KURSUS PENGENALAN KEPADA PERKHIDMATAN MEKANIKAL DALAM BANGUNAN

AN INTRODUCTION TO FIRE FIGHTING DESIGN CARBON DIOXIDESYSTEM

CONTENTS INTRODUCTION DESIGN STANDARDS SYSTEM OPERATION CARBON DIOXIDE CYLINDERS CARBON DIOXIDE CONTROL PANEL DISCHARGE NOZZLE AUTOMATIC DETECTORS AND ALARM BELLS PIPEWORK AND FITTINGS WARNING SIGNS

AUTOMATIC CARBON DIOXIDE SYSTEM Consists of CO2 cylinders, steel piping, discharge nozzles, heat/smoke detectors, gravity shutter, alarm system etc. Discharged after a time delay upon detection of fire. Usually for Transformer room, Switchroom, Standby Generator room and High Switch Gear room.

DESIGN STANDARDS In the UBBL (1984), the By-laws relating to Carbon Dioxide is By-laws 235 and the applicable standard is: NFPA 12

SYSTEM OPERATION Quantity of agent should be sufficient to ensure rapid extinction. The protected area should be flooded with CO2, concentration of 50% at 21C, with period of 30 seconds, adjustable up to 60 seconds. Total discharge shall not exceed 1 minute. For deep seated total discharge shall not exceed 7 minutes or 30% discharge within 2 minutes. Supply Voltage 240V A.C, 50 Hz. A 24V D.C standby battery in case of mains voltage failure.

SYSTEM OPERATION The space protected by two or more heat or smoke detectors. 8. The indicator light on the control panel should illuminate and audible warning sounded via alarm bell.

CARBON DIOXIDE CYLINDERS Gas stored in a liquefied form at ambient temperatures. Working pressure of 59 bars at 21C and pressure tested at 228 Bars. Name plate specifying the number, filling weight and the pressurisation level. All cylinder supplying the same manifold outlet for distribution. Where more than three cylinders are required, a pilot cylinder should be provided to activate the discharge from each cylinder.

CARBON DIOXIDE CONTROL PANEL Should indicate the operation of the system hazards to personnel, or failure of any supervised device. Complying with MS 1404 and BS 7273. Alarm should be provided to give warning of a discharge. A device should be incorporated into the system to shut down any exhaust fans and activate solenoid operated curtains across louvres before discharge.

DISCHARGE NOZZLE The discharge nozzle should consists of the orifice and any associated horn, shield or baffle. Discharge orifices should be of corrosion resistant metal. Permanenrly marked to identify the nozzle and to show the equivalent shield orifice diameter regardless of shape. Discharge nozzle should be provided with frangible disc

Automatic Detector and Alarm Bells The Automatic detection is usually by means of either heat or smoke detectors. Should be resistant to corrosion. The alarm bells should produce an alarm at least 65dBA or 5dBA. The bell should be of the trembling (not single stroke).

WARNING SIGNS Warning and instruction signs should be installed at entrances to and inside protected areas at prominent positions.

PIPE WORK AND FITTING The material of piping and fittings must be of non-combustible heat resisting. Maintain its own shape in room temperature during the outbreak of fire. All piping should be of API Schedule 40/80 steel pipe.

SAMPLE CALCULATION FOR CO2 SYSTEM PROJECT : NEW MORTUARY FOR PENANG HOSPITAL ROOM NAME : STANDBY-GENERATOR ROOM

STAND BY–GENERATOR ROOM Area = 5.5 X 6.0m = 33m² Volume = 5.5 x 6.0 x 4.15m = 137 m³ Nozzle coverage area = 28.28m² Nos of nozzle required = 33/28.28 = 1.17 ~ 2 nos. Flooding Factor = 1.35kg/m³ Design Concentration = 50% Actual weight of CO¸ = 137m³x1.35kg/m³ = 185kg Nos of cylinder = 185kg/45kg = 5 nos Consider 30% volume of C0¸ to be used = 0.3x137m³ = 41m³

Design manual based on desired flow rate = 0.56m³/kg @ 30°C Therefore flow rate for 2 mins Q = 41m³ (exp.30°C) = 73.2kg 0.56m³/kg @ 2mins = 73.2kg = 37kg/mins 2min Time of discharge of CO² at volume = 185kg = 5mins 37kg/min Pipe sizing for flow rate, Q = 37kg/mins Pipe size = 20mm

SWITCH – BOARD ROOM Area = 5.5x4.5 = 25m² Volume = 5.5x4.5x4.15 = 103m³ Nozzle coverage area = 28.28m² Nos Nozzle = 25/28.28 = 0.9 ≈ 1 no. Flooding Factor = 1.35kg/m³ @ 50% weight CO² = 139kg Nos cylinder = 139kg/45kg = 3nos 30% Volume = 03x103m³ = 31m³ Q = 31m³/0.56m³/kg (expansion 30°C) @ 0.56m³ = 56kg/2mins @ 2mins = 28kg/mins Time Discharge = 139kg/28kg/min = 5 min Pipe sizing Q = 28kg/mins = 20mm

SCHEMATIC DRAWING FOR CO2 SYSTEM