CHAPTER 9
FIRE PROTECTION EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS
OVERVIEW
Similar to Chapter 8, “Plumbing Equipment and Systems,” this chapter is also fairly long
as well as a strictly code-governed branch of engineering. In fact, most automatic
sprinkler system design and planning for large buildings are normally prepared by Fire
Protection Contractors on a design-build basis. Code and Fire Protection consultants are
specialized in providing consultation to architects and owners on preliminary and final
design of automatic sprinkler systems. However, the insurance company and code
enforcing authority would still require contractor’s field installed and dimensioned
drawings to indicate every sprinkler location before they would approve a building for
insurance coverage.
The question is why should we need to learn about fire protection systems. The answer is
very simple. The architects and M/E engineers must be thoroughly knowledgeable on the
principals and guidelines of automatic sprinkler layouts before they can coordinate the
design with the reflected ceiling plans in each space as to the ceiling grid, location of
lighting fixtures, HVAC diffusers, etc.
There are two ways to design automatic sprinkler systems – pipe schedule method and
hydraulic method. The pipe schedule method is useful for smaller systems, say below
100 sprinkler heads. The hydraulic method must be used for medium and large systems.
CHAPTER 9
FIRE PROTECTION EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
9.1 What are the primary objectives of building fire protection systems?
9.2 Name one of the most important secondary objectives for building fire
protection.
9.3 Name the major factors that contribute to serious problems for fire fighting in
modern buildings.
The major contributing factors are:
9.4 What is the nominal range of fire protection system costs as a percentage of
total building construction cost?
9.5 What is smoke developed rating (SDR)?
9.6 What are the classes of flame spread rating (FSR)?
9.7 What are the governing codes for fire protection in the United States?
9.8 What are the normal classifications of building occupancies?
9.9 What are the four classes of fire according to NFPA?
The four classes of fire are class A, B, C, and D as explained in Section 9.1.1.
9.10 What are the three classes of fire hazard? What are the fire hazard classes of
office buildings, laboratories, and production facilities?
9.11 Name the operating sequence of a well-planned fire protection system.
A well-planned fire protection system should include the following concurrent and
9.12 Name the ten fundamental criteria for fire safety planning.
The criteria for fire safety planning are given in Section 9.3. Briefly:
1. Start with fire-resistant construction,
2. Provision for smoke control—removal, dilution, and confinement,
9.13 Does a single family dwelling require a fire alarm system?
9.14 What is the maximum distance to exit for a hospital protected with sprinklers?
Not protected with sprinklers?
9.15 Name the various detection devices in a fire protection system.
The fire detection devices include:
9.16 What is the operating principle of an ionization type smoke detector?
9.17 What is the pressure required for a sprinkler head during its rated flow?
9.18 Name the four types of media used in fire suppression systems.
9.19 What is the maximum floor area that can be served by a portable fire
extinguisher with 2-A rating for Class A fire hazard in an office building?
9.20 What is a Class III standpipe and hose system?
9.21 What is the required minimum water flow for standpipe systems?
9.22 Name and describe the basic automatic sprinkler system
Automatic sprinkler systems can be divided into two major classes – wet and dry.
Some of the popular systems include:
oWet pipe system is the basic sprinkler system to be used in all buildings.
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oDeluge system is a dry pipe system with open sprinkler heads. When the
control valve is opened either manually or automatically, water will be
discharged from all sprinkler heads.
9.23 What is a Siamese connection?
9.24 What is the building use group classification for an office building? If the
building contains a 15,000 sq ft health club on the second floor, is an automatic
sprinkler system required?
9.25 Determine the amount of water that can be delivered by a sprinkler head
having a 1/2″ orifice with a 5.5 K-factor, and installed on an automatic
sprinkler system having 36 psi residual pressure?
9.26 What is the maximum sprinkler protection area for a building classified as
light hazard?
9.27 If a room has a soffit 25 inches below the ceiling, what is the minimum
distance that a sprinkler can be installed? A beam 4 inches below the ceiling?
9.28 What is the difference between “Pipe Schedule Method” and “Hydraulic
Method” in sprinkler system design:
Pipe schedule method is a traditional method or “no brain” method that determines
9.29 What is the maximum number of sprinklers that can be served by a 3-inch
steel pipe in a light hazard building by using the pipe schedule method?
9.30 Select an area of sprinkler operation (ASO) and the corresponding density
demand (DD) for an automatic sprinkler system classified as “ordinary
hazard-2.” What is the water demand for the sprinkler system with OVF =
1.1? If the hose stream demand (HSD) for the standpipe system is 250 gpm,
what is the total water demand (TWD) for the combined standpipe and
sprinkler system?
9.31 Can a domestic water system and fire protection system be combined in an on-
site water storage system? Which system has the priority and how is this
assured?
9.32 Should smoke control be considered in fire protection system planning?
9.33 What is stack effect in a building?
9.34 How to overcome the stack effect of a high-rise building?
9.35 Under what circumstances would a fire pump be included in a fire protection
system?
9.36 What types of fire suppression system would be appropriate for a high value,
electrical equipment room?
9.37 What types of fire suppression system would be appropriate for an open-air
loading dock?
9.38 What types of fire suppression system would be appropriate for an
underground parking garage?