FIRE ENGINEERINGDTM: A BRIEF INTRODUCTION

WHAT DOES DTM OFFER

Architectural Services The Fire Protection Plan is developed with the requirements of Safety

Design and Regulation in mind first, and with the SANS requirements second

DTM identifies the hazards and risks for a application Inputs in early design with the architect to develop safe and cost

effective systems (Redlining) Recommendations Budgets

WHAT DOES DTM OFFER (CONTINUED) Engineering Services

Fire Protection Plan (Rational Design): A Functional specification of how the safety systems of the building will meet the fire safety objectives.

Systems Design: Detail design calculations and functional specifications

Systems design by the Fire Engineer: Fire Detection Systems to detect any form of combustible Surpression or Prevention system

HAZARDS AND RISKS

Continued operations Damage to equipment Health to occupants Fire safety in the building

WARNING: IMPACT OF THE SURPRESSION SYSTEMS The SANS 10400 Part T lists automatic sprinkler systems and fixed

extinguishing systems only. Sprinklers

Water damage Extinguishing systems:

Fire has already started/developed Gas deployment may damage equipment due to design guidelines in the

SANS 10139

Hypoxic Systems vs. conventional Gas Suppression (refer to Appendix B): The Hypoxic system has the following advantages over the more well-

known Gas Suppression Systems: The fire is prevented from developing due to the low oxygen levels

maintained inside the console. This means no fire damage or down time. The duration of application, according to the design code for Gas

Suppression, will require evacuation of the room. Discontinuation of operations is a risk.

Due to construction constraints, the Gas Suppression system cylinders will have to be installed inside the room of operation – which poses a potential injury risk in the case of malfunction.

The costs for installation of Gas Suppression systems are more costly compared to Hypoxic systems.

BACKGROUND FOR ALTERNATIVE DESIGN Hypoxic air for fire prevention, also known as oxygen reduction

system, is an active fire protection A permanent reduction of the oxygen concentration in the protected

areas Usually 5% to10% of oxygen contained in the air is replaced by the

same amount of nitrogen: In a hypoxic environment, common materials cannot ignite or burn.

Thus, considering the fire triangle, a fire cannot occur because of the lack of sufficient oxygen.

BACKGROUND FOR ALTERNATIVE DESIGNCooling air for consoles will mix with pre-mixed normal air conditioned air to yield air mix with 17% Oxygen content. This is equal to Johannesburg altitude.

BUDGET:Location OR Tambo, 85 Consoles

Distribution of Modules Operations, 32 Consoles ATA, 38 Consoles SSS, 15 Consoles

Means of Prevention/Suppression

Hypoxic Gas Flood Hypoxic Gas Flood Hypoxic Gas Flood

Sub Total R 1 808 000 R 2 200 000 R 2 147 000 R 2 612 500 R 847 500 R 1 023 750

Location Cape Town International, 32 UnitsDistribution of Modules Operations, 22 Consoles SSS, 10 Consoles

Means of Prevention/Suppression Hypoxic Gas Flood Hypoxic Gas Flood

Sub Total R 1 243 000 R 1 501 500 R 580 401 R 682 500

BUDGET: Budget Includes (both systems):

Fire Prevention System (Hypoxic) or Gas Suppression system (Inerting agent) supply and distribution.

All monitoring, detection and control systems that interface with the current control room

Control panels Audio and Visual alarms Ducting and hardware required for the Suppression and Detection Systems Fire safety signs

Budget Excludes: Fire detection for the building Fire Protection Plan for the building

CASE STUDY