designing for fire safety parts 3 and 4 active systems …

Active Fire Safety Systems 9/29/2011

chong lee siong 1

DESIGNING FOR FIRE SAFETY

PARTS 3 and 4

ACTIVE SYSTEMS

And

ACCESS for FIRE FIGHTING and RESCUE

Ar Chong Lee Siong APAM MIFireE MMIArbs

with

Ir Wong See Foong

FIEM MIFireE PEng CEng PJB

“A re-visit to the interpretations and applications

of the Uniform Building By-Laws 1984”

Uniform Building By-Laws 1984

is a

“PRESCRIPTIVE” BUILDING CODE

•Compliance with this code is a requirement by law

•Sets rules and regulations on the application of the code

•Provides pre-determined prescriptions

The prescriptions are absolute :

no smaller than……..

no bigger than……..

no shorter than……

no longer than……

or

no less than and no more than.


chong lee siong 2

CONCEPTS OF FIRE SAFETY

1 EVACUATION

2 PASSIVE CONTAINMENT

3 ACTIVE INTERVENTION

4 ACCESS FOR FIRE FIGHTING AND RESCUE

Time

Tem

per

atu

re /

siz

e

Stage 1

Ignition & growth

Stage 2

development

Stage 3

Full fire

Stage 4

Decay

Flashover

Untenable condition

NATURE OF FIRE


chong lee siong 3

Active systems for…..

EVACUATION

Detection and Alarm

Communication

Smoke control

Portable fire extinguishers

Tem

per

atu

re /

siz

e

Time

Un

ten

ab

le c

on

dit

ion

Available Safe Egress Time ASET

detection

alarm

movement Total

evacuation

ignition

Required Safe Egress Time RSET

Factor of safety:

RSET < 0.75 ASET


chong lee siong 4

detection

Very early detection

Early detection

Manual detection

alarm

Automatic

Pre alarm

Local / manual


chong lee siong 5

FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM

System objective are:

To detect outbreak of fire and warn occupants

To activate fire safety systems

To inform Fire Brigade

To monitor fire safety equipment

RELEVANT BY-LAWS

Under UBBL 237, fire alarm systems are required for buildings defined under the 10th Schedule

Under UBBL 238, a fire command center is required for all buildings above 30.5 meters or exceeding 9,290 sq. meters in gross area.


chong lee siong 6

MAIN FIRE ALARM PANEL

Main fire alarm panel comprises:

Alarm, fault and isolation indication for each zone.

Indicator lights to monitor status of power supply and fire safety systems such as fire pumps, smoke control equipment, carbon dioxide systems, fire tank water levels, etc.

Mimic panel to identify location of each zone.

Battery with charger to provide power supply for the whole system.

FIRE DETECTION DEVICES

Manual break glass for occupants to activate manually.

Heat detectors to detect heat intensive fires automatically for spaces up to 9 meters high.

Smoke detectors to detect smoke intensive fires automatically for spaces up to 10 meters high.

Beam (smoke) detectors for high spaces such as atriums up to 25 meters high.

Flame (IR or UV) detectors


chong lee siong 7

Heat …..or Smoke?

Smoke detectors for electrical rooms and store rooms.

Heat detectors for general areas.

Smoke detectors for areas where rapid heat development is normal for the function of the space, or where combustibles may burn with high release of smoke

Heat detectors for areas where smoke may be a common presence in the space, or where combustibles may burn rapidly and efficiently

VOICE COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS

To guide the occupants in an orderly manner during evacuation upon detection of fire.

For the firemen to communicate with one another during fire fighting operations.


chong lee siong 8

RELEVANT BY-LAW

Under UBBL 239, two voice communication system is required for all large buildings and high rise buildings and they are:

Public address system, and

Fire brigade intercommunication system

PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

Intended for use by the occupants during the early stages of the fire

Under UBBL 227, portable fire extinguishers are required for first aid use.


chong lee siong 9

CLASSES OF FIRES

Class A: Combustible solids like paper, wood

Class B: Inflammable Liquids like kerosene, diesel

Class C: Flammable gases

Class D: Reactive metals like sodium, potassium,

Class E: Ignition of an electrical nature

Class F: Cooking oil fires

TYPES OF EXTINGUISHERS

Water type for Class A fires

Dry powder type for Class A, B, C and F fires

Carbon Dioxide type for Class E fires

Foam type for Class B fires

Dry powder type of 6 kg for general use.

