Fire Protection System

Building classification for Fire system as per NBC

• Fire Protection
• Fire protection refers to measures taken to
prevent fire from becoming destructive, reduce
the impact of an uncontrolled fire, and save
lives and property.
• A method of fire protection involves the conveyance of
water through pipes to extinguish fire within a building .
• Water may be supplied through riser pipes or standpipes. A
riser or standpipes with hose connections in a tall buildings
may be fed from storage tank, from pump or from a mobile
pumping engine in the street
• Automatic sprinkler are the devices that discharge water
automatically when the temperature of air surrounding
sprinkler reaches a predetermined level.
• Portable Fire extinguishers can be used for immediate for
protection
Typical set up for Fire protection system
• Potable Fire Extinguisher:
• Water type
• Foam type
• CO2 type
• Dry Powder type
• Fire Fighting Equipment:
• Fire Pump system
• Fire Brigade Vehicles
• Fire Hose’s
• Fire Hydrant Equipment
• Gas Masks
• Breathing Apparatus
• Branch Pipe & Nozzles
Typical set up for Fire protection system
• Fixed Installation:
• Sprinkler System with pumps
• Foam Injection System
• Fire Hydrant System with pumps
• CO2 suppression System
• P.P.E (Personal Protective Equipment
• Safety Goggles
• Safety Helmet/Shoes
• Rubber Gloves
• Respiratory Equipment
• Chemical Suits
• Fire Suits
Some guidelines to fight the Fire
• How to Fight a Fire Safely:
• Always stand with an exit at your back.
• Stand several feet away from the fire, moving closer once the fire starts to
diminish.
• Use a sweeping motion and aim at the base of the fire.
• If possible, use a "buddy system" to have someone back you up or call for help
if something goes wrong.
• Be sure to watch the area for awhile to ensure it doesn't re-ignite.
• Never Fight a fire if:
• The fire is spreading rapidly. Only use a fire extinguisher when the fire is in its
early stages. If the fire is already spreading quickly, evacuate and call the FIRE
BRIGADE
• You don't know what is burning. Unless you know what is burning, you won’t
know what type of fire extinguisher to use. Even if you have an ABC
extinguisher, there could be something that will explode or produce highly toxic
smoke
• There is too much smoke or you are at risk of inhaling smoke. Seven out of ten
fire-related deaths occur from breathing poisonous gases produced by the fire.
Guidelines to fight the Fire
• Inspect fire extinguishers at least once a month. Fire
extinguisher maintenance is important for everyone’s safety.
• You must ensure that:
• The extinguisher is not blocked by equipment, coats or
other objects that could interfere with access in an
emergency.
• The pressure is at the recommended level. On extinguishers
equipped with a gauge, the needle should be in the green
zone – not too high and not too low.
• The nozzle or other parts are not hindered in any way. The
pin and tamper seal (if it has one) are intact.
• There are no dents, leaks, rust, chemical deposits and/or
other signs of abuse/wear. Wipe off any corrosive
chemicals, oil, gunk etc. that may have deposited on the
extinguisher.
Guide lines to fight the Fire
• Some manufacturers recommend shaking your dry chemical
extinguishers once a month to prevent the powder from
settling/packing.
• If the extinguisher is damaged or needs recharging, replace it
immediately.
• A typical fire extinguisher contains 10 seconds of
extinguishing power. This could be less if it has already been
partially discharged.
• Always read the instructions that come with the fire
extinguisher beforehand and become familiarized with its
parts. It is highly recommended by fire prevention experts
that you get hands-on training before operating a fire
extinguisher. Once the fire is out, don't walk away! Watch the
area for a few minutes in case it reignites.
• IMPORTANT: Recharge all extinguishers immediately after
use regardless of how much they were used
Guide lines to fight the Fire
• Remember R A C E
• RESCUE : Rescue any people in immediate danger (only if
it safe to do so).
• ALARM : Raise the alarm, ring the Fire Brigades on 16,
notify your switchboard, notify the staff member in charge
• CONTAIN : If practicable, close all doors and windows to
contain the fire (only if it safe to do so)
• EXTINGUISH : Try to extinguish the fire using appropriate
fire fighting equipment only if you are trained & its Safe to
do so
• After carrying out RACE:
• Follow the instructions of your Fire Wardens
• Prepare to evacuate if necessary
• Leave the lights on
• Save records if possible
 Evacuation :
• Evacuation is the rapid removal of people in a safe and orderly
manner from immediate or threatened danger in a workplace.
• Alert the Fire officer and other staff.
• Ensure the emergency services have been notified
• Assembly : Tell staff which assembly areas is to be used
• Evacuate : staff and visitors in the following order:
• Out of immediate danger (e.g. out of room)
• Out of compartment (e.g. through the fire doors or smoke doors)
or
• to a lower level of the building Total evacuation of the building.
• Check : Check all rooms, especially change rooms, toilets,
behind doors, storage areas etc.
• Records : Save as many records as possible if it is safe to do so.
• Head count : Do a head count of all staff, contractors and
visitors.
• Report : To the Fire Officer and notify emergency services of any
people unaccounted
• Passive Fire Protection
• Passive Fire Protection (PFP) is an integral component
of the three components of structural fire protection and
fire safety in a building. PFP attempts to contain fires or
slow the spread, through use of fire-resistant walls,
floors, and doors (amongst other examples).

