Fire Fighting Systems

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A pre-action fire sprinkler system is a type of fire suppression system that is designed to minimize the risk of false alarms and water damage in facilities. It uses a combination of water and air pressure to activate the sprinkler system and suppress a fire.

The system consists of a network of pipes connected to a water supply and equipped with fire sprinkler heads at designated points. The pipes are filled with air under pressure, which holds back the water from the fire sprinkler heads. When a fire is detected, the air pressure is released, and water is supplied to the sprinkler heads to suppress the fire.

A pre-action fire sprinkler system is a two-step process requiring two separate devices to be activated before the sprinkler heads release water. The first step is to trigger the fire detection system, which can be done through smoke detectors, heat detectors, or a combination of both. Once the fire detection system has been activated, water is released into the pipes. The second step is for the fire sprinkler head/s to activate and suppress the fire

One of the main benefits of a pre-action fire sprinkler system is that it provides a high level of reliability and protection against false alarms. The two-step process ensures that water is only released in the presence of an actual fire, which reduces the risk of water damage from false alarms. In addition to its reliability, pre-action fire sprinkler systems are also highly customizable, making it easy to design a system that meets a facility’s specific needs. They are also versatile and can be used in various applications, including high-risk areas, data centers, and other critical environments.

Dry Pipe Sprinkler System
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Dry Pipe Sprinkler System is a type of fire suppression system that uses water-based sprinklers that are free of water in the system's pipes so that they are activated when a fire occurs. This type of system is suitable in places that experience low temperatures and frost that can occur in water pipes. Sprinklers are connected to a piping network containing air or compressed nitrogen, so that operating a sprinkler allows the water pressure to open a valve known as a dry valve, allowing water to flow through the piping network to the sprinklers that have been activated.

Dry automatic sprinkler system is typically used in a wide range of locations such as warehouses, malls, logistics centers, and industrial buildings where exposure to low temperatures and freezing of water is a challenge.
  

Foam extinguishing system
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Foam extinguishing system is a fire extinguishing system that uses foam as a fire extinguishing agent. This system is used in areas containing liquid incendiary materials such as gasoline, sulfates, and kerosene, as well as in areas containing flammable materials and electrical materials.

The foam extinguishing system consists of a foam tank, a foam pump, a piping system and sprinklers deployed in the area to be protected. When a fire occurs, the system is triggered by a sensor that detects the fire, and the system extinguishes the fire by releasing foam into the area surrounding the fire. The foam is discharged in a directed manner and interacts with the fire to extinguish it by reducing the percentage of oxygen in the air surrounding the fire and cooling the burning materials.

Foam types::

    • Fluoroprotein foam:: used for fires involving flammable liquids.
    • Albumin Foam (AFFF): (AFFF): Used for classic fires (combustible solids).
    • Protein foam:: used for fires in industrial and chemical sites.
    • Used in a wide range of applications including warehouses, workshops, gas stations, and airports.
    • Foam extinguishing systems can be integrated with comprehensive alarm and control systems.

The foam extinguishing system has several advantages, including:

  1. Effectiveness in extinguishing fires: Foam is characterized by its ability to effectively extinguish fires in areas containing liquid incendiary materials.
  2. Leave no side effects: The fire is extinguished using non-combustible foam which does not leave any residue or side effects on the surrounding property.
  3. Foam flow control ability: The amount of foam released into the area surrounding the fire can be controlled, making it suitable for use in small and large spaces.
  4. Safe to use in populated areas: The foam extinguishing system is safe to use in populated areas, and does not cause air pollution or harm to human health.
  5. It can be used in places that contain water-sensitive materials: The foam extinguishing system can be used in areas that contain water-sensitive materials, such as electrical and electronic equipment and sensitive devices, where foam can be used instead of water to extinguish the fire without damaging this equipment.
Automated Sprinkler Systems
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Automated sprinkler systems are defined as those system that consist of an integrated network of pipes designed according to the standard specifications for fire protection systems (NFPA), contain of water supply source, control valves, alarm devices when water starts flowing, and water drain. These systems are operated by heat. resulting from the fire to spray water on the areas where the fire broke out, and Standard Specification No. (NFPA 13) provides the necessary requirements for the design, installation and testing of these systems.

