By Michael Stevens

FIR 204

December 1st, 2009

Importance of pre-incident planning What to look for during pre-incident planning Fire Department connections Why sprinkler systems should be augmented. Importance of establishing SOGs for operations in

buildings containing sprinklers. Fire Department operations in buildings containing

sprinklers.

Opportunity to establish working relationship with occupant and/or other personnel.

Opportunity to survey site and gather information.

Provides chance to develop/ modify a plan.

Reduces number of surprises encountered during actual emergencies.

Things to note: Size of buildings Nature of occupancy Presence, type, and condition of:

Sprinkler system(s) Standpipes Fire detection and alarm systems

Water supply Required/ available fire flow Location(s)/ reliability of supply

Location and condition of Fire Department connection. Obstructions Thread compatibility

Location, type, and operation of sprinkler control valves.

One- and two-family dwellings equipped with sprinklers do not have FDCs.

FDCs can be found in: Industrial occupancies Commercial occupancies Multi-family dwellings Healthcare facilities

FDCs supply: Sprinkler systems

Automatic Non-automatic

Standpipe systems Both sprinkler and standpipe systems

Known as combination systems May be wet or dry systems

Connection usually by-passes control valve. System can be used regardless of position control

valve is in. Location:

Should be one located near main entrance of building. Others may be located at various locations around

building. For use by additional companies. When system is divided into zones.

FDCs should be clearly marked. FDC stands for Fire Department Connection FDC does not mean:

Parking for the “First Due Cop” Parking “For Da Chief”

-Kind of system it supplies.-If trusses are present.-Where trusses are located.-Type of construction.- If water is flowing.

Missing caps Defective/ incompatible threads Debris in connection Tight caps Frozen female swivels Broken/ jammed clappers

Can use spare male cap to close one side of connection due to clapper valve malfunction.

Water supply may be insufficient Water supply may be overtaxed when large number

of sprinkler heads open. Increase overall water flow at each sprinkler head.

“Fixed extinguishing systems may reduce the need for interior attack lines but increase the need for system support. Standpipe systems may allow firefighters to carry hose packs into the building rather than lay long attack lines from an engine outside.” (Goodson and Sneed 240)

They can make our job easier. May reduce risk to occupants and firefighters. Someone wise once said:

“Ninety-six percent of fires in sprinkled structures are controlled by the sprinkler system.”

( Dave Walsh – November 3rd, 2009)

“Sprinkler heads are designed to operate at a minimum of seven psi pressure.” (Crapo 79) At seven psi, a sprinkler with ½- inch opening

should flow fifteen gpm. As pressure increases, so will the flow. To calculate gpm from sprinkler head:

½ residual psi + fifteen ½ (30)+15 = 30 gpm ½ (40)+15 = 35 gpm ½ (50)+15 = 40 gpm

“The recommended course of action for a sprinkler system is to pump a set pressure, usually 150 psi is recommended.” (Crapo 178)

Use set pressure instead of flow calculations because there is no way to determine: Number of activated heads Location of activated heads How much water is flowing

Do NOT over pump the system. Too much pressure in system will cause water

to exit the sprinkler head at too high a velocity. This will cause water to atomize.

Droplets will be too small and light to penetrate to

seat of the fire.

Usually found in cellars and sub-cellars of older commercial buildings.

Depend solely upon FD for water supply. May contain:

Fusible links Open sprinkler heads Perforated pipes

Sprinkler heads and standpipes use common riser. If conducting interior operations:

Connect first supply line to standpipe Connect second supply line to sprinkler system Safety of personnel should always be TOP PRIORITY!!

Three critical factors of effective fire stream: Must flow sufficient gpm to absorb BTUs being

generated. Water must be applied at the correct point(s). Water must be applied in correct form.

Water allowed to vaporize will absorb 7.7 times

more heat than water that does not vaporize.

Case Study

Occurred February 23rd, 1991 in Philadelphia, PA Fire started on 22nd floor. Incident Commander had little pre-plan information Less than half of building had sprinklers.

Service floors below grade Floors 11, 15, 30, 31, 34, 35, and 37

FD attempted standpipe operation, but did not produce effective fire streams due to PRVs.

Fire burned floors 22 through 29 and killed three firefighters.

Fire was stopped at 30th floor by activation of ten sprinkler heads.

If each head delivered max flow of 25 gpm, ten heads delivered 250 gpm. Same flow as one 2 ½- inch hose line

“Departments protecting properties with fire protection systems should have SOPs addressing operations in these buildings.” (Cote 1:7-338)

Fire department operations could have negative impact on sprinkler system water supply.

Sprinklers cool fire gases Fire may not vent itself prior to FD arrival Fire gases and smoke may drop to floor SCBA will be necessary

Fire departments can refer to NFPA 13E – Recommended Practice for Fire Department Operations in Properties Protected by Sprinklers and Standpipe Systems for guidance when developing their own SOGs.

Upon arrival, first-in engine company should: Locate FDC Locate nearest suitable water supply Connect either two 2 ½- inch or one 3- inch hose

line to FDC Wait for confirmation prior to charging system

Interior crews should: Locate fire Determine if charging system is necessary Check sprinkler control valves, if accessible Make sure fire pump is running, if applicable

“The sprinkler system control valve should only be shut down on orders from the Incident Commander once it is determined that the fire has been controlled and hose lines are in position.”

(FDNY 4)

Four types: Outside Screw & Yoke (OS&Y) Post Indicator Valve (PIV) Wall Indicator Valve (WIV) Butterfly Type Indicating Valve

OS&Y and PIV are most commonly encountered. May also be found in standpipe systems.

Used as section or zone control valves.

FD personnel with portable radios should use control valve to shut system down: After fire is declared under control After given orders by IC After hose lines are in place To reduce water damage

Why pre-incident planning is important What to look for when pre-planning FDCs Why FDs should augment sprinkler systems Importance of establishing SOGs for ops in

buildings with sprinklers. When/ how to shut sprinkler systems down.

Stay safe and have a great day!!!

Cote, Arthur E., P.E. ed. Fire Protection Handbook. 19th ed. 2 vols. Quincy: National fire Protection Association, 2003.

Crapo, William F. Hydraulics For Firefighting. Albany: Delmar, 2002.

Goodson, Carl, and Marsha Sneed, eds. Fire Department Company Officer. 3rd ed. Stillwater: Fire Protection Publications, Oklahoma State University, 1999.

Murnane, Lynn, and Tom Ruane, eds. Fire Detection and Suppression Systems. 3rd ed. Stillwater: Fire Protection Publications, Oklahoma State University, 2005.

New York. Fire Dept. Engine Company Operations, Chapter 10, Sprinkler System Operations. New York: Fire Department City of New York, 1997.

Norman, John. Fire Officer’s Handbook of Tactics. 3rd ed. Tulsa: PenWell, 2005.

Routley, J. Gordon, Charles Jennings, and Mark Chubb. Highrise Office Building Fire, One Meridian Plaza, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Quincy: National Fire Protection Association, 2001.

Walsh, David K. Class lecture on sprinkler systems. Dutchess Community College. 3Nov.2009.