Active fire protection

• Active Fire Protection (AFP) is an integral part
of fir protection. AFP is characterised by items
and/or systems which require a certain amount of
motion and response I order to work, contrary to
passive fire protection.
Passive Fire Protection (PFP)
• Passive Fire Protection (PFP) is an integral component of the
three components of structural fire protection and fire safety in
a building
• PFP includes compartmentalization of the overall building
through the use of fire-resistance rated walls and floors.
Organization into smaller fire compartments, consisting of one
or more rooms or floors, prevents or slows the spread of fire
from the room of fire origin to other building spaces, limiting
building damage and providing more time to the building
occupants for emergency evacuation or to reach an area of
refuge.
• Fire prevention includes minimizing ignition sources, as well
as educating the occupants and operators of the facility, ship or
structure concerning operation and maintenance of fire-related
systems for correct function, and emergency procedures
including notification for fire service response and emergency
evacuation.
Passive fire protection
• The aim for Passive Fire Protection systems is typically
demonstrated in fire testing the ability to maintain the item or
the side to be protected at or below either 140 °C (for walls,
floors and electrical circuits required to have a fire resistance
rating) or ca. 550 °C, which is considered the critical
temperature for structural steel, above which it is in jeopardy
of losing its strength, leading to collapse. Smaller
components, such as fire dampers, fire doors, etc., follow suit
in the main intentions of the basic standard for walls and
floors.
• Fire testing involves live fire exposures upwards of 1100 °C,
depending on the fire resistance rating and duration one is
after. More items than just fire exposures are typically
required to be tested to ensure the survivability of the system
under realistic conditions.
• To accomplish these aims, many different types of materials
are employed in the design and construction of systems
Passive Fire Protection (PFP)

• PFP measures are intended to contain a fire in the fire

compartment of origin, thus limiting the spread of fire
and smoke for a limited period of time.
• PPF measures such as fire stops, fire walls and fire
doors are tested to determine the fire resistance rating of
the final assembly usually expressed in terms of hours of
fire resistance (e.g., ⅓, ¾, 1, 1½, 2, 3, 4 hour)etc.
• PFP attempts to contain fires or slow the spread, through
use of fire resistant walls, floors, and doors (amongst
other examples).
Some example of Passive fire protection
• Fire door(assembly): A door or shutter provided for the
passage of persons, air or objects which together with
its frame and furniture as installed in a building is
intended when closed, to resist the passage of fire
and/or gaseous products of combustion and is capable
of meeting specified performance criteria to those ends.
• Fire-resisting door set: A complete installed door
assembly comprising door frame, door leaves, building
hardware, seals and any glazing that, when closed, is
intended to resist the passage of fire and smoke in
accordance with specified performance criteria.
• Fire-resisting glazed screen: Glazed structure or
window incorporating fire-resisting glass and designed
to resist the spread of fire and the gaseous products of
combustion for a stipulated period of time.
Some example of Passive fire protection
• Fire-resisting glass: A glass that demonstrates its ability to
meet the defined heating and pressure conditions specified in
Fire resistance Test (or any other National or International fire
resistance test method). Typically, the glass will be clear,
textured, toughened, laminated or wired and may incorporate
special features such as coatings or laminations that enable
the glass to achieve a particular fire performance in terms of
integrity and insulation.
• Fire-resisting ductwork: Ventilation or extraction ductwork
designed to contain fire and the products of combustion in a
manner that does not allow passage to other parts of the
building from the compartment of origin for a stipulated time
period.
• Fire-resisting partition: An internal non load bearing
vertical dividing structure designed to resist the spread of fire,
heat, and the products of combustion for a stipulated period
of time. Such a partition can include a glazed section or a fire
door.
• Fire-resisting suspended ceiling: A suspended ceiling
designed to contribute to the overall fire resistance of a
floor assembly or to prevent the collapse of steel beams
supporting a floor or roof, for a stipulated period of time.
It may also provide fire resistance as a membrane in the
same way as a partition
• Fire-resisting luminaire: Lighting structure or fitting for
suspended ceilings designed to resist the spread of fire
and the products of combustion for a stipulated period of
time. It is required to be tested for integrity when fitted to
an individual manufacturer’s suspended ceiling.
Fire resistance glass Fire resistance door
 Building construction type to calculate fire rated wall thickness
• NFPA Construction Types
NFPA 220 breaks down building construction into five different types
which relate to the material, each one of these types is numbered one
through five (in roman numerals). When codes and standards refer to the
type of construction required or permitted there are three numbers in
parenthesis that follow the type of construction. These numbers indicate
the fire resistance rating in hours of different structural elements that are
required. The image below gives an example of how you might see this
rating in a document and explains the different types as well as the
following numbers.
• Type I: Noncombustible (or limited-combustible) construction with a
high level of fire resistance, typically concrete construction.
• Type II: Noncombustible (or limited-combustible) construction with a
lower level of fire resistance than Type I, typically this is steel
construction with or without fireproofing.
• Type III: Exterior walls and structural elements are noncombustible or
limited-combustible materials, and interior structural elements, walls,
arches, floors, and roofs are wood that is smaller than what is required
for Type IV construction. This is usually called ordinary construction
and an example of this is a mixed masonry/wood building
Typical fire rating as per IS 1642
Typical minimum wall thickness as per Fire rating in hours as per IS 1642
 Categories of Active Fire Protection
• Active Fire Protection (AFP) is an integral part of fire
protection. AFP is characterised by items and/or
systems, which require a certain amount of motion and
response in order to work, contrary to passive fire
protection
 Categories of Active Fire Protection
• Fire suppression
• Fire can be controlled or extinguished, either manually
(firefighting) or automatically. Manual includes the use of a fire
extinguisher or a Standpipe system. Automatic means can include
a fire sprinkler system, a gaseous clean agent, or firefighting
foam system. Automatic suppression systems would usually be
found in large commercial kitchens or other high-risk areas.
• Sprinkler systems
• Fire sprinkler systems are installed in all types of buildings,
commercial and residential. They are usually located at ceiling
level and are connected to a reliable water source, most
commonly city water. A typical sprinkler system operates when
heat at the site of a fire causes a glass component in the sprinkler
head to fail, thereby releasing the water from the sprinkler head.
This means that only the sprinkler head at the fire location
operates - not all the sprinklers on a floor or in a building.
Sprinkler systems help to reduce the growth of a fire, thereby
increasing life safety and limiting structural damage
Categories of Active Fire Protection
• Fire detection
• Fire is detected either by locating the smoke, flame or
heat, and an alarm is sounded to enable emergency
evacuation as well as to dispatch the local fire
department. An introduction to fire detection and
suppression can be found here. Where a detection
system is activated, it can be programmed to carry out
other actions. These include de-energising magnetic
hold open devices on Fire doors and opening servo-
actuated vents in stairways.
• Construction and maintenance
• All Active Fire Protection systems are required to be
installed and maintained in accordance with strict
guidelines in order to maintain compliance with the
local building code
 PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHER
• A portable fire extinguisher by definition is an item of
equipment for the purpose of extinguishing a fire. The
reality is however that a portable fire extinguisher is
effective only for the type and size of a fire that it is rated
for.
• Portable fire extinguishers are generally provided as
"first attack" units in fire fighting and should be used
only in early stages of fire before the fire grows to a stage
that is beyond the capacity of the extinguisher. There are
broadly four types of fire extinguisher; Water, Foam, Dry
Chemical Powder, Carbon Dioxide. The selection of an
extinguisher must be made with the class of fire in mind.
 THE FOUR TYPES OF FIRE EQUIPMENT
1. Dry Powder Fire Extinguisher– it has a black band
around the body and is used for extinguishing electrical
and liquid fires.
2. Foam Fire Extinguisher – this has a yellow band
around the body and is used for extinguishing oil fires.
3. Water Fire Extinguisher – this has a red band
contained between two thin white bands around the
body. It is used to extinguish paper, wood and cloth.
4. CO2 Fire Extinguisher – this has a black band around
the body and is used to extinguish electrical and liquid
fires.

