1. 7
Fire
Protection
Systems

2. 7
Learning Objectives (1 of 11)
• List information related to fire protection
systems that should be included in a
pre-incident plan for a protected
building.
• Compare residential sprinkler systems
to commercial sprinkler systems.

3. 7
Learning Objectives (2 of 11)
• Explain why it is important to “Let the
System Do Its Job” when conducting
operations in a building protected by an
automatic fire suppression system.
• Recognize the differences between wet
pipe, dry pipe, and deluge sprinkler
systems.

4. 7
Learning Objectives (3 of 11)
• Compare the reliability of a wet pipe
sprinkler system to dry pipe and deluge
sprinkler systems.
• Compare and contrast operations at a
sprinkler protected building with and
without obvious signs of a fire or system
operation.

5. 7
Learning Objectives (4 of 11)
• Describe fire department operations at a
building protected by a deluge system.
• Identify, classify, and describe different
types of standpipe systems.

6. 7
Learning Objectives (5 of 11)
• Describe fire department operations at a
building equipped with a standpipe
system.
• Explain discharge pressure differences
in standpipe systems and how these
differences affect operations.

7. 7
Learning Objectives (6 of 11)
• Describe the advantages and
disadvantages of solid bore and
automatic nozzles when operating from
a standpipe.
• Compute the pump discharge pressure
needed to supply a fire line in a high-
rise building equipped with a standpipe.

8. 7
Learning Objectives (7 of 11)
• Develop a list of standard standpipe
equipment.
• List and describe fire protection systems
other than sprinkler or standpipe
systems.
• Explain fire department operations at a
facility protected by a Class B foam
system.

9. 7
Learning Objectives (8 of 11)
• Describe fire department operations at a
property protected by a total flooding
carbon dioxide system.
• Describe fire department operations at a
property protected by a total flooding
clean agent system.

10. 7
Learning Objectives (9 of 11)
• Define the term interlock and provide an
example of an interlock on a carbon
dioxide system.
• As it relates to company responses,
explain the possible problems with
habitual false alarm system activations.

11. 7
Learning Objectives (10 of 11)
• Pre-plan a building protected by a
sprinkler system.
• Pre-plan a building protected by a
standpipe system.
• Pre-plan a building protected by a foam
system.

12. 7
Learning Objectives (11 of 11)
• Pre-plan a building protected by a
non-water-based extinguishing system.
• Evaluate operations at a fire in a
building protected by a fire protection
system.

13. 7
Overview
• Use of fire protection systems
– Offensive attack takes on different
character
– IC’s job made easier
– Risk to fire firefighters reduced

14. 7
Fire Protection Systems
• Attack strategy involves properly
supporting or using the system.
• Primary tactic is to support the system.
• Fire-ground efforts should include:
– Maintaining system in full operational
status
– Laying lines for extinguishment

15. 7
Pre-Incident Planning (1 of 2)
• Essential for buildings protected by automatic
fire suppression systems
• Should include:
– General layout of building
– Telephone numbers of owners and managers
• Information can be kept on site in a lock box
– Or on apparatus and at dispatch center

16. 7
Pre-Incident Planning (2 of 2)
• Location and operation of various water
supply components:
– Main and divisional control valves
– Fire pump
– Fire department connections
– Water supply and hydrant water supply
– System limitations and peculiarities

17. 7
Sprinkler Systems (1 of 2)
• Residential systems
– NFPA 13R: Residential Occupancies up to
and Including Four Stories in Height
– NFPA 13D: One- and Two-Family
Dwellings and Manufactured Homes
– Highly reliable
– Allow for additional escape time
– Hardware requirements are different from
industrial or office systems.

18. 7
Sprinkler Systems (2 of 2)
• Commercial-type systems
– Must meet the requirements of NFPA 13:
Standard for Sprinkler Systems
– Exceptional record in controlling fires
– Large losses of life are practically
nonexistent in buildings that are equipped
with a properly designed, maintained, and
operating sprinkler system

19. 7
Sprinkler System Failures
• Closed valve in the water supply line
• Inadequate water supply to the sprinkler
system
• Occupancy changes that render the
system unsuitable
• System is shut down or otherwise out of
service.
– System should be tagged (NFPA 25).

20. 7
Types of Systems (1 of 6)
• Wet pipe sprinkler system
– One of the most reliable systems
– Reliable water supply
– Water is distributed and applied through
sprinkler heads.
– Valves control water distribution.
– Fire pumps may be needed to provide
necessary water pressure and volume.

