Fire fighting system infofor interior design and decoration with detailed explanation

1. PLUMBING AND SANITATION
BSC IDD VTH SEMESTER
UNIT 6
Introduction to fire protection, causes of fire and preventive measures. Fire resistant
construction, responsibility of designer towards fire resistance specification and
requirements, application and usage, introduction to fire protection by laws and its
applications as per government’s statutory law
ASHA MARAIAH
ASHA MARAIAH

2. The subject matter of fire protection in buildings for the sake of
convenience can be grouped under -
• Important consideration in fire protection
• Properties of fire resisting materials
• Fire resistant construction and
• General measures of fire safety in buildings

3. The objective is achieved by adequate
planning, use of fire resisting material
and construction techniques and by
providing quick and safe means of
escape in the building
• The building should be so planned or
oriented that the elements of
construction or building components
can withstand the fire for a given
timed depending upon the size and
use of building , to isolate various
compartments so as to minimize the
spread of fire.
• Suitable separation is necessary to
prevent fire, gases and smoke from
spreading rapidly through corridors
staircases lift shafts etc. Adequate
separation from adjacent buildings
should also be planned.
All the structural elements such a floors,
walls columns beams etc. should be
made of fire resisting materials so that
the life goods or contents and activities
within the building can be protected
The construction of structural elements
like walls floors columns lintels arches
etc, should be made in such a way that
they should continue to function at least
for the time, which may be sufficient for
the occupants to escape safely in times of
fire.
Escape elements like stairways and
staircases corridors lobbies and entrances
should also be constructed out of fire
resistant materials and be well separated
from rest of the building.
ASHA MARAIAH

4. Adequate means of escape are provided for the occupants, to leave the building quickly and safely in times
of the outbreak of fire. This objective is attained by providing an exit from within a building by the way of
definite escape ways, corridors ad stairs, to a street or an open space or roof or an adjoining building from
where access to escape may be found.
In India, the types of building construction and fire zones in a city are classified on the basis of fire
resistance and fire hazard characteristics respectively. The assessment of a building with regard of fire
resistance is made on the basis of fire load, possible means of escape, fire-fighting provisions, type of
occupancy building dimensions and the contents of the building.
For Eg: warehouses, godowns for inflammable materials, like petroleum products, cotton, photographic
goods, film stores etc. all require fire-proofs structures. Buildings like cinema theatres, school, town halls,
libraries, hotel, offices, etc. should offer better degree of fire-resistance.
The severity of a fire depends largely upon the amount, nature and distribution of combustible material in a
building.
The nature of hazards associated with the fire is of 3 types
1. Personal – The hazard to the occupants of the building.
2. Damage – The hazard due to the structure and contents.
3. Exposure – the hazard due to the spread of fire to the other buildings.
Town hall or theatre requires a greater degree of fire resistant construction than a ware house involving
extensive damage hazard but low degree of personal hazard
ASHA MARAIAH

