Sprinkler systems, fire protection

Sprinklers and fire protection systems are required by NFPA Codes, but are often dependent on the overall size of the facility and quantity of stored flammable/combustible material. The wisest course of action is to provide heat and smoke detectors in each laboratory and provide a sprinkler system at least in the hallways. Each laboratory should have at least one ABC portable fire extinguisher. Computers have become more important to laboratories than ever. Halon fire extinguishing systems are available which are nondestructive to both electronic equipment and human life. These should be employed for fire protection. 

A system for extinguishing a hazard upon or shortly after its inception, such as sprinklers and fire protection systems. 

OSHA deals with fire protection from an employee safety standpoint, and many of the points covered in the OSHA standard are solid management practices for property safety as well. Subpart E, Means of Egress, is taken from NFPA 101-1970, the Life Safety Code. The emphasis of this subpart is on protecting the employee once a fire has started. It informs the employer what to do to protect workers during the fire by addressing egress methods, automatic sprinkler systems, fire alarms, emergency action plans, and fire prevention plans. 

Emergency equipment appropriate to the facility (including sprinkler systems, fire extinguishers, first aid kits, fire blankets, safety showers and eye washes, emergency respirators, protective clothing, spill control and cleanup material, chemical release computer modeling, etc.) is installed or available. 

For example, Kletz (1991) states that from 5% to 10% of the capital costs of a new plant could be reduced if it were possible to reduce inventories of hazardous materials, thus lowering the cost of safety protective systems (fire protection sprinklers, etc.). Kletz goes on to point out that using inherently more efficient processes, such as smaller reactors, pressure, storage vessels, etc., will reduce the size of the process units and therefore lower the overall cost of the plant and also make an inherently safer plant. 

The space or room containing the incinerator combustion chambers and their accompanying burners should have a fire detection and alarm system. Fire protection may be provided by automatic extinguishing means such as a water sprinkler system or a fire hose station. In particular applications, foam or powder may be more appropriate. Depending on the radiation level expected for some of the components, an automatic or remotely actuated suppression system may be required. 

Select the correct sprinkler system to protect the building from a fire for the commodities stored there. Commodities are classified according to how fast they burn and how much heat they release. Table 5-2 identifies the classification of stored commodities. As an example, plastics bum quickly and produce twice the heat of burning wood. 

The next step is to apply a number of loss control credit factors such as process control (emergency power, cooling, explosion control, emergency shutdown, computer control, inert gas, operating procedures, reactive chemical reviews), material isolation (remote control valves, blowdown, drainage, interlocks) and fire protection (leak detection, buried tanks, fire water supply, sprinkler systems, water curtains, foam, cable protection). The credit factors are combined and appHed to the fire and explosion index value to result in a net index. 

NFPA 13 Installation of Sprinkler Systems, 1996 edition. National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA. 

The third line includes fixed fire protection systems (sprinklers, water sprays, or deluge systems, monitor guns, etc.), dikes, designed drainage systems, and other systems that control or iiiitigaic ha. ardous releases. 

Regarding fires, water is the primary extinguishing agent, and it should be available in adequate supply and pressure at all of the locations in the plant. The layout for various types of installations and the appropriate recommendations are found in the standards of the National Fire Protection Association. Fire hydrants, hose lines, automatic sprinkler and water spray systems should all be a part of the permanent equipment facilities of the plant. 

An uninsulated 12-ft X 36-ft horizontal storage tank containing CCI4 is to be protected from overpressure due to external fire by means of a rupture disk. The tank does not have a sprinkler system. Storage pressure is 5 psig and should not exceed 10 psig. Tank is assumed to be full, k =... 

Coupolet fittings are designed lor use in fire protection sprinkler systems and other low pressure piping applications. 

Data taken from NFPA 13, Installation of Sprinkler Systems (Quincy, MA National Fire Protection Associates, 1999) and NFPA 15, Standards for Water Spray Fixed Systems for Fire Protection (Quincy, MA National Fire Protection Association, 1996). 

Materials or containers stacked or placed so that they block the effective discharge of sprinkler or deluge fire protection systems or fire monitor nozzles. 

Measures to reduce the impact of fire include active and passive systems. Active systems include automatic sprinkler, water deluge, water mist, gaseous agent, dry chemical, foam, and standpipe handle systems. Passive protection is provided by fire resistive construction, including spray-applied or cementitious fireproofing of steel, concrete/masonry construction, and water-filled steel columns. Chapter 7 provides details on the design of fire protection systems. 

Remote controllers for fire water pumps or remote operational status indicator panels for sprinkler systems and fire water pumps will typically be protected according to the protection protocol of the room or building in which they are housed. 

Fixed installations, such as water spray systems, halon systems, sprinkler systems, carbon dioxide extinguishing systems, explosion suppression systems, and other fire protection installations are often provided with flow and trouble detection switches connected to transmitters. A signal indicating the condition of the system should be sent to the attended location(s). 

Sprinklers are the most common fire protection system used today. Most local building code officials and fire marshals have adopted NFPA 13 as law in their areas of jurisdiction. Many local authorities have added minor modifications unique to their areas. 

The design criteria of the sprinkler system should be established by a fire protection engineer, whereas the design of sprinkler systems is generally performed by licensed sprinkler contractors. Design calculations and plan drawings should be reviewed by a competent individual. Some important highlights and exceptions to NFPA 13 are ... 

In the majority of applications in processing facilities handling flammable gases or liquids, or liquefied flammable gases, fixed water-based fire protection systems will control, but not extinguish, the fire. Foam-water sprinkler systems are an alternative to water sprinkler systems. Both water and foam-water sprinkler systems are discussed in Chapter 7. 

Active fire protection of cooling towers is primarily provided by sprinkler systems. 

The sequence of the installation details the order each part of the fire protection system will be installed. The following is a typical sequence for installing a fixed water protection system (sprinkler system) ... 

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