Automated sprinkler systems consist of 6 basic units:

  • رشاشات الحريق (Sprinklers):

Automatic sprinklers are considered to be temperature-sensitive devices designed to respond at specific temperatures by discharging a stream of water automatically and distributing it in specific shapes and quantities to specific areas. The sprinklers are fed with water through a network of pipes suspended in the ceilings, and the sprinklers are distributed along the pipes and they are separated by constant distances. They are divided into different types:
1.Operating element
Heat-sensitive nozzle Sprinkler:
This type of sprinkler uses a breakable glass tube, containing a liquid that partially fills the tube, leaving a small air bubble stuck in the tube. As the temperature increases, this liquid expands and compresses the air bubble until it finally absorbs. Once that bubble disappears, it rises. Apply too much pressure, and the glass tube breaks, releasing the cap that holds the water.

  •  Thermal fuse Sprinkler:

This type of sprinkler uses a metal alloy that melts at a specific temperature

2. Operating temperature range:
• Normal temperature range (57-77°C)
• Medium temperature range (79-107°C)
• High temperature range (121-149°C)
• Very high temperature range (163-191°C)
• Ultra-high temperature range (204-246°C)
• Very Ultra-high temperature range (260-302°C)

3. Types of response:

.Quick Response:
This type of sprinkler is characterized by its speed of response compared to standard sprinklers, used response time factor (RTI), as sprinklers are classified with a response time factor equal to or less than 50 (meters. second) 1/2 and the result is On the adoption1/2 of quick-response sprayers as quick-response.
4. Direction of discharging sprinklers:
· Upright sprinklers:
These are sprinklers that are installed so the water flow is upwards, it's used in wooden and iron roofs for cooling purpose.
· Pendent sprinklers:
These are sprinklers that are installed so the water flow is downwards.
· Side wall sprinklers:
These are sprinklers that are installed so that most of the flow is in opposite direction away from the wall near in a shape of a quarter ball, with a small amount of water flowing behind the sprinklers toward the wall, it is used in bedrooms and to prevent fire from spreading between floors.

5.Decorative sprinklers
.Sprinklers installed inside a cavity (ring):
They are defined as sprinklers that are all or part of them installed inside a ring except for the end of the sprinklers.

.Ring sprinklers for level installation:
Defined as sprinklers that are all or part of them installed above the ceiling, including the sharp end of the sprinklers

.Concealed sprinklers:
They are similar to ring sprinklers but differ in that they have covers that completely hide the sprinklers.

6. Special types sprinklers:

  •  · Dry sprinklers:
    They defined as sprinklers that have a dead-end extension that prevents water unless they are emptied, it is used in freezing area, such as refrigerators & High-cold storages.
  • Open type sprinklers:
    Known as those sprinklers that do not have a thermal operating element.
  • · Sprinklers used in residential applications:
    They are defined as quick-response sprinklers that have a (RTI)1/2 factor equal to or less than 50 (m.s.). Tests have shown that it improves the chances of survival in rooms where ignition begins, and have been approved for use in Residential buildings.
    Large diameter drop sprinklers:
    They are defined as those sprinklers that have a coefficient of conductance of 11.2 K in imperial units (160 K in standard units), there is a deflector designed at large flow rates to produce large size and speed drops of water.
  • · Small and large nozzle sprinklers:
    These are defined as that have nozzles less than or greater than ½ inch in diameter (and have a coefficient of conductance of less than or greater than 5.6 K in imperial units).
  • · Extended coverage sprinklers:
    They are known as those sprinklers that provide a larger coverage area than standard coverage sprinklers.
  • Warehouse sprinklers:
    - Sprinklers using the density-area to control fire (CMDA).
    These are sprinklers that provide control of fires in storage applications, their networks are designed by the density-area method referred to in the standard (NFPA 13).