5. FIRE RESISTING MATERIAL AND ITS PROPERTIES
Material in relation to fire are of 2 types
• Non combustible material
• Combustible material
Non combustible Material – Material are those which if decomposed by heat will do so endo - thermically – with the
absorption of heat or if they oxidize , it happens with negligible amount of heat.
These material do not contribute to the growth of fire but are damaged when the temperature is reached where
decomposition or fusion occurs, resulting in loss of strength. Such material when used in structure may no longer
maintain the integrity of structure.
Eg: metal, stone, glass, concrete, clay, products, gypsum products and asbestos products.
Combustible Material – Material are those which within the temperature range in case of fires, will combine
temperature range in case of fires, will combine exothermically with oxygen – during reaction lot of heat is evolved and
they give rise to flame or glow. Such materials whether forming part of the structure or the contents of the building,
not only burn themselves but also increase the intensity and growth of the fire.
Eg: wood and wood products, animal products and manufactured products such as fiber board, straw board etc.
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6. PROPERTIES OF FIRE RESISTING MATERIAL
1. It should not get disintegrated under the effect of great heat.
2. The expansion of the material due to heat should not be excessive so as to endanger the stability of the
structure of which it forms an integral part.
3. The contraction of the material due to sudden cooling from a hot state should not be so rapid as to
break into pieces.
The fire resisting properties of some common building material are
• Timber
• Stone
• Bricks
• Terracotta
• Steel
• Wrought –iron and cast iron
• Aluminum
• Concrete
• Glass
• Asbestos cement
• Plaster or mortar
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7. TIMBER
Timber though itself is a combustible material, offer sufficient resistance to fire when used in adequate sizes.
Timber also possesses the properties of self-insulation and slow burning. Timber on exposure to fire, first gets
charred, this charring provides a protective coating to the inner portions of the timber and prevents it from rapid
combustion, even if subjected to a temperature up to 500degC. At still higher temperatures, under continued
exposure, It is dehydrated giving rise to combustible volatile gases which readily catch fire. Additional fire
resistance is achieved by impregnating timber with large quantities of fire retarding chemicals, like ammonium
phosphate and sulphate, borax and boric acid, zin chloride etc. because these chemicals retard the rate of
temperature rise during fire.
To make a timber structure more fire-resistant the points to be given consideration are:
• Instead of using a number of smaller section of joints and floor beams, thicker sections at a wider spacing
should be used.
• The number of corners and the area of exposed surface should be reduced to a minimum. All sharp edges
should be rounded.
• Timber should not be treaded with oil paints or varnish, which are liable to catch fire. Instead of this timber,
ceilings and partitions should be treated with asbestos or ferrous oxide paints if needed.
• In a multifloor timber structure, there should be a minimum number of floor openings and no through
opening in multifloor levels should be provided. A through opening spreads the fire in vertical direction and
behaves like a chimney and induces draught.
• Adequate fire stops or barriers should be provided in the floors and walls.
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8. STONES
The use of stone in a fire-resisting construction should be restricted to a minimum as this material
cannot resist sudden cooling. After becoming hot, when it gets cooled, it breaks into pieces. Granite,
when subjected to excessive heat, crumbles to sand or cracks and turns to pieces with a series of
explosions and disintegration. The use of lime stones is not at all desirable as it gets crumbled and
ruined ( turns to quick lime) under the effects of fire. The compact sand stone has better resistance
against fire than lime stone as it can stand the exposure to moderate fire without cracks.
BRICKS
First class bricks are practically fire proof as they can withstand the exposure of fire for a considerable length
of time. Being poor conductors of heat, the bricks can withstand high temperatures up to 1300degC without
causing serious effects. Fire-bricks are best for use in fire-resisting construction. The degree of fire resistance
of bricks depends upon factors like size of bricks, composition of brick clay, method of construction etc.
Through brick has its own structural limitations for use in buildings, but brick masonry has been proved to be
most suitable for safeguarding the structure against fire-hazards.
TERRACOTA
Like bricks, it is also a clay product which possesses better fire-resisting qualities than bricks. Being
costlier, its use is restricted in the construction of fire-resisting floors only
ASHA MARAIAH

9. STEEL
Steel although incombustible material has a very low fire resistance value. With increase in temperature, it
gets softened and hence reduction In resistance to the effects of tension and compression. At about
600degC, its yield stress is reduced to only one-third of its value at normal temperatures. When the
members made of steel come in contact with water used for extinguishing the fire, they tend to contract,
twist or distort and thus the stability of the entire structure is endangered. It has been observed in practice
that unprotected steel beams sag and steel columns buckle, resulting both of them in collapse of the
structure. It is, therefore, necessary in the fire resisting characteristic s of a structure, to protect all the
structural steel members with some covering of fire insulation material. This can be achieved by covering
the steel members completely with materials like bricks, burnt clay blocks, terracotta concrete etc.
WROUGHT- IRON AND CAST – IRON
Wrought- Iron behaves almost in similar way as steel when subjected to fire except that it has lesser
elasticity and cover strength in compression and tension as compared to steel. Cast-iron is rarely used for
fire-resisting point of view in construction as on sudden cooling, it gets contracted and breaks into pieces or
fragments. For using cast iron in fire resistive construction, it should also be protected by a suitable of
bricks, concrete etc.
ASHA MARAIAH

10. ALUMINIUM
In some advanced countries, the aluminum is being used for reinforcement purposes in multistoried structures
because of its light weight and anti corrosion properties. However, it has very poor performance as a fire resisting
material and its use(as alloy) should be restricted to those structures which have low fire risks or for making
hangers. It is good conductors of heat and possesses enough tensile strength .
CONCRETE
In general, it is a bad conductor of heat and possesses good fire-resisting characteristics. The actual degree of fire
resisting of this material depends upon the nature of aggregates used and its destiny. In case of RCC and pre-
stressed constructions, it also depends upon the position of steel in concrete. It is found that ordinary concrete,
when exposed to fire, gets dehydrated and results in shrinkage cracks (this happens, because on heating
aggregates in concrete expand whereas cement shrinks ad these two opposite actions led to the development of
cracks). Coarse aggregates, like foamed slag, blast furnace slag, crushed brick, crushed limestone, cinder etc. are
best suited for concrete from viewpoint of fire resistance. Aggregates like flint, gravel, granite etc. Possess poor
fire-resisting characteristics. It has been observed in the event of average fire, the concrete surface gets
disintegrated for a depth of about 25cm because of the fact that the mortar in concrete gets dehydrated by the
fire. Hence, in case of reinforced concrete fire resistive construction, the cover of sufficient thickness should be
provided (cracks generally originate from the reinforcement). RCC structures since less steel is used and that too
well protected by the mass concrete.
ASHA MARAIAH

