FIRE PROTECTION IN BUILDING PROJECTS

This means constructing the building by

using materials and systems that prevent as
far as possible the effect of fire destruction.
Materials used may form the supporting
members or may be applied as covering to
protect the members of the building from
the effect of fire.
Characteristics of Materials
used as fire proofing
Should have the following characteristics or
properties
 Non-conductors of heat, material used should not
permit heat to pass through freely
 Incombustible, material used should not be
catching fire easily and be consumed by it.
 Should be fire retardant, i.e. prevent it from
reaching another part of the building or adjacent
buildings.
 Should endure great heat for length of time
 Should have low coefficient of expansion
 Withstand sudden cooling
 Should be composed of non-disintegrated material
due to effect of heat
 Materials used as fire proof in
different buildings
 Common types of Brick; it is non-conductors
and incombustible.
 Concrete: it is the common and oldest type of
fireproofing that endures heat for a length of
time.
 Plaster of Paris: it is a better heat retardant.
 Sheet metal: it is extensively used as fire
retardant.
 Asbestos: fibrous material which combined
with Portland cement to form material that
has fire resisting value. Have greater
resistance to cracks when subjected under fire
Causes of fire and its
effects
 Historically many fires occurred
due to the careless disposal of
cigarette smoking material, into
wastepaper baskets.
 However, in today's world of
electronic office equipment, there
has been an increase in fire
incidents due to faulty electrical
equipment and wiring.
Causes of fire and its effects “Ctn”
Open Flames
 negligence in conducting hot work, such as welding,
cutting or grinding;
 improper use of candles;
 improper handling of flammable or combustible liquids or
flammable gases in near-to-potential ignition sources; and
 matches and cigarettes that are improperly disposed of, or
left unattended near combustibles.
Electrical
 damaged electrical conductors, plug wires or extension
cords;
 use of faulty, modified or unapproved electrical equipment;
 insufficient space or clearance between electrical heating
equipment and combustibles;
 short or overloaded circuits;
 loose electrical connections; and lighting.
 Causes of fire and its effects
“Ctn”
Cooking
 deep frying in pots or pans on stove tops;
 unattended cooking appliances; and
 combustibles located dangerously close to cooking
equipment.

Spontaneous Ignition and the Ignition of Waste

Materials
 improper disposal of materials susceptible to spontaneous
combustion, such as oily rags from wood finishing or
polishing;
 accumulation of organic materials, such as green hay,
grain or woodchips; and
 accumulation of waste combustible materials near
potential sources of ignition.
SPREAD OF FIRE
During designing the building the
spread of fire should be taken into
consideration. The building should be
designed so that fire cannot transfer
from one part of the building to
another.
The methods applied to reduce
spread of fire in the building are
-Compartmentation
-Fire protection system
Methods applied to reduce
spread of fire in building.
 Compartmentation.
The use of compartments in building
design is beneficial in preventing the
spread of fire from one area to another.
The building is divided into a number of
fireproof boxes in effect, and if a fire
starts in one of the boxes it must be
contained there.
This reduces the effects of fire and again
ensures the occupants have plenty time
to leave the building.
Methods applied to reduce spread
of fire in building “Ctn”

 Fire protection system

An early warning device to detect
smoke and fire within building.
It includes the following:-
 The Smoke Detectors
 Heat Detectors
 Radiation Fire Detectors
 Smoke Extraction and Ventilation
 Portable Fire Extinguishers
 Fire Detection Electrical Circuits
 The Smoke Detectors

Smoke Detectors are available in two basic

types. Each can be powered by a simple
battery cell or by mains electricity.
 Ionisation - an inexpensive device, sensitive
to tiny smoke particles and fast burning
fires such as a flaming chip pan.
 Light scattering or optical - more expensive
but more sensitive in slow burning and
smouldering fire produced by burning
fabrics or upholstery and overheating PVC
wiring.
 Combined - a unit containing both
ionisation and optical detection.
The Smoke Detectors
“Ctn)
System control unit - an alarm
panel which monitors the state of
all parts (zones) of the installation.
It identifies the point of origin of an
alarm, displays this on the panel
and communicates this to remote
control locations
 The Smoke Detectors
required , generally
Number and location
The more the better, as fires can start anywhere.
Ideally detectors should be provided in every
room except a bathroom, as dampness and
steam can create a false affect. Likewise, for a
kitchen, unless of sufficient volume to be
unaffected by cooking appliances and washing
up facilities. Use in a garage can also be
deceptive as exhaust fumes are likely to trigger
the detector.