Remember, only the Dry Powder and CO2

extinguishers should be used on electrical fires.
Fire Extinguisher Anatomy

PRESSURE GAUGE
DISCHARGE LEVER
(not found on CO2
extinguishers)
DISCHARGE LOCKING PIN CARRYING
AND SEAL HANDLE

DISCHARGE HOSE

DATA PLATE

DISCHARGE NOZZLE BODY

DISCHARGE ORIFICE
Typical Fire Extinguisher
• Selection of Fire Extinguisher
Fire Extinguisher Types
A Trash Wood Paper
PRESSURIZED WATER
A Trash Wood Paper

• Class “A” fires only

• 2.5 gal. water
(up to 1 minute discharge time)
B Liquids Grease
B Liquids Grease • Has pressure gauge to allow
visual capacity check
• 30-40 ft. maximum effective
range
C Electrical Equipment
C Electrical Equipment • Can be started and stopped as
necessary
• Extinguishes by cooling
burning material below the
ignition point.
Fire Extinguisher Types (cont.)
A Trash Wood Paper
A Trash Wood Paper
CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2)
• Class “B” or “C” fires
• 2.5-100 lb. of CO2
(8-30 seconds discharge time)
B Liquids Grease
B Liquids Grease • Has NO pressure gauge--
capacity verified by weight
• 3-8 ft. maximum effective range
• Extinguishes by smothering
C Electrical Equipment
C Electrical Equipment
burning materials
• Effectiveness decreases as
temperature of burning material
increases.
Fire Extinguisher Types (cont.)
MULTIPURPOSE DRY CHEMICAL
• Class “A”, “B”, or “C” fires
A Trash Wood Paper
A Trash Wood Paper

• 2.5-20 lb. dry chemical

(ammonium phosphate)
8-25 seconds discharge
B Liquids Grease
B Liquids Grease time)
• Has pressure gauge to allow
visual capacity check
• 5-20 ft. maximum effective
C Electrical Equipment
C Electrical Equipment range
• Extinguishes by smothering
burning materials.
 Installation of Fire Extinguishers
• Number of Extinguishers. The minimum number of fire
extinguishers needed to protect a property shall be
determined as per code .
• Placement : Fire extinguishers shall be conspicuously located
where they are readily accessible and immediately available in
the event of fire. Fire extinguishers shall be located along
normal paths of travel, including exits from areas.
• Visual Obstructions: Fire extinguishers shall not be obstructed
or obscured from view. In large rooms, and in certain locations
where visual obstructions cannot be completely avoided,
means shall be provided to indicate the extinguisher location
• Location :Portable fire extinguishers other than wheeled
extinguishers shall be installed using any of the following
means:
• Securely on a hanger intended for the extinguisher.
• In the bracket supplied by the extinguisher manufacturer.
• In a listed bracket approved for such purpose.
• In cabinets or wall recesses.
 Installation Height.
• Fire extinguishers having a gross weight not exceeding
18.14 kg shall be installed so that the top of the fire
extinguisher is not more than 5 ft above the floor.
• Fire extinguishers having a gross weight greater than
18.14 kg (except wheeled types) shall be installed so that
the top of the fire extinguisher is not more than 3.5
above the floor.
• In no case shall the clearance between the bottom of the
fire extinguisher and the floor be less than 4 inch or 102
mm.
• Extinguishers’ operating instructions shall be located on
the front of the extinguisher and shall be clearly visible.
Suitability of Extinguishers as per IS code
Suitability of Different Types of Fire Extinguishers for Different Classes of Fires