11. GLASS
Because of its low thermal conductivity, this material undergoes very small volume charges during expansion
or contradiction and hence considered to be a good fire resisting material. But sudden and extreme changes
in temperature, however, result in fracture or cracks. When glass is reinforced with steel wire netting eg. In
wire glass, its fire resistance is considerably increased and its tendency to fracture with sudden changes in
temperature, gets minimized. Reinforced glass has a higher melting point and hence commonly used for
making fire-resisting doors, skylight windows etc. in construction work.
ASBESTOS CEMENT
This material, which is formed by combining fibrous mineral with Portland cement, has a great fire-resistive
value. Asbestos cement products are largely used for the construction of fire resistive partitions roofs etc.
being poor conductor of heat and incombustible material, the structural members blended with asbestos
cement offer great resistance to crackling, swelling or disintegration when subjected to fire.
PLASTER OR MORTAR
It is an incombustible material and hence used for protecting the walls and ceilings of building from fire-
risks. Cement plaster is better than lime plaster as the latter is likely to be calcined. The fire resistance of the
plaster to fire hazards can be increased by using it in thicker layer or reinforcing the plaster with metal
lathes. Gypsum plaster is also applied on steel column and other steel members to increase their fire-
resistive qualities. The use of cement mortar with surkhi or pozzolana is preferred from the viewpoint of fire-
resistance. ASHA MARAIAH

12. BUILDING FIRE ESCAPE ELEMENTS
STAIRCASES, CORRIDORS, LOBBIES, ENTRANCES
• All these fire escape elements should de constructed out of fire resistant materials and be well separated from rest
of the building.
• Doors to the staircases, corridors and lifts should be made of fire proofing material.
• Staircases should be located next to the outer walls and should be accessible from any floor in the direction of
flow towards the exits from the building.
• The fire –proof doors to these emergency staircases should ne fixed in such a way as to make them close from
inside only. Such an arrangement will help the people to leave the building safely and quickly in the event of fire
• In single storied building the provision of an accessible fire proof window, which should be large enough for
leaving the building, should be ensured.
• In case of multistoried structures, the number and location of staircases should be decided so as to provide for
equitable distribution.
• All internal staircases should be made of fire resisting material like RCC and the entrances provided with automatic
armored fire doors on roller shutters or approved types of fire proof doors.
• A straight flight type staircase should be provided where possible.
• The lift shafts connecting various floors should be surrounded with the enclosure walls of fire resisting materials
and should be vented at the top to allow smoke and hot gases to escape.
• All stairs should ne cut off from other parts of the building by a fire-resisting wall or wire-glass partitions or such
other safe enclosure.
• All external stairs or secondary means of fire escape like fire escape stairs, spiral stairs, steep ladders and ramps,
are treated as supplementary means to the internal staircases.
ASHA MARAIAH

13. MEASURES OF FIRE SAFETY IN BUILDINGS
In addition to the use of fire resisting materials and adoption of fire resistant construction, the following general
measures of fire safety have been recommended.
ALARM SYSTEM
These systems are installed with a view to give adequate warning to the occupants of a building of the approach of
fire and hence indirectly to call for assistance in the event of fire. These fire alarm systems may be either manual or
automatic.
MANUAL ALARM SYSTEM
Consists of sounding devices such as sirens, hand bell, which should be distinctive in pitch and quality from normal
sounding devices. These devices are provided near all main exits and passages which are readily accessible. The
devices are provided near all main exits and passages which are readily accessible. The occupants of the building
are informed about the happening of fire by these audible or visible alarm devices.
AUTOMATIC ALARM SYSTEMS
Either automatic sprinklers or portable fire extinguishers are intended for immediate use. Electrical fire alarms are
usually installed to meet specific requirements of occupancies and to provide effective warning regarding fire
happening in any part of the premises. These automatic alarm systems are installed in large industrial or public
buildings which are generally unoccupied at night. The automatic fire alarm on detection of fire, sends the
information to the nearest control point and same at the same time, a message to the fire brigade station is also
conveyed for fire fighting
ASHA MARAIAH

14. FIRE EXTINGUISHERS ARRANGEMENTS
The various arrangements are provided on the basis of the importance of building for extinguishing of fire. Some
of the importance of building for extinguishing of fire. Some of the important equipment generally used for fire-
fighting purposes are as follows:
1. Normal operated equipment's – These equipment consist of portable fire extinguishers which are intended for
immediate use on an outbreak of fire. Various types of portable extinguishers like carbon di oxide type, foam
machines, large foam generators are used. The discharge from a fire extinguisher depends upon its capacity and
may last from 10-120 secs. Co2 type extinguisher is most common for small fire where as permanent foam
installation similar for large fire risks.
Sometimes buckets of water sand and asbestos blankets are kept ready at all the times for covering small risks of
fire.
2. FIRE HYDRANTS
These hydrants should be located in such a way that water can be made available easily for fire-fighting purposes.
For large and close buildings, the fire hydrants should be located at distances 90-120 metres, whereas at 300m or
more in case of open areas. Generally one hydrant for an area of 4000 to 1000 m2 is provided based on density of
the population and importance of the region. Hydrants are provided at all the street crossings. Fire hydrants and
• pillar or post hydrants
• Sunk or flush hydrants.
Sunk types which are commonly used are fixed below the road surface having a cast iron cover, flushing with the
road surface. Vertical pipe is screwed up on the sunk hydrant when required and hosepipe lived on it
ASHA MARAIAH

15. AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEMS
This is an arrangement consisting of pipes and sprinkles in such a way as to operate automatically by the heat of fire and
to discharge water upon that fire and which may also simultaneously give automatic audible alarm. This system is
installed for the internal protection of premises against fire and is adopted for important structures like textile mills
paper mills etc.
The arrangement consists of a number of overhead pipes which are fixed in ceiling @3m c/c. The sprinklers heads with
fusible plugs are fitted at regular spacing of 3m along the pipes. The header (dia 4cm) from storage tanks, supplies
water to the over head pipes(generally dia2cm). In the event of fire, the sprinkler head(with fusible plugs) nearest the
fire point melts and allows the water to sprinkle on the fire itself. Hence the fire is controlled in a short period at the
source only. For making the system more effective, it should be filled with automatic alarm device
3. ESCAPE ROUTES FOR MEANS OF ESCAPE
The provision of ample escape routes, particularly for important buildings like theatre town halls , schools
restaurants, factories clubs and such other public buildings for the population of the building. In the event of fire is
of tremendous importance. The fire resistant construction of these escape routes - Incase of buildings exceeding 6
storeys of 25m height, used for mercantile, industrial business assembly buildings other than theatres institutional
and residential purposes, it has been recommended to provide at least one fire-tower as the escape route. All the
escape routes over roofs should be protected with railings, balustrades or parapets not less than one meter in
height.
ASHA MARAIAH

16. Fire Fighting
 Provide adequate means of escape. ...
 Outline clear pathways to exit doors. ...
 Install smoke detection systems. ...
 Maintain smoke suppression systems. ...
 Conduct regular fire drills. ...
 Use flame-retardant materials in interiors. ...
 Make your office accessible to firefighters. ...
 Keep the building plans handy.
ASHA MARAIAH

17. Top Fire Prevention and Safety Measures in Commercial Buildings
FIRE SAFETY MEASURE #1
 Building Access & Emergency Evacuation Routes
FIRE SAFETY MEASURE #2
 Fire Safety Exit Signs & Fire Alarms
As important as unblocked exits are to fire safety, people finding the exits is an equally
FIRE SAFETY MEASURE #3
 Practice Good Daily Habits for Building Fire Prevention
FIRE SAFETY MEASURE #4
 Preventative Inspections & Maintenance for Fire Protection Systems
FIRE SAFETY MEASURE #5
 Train Staff on Workplace Fire Prevention & Safety Measures
FIRE SAFETY MEASURE #6
 Choose Fire Protection Companies with Nationwide 24/7 Emergency Services
FIRE SAFETY MEASURE #7
 Partner with a Full-Service Fire Safety Company that Takes a Preventative Approach
ASHA MARAIAH

18. 10 daily fire prevention and safety measures to minimize fire hazards:
1. Trash/waste is properly stowed in trash/recycling bins, not piled up in any area, especially doorways.
2. Extension cords are not in permanent use; those that are should be industrial grade and grounded.
3. All power strips are UL listed with built-in circuit breakers.
4. Cigarette butts and containers are away from the building, shrubbery, and flammable materials.
5. Combustible materials/liquids are stored securely in approved cabinet per NFPA/OSHA regulations.
6. Electrical appliances are GFCI protected; nothing hot is on without someone in attendance.
7. Nothing is hanging from fire sprinkler piping or sprinkler heads.
8. Fire pump rooms/riser rooms are 100% free of anything other than fire protection equipment.
9. All supplies/stock/merchandise are at least 3 ft. from heating units and ductwork.
10.All fire extinguishers are fully charged, not damaged, and readily accessible; none are missing.
ASHA MARAIAH

19. Preventative Inspections & Maintenance for Fire Protection
Systems
Preventative, regularly scheduled inspections are required for:
 Fire sprinkler systems
 Backflow preventer assemblies
 Fire suppression systems
 Kitchen hood suppression systems
 Fire alarms
 Fire extinguishers
 Alarms, monitors, detectors
These inspections will discover anything that is not in working order so maintenance can be performed.
Keeping your fire protection systems functional is essential to building fire prevention and stopping fire before it
spreads.
ASHA MARAIAH