Minimum protection
One detector for every floor level positioned in a
central hallway and/or landing can be provided.
Smoke Detectors Requirements
for dwellings
Automatic fire detection and alarm systems are to be provided to
the recommendations of BS 5839: Fire detection and alarm systems
in buildings.

Alternatively, a smoke alarm system may be acceptable if it

complies with BS EN 14604: Smoke alarm devices. These should
have primary and secondary power supplies.

Point detectors - individual heat or smoke detection units which

respond to an irregular situation in the immediate vicinity.

Line detectors - a continuous type of detection comprising a pair of

conducting cables separated by low temperature melting insulation
to permit a short circuit alarm when the cables contact. Suitable in
tunnels and service shafts.
Heat Detectors
Heat detectors are used where smoking is permitted and in
other situations where a smoke detector could be inadvertently
actuated by process work in the building, e.g. a factory.
Detectors are designed to identify a fire in its more advanced
stage, so their response time is longer than smoke detectors.

 Fusible type - has an alloy sensor with a thin walled casing

fitted with heat collecting fins at its lower end. An electrical
conductor passes through the centre. The casing has a fusible
alloy lining and this functions as a second conductor. Heat
melts the lining at a pre-determined temperature causing it
to contact the central conductor and complete an alarm relay
electrical circuit.

 Bi-metallic coil type - heat passes through the cover to the bi-
metal coils. Initially the lower coil receives greater heat than
the upper coil. The lower coil responds by making contact
with the upper coil to complete an electrical alarm circuit.
 Heat Detectors “ctn”
 Light obscuring - a beam of light is projected across
the protected area close to the ceiling. The light
falls onto a photo-electric cell which produces a
small electrical current for amplification and
application to an alarm circuit.

Smoke rising from a fire passes through the light

beam to obscure and interrupt the amount of light
falling on the photo-electric cell. The flow of electric
current from the cell reduces sufficiently to activate
an
alarm relay.
Preferred location of detectors

i. Over 300 mm from light fittings.