21. 7
Types of Systems (2 of 6)
• Dry pipe sprinkler systems
– Used in areas that might freeze
– Piping is filled with air instead of water.
– When a sprinkler head opens, air bleeds
out of the system.
– Water may take a longer time to reach the
fire than in a wet pipe system.

22. 7
Types of Systems (3 of 6)
• Pre-action sprinkler systems
– A sensing device, such as a smoke or heat
detector, opens a valve, flooding the piping
with water.
– If a sprinkler head has also fused, water
will come out of the sprinkler onto the fire.

23. 7
Types of Systems (4 of 6)
• Pre-action sprinkler systems (continued)
– Advanced warning of activation
• Computer rooms
– In some systems, both the sprinkler head
and the pre-action device must actuate for
it to operate.

24. 7
Types of Systems (5 of 6)
• Deluge systems
– No water in piping or to sprinkler heads
– When activated, a valve opens, releasing
water through the open sprinkler heads
– Usually protect areas with high-challenge
fires
• Flammable liquids, conveyors moving
combustible commodities, transformers

25. 7
Types of Systems (6 of 6)
• Deluge systems (continued)
– Can be equipped with manually operated
override valves
– Often located at the deluge control valve
– Fire fighters should know where these
control valves are located and how to
manually activate the system.

26. 7
Operational Concerns
• Most common error is shutting down the
system prematurely
• ICs must be sure the fire is under
control before shutting down the
system.

27. 7
Fire Control
• The system will usually control the fire,
but may not completely extinguish it.
– Fires that are shielded from direct water
contact
– Hand lines must be in place.
• Operations should not deprive the
system of water.

28. 7
System Requirements
• System should have a calculated water
requirement.
– Includes enough water to support hose
streams
– The IC must be careful to avoid depleting
the system of water.
– Separate water supply

29. 7
Working at a Sprinklered
Building with No Fire (1 of 5)
• Gaining entry
– Forcible entry may not be necessary
• Lock box
– Lock boxes identified in pre-plans
• Keys
• Potential entry locations

30. 7
Working at a Sprinklered
Building with No Fire (2 of 5)
• Responsible party
– It may be advisable to wait for a keyholder.
• May not be appropriate to wait if there is a
delay
• Potential fire or water damage outweighs
damage done by forcible entry

31. 7
Working at a Sprinklered
Building with No Fire (3 of 5)
• Forcing entry
– Property damage should be considered.
– Upper story windows
– Guidance in SOPs

32. 7
Working at a Sprinklered
Building with No Fire (4 of 5)
• Checking the main control valve
– Radio-equipped fire fighter should be sent
to the system riser (main shutoff).
– Two fire fighters should be assigned if the
area is hazardous.
– May remain at the valve throughout entire
operation

33. 7
Working at a Sprinklered
Building with No Fire (5 of 5)
• Checking the main control valve
(continued)
– Determines if system is flowing
– If not equipped with a water motor gong,
listens for water flowing through pipe
– Checks to make sure valve is fully open

34. 7
Main Control Valves
• Sprinkler valve types, locations, and
operation should be noted in pre-plans.
• Sprinkler valve should be locked open.
– Cut or break the lock to shut down the
system.

35. 7
Checking the Fire Pumps
• Fire pumps should be physically
checked.
– Poor practice to rely on remote annunciator
panels
– Good chance that the system is
discharging if the main pump is operating

36. 7
Monitoring the Fire Pumps
• Pumps can be manually started.
• May be able to monitor main control
valve and fire pump

37. 7
Checking for Sprinkler
Operation
• Should systematically check entire
building
• It must be verified that nothing is amiss.

38. 7
Supplying the FDC
• A pumper with an adequate off-site
water supply should connect to the
FDC.
• The water supply for this pumper should
be large-diameter hose.
• A single 2½” (64-mm) or 3” (76-mm)
supply line to FDC is inadequate.

39. 7
Water Supply
• Off-site water sources should be
identified in pre-plans.
• Should be covered in SOGs

40. 7
Working at a Sprinklered
Building with Fire
• Main objective is to support the system
while ensuring that occupants are safe
• Gaining entry
– Use the minimum force necessary.
– Time spent gaining entry will increase the
risk to occupants.
• Also causes additional fire, water, and smoke
damage

41. 7
Checking the Main Control
Valves and Fire Pumps
• Fire fighters should be assigned to the
main valve and pump.
• Should ensure continued operation of
the system
– Provide rapid shutdown when appropriate
• Positions are critical and should be
staffed throughout the operation.

