0. Essentials of Fire Fighting, 5th Edition
Chapter 16 — Fire Detection, Alarm, and Suppression Systems
Firefighter I

1. Chapter 16 Lesson Goal
After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to operate various fire detection, alarm, and suppression systems and operate at fires in protected properties following the policies and procedures set forth by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ).
Firefighter I

2. Specific Objectives
1. List functions of fire detection, alarm, and suppression systems.
2. Discuss general automatic sprinkler protection and types of coverage.
3. Describe control valves and operating valves used in sprinkler systems.
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Firefighter I

3. Specific Objectives
4. Describe major applications of sprinkler systems.
5. Discuss operations at fires in protected properties.
6. Operate a sprinkler system control valve. (Skill Sheet 16-I-1)
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Firefighter I

4. Specific Objectives
7. Manually stop the flow of water from a sprinkler. (Skill Sheet 16-I-2)
8. Connect hoseline to a sprinkler system FDC. (Skill Sheet 16-I-3)
Firefighter I

5. Functions of Fire Detection, Alarm, Suppression Systems
To notify occupants of facility to take necessary evasive action to escape dangers of hostile fire
To summon organized assistance to initiate or assist fire control activities
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Firefighter I

6. Functions of Fire Detection, Alarm, Suppression Systems
To initiate automatic fire control, suppression systems, sound alarm
To supervise fire control, suppression systems to ensure operational status maintained
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Firefighter I

7. Functions of Fire Detection, Alarm, Suppression Systems
To initiate wide variety of auxiliary functions involving environmental, utility, process controls
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Firefighter I

8. Automatic Sprinkler Protection
Consists of series of sprinklers arranged so system will automatically distribute sufficient quantities of water directly onto fire
Water supplied to sprinklers through system of piping
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Firefighter I

9. Automatic Sprinkler Protection
Sprinklers can extend from exposed pipes or protrude through ceiling or walls from hidden pipes
Sprinkler coverage; complete or partial
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Firefighter I

10. Automatic Sprinkler Protection
Standards used as guides for installing sprinkler protection in most occupancies
Sprinkler system should be listed by nationally recognized testing laboratory
Automatic sprinkler systems fail to operate only in rare instances
Firefighter I

11. Effects of Sprinkler Systems on Life Safety
Safety of building occupants enhanced by presence of sprinkler system because it discharges water directly onto fire while still relatively small
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Firefighter I

12. Effects of Sprinkler Systems on Life Safety
Because fire extinguished/controlled in early growth stage, combustion products limited
Sprinklers also effective in other situations
There are times when sprinklers alone are not as effective
Firefighter I

13. Control Valves Part of every sprinkler system
Used to turn off water supply to system in order to replace sprinklers, perform maintenance, interrupt operations
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Firefighter I

14. Control Valves
Located between source of water supply, sprinkler system
Usually located immediately under sprinkler alarm valve, dry-pipe or deluge valve, or outside building near sprinkler system it controls
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Firefighter I

15. Control Valves
Either secured in open position with chain and padlock or electronically supervised to make sure not inadvertently closed
Firefighter I

16. Indicating Control Valves
Show at glance whether open or closed
Outside stem and yoke (OS&Y) valve
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Firefighter I

17. Indicating Control Valves
Post indicator valve (PIV)
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Firefighter I

18. Indicating Control Valves
Wall post indicator valve (WPIV)
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Firefighter I

19. Indicating Control Valves
Post indicator valve assembly (PIVA)
Firefighter I

20. Operating Valves Alarm test valve Inspector’s test valve
Main drain valve
Firefighter I

21. Wet-Pipe Systems
Used in locations where temperatures below 40°F (4°C) not expected
Simplest type of automatic fire sprinkler system
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Firefighter I

22. Wet-Pipe Systems Generally require little maintenance
Contain water under pressure at all times
Connected to public/private water supply so fused sprinkler immediately discharges water spray, actuates alarm
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Firefighter I

23. Wet-Pipe Systems
Usually equipped with alarm check valve installed in main riser adjacent to where feed main enters building
Newer versions may have a backflow prevention check valve and electronic flow alarm.
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Firefighter I