Carbon Dioxide type for electrical rooms


chong lee siong 10

LOCATION AND SPACING

Beside exit and staircase doors

Generally located within 20 meters of any potential hazard


COMPARTMENTATION

Smoke Control

Extinquishment

Manual

Automatic


chong lee siong 11

SMOKE CONTROL TYPES

Pressurization system to prevent entry of smoke by pressurizing the compartment with air.

Space depressurization system to prevent the spread of smoke by extraction.

Smoke dilution system to remove the smoke by extraction and make-up of air.

DEPRESSURIZATION SYSTEMS

Typical application are multi-storey office buildings.

Floor on fire is maintained under negative

pressure by extracting the smoke laden air.

Immediate floors above and below are maintained at positive pressure by supplying air to these floors.


chong lee siong 12

DILUTION SYSTEMS

Typical application are basement car parks and shopping complexes.

Smoke is extracted from zone on fire.

Make-up air is provided to zones adjacent to area on fire.

HOSE REELS

Intended for the occupants to use during early stages of the fire


chong lee siong 13


Near exit and staircase doors

All spaces to be within 36 meters of a hose reel.

No restriction on location of hose reel pumps and tanks.


chong lee siong 14

SPRINKLER SYSTEM

Intended to detect and extinguish a fire and warn the occupants to evacuate.

Under UBBL 226, automatic sprinkler systems are required for storage and other types of occupancies where automatic extinguishing system is necessary.


chong lee siong 15

TYPES OF SYSTEMS

Wet pipe system where pipe work is charged with water at all times.

Dry pipe system where pipe is charged with water only after the sprinkler head is activated.

Pre-action system where system is charged with water after fire is detected but before the sprinkler head is activated.

Deluge system where water is discharged simultaneously from all sprinkler heads upon activation.

TYPES OF HAZARDS

Light Hazard e.g. apartments, schools

Ordinary Hazards:

OH Group I : Offices, restaurants

OH Group II : Laundries, bakeries

OH Group III : Departmental Stores, Car parks

OH Group IV : Film and television studios

High Hazards:

Process risks

High piled storage risks


chong lee siong 16

SPRINKLER TANKS

Typical location at ground or first basement although no restriction on the location except for distance from pump.

AREAS EXEMPTED

Transformer Rooms;

Switch gear Rooms;

Lift Motor Rooms; and

Toilets;


chong lee siong 17

INSTALLATION CONTROL VALVE

Water supply to sprinklers feed from Installation control valve with alarm gong and shut-off valves.

For life safety systems, Sprinklers are grouped such that each zone does not have more than 200 sprinkler heads with its own flow switch.


chong lee siong 18

SPRINKLER PIPE WORK

The height between the lowest and highest sprinkler within one stage not to exceed 45 m.

For buildings exceeding 45 m., multiple stages are required.

Express risers are permitted to bypass lower stgages and serve the upper stage.

8. CARBON DIOXIDE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM

System using carbon dioxide to extinguish a fire by excluding oxygen from the fire and commonly used for electrical rooms where water may not be suitable.

The by-law relevant to this system is UBBL 235.


chong lee siong 19

TYPES OF SYSTEMS

Total Flooding System uses CO2 to displace oxygen within entire room.

Local Application creates envelope around fire and exclude oxygen around the fire only.


chong lee siong 20

AUTOMATIC ACTIVATION

Heat and smoke detectors installed to detect fire.

Activation of one detector initiates alarm but not gas discharge.

Activation of any two detectors initiates gas discharge.