42. 7
Control Valves
• Large systems will be equipped with
control valves on portions of the system.
• Not as prone to accidental closing as
main control valves

43. 7
Supplying the FDC
• A pumper with an adequate off-site
water supply should connect to the
FDC.
• Department SOPs should identify
minimum water supplies and pump
pressures.
– NFPA 13 recommends a pressure of 150
psi (1034 kPa).

44. 7
Let the System Do Its Job
• It is better to shut down a sprinkler
system too late rather than too early.
– System should be permitted to operate
until the fire is under control.
• When the system is shut down, only
small spot fires should be remaining.
– Hose lines

45. 7
Backing Up the System
• Prepare for an offensive attack and
overhaul.
– Fire fighters should be in full PPE,
including SCBA.

46. 7
Hose Line Use
• Hose lines should not be operated
except:
– To perform rescue operations
– To limit fire spread
– For overhaul operations after the sprinkler
system has been shut down

47. 7
Use of Hose Lines
• May take priority if the sprinkler system
is ineffective due to:
– Damaged piping
– Malfunction
– Inadequacy

48. 7
Ventilation (1 of 2)
• Will channel the fire and limit its
extension
• When safe, ventilation openings should
be made above the fire.
• Cooling effect of water can inhibit
upward smoke movement
– Makes it more difficult to ventilate

49. 7
Ventilation (2 of 2)
• Recommended ventilation tactics
should be part of the pre-incident plan.
• Roof vents and draft curtains
• Overhaul requires ventilation.
– Positive or negative-pressure
• Ventilate instead of shutting down the
system to locate fire.

50. 7
Property Conservation
• Accomplished while extinguishment is in
progress
• Extinguishment takes priority.
– Water damage dictates that property
conservation occur simultaneously

51. 7
Placing the System Back in
Service
• To return system to service:
– Replace sprinkler heads and reopen valves.
– Most codes require spare heads be kept on the
premises.
• Restoring through use of division control
valves
• Some SOPs prohibit reactivating the system.

52. 7
Property Protected by a
Deluge System
• The tasks are basically the same for
wet, dry, or pre-action systems.
• Additional consideration: manual
operation of the deluge valve

53. 7
Deluge Systems
• Protected hazard creates extreme risks
for fire fighters.
• System operation will be obvious.
• Pre-incident planning is the key to a
successful operation.

54. 7
Deluge System Guidelines
• Check the control valve and fire pump.
– Valves should be open and pumps
operating properly.

55. 7
Operating the Deluge Valve
• Deluge can be activated manually.
• May deplete a private water supply
system
– Consideration must be given to the water
supply requirements.

56. 7
Checking Interlocks
• Deluge systems often trip interlocking
devices when activated.
– De-energize electric transformers, shut
down conveyor belts, or shut off a fuel
supply.
• Manual interlock activation
• Deluge system should control the fire
even if the interlocks do not function.

57. 7
Let the System Do Its Job
• Shut down
– Better too late than too early
– Fire must be completely under control.
• This system will be flowing large
quantities of water, increasing the
temptation to shut it down prematurely.

58. 7
Standpipe Equipped Building
• Not automatic fire suppression systems
– Cannot operate without human intervention
• Helpful in conducting offensive attacks
– May be impossible in high-rises if the
standpipe system is inoperative

59. 7
Standpipe Types (1 of 3)
• Automatic dry
– Filled with pressurized air
– Water enters system when a discharge is opened.
• Automatic wet
– Most common and reliable
– Filled with water
– Provides water when the discharge is opened

60. 7
Standpipe Types (2 of 3)
• Semiautomatic dry
– Dry standpipe
– Admits water into the piping upon
activation of a remote device

61. 7
Standpipe Types (3 of 3)
• Manual dry
– Does not have a water supply
– System relies exclusively on a supply
provided via the FDC
• Manual wet
– Filled with water connected to a water
supply that maintains water in the system
– Not capable of providing water unless it is
supplied

62. 7
Standpipe Locations
• High-rise buildings
• Big box stores
– May come from sprinkler system
• Should be pre-planned
– Type and class of systems
– Variations in pressure and design

63. 7
Pre-Connected Hose
• Poor practice to use pre-connected
hose lines
– Seldom tested or properly maintained
– Should bring own hose, nozzles, and
adapters

64. 7
Checking Fire Pumps and
Main Control Valves
• Fire pumps should be operating and the
main control valve open.
• A properly operating system is crucial.