ii. Min. one per storey.
iii. Loft conversions, with alarm linked to
operate others and be operated by
others in the dwelling.
iv. Circulation spaces between bedrooms.
v. Circulation spaces 7.5 m from doors to
habitable rooms.
vi. Kitchens (with regard to heat/smoke
producing appliances).
vii. Living rooms.
Fire extinguishing
system
 Fire extinguishing systems are
provided to protect the building
from the effect of fire.
 The fire extinguishing systems
apart from extinguish the fire in
great extent helps in preventing
the spread of fire as.
 Types of extinguisher's to be used
depends on types of fire
 Fire extinguishing system
“CTD”
Types of fire
Not all fires are the same. Different fuels create
different fires and require different types of fire
extinguishing agents.
Class A
Class A fires are fires in ordinary combustibles
such as wood, paper, cloth, trash, and plastics
Class B
Class B fires are fires in flammable liquids such
as gasoline, petroleum oil and paint. Class B
fires also include flammable gases such as
propane and butane. Class B fires do not include
fires involving cooking oils and grease
Fire extinguishing system “CTD”
Class C
Class C fires are fires involving energized
electrical equipment such as motors,
transformers, and appliances. Remove the
power and the Class C fire becomes one of
the other classes of fire.
Class D
Class D fires are fires in combustible metals
such as potassium, sodium, aluminum, and
magnesium.
Class K
Class K fires are fires in cooking oils and
greases such as animals fats and vegetable
fats.
Types of portable Fire Extinguishers
Water and Foam
 Water and Foam fire extinguishers extinguish the
fire by taking away the heat element of the fire
triangle. Foam agents also separate the oxygen
element from the other elements.
 Water extinguishers are for Class A fires only - they
should not be used on Class B or C fires. The
discharge stream could spread the flammable liquid
in a Class B fire or could create a shock hazard on a
Class C fire.
Carbon Dioxide
 Carbon Dioxide fire extinguishers extinguish fire by
taking away the oxygen element of the fire triangle
and also be removing the heat with a very cold
discharge.
 Carbon dioxide can be used on Class B & C fires.
They are usually ineffective on Class A fires.
Types of portable Fire
Extinguishers “CTD”
Dry Chemical
 Dry Chemical fire extinguishers extinguish the
fire primarily by interrupting the chemical
reaction of the fire triangle.
 Today's most widely used type of fire
extinguisher is the multipurpose dry chemical
that is effective on Class A, B, and C fires. This
agent also works by creating a barrier between
the oxygen element and the fuel element on
Class A fires.
 Ordinary dry chemical is for Class B & C fires
only. It is important to use the correct
extinguisher for the type of fuel! Using the
incorrect agent can allow the fire to re-ignite
after apparently being extinguished successfully.
Types of portable Fire Extinguishers
“CTD”
Dry Powder
Dry Powder extinguishers are similar
to dry chemical except that they
extinguish the fire by separating the
fuel from the oxygen element or by
removing the heat element of the fire
triangle.
However, dry powder extinguishers
are for Class D or combustible metal
fires, only. They are ineffective on all
other classes of fires.
Types of portable Fire Extinguishers
“CTD”
Cartridge Operated Dry Chemical
 CartridgeOperated Dry Chemical fire extinguishers
extinguish the fire primarily by interrupting the chemical
reaction of the fire triangle.
 Likethe stored pressure dry chemical extinguishers, the
multipurpose dry chemical is effective on Class A, B, and
C fires. This agent also works by creating a barrier
between the oxygen element and the fuel element on
Class A fires.
 Ordinary dry chemical is for Class B & C fires only. It is
important to use the correct extinguisher for the type of
fuel! Using the incorrect agent can allow the fire to re-
ignite after apparently being extinguished successfully.
Types of portable Fire Extinguishers
“CTD”
Water Mist
Water Mist extinguishers are a recent
development that extinguish the fire
by taking away the heat element of
the fire triangle.
They are an alternative to the clean
agent extinguishers where
contamination is a concern.
Water mist extinguishers are primarily
for Class A fires, although they are
safe for use on Class C fires as well.
Types of portable Fire Extinguishers
“CTD”

Clean Agent
Halogenated or Clean Agent
extinguishers include the halon agents
as well as the newer and less ozone
depleting halocarbon agents. They
extinguish the fire by interrupting the
chemical reaction of the fire triangle.
Clean agent extinguishers are
primarily for Class B & C fires. Some
larger clean agent extinguishers can
be used on Class A, B, and C fires.
 Various ways that are used to provide fire extinguishing systems

 Fire hydrants and water riser system

In these methods pipes connected to the underground water
storage tanks through a fire pump which ensures supply of
water at the most outlet the water risers have suitable
connection at each floor from where constant supply of water
can be drawn in the event of fire.
 Sprinkler systems

These systems are very effective in putting out fires quickly, is

the network of water supply pipes fixed to the floor or roof slab
each sprinkler head is provided with as fusible plug that in case
of fire it melts and water gets out to extinguish fire thus
preventing the spread of fire. But can potentially cause more
damage than the fire itself, especially in critical areas such as
computer rooms. Sprinkler systems can reduce the spread of
fire and also allow a greater time for evacuation of the building.
 Portable fire extinguishers
Normally this types of fire extinguishers are fixed on the wall
where can be easily reachable in case of fire