Sprinkler Systems and Standpipe Operations

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Sprinkler Systems and StandpipeOperations
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Special Considerations

• Wet Systems, most frequently used. Designed for
  areas that are not subject to freezing.
• Dry Systems, used in areas that are subject to
  freezing.
• Preaction Systems, used in areas were additional
  precaution is desired to assure there is no water
  damage.
• Deluge Systems, used in areas that are considered
  to be a high hazard.

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• Residential systems, these system normally
  utilize a quick response type sprinkler head that
  affords a higher level of life safety for
  occupants. It should be noted that the
  residential type systems normally protect the
  occupied or living areas only.

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Operational Sequence Wet-Pipe Systems

• Heat from a fire causes the heat-actuating plug
  in the sprinkler to drop from the frame.
• Water contained in the piping immediately
  discharges from the open sprinkler.
• As water begins to flow through the system, the
  alarm check valve on the water supply riser opens
  and activates the water motor gong and /or
  electronic signaling equipment.

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• The alarm is transmitted to a supervising agency
  or fire department.
• If needed, the volume and pressure of water in
  the system is boosted via a fire department
  pumper through the fire department connection.

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Operational SequenceDry-Pipe Systems

• Heat from a fire causes the heat-actuating plug
  in the sprinkler to drop from the frame.
• Pressurized air contained in the piping begins to
  flow through the open sprinkler.
• After a slight drop in air pressure, the
  quickopening device (if present) activates to
  accelerate the removal of air from the piping.

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• Once the air pressure is reduced sufficiently,
  the dry-pipe valve trips open. The interior
  clapper is held in the open position by a latch.
• Water enters the intermediate chamber of the
  dry-pipe valve. This automatically forces the
  automatic drip valve closed and begins the flow
  of water through alarm-signaling equipment.
• Water flows through the entire piping system and
  is discharged through the open sprinkler.

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Operational Sequence Deluge System

• A product-of-combustion (heat, smoke, or flame)
  detector senses the presence of a fire condition.
  OR
• An individual working in the area discovers a
  fire in progress.
• The fire detection system sends a signal to the
  deluge valve, causing the valve to open. OR
• The individual who discovers the fire manually
  trips the deluge valve.

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• As water enters the deluge valve and the piping,
  water flow indicator alarms are transmitted to
  signaling stations, and the water motor gong (if
  present) is activated.
• Water flow through all open sprinklers
  simultaneously.

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Operational SequencePreaction Systems

• A product -of-combustion (heat, smoke, or flame)
  detector senses the presence of a fire condition.
• The fire detection system sends a signal to the
  preaction valve, causing the valve to open.
• Sensors in the piping system detect the flow of
  water into the system and trigger the water flow
  fire alarm.
• When the level of heat at a sprinkler reaches the
  appropriate temperature, the sprinkler fuses and
  water flows through the open orifice.

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Standpipe and Sprinkler SystemsS.O.P. 30.5

• Standpipe Systems
• For fire ground operations, the second arriving
  engine company will supply the standpipe system
  with 150 psi. elevation loss per floor
  friction loss.
• Elevation Loss 5 psi. per floor or .5 psi. per
  foot
• Sprinkler Systems
• Nothing Showing
• Alarm bell not ringing - water not flowing.
• The second arriving engine company will lay out
  hose and prepare to supply the system. The
  sprinkler system will not be charged unless
  ordered.
• The first arriving officer should give a
  situation report as soon as possible so as to
  assist in developing a plan of attack.
• Smoke of fire showing
• Alarm bell ringing - water flowing.
• The first arriving engine company will supply
  the system with 150 psi. pump pressure.
• The first arriving officer at the scene of
  buildings equipped with standpipe and/or
  sprinkler systems may alter the standard
  operating procedure if necessary. However, the
  dispatcher will be informed immediately of the
  procedure change and ordered to replay this
  information to the second and third arriving
  companies so they can adjust their plans
  according.

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• It should be noted that a majority of all the
  standpipe systems in Chesapeake will be a
  combination sprinkler and standpipe system. In
  the event that you are supplying a standpipe
  system that is not part of the sprinkler system,
  the following is to be considered to determine
  pump pressure
• Friction loss of hose from pumper to FDC
• Friction loss of hose on fire floor
• Nozzle pressure
• Elevation
• Friction loss in standpipe (25 psi)

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• Fire Department Connections (FDC) may be attached
  through walls or they may be a free standing
  type.
• Fire Department Connections may be designed to
  supply sprinkler systems or standpipe systems
  separately.
• The majority of all F.D.C.s in Chesapeake are
  combination type connections which will supply
  both the sprinkler and standpipe system (when
  present).

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• Many sprinkler systems are supplied by fire
  pumps. The following slide is of an electric
  driven 1500 g.p.m. fire pump.

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• Attached to the fire pump, you will see a
  regulating device. The purpose of this valve is
  to not allow the fire pump to drop the citys
  pressure below a specified pressure (pre-set at
  factory for 20psi). This valve will
  automatically gate back the discharge of the fire
  pump to maintain the minimum specified city
  pressure. It may become necessary to supply the
  F.D.C. when residual pressures drop below 20 psi.
  and/or request the Water department to boost city
  pressure.

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• The following slide is affectionately know as a
  rose bud. In reality, it is a test header for
  the fire pump. A simple rule of thumb to
  remember is that each 2.5 discharge is equal to
  250gpm.

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• Some wet sprinkler systems may have a small area
  of sprinkler heads that are on the out side of a
  building that may be subject to freezing. It is
  in these areas that a antifreeze loop is added to
  the existing wet system.

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• Hose stations through warehouses are normally 1
  to 1.5 pipe with 1.5 valves. They are not
  normally used for major fire fighting but for
  moping up.

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• Standpipe connections may be located in
  stairwells at Hotels, High Rises, multi story
  schools, Hospitals, and other multi story
  facilities.
• Standpipe connections for shopping malls will
  normally be located at the entrances to the mall
  exit corridors. You will also find the standpipe
  connections at the mall entrances to the anchor
  stores.
• Standpipe connections may also be located at high
  hazard areas for example, grain elevators.

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Standpipe Operations

• Accurately I.D. the fire floor.
• Establish control of the lobby.
• Evaluate conditions on the fire floor.
• Provide for the life safety of persons in
  immediate danger.
• Ensure an adequate water supply.
• Provide an initial attack on the fire.
• Check for fire extension and occupants on floors
  above the fire.

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• Note
• Firefighters should connect their hose to the
  standpipe on the floor below the fire and advance
  the hose up to the fire floor.
• Excess hose can be laid up the stairway past the
  fire floor. This will make it feed easier onto
  the fire floor as it is pulled.
• Use SCBAs. It would be good practice to carry a
  CO meter with crews that are in the stairwells or
  other floors that do not appear to be affected by
  visible smoke (lobby, staging, search, etc.).

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High Rise / Mall Packs

• Hose, 150 feet.
• Valve wheel .
• Nozzle.
• Pipe wrench.
• Gated wye, 2.5 x 1.5 x 1.5 inch.
• Forcible entry tools.
• Spanner wrench.
• Rope hose tool.

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Alternative Methods to Supply a Sprinkler and/or
Standpipe System

• Use double 2.5 inch female on private yard
  hydrants that are part of the suppression system.
  You will need to use a city hydrant for your
  supply. ( Note There should be a back flow
  prevention device which will protect the citys
  water supply.)
• Use double 2.5 inch female on interior standpipe
  connection.
• Connect lines to aerial device and use as a
  standpipe.
• Use double male on FDC when the female swivel
  does not work.