CHAPTER 16

Fire protection in building

INTRODUCTION
The protection of building structures from the hazards of
fire is one utmost concern of the government. Hence, for
a continued citizens awareness of damages brought by
fire to life and property, the month of march was
declared as fire prevention month.
Planners and builders have their own contributions in
this campaign, by making their plans and constructions
conform to the fire code requirements. The owner on the
other hand, is much more concern of his investment
protection. However, despite the advancement in fire
protection technology, fire is still common occurrence in
buildings of all types. Records showed that the loss of
life and damages to property is considerably enormous
is every incident of fire.
Modern design and construction techniques, did not escape
the blame for allegedly having increased the potential of
fire, especially, in tall buildings attributed to the following:
1. Light material construction methods do not offer
inherent protection against fire unlike the cement
plaster or concrete.
2. Non-integrally constructed floors and walls provide fuse
for fire and smoke
3. False ceiling containing electrical, and other services ,
are hidden locations where fire can start unnoticed.
4. Punched-hole for installation of telephone and other
related services, violates the design structural integrity.
5. The central air conditioning system can serve as
passage for smoke.
6. The use of plastic materials for trim and covering of
interior structures create potential ignition for fire and
smoke.
7. Furniture style and materials plus interior designs
could ignite or fuel fire.
PLANNING FOR FIRE
PROTECTION
One of the many responsibilities given to architects and
engineers by their License to Practice, is the protection
of buildings against loss of life and damage to property
from fire. The owner on the other hand, is very much
concerned with the preservation of the structure and its
contents from the destructive affect of fire.
As part of their responsibilities, planners and builders
should look onto all the facts of possible problems that
may be encountered including fire safety.
Tall building presents variety of unique problems, more
particularly on fire safety. Therefore, problems on fire
safety must be addressed at the very start of the
planning stage. Because the belief that these imposing
structures of modern technology are totally immune to
fatal fire, is hard to accept.
To some extent, a useful way to consider tall building a
high-rise building in terms of fire protection.
FIRE PROTECTION
PROBLEMS ON TALL
BUILDINGS ARE:
1. Too high to be completely accessible to fire fighting
equipment from the ground.
2. Too high to make a complete evacuation of the
occupants.
3. Tall enough to make possible chimney for air and
smoke passage.
The National Fire Protection Association maintained a
comprehensive set of standard rules in planning to
minimize fire hazard. The guidelines include the
equipment design for fire fighting which is mandatory.
The Fire Code on the other hand, considers the building
density in the locality and the flammability of the
structures and its contents. It also imposes the following
requirement:
1. The resistance of the building and its contents
2. Limitation of volume to adjacent vulnerable buildings
3. Exits and fire tower stairs
4. Protection against defective electrical system
5. Lighting protection
6. Detection and alarm systems
7. Automatic sprinkler systems
8. Standpipe and hose systems
9. Automatic smoke and heat venting
10. Smoke and heat shafts
11. Control of air conditioning ducts
12. Communication in high rise buildings
13. Elevator control
14. Fire command station in tall buildings
The scope of this chapter on Fire Protection in the
Building is limited only to the topics that are related to
the subject of plumbing, Discussions will be limited to
the following:
1. Water and water supply for fire fighting
2. Water pumping systems
3. Standpipe systems
WATER AND WATER SUPPLY
Water is the number one enemy of fire. Even with the
latest modern and sophisticated fire fighting equipment,
gadgets, tools and other concoctions, water is still an
essential requirement in combating fire.
On high rise building, water is supplied through:
1. Elevated water tank or
2. Underground reservoir
ELEVATED WATER TANK
The elevated water tank is a traditional design of strong
water in an elevated reservoir for the following purposes:
1. To supply a constant pressure of water in the distribution
lines.
2. To store sufficient water to balance the supply from the
demand.
3. To prevent excessive starting and stopping of the pump.
4. To provide dependable supply for fire reserve.
The elevated water tank has also the following disadvantages:
1. Unsightly appearance
2. High cost of construction
3. Requires massive structure and foundation for its
tremendous weight.