Time delay of 30 sec. before gas discharge.

MANUAL ACTIVATION

Manual activation by pull station in event of failure of automatic activation.

Pull station to be outside of room protected.

Audio and visual warning activated upon gas discharge to warn occupants from entering.


chong lee siong 21


FIRE FIGHTING and RESCUE

Lifts

Risers

Hydrants

FIRE LIFT

Intended to assist the firemen to reach the floors on fire rapidly.

Under UBBL 243, any building exceeding 18.5 meters high shall be provided with firemen’s lift.


chong lee siong 22


Not more than 61 meters from the furthermost point of the floor.

Not more than 61 meters from the main entrance of the building or the fire control room whichever is nearer.

DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

Lift capacity to be able to carry 550kg. min.

Lift car platform size to be not less than 1.45 sq. meters.

Lift car door to be min. 800 mm clear in width.

Lift to serve all occupied floors.


chong lee siong 23

FIRE MODE OF OPERATION

Lift to be provided with emergency power for operation during power failure.

Lift to return to main landing upon detection of power failure and remain inoperable until firemen arrive.

Fire switch to be provided at main landing for firemen to activate the lift for their use.

DRY RISER SYSTEMS

Intended for the firemen to pump water up to the floors on fire.

Under UBBL 230, dry risers required for all buildings with topmost floor above 18.3 meters from fire appliance access level


chong lee siong 24


Landing valves located within fire access lobbies.

Provided on every upper floor such that all spaces are within 45 m from a landing valve.

Breeching inlet to be no more than 18 m. from fire appliance access road and not more than 30 meters from nearest outdoor hydrant.


chong lee siong 25

DRY RISER PIPE WORK

Dry riser to be 100 mm dia. If highest outlet is no more than 23 m. above breeching inlet.

Dry riser to be 150 mm dia. If highest outlet is more than 23 m. above breeching inlet.

5. WET RISER SYSTEMS

Intended to supply water up to the floors on fire for the firemen to use.

Under UBBL 231, wet risers required for all buildings with topmost floor above 30.5m. From the fire appliance access level.


chong lee siong 26


Landing valves located within fire access lobbies.


Distance between landing valves on the same floor not to exceed 60 m.



chong lee siong 27

PUMPS AND PIPE WORK

Each stack not to exceed 60 m or 71 m if approved by the Director General of Fire and Rescue Dept.

Stack height is defined as the height from the wet riser pump to the topmost floor protected.

WET RISER PUMPS AND TANKS

Location of wet riser pumps and tanks restricted to ground, first or second basement.

Lowest basement may not be premitted due to possibility of flooding.


chong lee siong 28

6. DOWNCOMER SYSTEMS

Intended to provide water from roof fire tank to the floors on fire using static head available.

Only permitted for private residential buildings where the topmost floor is no higher than 60 m. above fire appliance access level.


chong lee siong 29


Landing valves located within fire access lobbies



DOWNCOMER TANKS

Tanks located on roof of building for maximum pressure.


chong lee siong 30

196, 197 - smoke lobbies, protected lobbies

198, 199, 200, 201 – ventilation of stairs

229 – fire fighting lobbies

UBBL

Protection of stairs and lobbies

Protection of stairs and lobbies

Protected Lobby : protected lobby separated or isolated from fire and smoke infiltration

Smoke Lobby : a protected lobby primarily to isolate staircases from smoke infiltration

ventilated lobby : protected/smoke lobby by means of natural ventilation from outside

Fire Fighting Access Lobby : a protected lobby designed for fire fighting access


chong lee siong 31

SMOKE CONTROL SYSTEMS

To control the spread of smoke from the source of fire to other occupied spaces and maintain visibility as much as possible during evacuation.

RELEVANT BY-LAWS

Under UBBL clauses 196 and 197 requires fire fighting access lobbies and smoke lobbies to be pressurized if natural ventilation cannot be provided.

