Fighting Fires in Sprinklered BuildingsNFPA 13E

Types of Sprinkler Systems

• Wet-Pipe

• Dry-Pipe

• Preaction

• Deluge

Wet-Pipe System

How system works?

Dry-Pipe System

• water replaced by air under pressure

• air escapes first, valve opens

• air-pressure gauge above the valve; water pressure gauge below

Preaction System

• dry system

• deluge-type valve, fire detection systems, closed sprinklers

• system discharges only when smoke/heat device is activated

Preaction System

Single-interlock

Double-interlock

Preaction System

VIDEO

Deluge System

• open heads

• deluge valve (specific to system sections)

• flame/heat/smoke detection devices

• manual device

Types of Sprinkler Heads

Identify what types of systems are in each building on the facility.

NFPA 13EFighting Fires In Sprinklered Buildings

Why sprinklers fail?

1. Closed valve in supply line.

2. Inadequate water supply to the system.

3. Occupancy changes that render system ineffective.

How do we mitigate these risks?

Pre-incident Planning 1. Building construction, contents, layout

2. Water supply to system, source/type, flow/pressure, duration of available supply

3. Location of control valves, area controlled, consequence of shutting valve

4. Location of FDC and layout to be used

5. Location of other water supplies

6. Alternate means of supplying water (damaged FDC)

7. Location of spare/replacement sprinklers

8. Location of waterflow indicators and annunciator panels

Fireground Operations

*Sprinkler system should not be shut down

1. supply system (150 psi)

Fireground Operations*Sprinkler system should not be shut down

1. supply system (150 psi)

2. connect other hose streams (use different source)

3. verify that water is flowing to system

4. If not- verify valves are open, verify pump operation (make note of closed valves for investigation)

Fireground Operations

5. If not- verify valves are open, verify pump operation

6. Initiate ventilation procedures

7. Salvage covers deployed to protect property

8. Undertake water removal procedures

Post-fire Operations

1. System should not be shut down until fire extinguished.

2. Shut down sectional valve, not main system

3. Firefighter to remain at valve until overhaul complete.

4. Shut down lines connected to FDC.

5. If only few opened heads, use wedges

Post-fire Operations

6. Conduct routine overhaul; initiate investigation (notify fire prevention)

7. Disconnect hose lines

8. Contact sprinkler contractor; assist in restoring system (building should not be occupied until system restored)

9. Notify fire prevention.

Reports

• location of operating sprinklers

• number of sprinkler operating

• result of sprinkler operation

• reason for unsatisfactory operation

• employee assigned to check control valve

• did FD connect to system

• unit that connected to FDC

• number of lines used

• was water pumped into system? how long? what pressure?

• valve closed after fire

Reports

• number of sprinklers replaced by fire dept.

• type of sprinklers installed

• was system restored? by whom?

• actions taken to restore service

• did water supply operate satisfactorily

• fire prevention personnel notified

• proper facilities personnel notified

Exercise

Given a floor plan, walk through facility and make note of sprinkler system components and connections. Connect to FDC from truck, to ensure proper operation.