Underground water reservoir

The underground water reservoir is one alternate to replace
the elevated water tank. It is a reinforced concrete structure
constructed on one side of the building, provided with a small
vent rising above the ground. The reservoir is covered with
earth from 60 to 90centimeters blended with the lawn and
landscape shrubbery. It completely eliminates the problem of
unsightly appearance and weight.
STANDBY POWER
In case of fire incidence, the power supply in the
building is automatically cut off which could be a
tragedy. A standby diesel powered generator is a must.
This unit and its fuel stock are separately housed in a
fire resistant enclosure sufficient away from the possible
location of fire in the main building.
THE UP-FEED PUMPING
SYSTEM
The up-feed pumping system provides a continuous flow
of water from the deep well through the domestic and
fire reservoir. The continuous flow of water prevents it
from becoming stagnant and rancid. The fire reservoir
has the priority over the domestic reservoir is totally
empty, the fire reservoir would remain full of water
A small 20 gallons per minute jockey pump will supply
the necessary pressure for the sprinkler system, and
consequently, a signal from the sprinkler system will
start the 750 qpm main pump. If this pump becomes
inadequate for the demand, a diesel engine driven pump
of equal capacity will automatically take over.
The sensing unit which control the operations of the
pumps are:
1. The bubble control units in each of the two reservoirs.
2. The dual control unit that regulates the supply for the
pressure tank.
 HYDROPNEUMATIC TANK
Is used to store air under pressure that will balance out-
surge from the two domestic pumps and reduce the
frequently starting, and stopping of the motor. It is an
improvement of the closed system, where several
pumps are sequenced automatically to supply an even
pressure. It has the advantage of using only two pumps
when necessary.
One disadvantage of this system is the difficulty in
maintaining the ratio of 60% air to 40% water. Water
from deep well to the tank becomes air bound as water
stored therein gives up its absorbed air. The dual control
installation eliminates the need for manual adjustment
of this 60% to 40% ratio by employing two sensing
devices within a single control.
A drop air pressure inside the tank will send signals to
start the pump, and the rise of water level,
automatically send signals to stop the motor.
 HOW TO CONTROL SYSTEM
OPERATIONS:
1. For correct time delay through the motor driven relays, the signal
from the dual control and the double control units are processed in
the central cabinet.
2. The central control system alternates the pumps to give them even
wear, or run them together as demand requires.
3. In case of low suction, the control system automatically shut off to
prevent motor damage .
4. At the same time after of the maintenance engineer indicating the
location of the trouble.
5. The system could run without human attendance to satisfy the heavy
demand of air conditioning, domestic water supply, and fire control.
THE STANDPIPE AND HOSE
The standpipe is a pipe installed in buildings not as part
of the water supply or disposal system, but primarily, for
use as water conveyance in case of fire.
The fire hose is always located near the stairs for use by
firemen in case of fire. It is increased in glass cabinets
with the following label: Break Glass in Case of Fire.
 THE STANDPIPE AND FIRE
HOSE FUNCTIONS AS
FOLLOWS:
1. Upon arrival of the firemen, the standpipe Siamese Twin is
immediately connected to the street fire hydrant, or to any other
water source by their fire hose.
2. The firemen would immediately goes up the building and connect their
fire hose to the standpipe, freeing them from the inconvenience of
carrying their hose to the upper floor of the building.
3. With the standpipe and hoses, the firemen were provided with an
every ready fire fighting tools and equipment that saves time and
effort which may spell the difference is saving life and property.
4. The length of the firemen hose is limited to a certain height, but
because of the standpipe provision, the upper most floor of a tall
building, could be reached by the fire fighters.
 THE AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER
SYSTEM
The automatic sprinkler system consists of horizontal
pattern of pipes placed near the ceiling of industrial and
commercial buildings, warehouses, stores, theaters and
other structures where fire hazard require their use.
These pipes are provided with outlet and sprinkler heads
that open automatically at temparatures of 135°F to
160°F and emit a series of fine water sprays.
THE SPRINKLER SYSTEM
INCLUDES:
1. Wet pipe
2. Dry pipe
The Wet Pipe refer to the piping installations wherein both
the mains and the distribution pipes are constantly filled
with water.
The Dry Pipe refers to the piping installations where there
is no water standing in the distribution pipe, except during
the occurence of fire. This is generally confined to
unheated buildings.
SPACING OF THE SPRINKLER
HEADS
The spacing of sprinkler heads depends upon the
following conditions:
1. Fire rating of the building
2. Construction of the ceiling
3. Types of occupancy
4. Total area
The coverage of one sprinkler head varies from 20
square meters for light hazard occupancy to about 10
square meters for extra hazard condition. Nozzles are
set about 2.40 to 3.60 meters apart on the supply pipes,
and spaced about 3.00 to 4.00 meters apart at right
angle exposed beams or panels.
SPECIAL INSTALLATION
REQUIREMENT
1. At least one fire department connection on each
frontage.
2. A master alarm valve control for all water supplies
other than fire department connections.
3. Special fire walls between protected areas.
4. Sloping water proof floors with the drains or scupper
to carry away the waste water
OTHER REQUIREMENTS FOR
FIRE FIGHTING
Firemen is to create a ventilation or hole at a high point
of the structure to relieve the building of smoke and hot
gases. This will permit access to the fire at the height of
its occurrence. In multi storey buildings, Vent shaft is
necessary to quickly relieve the burning building of
smoke and hot gases.
WET STANDPIPE AND
SIAMESE CONNECTION
The wet standpipe with Siamese connection is one of the
common types of fire protection installed in buildings.
This kind of standpipe is connected to the water supply
and distribution system. The disadvantage of this
installation is when there is inadequate water supply for
fire fighting. The firemen may decide to connect the
Siamese connection to a river or drainage ditch.
THANK
YOU!