Under UBBL clauses 200, 201 and 202 requires escape staircases to be pressurized if natural ventilation cannot be provided.


chong lee siong 32

STAIRCASE PRESSURIZATION

Entire staircase pressurized with air.

Air pressure within staircase is controlled to permit opening of exit doors without the need of excessive force.

LIFT LOBBY PRESSURIZATION

Lift lobbies are individually pressurized with air.

Air pressure within lift lobbies is controlled to permit opening of exit doors without the need of excessive force.


chong lee siong 33

Protected

lobby

requirement

for building >

18m

(By-Law 197)

External wall

Protected

lobby

requirement Building more than

18m above ground

level

No protected

lobby required

Ventilation opening

No protected

lobby required

Omission of

protected lobby

for pressurised

staircase for

buildings

below 45m For building

above

18m but below

45m

No protected

lobby

required

Ventilated

opening

Staircase

pressurised


chong lee siong 34

Above 18m, need PROTECTION

Above 45m, need protection with

PRESSURISATION

Ventilation opening

No protected

lobby required

Protected

lobby to be

pressurised

Protected lobby

requirement for

building > 45m

[By-Law 197(2)]

PROTECTED / PRESSURISED


chong lee siong 35

UBBL 229

EXTERNAL FIRE HYDRANTS

System of Pipe work connected to public water mains to provide water for the pumps in the fire engine.

For industrial plants, fire pumps have to be provided where flow is unreliable or pressure is inadequate


chong lee siong 36

RELEVANT BY-LAWS

Under UBBL 225, every building shall be provided with at least one fire hydrant.


chong lee siong 37

Hydrants should be located:

i) away from obstructions such as street furniture (benches), phone

booths, etc.

ii) not less than 2,000mm from adjacent buildings and overhangs.

iii) between 610mm to 2,400mm from Fire Appliance Access.

iv) away from risks of vehicular damage.

v) not more than 90m apart from each other (in new buildings adjacent

to existing developments, a new hydrant within 45m radius of the new

building).


chong lee siong 38

No overhangs

over hydrants

Verandah

Pavement

Access

Hydrant

Building

EMERGENCY POWER SUPPLY

Intended to provide emergency power to operate all fire safety systems.

Under UBBL 253, emergency power is to be provided for fire pumps, fire lifts, fire alarm, smoke control, emergency lighting, voice communication, firemen intercom, etc.


chong lee siong 39

SOURCES OF EMERGENCY POWER

Standby electrical generator with changeover switch activated upon power failure;

Battery banks with charger to maintain them in charged condition.

LOCATION

Generator to be located at ground or first basement for easy access by firemen.

Outdoor air required to cool diesel engine’s radiator.


chong lee siong 40

INTEGRATION WITH PASSIVE SYSTEMS

Under UBBL clauses 136, limits of dimensions for compartmentation can be doubled with the provision of automatic sprinkler system.


Under UBBL clause 202, escape staircases have to be pressurized if inadequate natural ventilation is provided.

Likewise under UBBL clause 196(5), smoke lobbies have to be pressurized or ventilated if natural ventilation is inadequate.


chong lee siong 41


Under UBBL clauses 250 for smoke venting, mechanically operated smoke vents have to be provided if there are inadequate openings for smoke venting.

INTERFACE WITH PASSIVE SYSTEMS

Under UBBL clauses 164(3), fire doors can be held open provided the device incorporates a heat activated mechanism to release the door.

However, this cannot be used for doors to protected corridors or staircases.


chong lee siong 42

INTERFACE WITH PASSIVE SYSTEMS

Fire shutters to meet compartmentation requirements can be left open until activated by fire alarm.

Glass curtain walls can be utilized to contain smoke and fire if water spray or water curtain is provided to cool the glass.

