1540 Ch 8 PowerPoint

1. Fire Protection Systems
Third Edition
Chapter 8 — Specialized Water-Based Fire Protection Systems

2. Objectives
‣State three reasons why, under certain circumstances, the
installation of specialized types of water-based fire protection
systems is a better choice than standard automatic fire sprinkler
systems.
‣Discuss the characteristics and applications for fixed foam
systems.

3. Objectives
‣Discuss the characteristics and applications for foam-water
sprinkler and foam-water spray systems.
‣Discuss the characteristics and applications for water spray fixed
systems.
‣Discuss the characteristics and applications for water mist
systems.

4. Objectives
‣Discuss the inspection and test requirements for acceptance of
specialized water-based fire protection systems.
‣Recognize the possible impairments to specialized water-based
fire protection systems.

5. Introduction
‣There are several specialized
water-based fire sprinkler
systems.
‣Low-, medium-, and high-
expansion foam
‣Compressed air foam
‣Foam-water sprinkler and
spray
‣Water spray fixed
‣Water mist
▪ Specialized types of
water-based fire
protection systems are
typically installed to
protect special hazards.
▪ Both model building
codes permit the use of
alternative suppression
systems.

6. Types of Specialized Water-Based
Fire Protection Systems
‣Fixed foam systems
‣Accomplish protection objectives
for target:
‣Flammable/combustible liquid
facilities
‣Petroleum
refining/storage/dispensing
facilities
‣When properly applied:
‣Smother fuel to isolate
ignitable vapors
‣Isolate or separate fuel from
fire
‣Cool fuel and surrounding area
© A. Maurice Jones, Jr./Jones & Bartlett Learning

7. Types of Specialized Water-Based
Fire Protection Systems
‣Foam is less dense than fuel or
water and will flow freely over
liquid.
‣Fixed foam systems have a
proportioner, foam concentrate
tank, foam distribution equipment,
and a pump.
‣Compressed air foam systems
combine air or nitrogen, water,
and foam concentrate in correct
proportions.
© A. Maurice Jones, Jr./Jones & Bartlett
Learning

8. Types of Specialized Water-Based
Fire Protection Systems
‣Foam-water sprinkler and foam-water spray systems
‣Foam and water as companion suppression agents
‣Protect Class B and some Class A hazards
‣Primary design goal is to extinguish the fire.
‣Specialized heads or nozzles may be used.
‣Design and installation standard is NFPA 16.

9. Types of Specialized Water-Based
Fire Protection Systems
‣Water spray fixed systems
‣Fixed piping networks with
specialized spray nozzles
‣Designed for fire control,
prevention, extinguishment, or
exposure protection
‣Require adequate automatic water
supply
‣Ultra-high-speed water spray
© A. Maurice Jones, Jr./Jones & Bartlett Learning

10. Types of Specialized Water-Based
Fire Protection Systems
‣Water mist systems
‣Fixed systems that discharge a
very fine-spray mist of water
droplets
‣Protect land facilities and
offshore facilities and equipment
‣Total flooding, local or zoned
application
‣Single- or twin-fluid systems
‣NFPA 750
Courtesy of Tyco Fire Protection Products

11. Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance
Requirements
‣Overview
‣Similar processes as standard fire sprinkler systems
‣Failure to perform the various inspections could lead to
system malfunction.
‣All systems are subject to the same acceptance inspections
and tests.
‣Tests are generally consistent with standard fire sprinkler
system requirements.

12. Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance
Requirements
‣Periodic inspection, testing, and maintenance
‣Same types of impairments as primary water-based systems
‣Foam and water mist systems require additional periodic
flushing.
‣A plan should be in place to work around the impairment.