Type of
SI No. Type of Extinguisher
Fires

A B C D

i) Fire extinguisher, water type (gas cartridge), IS 940 and IS 13385 S NS NS NS

ii) Fire extinguisher, water type (stored pressure), IS 6234 S NS NS NS

iii) Fire extinguisher, mechanical foam type (gas cartridge), IS 10204 and IS 13386 S S NS NS
Fire extinguisher, mechanical foam type (stored pressure), IS 14951 and IS
iv) S S NS NS
15397
V) Fire extinguisher, dry powder type (stored pressure), IS 13849 S S S NS

vi) Fire extinguisher, dry powder type (gas cartridge), IS 2171 and IS 10658 S S S NS

vii) Fire extinguisher, dry powder type for metal fires, IS 11833 NS NS NS S

viii) Fire extinguisher, carbon dioxide type, IS 2878 and IS 8149 NS S S NS

ix) Fire extinguisher, clean agent gas type, IS 15683 S S S NS

x) Fire extinguisher, halon 1211 type, IS 4862 (Part I) and IS 11108 S S S NS

NOTE
S – Suitable, NS – Not Suitable.
S
Occupancies classified according to IS 1641 are given together with nature of fire hazard and type of fire risk along with typical examples
Occupancies classified according to IS 1641 are given together with nature of fire hazard and type of fire risk
along with typical examples
Extinguisher rating
The number 10 indicates that the extinguisher fights Class B fires as large as 10 square feet

For each A, the extinguisher contains the equivalent of 1.25 gallons of water. Thus, an “8A”
extinguisher fights Class A fires as well as 10 gallons of water (8 x 1.25 = 10), and a 40A extinguisher
offers 50 gallons' worth of firefighting power For each B, the extinguisher can stop one square foot
of Class B fires. A 10B extinguisher can stop 10 square feet of Class B fire, a 20B extinguisher can
stop 20 square feet, and so on.
Selection of Fire extinguisher as per IS 2190
Fire Extinguisher Size and Placement for Class A Hazards

Light (Low)
Ordinary (Moderate) Extra (High) Hazard
SI No. Criteria Hazard
Hazard Occupancy Occupancy
Occupancy

Minimum rated single

i)
extinguisher 1-A 1-A 2-A

Maximum floor area per

ii)
unit of A, m2 280 140 90

Maximum floor area for

iii)
extinguisher, m 3 430 3 430 3 430

Maximum travel distance

iv)
to extinguisher, m 15 15 15
Selection of Fire extinguisher as per IS 2190

Fire Extinguisher Size and Placement for Class B Hazards

Type of Basic Minimum Maximum Travel Distance

SI No.
Hazard Extinguisher Rating to Extinguishers m

8-B Less than 9

i) Light (low)
13-B 15

Ordinary
ii) 21-B 15
(moderate)

Extra
iii) 34-B 15
(high)

Fire Extinguisher Size and Placement for Class C Hazards : Fire extinguishers with Class C ratings
shall be required where energized electrical equipment can be encountered. This requirement includes situations where
fire either directly involves or surrounds electrical equipment. Since the fire itself is a Class A or Class B hazard, the fire
extinguishers shall be sized and located on the basis of the anticipated Class A or Class B hazard.
• Fire Extinguisher Size and Placement for
Class D Hazards
• Fire extinguishers Or extinguishing agents with
Class D ratings shall be provided for fire involving
combustible metals.
• Fire extinguishers or extinguishing agents (media)
shall be located not more than 15 m of travel
distance from the Class D hazard.
• Size determination shall be on the basis of the
specific combustible metal, its physical particle
size, area to be covered, and recommendations by
the fire extinguishers manufacturer on data from
control tests conducted.
RECOMMENDED SCALE OF FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO BE INSTALLED AS PER IS code

Class A Fire

One 9 litre water expelling extinguisher or ABC 5 kg/6 kg fire extinguisher, for every 200 m2 of floor area or part
LH Occupancy thereof with minimum of two extinguishers per compartment or floor of the building. The extinguishers should
be so located as to be available within 15 m radius.

Two 9 litre water expelling extinguishers or ABC 5 kg/6 kg fire extinguisher, for every 200 m2 with minimum of
MH Occupancy 4 extinguishers per compartment/floor. The extinguisher should be so located as to be available within 15 m
radius.

Provision as per MH occupancy; in addition to one 50 litre water CO2/25 kg ABC fire extinguisher for every 100
HH Occupancy
m2 of floor area or part thereof.

One 4.5 kg capacity carbon dioxide or one 2/3 kg capacity clean agent extinguisher for every 100 m2 of floor area
Special Hazard
or part thereof with minimum of two extinguishers so located as to be available within 10 m radius.

CLASS B FIRE

One 9 litre foam extinguisher, mechanical or BC or ABC, 5 kg/6 kg fire extinguisher, for every 200 m 2 of floor area
LH Occupancy or part thereof with minimum of two extinguishers per compartment or floor. The extinguishers should be 14so
located as to be available within 15 m radius.