  • -Fire control sprinklers certified for specific applications (CMSA)

  • Early Suppression Fast Response Fire (ESFR) sprinklers

  • - Sprinklers installed in the middle levels of warehouses
     Those sprinklers have a built-in cover to protect it from water discharged that come from sprinklers installed at higher levels.


It is worth noting that all sprinklers, except for open sprinklers, are not designed to extinguish fires. They either provide control or suppression of the fire

  • خزان المياه (Water Tank):
  • The system usually contains one or more tanks to store water. The size of the tank is calculated based on the requirements of the International Fire Code NFPA 22 and the Saudi Code SBC-801.
  • مضخة الحريق (Fire Pump):
  • Fire pumps are an essential part of fire suppression systems and are used to pump water or extinguishing media into a sprinkler or mist system to control and extinguish fires. They play a vital role in ensuring that adequate amounts of water are available quickly when a fire occurs.
  • Fire pumps are used in a wide range of environments, from commercial buildings to industrial facilities and large plants, to ensure that firefighting water is efficiently supplied when needed.
  • There are two main categories of pumps
  • Positive displacement pumps
  • Positive displacement pumps have a method of producing flow by capturing a specific amount of water per pump cycle and pushing it out through the discharge line. Positive displacement pumps create very high pressures but have limited flow volume compared to centrifugal pumps.
  • Centrifugal pumps
  • Centrifugal pumps are the most common fire pumps and are used with most systems. With centrifugal pumps, pressure is developed primarily through the action of centrifugal or rotational force. Water in centrifugal pumps enters the suction inlet and passes to the center of the impeller. The rotation of the impeller in turn pushes the water by centrifugal force to the edge where it is discharged. Centrifugal pumps can handle large volumes of water while providing high-pressure boosts.
  • There are many types of fire pumps available, and pump size is calculated based on NFPA 20 international code requirements
  • صندوق الحريق (Fire Hose Cabinet):
  • It is a box made of galvanized sheet or steel (stainless), either wall mounted or recessed type and contains a 30-meter-long fire hose inside. At the end of the hose, a nozzle is installed that converts the water pressure inside the hose into speed to give a longer throwing distance. The other side of the hose is connected to angle valve. Fire hose reel is usually either rubber or linen. Fire boxes are the first defense when a fire occurs.
  • شبكة الأنابيب (Pipes):
  • Fire pipes are pipes designed to distribute water or other extinguishing liquid in emergency situations such as fires. These pipes are used as part of fire suppression systems in buildings and facilities to ensure an effective source of water for fighting fires. Fire pipes are often made of strong, durable materials such as steel, copper, PVC, or cast iron.
  • عسكري الحريق (Fire Hydrant):
  • It is defined as a closed connection with a valve connected to water source, has one or more outlets and used to supply water to water pumping vehicles in private facilities. Fire Hydrant are used for the following purposes:
  • 1- Connecting and using hoses in firefighting operations.
  • 2- Supplying moving pumps with water that raises their pressure to the level necessary for fire-fighting work.   
  • Determining the purpose of using fire hydrants is so important to determine the flow rates and pressure required by those hydrants. These hydrants are divided into two main types:
  • 1-Dry Barrels Fire Hydrant:
  • Dry barrel fire hydrants are typically found in rural or agricultural areas due to their need for direct connection with the water source. This means that since they are not submerged in water, they will produce a lower flow rate. The advantage of this type of hydrant is when used in an industrial environment where pollutants may be present, it keeps from contaminating the public water supply. Additionally, because these hydrants aren’t connected to the public supply, no backflow is ever possible which helps maintain better water pressure and prevents unforeseen issues due to the lack of maintenance on many public systems.
  • 2-Wet Barrels

  • Wet barrel fire hydrants are the most common type of hydrant found in residential and urban areas. They feature a water chamber that is filled with water from the public supply as opposed to being connected directly to the source like a dry barrel hydrant. This allows for an immediate flow of water when the hydrant is opened, making it great for fighting fires in those specific areas.