65. 7
Supplying the FDC
• Much the same as for a sprinkler-protected
building
• Some systems rely entirely on pumpers to
provide water supply. The volume supplied
must be hydraulically calculated, allowing for:
– Elevation loss
– Friction loss in the hose
– Friction loss in the standpipe piping system
– Nozzle pressure

66. 7
Friction Loss
• Standard fire-ground hydraulic
calculation should be adequate.
– 10- to 15-psi (69- to 103-kPa) friction loss
for system piping
– Not necessary to determine the exact
friction loss in system
– Pre-planning

67. 7
Recommended Standpipe
Equipment (1 of 2)
• First-arriving engine company:
– Two 50’ (15-m) lengths of 1¾” (45-mm) or
larger diameter hose
– Smooth-bore or automatic variable-stream
nozzle
– A set of adapters, including a 2½”- to 1½”
(64- to 38-mm) reducer

68. 7
Recommended Standpipe
Equipment (2 of 2)
• Second-arriving engine company:
– Three 50’ (15-m) lengths of 2½” (64-mm)
hose
– Variable stream or smooth-bore nozzle
• Truck company:
– Forcible entry, ventilation, and salvage
equipment as required

69. 7
Pressure Reducing Devices
• Can cause problems for fire fighters
• Pre-incident planning and routine
inspections
• Many pressure- or flow-reducing valves
are field adjustable.
– Instructions should be included in pre-
plans.
• Should also include arrangements to obtain
special standpipe adjustment tools

70. 7
Pressure Reducing Valves
• Pressure reducing valves
– Must be installed and maintained properly
– Ensures that systems can provide the
required volume and pressure
• With proper pre-planning and
maintenance, it should not be
necessary to field-adjust PRVs.

71. 7
Automatic Nozzles
• Do not provide good flows at pressures
below design parameters
• Nozzle pressure of 100 psi (690 kPa)
common
– Will not provide any flow at lower
pressures.
– Should not be used on standpipes

72. 7
Smooth-Bore Nozzles
• Produce an adequate stream at low
discharge pressures
• Better choice for standpipe operations

73. 7
Connecting to a Standpipe
Discharge (1 of 2)
• Options
– Floor below
– Fire floor
• Provided that the valve is in a stairway or other
protected area

74. 7
Connecting to a Standpipe
Discharge (2 of 2)
• Hose should be laid up the stairway
above the fire floor.
– Should be done before door is opened
– Allows for easier hose movement

75. 7
Hose Management
• Excess hose may be a problem.
• May impede occupant egress
– Smoke conditions in the stairway from
open doors
• Two dedicated stairways
– One for fire operations, the other for
occupant evacuation

76. 7
Non-Water Based Systems
(1 of 2)
• Foam
– Surface application
– Subsurface application
– Deluge
• Halon (and other clean agents)
– Total flooding
– Local application

77. 7
Non-Water Based Systems
(2 of 2)
• Carbon dioxide
• Dry chemical
• Other inerting systems (using inert
gases to extinguish or contain a fire)

78. 7
Specialized Systems
• Influence strategic plan
– Good working knowledge essential
• Usually activated before arrival
– IC may need to activate the systems
manually.

79. 7
Pre-Planning
• Properties protected by a suppression
system should be pre-planned.
• Should note location of system
components:
– Risers
– Shutoffs
– Pumps
– Agent supply containers

80. 7
System Hazards
• Suffocation hazard
– Carbon dioxide
– High concentrations of Halon
• Physical harm
– Dry chemical

81. 7
Foam Systems
• High-expansion foam systems
• Low-expansion foam systems
• Refineries and petroleum storage
depots

82. 7
High-Expansion Foam
Systems
• Rare
• Designed to protect buildings by filling
an area with foam
– Smothers the fire
– Basements

83. 7
Low-Expansion Foam
Systems
• Storage of large quantities of flammable
and combustible liquids
• Some systems are automatic; others
require fire department support.
• Even automatic systems can be
operated manually.