Two 9 litre foam extinguisher, mechanical type, or 5/6 kg dry powder extinguisher (or one of each type) for every
MH Occupancy 200 m2 area with minimum of four extinguisher per compartment. Extinguisher should be available within 15 m
radius.

Provision as per MH, and in addition to one 50 litre mechanical foam type extinguisher or 25 kg BC fire
HH Occupancy extinguisher for every 100 m2 or part thereof one 135 litre foam mechanical extinguisher for every 300 m2 of floor
area or part thereof.
RECOMMENDED SCALE OF FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO BE INSTALLED AS PER IS code
CLASS C FIRE 2
One 2/3 kg dry powder of clean agent extinguisher for every 20 m of floor
LH Occupancy area or part thereof; extinguisher available within 15 m radius.

One 10 kg dry powder extinguisher (stored pressure) or 6.5 kg carbon

2
MH Occupancy dioxide extinguisher or 5 kg clean agent for 100 m of floor area or part
thereof, with minimum of one extinguishers of the same type for every
compartment; extinguisher should be available within a radius of 15 m.
Dry powder extinguisher (stored pressure) of 10 kg or 6.5 kg
2
HH Occupancy CO2 extinguisher, or 5 kg clean agent extinguisher for every 100 m of floor
area or part thereof, subject to a minimum of two extinguishers of same type
per room or compartment. Extinguishers should be available within a radius
of 10 m.