FIRE APPLIANCE ACCESS

Refers to an area “Access Way” specifically allocated for the

parking of Bomba appliances during fire fighting and rescue operations. UBBL 140 “Access Way” (street, road or open space) is to be provided as a proportion of the perimeter of the building, with reference to the volume of the building.


chong lee siong 43

EXTERNAL ACCESS

Access for emergency and rescue vehicles, equipment and personnel

•Roads •Pavements •Parking

Availability of water : •Hydrants •Storage tanks •Lakes, rivers, ponds

And access to fire fighting systems in the premises

Clarity of : •Type of building and function •Configuration of building •Location of fire control panel •Location of breaching inlets and pump rooms

AT THE PREMISES

Access into the building •Protected passage •Protected stairs •Firemen’s lift •Fire fighting lobby


chong lee siong 44

Pressurised Hydrant System

Sprinkler System


chong lee siong 45

Dry Riser system

Wet Riser System


chong lee siong 46

External source of water

•Hydrants

•Lakes, Ponds, Pools, rivers

•Fire Tenders

Fire Fighting Appliance

on ‘Access Way’

Internal Systems

•Sprinklers

•Hose reels

•Dry/Wet Risers

Breaching Inlet

Vehicles in use by JBPM :

•Motorcycle

•Terrain buggy

•Rapid Fire Rescue Tender

•Fire Rescue Tender

•Turntable ladder

•Hydraulic platform

•Hazmat


chong lee siong 47

Rapid response motorcycles

Terrain buggy


chong lee siong 48

Rapid Fire Rescue Tender

Fire Rescue Tender (medium)


chong lee siong 49

Fire Rescue Tender (light)

HAZMAT tender


chong lee siong 50

Turntable ladders

Pump tanker


chong lee siong 51

Hydraulic platforms

Fire appliance

access level and

Access Way

Access Way at upper ground level


chong lee siong 52

13,000 m3 (1/6)

8,600m3 (1/6)

36,000m3 (1/4)

Access way at appliance access level

Access way at upper ground level

Access road / ramp Access road

/ ramp

Note: Turning provision required for fire appliances if dead end access

exceeds 18 m.

Turning provision can be in the form of hammer-head or turning

circle

Building volume

7,001 cu m

to 28,000 cu m

D

A

B

Isolated site/location

with no adjacent

property/building.

X => 1/6 (A+B+C+D)

Fire appliance

access X

C


chong lee siong 53

C => 1/6 (A+B+C+D)

Appliance access from main road is sufficient if the building volume does not exceed

28,000 m3.

In the event the 6 m back lane is accessible by fire fighting appliances and the

building volume exceeds 28,000 m3 but is less than 56,000 m3, then,

A + C => 1/4 (A+B+C+D)

Building volume

7,001 cu m

to 28,000 cu m

City/Built up location

with adjacent buildings D

A

B

C

Accessible perimeter

of building

Main road used for

appliance access

if not less than 12m wide

Pavement

6m back lane

D

A

B

D

A

C

Access

road

> 18m

Building volume

56,001 cu m to

84,000 cu m

min. 6m

B + C => 1/2 (A+B+C+D)

C

Fire appliance access Access road

12m

B

6m back lane

accessible to fire appliance

Pavement

Access road

12m A + C => 1/2 (A+B+C+D)


chong lee siong 54

D

Fire appliance

access minimum

6m width

Building volume

84,001 cu m to

112,000 cu m

A + B + C 3/4 (A+B+C+D)

A

B

C

Access road 12m

D

A

B

Building volume

84,001 cu m to

112,000 cu m

B + C + D => 3/4 (A+B+C+D)

C

Access road 12m


chong lee siong 55

A

Building

volume

above

112,000 cu m

Minimum 6m width

Fire appliance access

D B

C

Access road 12m

W2

(min 6m)

L(13m)

L(13m) min. 6m W1

d1

d2

W = unobstructed width of Appliance Access

L = length of largest Fire Appliance (currently 13m)

d - cut-back distance is obtained by intersecting the imaginary corner of a

building with line A - C

The minimum permissible width of a Fire Appliance Access is 6.0m.

The minimum turning radius around corners of buildings shall be provided as follows:


chong lee siong 56

Thank you !

designing for fire safety parts 3 and 4 active systems …

Documents