84. 7
Refineries and Petroleum
Storage Depots
• Normally protect aboveground storage
tanks
• Located on or nearby the property
– Contains quantities of foam and means of
manually operating the system
• System operation differs at each facility.
– Should be familiar with the hazards and the
operation of system

85. 7
Foam
• Number one defense against flammable
liquid fires
• Nearly useless on pressurized liquids or
gases
• Will not suppress a three-dimensional
fire
– Leaking fuel

86. 7
Carbon Dioxide Systems
• Total flooding and local application
• Uses
– In areas where preventing water damage is a
prime objective
– Where this agent is more effective than water or
dry chemical
• Extinguishes by depleting oxygen supply
• Rely on detectors for their activation

87. 7
Total Flooding System
• Depend on agent containment for a
period of time
– Ventilation shut down
– Compartment kept closed
• Very cold when discharged
– Heavier than air
– May accumulate in low or remote locations

88. 7
Halon (1 of 2)
• React quickly to suppress fire in its
beginning stages
– Limits damage to sensitive equipment
• Used in explosion-suppression systems
where deflagrations are actually
suppressed before pressure builds up

89. 7
Halon (2 of 2)
• Products of decomposition are harmful
to humans.
• Might damage some electronic
components
• Causes environmental harm
– Destroys the ozone layer
• Being phased out

90. 7
Clean Agent Systems
• Rely on smoke detectors for activation
• Limited supply of agent must be
discharged into a confined area
– Room must remain closed
– Ventilation system must automatically shut
down

91. 7
Dry and Wet Chemical
Systems
• Dry chemical applications
– Kitchen hoods
– Cooking appliances
– Ductwork in restaurants
– Dip tanks
– Gasoline-dispensing facilities

92. 7
Kitchen Hood Systems
• Activated either automatically or
manually by a pull station
– For automatic operation, fusible links are
located over the area being protected or in
the ductwork.

93. 7
Wet Chemical Systems
• Similar in design to dry chemical
systems
– Also found in kitchen hood applications
• Preferred because clean up is much
easier
• Will probably have discharged prior to
arrival

94. 7
Total Flooding CO2 Systems
• Let the system do its job.
– If the fire is controlled, maintain chemical
concentration by keeping doors closed
• No need to enter the area unless
occupants failed to escape
• Have limited supply of extinguishing
agent unlike sprinkler and standpipe
systems

95. 7
Final Extinguishment and
Rescue
• PPE, including SCBA, must be worn if
entering room
– Area may appear to be clear yet is oxygen-
deficient.
• Clean agents may pose a threat
because of corrosive decomposition
gases.

96. 7
Manual Activation
• Systems may be equipped with a
manual actuation device.
– Can be operated in the event automatic
sensors fail

97. 7
Abort Switch
• Systems are equipped with an abort
switch.
– Can be held to prevent agent discharge
– The IC must determine whether preventing
discharge is justified.

98. 7
Checking Interlocks
• Systems often trip interlocking devices.
– Shut down the ventilation system
– Pre-action alarms interlocked to the system
• Allow occupants time to escape
– Manually interlock activation
• Ventilation systems should be closed.

99. 7
Local Application CO2
Systems
• Let the system do its job.
– Make sure valves are open.
– Do not interfere with system operation.

100. 7
Checking the Interlocks
• Interlocks may shut off fuel supplies or
de-energize equipment.
• Manual operation
• Employees may be able to shut down
equipment as needed.

101. 7
Manual Activation
• Support the system by activating
manual devices.
• Generally protect Class B or Class C
hazards
• Do not depend on an enclosure.

102. 7
Backing Up the System
• Be prepared with backup equipment.
– Hose lines, foam lines, or portable
extinguishers
– Augment the system and/or complete
overhaul
• It is important to inspect the entire
ductwork and exhaust system.
– Verify that the fire did not spread beyond
the cooking appliance.

103. 7
System Restoration
• Property owner or contractor
– Capable of recharging and resetting the
system

104. 7
Responses to Building Fire
Alarm Systems
• False alarms are common.
– Special responses may be sent to alarm
activations.
– The high number of false alarms causes
apathy.
• Apathy lulls forces into complacency.

105. 7
False Alarms
• Poor system maintenance or improper
installation
– Assessing penalties

106. 7
Summary (1 of 2)
• ICs should take advantage of a working
fire suppression system.
– Should support and back up system
– Manual fire suppression could reduce the
effectiveness of the fixed system.

107. 7
Summary (2 of 2)
• The key to successful operations:
– Having SOPs
– Having pre-incident plans