CLASS D FIRE
HH One 10 kg dry powder extinguisher with special dry powder for metal fires for every 100
2
Occupancy m of floor area or part thereof with minimum of two extinguishers per
compartment/room. Extinguishers should be available within a radius of 10 m.
NOTES
1. The recommendations are minimum for a specific area. In case, the area is more than specified, high
capacity extinguisher may be used based on these minimum requirements, that is proportionately
higher capacity can be used.
2. In case of dry powder/CO2/clean agent types, equivalent lower capacities may also be used.
3. The halons shall be restricted for essential use only.
4. On implementation of IS 15683, 6 kg and 9 kg dry powder extinguishers shall be replaced by 5 kg and
10 kg dry powder extinguishers.
Fire Extinguisher location guidelines
❖ When selecting locations for fire extinguishers, due consideration should be given to the nature of
risk to be covered. The extinguishers should be placed in conspicuous positions and shall be readily
accessible for immediate use in all parts of the occupancy. It should always be borne in mind while
selecting locations that fire extinguisher are intended only for the use on incipient fire and they will
be of little value if the fire is not extinguished or brought under control, in the early stages.
❖ Generally, fire extinguishers should be placed as near as possible to exits or stair lands without
hindering the escape routes. Wherever possible, advantage should be taken of normal routes of
escape by placing these in positions where these shall readily be seen by persons following the
natural impulse to get out of danger.
❖ The extinguishers should be available for immediate use at all times. Extinguishers should be sited
in such a way that the user may not have to travel more than 15 m from the site of the fire to reach
the extinguishers. Similar positions on each floor are advisable.
❖ Extinguishers provided to deal with special risks should be sited near to risk area concerned but
not so near as to be inaccessible in case of fire. If the special risk is contained in a confined space, it
is generally advisable to position the extinguisher outside that space
❖ The extinguisher should be placed either in a trolley or mounted on wall firmly.
❖ It may be necessary to construct suitable shades or covers to protect the extinguishers in the open
from excessive heat and cold as well as from corrosive environment. Where such shades or covers
are provided to house the extinguishers in the open, these should be designed so that the removal
of the extinguishers is not hampered in emergency.
❖ While selecting the location for higher capacity wheeled/trolley mounted extinguishers,
consideration should be given to the mobility of the extinguisher within the area in which it will be
used and, if indoors, the size of the doorways and passages which should allow easy movement of
the extinguisher.
❖ When installed in a building, the extinguisher should not be placed in a position where it is likely to
gain heat from the surrounding equipment or process.
❖ A framed plan showing the location of fire extinguishers, means of access and other useful
information should be displayed at suitable places on each floor, but should be available near to the
entrance to the premises preferably at the security gate or the reception office.
Fire Extinguisher placement as per NFPA
Travel distance to fire extinguisher placing
Typical DATA sheet for Fire extinguishers
Typical DATA sheet for Fire extinguishers
Typical DATA sheet for Fire extinguishers
Typical DATA sheet for Fire extinguishers
Typical DATA sheet for Fire extinguishers
Typical DATA sheet for Fire extinguishers
FM 200 Fire suppression system
• FM 200 is a halocarbon agent accepted as an alternative to halon for total
flooding fire suppression systems. After receiving the fire signal, FM
200 is discharged totally from the cylinders within 10 seconds to fill up
the space uniformly at the design concentration to extinguish the fire
• The main advantage of FM200 fire suppression, is the small amount of
agent required to suppress a fire. This means fewer cylinders, therefore
less wasted space for storage of FM200 cylinders.
• FM200 systems reach extinguishing levels in 10 seconds or less,
stopping ordinary combustible, electrical, and flammable liquid fires
before they cause significant damage.
• FM200 extinguishes the fire quickly, which means less damage, lower
repair costs. perfection
• Like any other fire suppression system, FM200 systems are designed
with an extra margin of safety for people. Refilling FM200 is simple and
cost effective, therefore, it also means less downtime and disruption to
your business.
• In addition to the fire protection benefits of using FM200, the
environment will benefit as well. FM200 fire suppressant does not
deplete stratospheric ozone, and has minimal impact on the environment
relative to the impact a catastrophic fire would have
Typical layout of FM 200 fire
suppression system
Typical layout for FM 200 fire protection
system
FM 200 layout with Fire panel
FM 200 calculation sample
 CO2 fire suppression system
• Fire suppression systems are designed to suppress or extinguish a
fire in sensitive environments where water from a fire sprinkler is
not a desired extinguishing agent. Common areas where you will
find fire suppression systems include server rooms, engine rooms,
flammable storage areas, museums, and data centres.
• There are a few different types of agents that are used in a
suppression system to suppress the fire. In server rooms and
environments where you have personnel working in the area, you
will usually find clean agent or inert gas suppression systems (
FM 200 ). In environments where there are few personnel or none
at all, you will typically find CO2 fire suppression systems. The
areas that you’ll find CO2 fire suppression systems include engine
rooms, generator rooms, power stations, flammable liquid storage
rooms, and around large industrial machine
• While CO2 fire suppression systems are highly effective at
suppressing fires, the CO2 agent also poses a health risk when
compared to the other agents. For this reason, you’ll find CO2 fire
suppression systems most often in non-occupied environments.
• By reducing concentration of Oxygen below 16% by volume.
• By producing cooling effect on co2 is stored in cylinder at sub
zero temperatures
How CO2 fire suppression system works
• A fire needs oxygen, fuel, and heat to continue to burn. By
eliminating one of these three elements, a fire can be
suppressed or extinguished. While some suppression agents
reduce the heat of the fire, a CO2 fire suppression system
eliminates the oxygen to suppress the fire. When the
suppression system detects smoke or fire, it then releases the
CO2 agent into the space it is protecting. The CO2 level in
the space quickly increases as the oxygen level quickly drops
causing the fire to be suppressed or extinguished.
• CO2 is a colourless, odourless, and electrically non-
conductive gas that leaves no residue behind. This means any
sensitive equipment that is in the protected space is not
damaged by the CO2, which reduces downtime and costs.
Once the CO2 has dispersed to safe levels from the protected
space, personnel can access any damage from the fire or
smoke and quickly get back to work with no cleanup needed.
Sample calculation of CO2 flooding system
• SAMPLE CALCULATION .
• Area : Electrical room.
• Dimensions L X W X H : 10 MTR X 5 MTR X 3 MTR
• Enclosed /Open : Enclosed .
• Type of Flooding : Total
• Volume in Cu mtr (V) : 150.
• Room temperature considered : 21 Deg.C
• Minimum design concentration) : 50%
• Material Conversion factor (MCF)as per NFPA 12 : 1.6
• Flooding factor (Kg/ Cu Mtr ) (FF) as per NFPA 12 : 0.8
• Basic Quantity of CO2 gas in Kg V X MCF X VF : 150 X 1.6 X
0.8 = 192
• Capacity of each CO2 Cylinder : 45 Kg .
• No of CO2 Cylinders required . : 4.26 , say 5 Nos
• APPLICATIONS OF
CO2 SYSTEMS