24. Wet-Pipe Systems
May be equipped with retarding device as part of alarm check valve
Firefighter I

25. Dry-Pipe Systems
Used in locations where piping may be subjected to temperatures below 40°F (4°C)
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Firefighter I

26. Dry-Pipe Systems
Have pitched (sloped) pipes to help drain water in system back toward main drain
Replace water in sprinkler piping with air under pressure
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Firefighter I

27. Dry-Pipe Systems
Designed so small amount of air pressure above dry-pipe valve will hold back much greater water pressure on water supply side of dry-pipe valve
Equipped with electric or hydraulic alarm-signaling equipment
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Firefighter I

28. Dry-Pipe Systems
Larger systems may have several-minute delay while air expelled from system
Firefighter I

29. Preaction Systems
Dry systems that employ deluge-type valve, fire detection device, closed sprinklers
Used when especially important to prevent water damage, even if pipes broken
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Firefighter I

30. Preaction Systems
Will not discharge water into sprinkler piping except in response to smoke- or heat-detection system actuation
Sound alarm to give warning before opening of sprinklers
Firefighter I

31. Deluge Systems
Similar to dry-pipe system in no water in distribution piping before system activation
Differ from dry-pipe systems in sprinklers have no fusible links, do not function as fire detection devices
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Firefighter I

32. Deluge Systems
Designed to quickly supply large volume of water to protected area
Sometimes used to discharge foam/other extinguishing agents in occupancies containing flammable liquids, other volatile fuels
Firefighter I

33. Residential Systems Installed in one- and two-family dwellings
Designed to give occupants of dwelling chance to escape, prevent total involvement in room of origin
Employ quick-response sprinklers
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Firefighter I

34. Residential Systems Use several types of piping systems
Must have pressure gauge, flow detector, means for draining and testing system
Can be either connected directly to public water supply or to dwelling’s domestic water system
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Firefighter I

35. Residential Systems
Require control valve to turn off water to sprinkler system and to domestic water system if connected; if sprinkler system supplied separately from domestic water system, sprinkler control valve must be supervised in open position
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Firefighter I

36. Residential Systems
Operate in same manner as other wet-pipe/dry-pipe systems
May be equipped with fire department connection (FDC); FDC may be 1½-inch (38 mm) connection
Firefighter I

37. Important Factors in Occupancies With Activated Sprinkler Systems
Early-arriving pumper should connect to FDC in accordance with preincident plan
Firefighters should make every effort to supply adequate water to operating sprinkler system
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Firefighter I

38. Important Factors in Occupancies With Activated Sprinkler Systems
Water supply may have to be conserved to supply sprinkler system
Sprinkler system control valves must be open
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Firefighter I

39. Important Factors in Occupancies With Activated Sprinkler Systems
Sprinkler control valves should not be closed until fire officers convinced further operations will simply waste water, produce heavy water damage, hamper progress of final extinguishment
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Firefighter I

40. Important Factors in Occupancies With Activated Sprinkler Systems
When a sprinkler control valve closed, firefighter with portable radio should be stationed at valve in case it needs to be reopened
In some departments, SOP to plug open sprinklers rather than shut entire system down
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Firefighter I

41. Important Factors in Occupancies With Activated Sprinkler Systems
Pumpers should not be disconnected from FDC until after extinguishment confirmed by thorough overhaul
Sprinkler equipment should be restored to service before leaving premises
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Firefighter I

42. Important Factors in Occupancies With Activated Sprinkler Systems
Firefighters may be required to stop flow of water from single sprinkler that has been activated
Firefighter I

43. Summary
Many of the buildings to which firefighters are called for emergency operations are protected partially or fully by automatic fire detection and/or suppression systems.
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Firefighter I

44. Summary
Firefighters need to familiarize themselves with the types of systems installed in their area of responsibility. They should also learn the locations of these systems as well as the capabilities and limitations of each type of system.
Firefighter I

45. Review Questions
1. What are the functions of fire detection, alarm, and suppression systems?
2. What are the two general types of sprinkler coverage?
3. What is the function of control valves?
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Firefighter I

46. Review Questions
4. What is the difference between a wet-pipe system and a dry-pipe system?
5. When should sprinkler control valves be closed?
Firefighter I