Extra: 8.40m2 per head for protection area for non-
combustible ceiling & 7.40m2 for combustible
ceilings; allowed horizontal distance of 3.70m
between lines and between sprinkler heads.
Staggered arrangement is allowed.
VIII.FIRE SUPPRESSION
B. FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM
4. Piping System
a. Wet: Individual sprinklers over the fire or damaged
areas are opened by increased temperature
b. Dry: Pipes are filled with air under pressure. When
heads open, air escapes and water is admitted
before flowing out of the heads.
c. Pre-Action: Water is held back by a deluge valve until it is
actuated by an alarm, which opens the valve
for water to enter the piping system. Water
only comes out when heads open.
VIII.FIRE SUPPRESSION
B. FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM
WET AND DRY PIPE SYSTEMS
VIII.FIRE SUPPRESSION
B. FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM
4. Piping System
d. Deluge: Delivers the most water in least time; wets
down an entire area by admitting water to
sprinklers that open all at the same time.
e. Water Fog: Used for highly flammable solids or liquids like
petroleum oils, gas, and fast burning explosive
powders
f. Liquid Foam: provides a smothering action and minimum
use of water
VIII.FIRE SUPPRESSION
B. FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM
PRE-ACTION AND DELUGE SYSTEM
VIII.FIRE SUPPRESSION
B. FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM
WATER FOGSYSTEM
VIII.FIRE SUPPRESSION
C. SPECIAL FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM
1. Automatic Gas System
a. Carbon Dioxide: Suitable in areas with dangerous
concentrations of flammable vapors
b. Halogenated Hydrocarbon: Extinguishes fire by interfering
with the chemistry of combustion rather than
excluding oxygen
c. High-Expansion Foam: Uses only small quantity of
water and suitable for use in confined areas
VIII.FIRE SUPPRESSION
C. SPECIAL FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM
1. Automatic Gas System
CARBON DIOXIDE SYSTEM HIGH-EXPANSION DRY CHEMICAL
FOAM SYSTEM
VIII.FIRE SUPPRESSION
C. SPECIAL FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM
2. Dry Chemicals
This method introduces dry chemical with sodium bicarbonate
base into the plenum chamber and ducts in sufficient
concentration to extinguish the fire in seconds. When the
system discharges, it automatically cuts off the supply of heat
to the stove or appliance, whether electrical or gas.
VIII.FIRE SUPPRESSION
D. MANUAL FIRE FIGHTING SYSTEM
This includes fire extinguishers and Fire Hose Cabinets (FHC), and
hose standpipe (SP) systems to distribute water to hose stations.
Outdoor siamese connections separate from those serving
automatic sprinkler systems can supply auxiliary water to standpipe
systems.
FIRE HOSE CABINET STANDPIPE SYSTEM