• ➢Electric
Generators.
• ➢Switchgear
Equipment's.
• ➢Panels.
• ➢Transformers.
• ➢Drawing Offices.
• ➢Diesel &
Electrical
Locomotives.
• ➢Cables Galleries.
• ➢Record Data
Storages
• ➢Engine test cells
Typical layout for CO2 flooding system
Kitchen hood Fire suppression system
• Wet chemical based Kitchen Suppression
System relies on the powerful extinguishing
properties of a foam agent that is developed
with an optimized biological tolerance. This is
possible as the agent is 90% water and 10%
foam based chemical. The 99% biodegradable
extinguishing agent of wet-chemical based
kitchen suppression system forms a foam
blanket on top of the fire, thereby eliminating
entry of oxygen and killing fire instantly. At,
the same time it contains 90% water and
hence has a tremendous cooling effect that
ensures there is no re-ignition of fire. As the
agent is a wet chemical – foam, there is no
flooding related collateral damage; moreover
the agent residue can be used as a cleaning
medium for the cook tops and equipments.
This kitchen hood suppression system too
comes with the advanced fire detection
technology based on the Heat Sensing Tube.
This tube gives complete protection to the
entire length of the kitchen hood compared to
the conventional kitchen fire suppression
systems. The discharge nozzles of this
suppression system too are designed to
knock-off fire that may arise from all types of
cooking and covers the area under the hood
completely. These advanced configurations of
the system give chef the flexibility to
interchange the cooking and preparation area
without any hassle.
Kitchen hood fire suppression
system
Fire protection using water
• Requirement of Water
• The quantity of water required for fire extinction
depends upon the magnitude of fire and duration
taken to extinguish it. The use of non-potable water
should be avoided for the fear of cross connection and
subsequent health hazards.
• The size of main ring, dry riser and wet riser, for fire
fighting within a building, is designed keeping in mind
that a distant hydrant will discharge about 1000 litres
per minutes at 3.5 kg/sq.cm pressure. And at any given
time at least two hydrants are in operation.
Systems of Fire Fighting using water
• It may be broadly classified as external (City) and Internal
( Building) fire fighting System
• External Fire fighting System
• Fire hydrant are generally located at a distance apart
of about 90 m to 120 m in inhabitant area and about
300 m in an open area. One fire hydrant for every 4000
to 10000 sq.feet area is normally provided.
• Hydrants are generally provided at street crossings,
water demands of one litre per head per day is
considered for fire hydrants. Fire hydrants are of two
types pillar or post hydrant and sunk or flush hydrants.
 Automatic Sprinkler System
• The installation of sprinkler system requires special
planning in new building design and usually involves an
extensive renovation of an existing building.
• The sprinkler system may be installed in the following types
of buildings or sections of a building as a first aid
assistance. i.e. apartment houses, club houses, colleges,
dormitories, hospitals, hotels, office buildings, and the
basement used as car parking's.
• Automatic sprinklers are connected to a water
distribution system. A sprinkler nozzle is closed by a
fusible plug that melts at a predetermined temperature,
above normal room temperature, releasing water to fall
on the source of heat.
• Sprinklers have the advantage of quickly supplying water to
fire before it gain dangerous headway and of preventing the
access of air to the fire by smothering it with water
Typical complete set up for Sprinkler system
Types of sprinkler system
There are four major types of sprinkler systems;
• The Wet Pipe system,
• The Dry Pipe system,
• The Deluge system and
• The Pre-Action system
Wet pipe sprinkler system
• A wet pipe sprinkler system uses automatic sprinklers attached to a
piping system filled with water and connected to a water supply so
that water discharges immediately from sprinklers opened by heat
from a fire
• Most common type of system Used for buildings where there is no
risk of freezing Quick to react because water under pressure is
always in the pipework Wet pipe systems required for multi-story or
Highrise building and for life safety, such as those installed in
shopping centers
• Dry Pipe Sprinkler System
• A dry pipe sprinkler system is one in which pipes are filled with
pressurized air, rather than water This air holds a remote valve,
known as a dry pipe valve, in a closed position
• The dry-pipe valve prevents water from entering the pipe until a fire
causes one or more sprinkler to operate. Once this happens, the air
escapes and the dry pipe valve releases. Water then enters the pipe,
flowing through open sprinklers onto the fire.
• Used where there is a risk of frost damage
Typical wet sprinkler system
• Typical dry pipe sprinkler system
 Dry pipe sprinkler system
• Dry Pipe Systems – A
dry pipe sprinkler system
is much like a wet pipe
system except that the
water is not contained
within the pipes. Instead
of water, the pipes in a
dry system are
pressurized by air or
nitrogen. Water is still
used to suppress a fire in
these systems but is held
back by a valve until the
system is activated. A dry
pipe system is a perfect
application in
environments that
experience extreme cold
where a wet pipe system
would be subject to pipe
freezing and
impairments to the fire
protection.
Typical dry type valve
Typical dry type sprinkler system
• Deluge Sprinkler Systems
• The arrangement of deluge system piping is similar to a wet or dry pipe
system with two major differences:
• Standard sprinklers are used but they are all open. The
activating elements (fusible link or glass bulb) have been
removed so that when the control valve is opened, water will
flow from all of the sprinklers and deluge the are with water
• The deluge valve is normally closed. The valve is opened by
the activation of a separate fire detection system.
• The detection system is installed in the same area as the
sprinklers
• Deluge systems are used in places that are considered high
hazard areas such as power plants, aircraft hangars, and
chemical storage or processing facilities.
• Deluge systems are needed where high velocity suppression is
necessary to prevent fire spread.
Deluge valve fire protection system
• A deluge fire protection system has unpressurized dry piping and open
sprinkler heads. The system is directly connected to a water supply and
when the system is activated, a deluge valve will release the water to all
the open sprinkler heads. The valve is opened when activated by a heat or
smoke detection system
• Deluge systems are used in high hazard areas such as power plants,
aircraft hangars, and chemical plants. These systems are very effective in
hazardous areas because they release water or another fire suppressant to
all the open sprinkler heads simultaneously. This total flood method
douses a fire before it has the chance to grow uncontrollably.
• A deluge system offers several advantages over a traditional fire sprinkler
system. In a traditional sprinkler system, the pipes are filled with water
and the sprinkler heads are closed. A deluge system is a dry system which
means it is not at risk for having frozen pipes. The pipes of traditional
sprinklers can freeze when exposed to cold temperatures because they are
filled with water. In addition, a deluge system offers a quicker response to
a fire by releasing water through all its open heads at once. A regular
sprinkler system with closed heads must activate each sprinkler head
individually. Therefore, the deluge system is more effective in high
hazard situations.
Typical deluge valve system
Deluge valve sprinkler system
Deluge valve
Deluge valve
 Sample calculation
• There is an existing Fire water distribution network in the existing facility and this water distribution
network will be used for the Deluge valve operation.

