2. Fire alarm systems alert occupants and
other parties of an emergency condition
20–1
Notification
May also be given
to local response
organization
Requirements
established by AHJ
3. Alarm systems consist of several
components you should know about
20–2
(Cont.)
Fire alarm control panel (FACP)
4. There are several alarm system
components firefighters should know
20–3
(Cont.)
Power supplies
5. There are several alarm system
components firefighters should know
20–4
(Cont.)
Initiating devices
6. There are several alarm system
components firefighters should know
20–5
(Cont.)
Notification appliances
7. There are several alarm system
components firefighters should know
20–6
Fire command center
8. There are several types of alarm
signaling systems in use
20–7
(Cont.)
Noncoded
Zoned/annunciated
Addressable
Types
9. There are several types of
alarm signaling systems in use
20–8
Auxiliary
alarm
Proprietary
Central
station
Remote
receiving
Types
10. Alarm-initiating devices send a signal
to the alarm system when fire is present
20–9
Identify
presence of
Send signal to
alarm system
Type depends
on
• Fire
• Products of
combustion
• Allows
occupants to
activate
• Occupancy
• Contents
12. Heat detectors activate when
temperatures in monitored area
reach a predetermined point
20–11
Installed in
highest
portions of
room
Least prone
to false
activations
Can be
slowest to
activate
Three
activation
mechanisms
13. There are several types of
fixed-temperature detectors
20–12
(Cont.)
Fusible
link
Frangible
bulb
15. Rate-of-rise detectors signal
when temperatures rise quickly
20–14
• 12°F to 15°F in one minute
When
temperature
exceeds
• Can be initiated at temperature
lower than fixed-temperature
• Reliable, not subject to false
activation
Benefits
16. There are several types
of rate-of-rise detectors
20–15
Pneumatic rate-of-rise
spot detector
Rate-compensated
detector
Pneumatic rate-of-rise line
heat detector
Electronic spot-
type heat detector
17. Smoke detectors and alarms both
detect the presence of products
of combustion
20–16
Smoke
detector
Smoke alarm
19. Ionization smoke detectors react to
ionized molecules in the chamber
20–18
Respond
faster to
Automatically
reset when
20. There are several types of power
sources used for these devices
20–19
Sources
• Batteries
• Advantages
• Only as reliable
as battery used
• Household
current
Know laws that
• Designate power
source
• Require hard-
wired
21. The basic types of flame detectors
detect light in different spectrums
20–20
Ultraviolet wave
spectrum
(UV detectors)
Infrared wave
spectrum
(IR detectors)
Light in
ultraviolet and
infrared wave
spectrums
22. Flame detectors are among the fastest
to respond, even in non-fire conditions
20–21
Non-fire may cause false activations
• Located where other light sources unlikely
• Will not activate if blocked by opaque object
May be sensitive to sunlight
Ultraviolet considerations
23. Fire-gas detectors operate by
detecting gases that may be released
20–22
Chemicals from all
fires
Chemicals
depending on fuel
Initiation
comparison
Can be sensitive
to specific gas
25. Automatic sprinkler systems are an
integrated system of pipes,
sprinklers, and control valves
20–24
Designed to
activate by
• Discharging
water/agent
• Preventing
fire spread
Arranged to
• Adequately
distribute
water/agent
May
• Extend from
exposed
pipes
• Protrude
through
ceiling/wall
26. There are two general types of
automatic sprinkler systems
20–25
Complete
coverage Partial
coverage
27. Understanding sprinkler systems
also requires other information
20–26
Standards
• NFPA® 13,
13D, 13R
• Requirements
• Specify
minimum
design area
calculations
Failures
• Generally not
due to
sprinklers
• Closed/frozen
valves
• Other reasons
Testing
• All
components
should be
tested,
certified
• Recognized
as most
reliable
device
28. Sprinkler systems have several
effects on life safety during a fire
20–27
Safety greatly
enhanced
May not be
effective when
used alone
Important to
firefighter life
safety
30. Sprinklers are fixed spray nozzles
that operate to discharge water
20–29
Early-suppression
fast-response
5 to 10 times faster
Larger than
traditional
Rated according to
temperature operation
Color-coding frame
arms
Color-coding liquid
in frangible bulbs
Temperature
stamped in sprinkler
31. All of the common release mechanisms
for sprinklers respond to heat
20–30
Fusible link Frangible bulb
Chemical pellet
34. Most system main water control
valves are indicating valves
20–33
Outside
stem and
yoke
Post
indicator
valve
Wall post
indicator
valve
Post
indicator
valve
assembly
35. There are other operating valves
also used on sprinkler systems
20–34
Alarm test
valve
Inspector’s
test valve
Main drain
valve
36. Water flow alarms initiate when
water begins to flow in the system
20–35
37. The water supply for a sprinkler system
must address several considerations
20–36
Fire pump
incorporated
(Cont.)
Minimum supply –
To highest sprinkler
at 15psi
Flow depends on –
Hazard, occupancy,
building contents
Connection –
Adequate volume,
pressure, reliability
38. The water supply for a sprinkler system
must address several considerations
20–37
May supply only
portion of
sprinklers on
system
Pumper
connected to fire
department
connection
Sprinkler FDCs
should be
supplied from
pumpers
Supply passes
through check
valve
Preincident plans
39. Each type of sprinkler system requires
understanding of several concepts
20–38
(Cont.)
40. Each type of sprinkler system requires
understanding of several concepts
20–39
(Cont.)
41. Each type of sprinkler system requires
understanding of several concepts
20–40
(Cont.)
42. Each type of sprinkler system requires
understanding of several concepts
20–41
(Cont.)
43. Each type of sprinkler system requires
understanding of several concepts
20–42
Special
• Use agents other
than water
• Unique to specific
occupancies
• Types
44. Residential sprinkler systems require
understanding of several concepts
20–43
Design
Changes
Differences
Continually
in service
Water
supply
sources
45. Standpipe and hose systems are
designed for a specific purpose
20–44
Design purpose Value Operation
Water supply
Part of or
separate from
other systems
Do not take
place of need for
other systems
46. Standpipe systems are made
up of several components
20–45
Hose stations
Water supply
Waterflow control valves
Risers
Pressure-regulating devices
FDC
47. Standpipe systems are regulated
by two NFPA® standards
20–46
NFPA 14
•Design
•Installation
•Three classes
established
NFPA 13
•Hose station
information
48. Standpipe systems are classified
in three different groups
20–47
Class
I
Class
II
Class
III
49. There are several types of standpipe
systems you should know about
20–48
(Cont.)
50. There are several types of standpipe
systems you should know about
20–49
Semi-
automatic
dry
Manual dry
Manual wet
52. Smoke control strategies use various
methods to remove smoke
20–51
Passive
(compartmentation)
Pressurization
Zoned Dilution
Exhaust
Opposed airflow
53. Each type of smoke control systems
may be dedicated or non-dedicated
20–52
Passive
systems
Pressurization
systems
Zoned smoke-
control
Dilution
Exhaust
method
Opposed
airflow
method
54. The firefighters’ smoke control station
provides a location for monitoring
20–53
Monitoring,
manual control of
systems,
equipment
Can control all
equipment or
zones
Located in Fire
Command Center
or other AHJ
location
Only authorized
access
Contain building
diagram
Manual override
to restart or
shut down
55. • Many buildings are protected, partially
or fully, by fire protection systems that
range from simple to complex.
• These systems can perform a variety of
functions and it is important that these
are identified during pre-incident
surveys to ensure firefighters
understand how to operate in these
structures.
Summary
20–54