1. The tank size is 3.7 meter diameter and 4.3 meter height , total surface area 50 square meter.
2. Chemical stored is Alcohol.
3. Total surface area 50 square meter.
4. Water density required as per NFPA 10.5 LPM per Meter square to 20 LPM metre square. For this
tank we have considered 15 LPM per metre square to maintain minimum pressure of 3.5 Bar at
remotest sprinkler.
5. Open head sprinklers with spray angle of 140 degree and K factor 64
6. As per K factor and required pressure of 3.5 bar , water flow per sprinkler is 120 LPM per sprinkler.
7. Total water required for 12 sprinklers is 1440 LPM to maintain desired pressure and flow.
8. Coverage area of one sprinkler is approximately 10 square meter .
9. Spacing between two sprinklers is approximately two meters
10. There are two rings on the tank surface And 6 sprinklers on each ring.
11. Sprinklers installed approximately 600 mm away from the tank surface.
12. Each Ring pipe size is 50 mm and main header size is 80 mm
13. Tapping for the installation will be taken from nearby 150 mm hydrant line.
• System operation through Pneumatically operated Deluge Valve.
1. Deluge Valve sensing through QBD sprinklers.( Quartz Bulb Detector)
2. QBD sprinklers must be installed not more than 300 mm from the tank
surface
3. Operating temperature of the sprinklers must be at least 30 degree
more than normal temperature surrounding the tank area
4. Distance between two QBD sprinklers is approximately 2.5 meters and
total 15 sprinklers for entire tank area , five sprinklers on each ring
5. There are three rings for QBD sprinklers, one at the top of tank , one
at the tank Equator and one at the bottom.
6. All sprinklers are connected with Deluge Valve through 2 inch pipe .
7. There are other options For operating Deluge Valve , like heat
detectors, water pilot line sprinklers and it is based on deluge valve
selection.
Typical deluge valve system
Tank protection by deluge valve system
Typical deluge valve system
• Pre-action Sprinkler Systems
• The pre-action sprinkler system is similar to the deluge
sprinkler system except that the sprinklers are not open;
they are closed sprinklers with fusible links or glass bulbs
• For a single interlocked system, the pre-action valve is
normally closed and operated by a separate fire detection
system. Activation of a fire detector will open the pre-
action valve, allowing water to enter the system piping.
• Water will not flow from the sprinklers until heat from the
fire activates the operating element in individual
sprinklers Used where it is not acceptable to have the
pipes full of water until there is a fire (e.g. computer
suites)
Pre action sprinkler system
• Pre-action Sprinkler
Systems – A pre-action system
is a dry pipe system where the
water is held back by
an electronically controlled
valve that is connected to a fire
detection system. Only after the
fire detection system is
activated will water enter the
systems pipes and each
sprinkler head is activated
individually. A pre-action
system is great for applications
where accident discharge of
sprinklers would cause
extensive damage like data
centre.
Typical double interlock pre action sprinkler system
• In a double interlock system the electric
detection device has to be activated together
with a fall in the maintained air pressure in
the closed automatic sprinkler pipeline, as at
least one sprinkler is activated by a heat
source, before water will be released into the
sprinkler piping.
• In the event that only the electric detection
device is activated or only the air pressure
switch in the sprinkler piping is activated the
main valve will stay closed and the sprinkler
piping will stay dry.
• Double interlock pre-action systems offer a
level of insurance against unnecessary water
damage should one of the detection devices
be activated through accident or fault, as
might happen if a pipe breaks or an automatic
sprinkler gets knocked or broken, or an
electrical fault in the heat/fire detection
device. Therefore Double interlock pre-action
systems are often installed where highly
valuable or irreplaceable equipment is stored.
For example, computer rooms, libraries,
museums, or art galleries.
General guidelines for Basement and car park
• PODIUM /CAR PARKING FLOORS
• All the sides of the stilted / covered car parking shall be kept open except parapet
walls of not more than 0.75 meters height. Automatic sprinkler system at the top of
the podium shall be provided to the entire parking floor.
• BASEMENT:
• Each basement shall be separately ventilated. Vents with cross-sectional
area(Aggregate) not less than 2.5 percent of the floor area spread evenly around the
perimeter of the basement shall be provided in the form of grills.
• Mechanical ventilation shall be provided to the basement with 15 air changes per
hour with an arrangement to accelerate the rate of air changes to 30 per hour in the
event of a fire emergency
• The ducts of the mechanical ventilations system shall be of substantial metal gauge as
per the relevant I.S. standard.
• The operating switches of the mechanical ventilation shall be located in the fire
control room with appropriate zonal indications.
• Exhaust duct shall be provided to draw out exhaust at ground level of the basement.
• Automatic sprinkler system shall be provided in basement area/including ramp.
These systems shall be installed as per the standard laid down by relevant I.S.
specifications
• One Dry Chemical Powder fire extinguisher ABC type of 09 kgs Capacity each shall be
kept for every 100 sq mtrs area in each basement
• exits signs with IP 54 enclosure Luminance of the signages shall be such that they are
visible from a distance of 12 to 16 meters
• The staircase of the basement & the associated lift lobbies shall be pressurized. in the event
of fire The pressure m this enclosed staircase and enclosed lift lobbies shall be maintained
not less than 5mm. W G & 25 mm W G for lift lobbies
• CO2 Detector with audible alarm system shall be provided to all the basement areas and
the circuit of the same shall be given / connected to mechanical ventilation system to start
automatically on actuation of CO detector and the other detectors provided in the
basement.
• ventilation system shall start automatically on actuation of detector provided in the
basement area.
• Exhaust duct, mechanical ventilation duct should not pass through exit or entry.
• FIRE LIFT:
• To enable fire services personnel to reach the upper floors with the minimum delay one
fire lift shall be provided and shall be available for the exclusive use of the firemen in an
emergency.
• The lift shall have a floor area of not less than 1.4 sq mtrs It shall have loading capacity of
not less than 545 kg (08 persons lift) with automatic closing doors of minimum 0.8 m.
width.
• The electric supply shall be on a separate service from electric supply mains in abuilding
and the cables run in a route safe from fire that is within the lift shaft Light &fans in the
elevators having wooden panelling or sheet steel construction shall be operated on 24 volt
supply.
• Alternatively, the lift shall be so wired that in case of power failure it comes down at the
ground level and comes to stand-still with door open.( ARD system )