1. Augmenting Sprinkler Systems
By Michael Stevens
FIR 204
December 1st, 2009

2. What We Will Talk About 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.
What we will talk about today….
Importance of pre-incident planning – Why FDs should conduct pre-incident plans for buildings containing sprinklers
What to look for – Various items to locate and document during pre-incident planning.
Fire Department connections – What they are and why they are there.
Why sprinkler systems should be augmented.
Importance of creating SOGs for operations in these buildings.
FD operations in buildings with sprinklers.

3. Pre-Incident Planning

4. Why should you pre-plan?
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.
Why should you pre-plan?
Chance to establish working relationship with occupant/ other personnel (maintenance or technical specialists)
Chance to survey site and gather information pertinent to FD operations.
Provides a chance to develop or modify plan of attack.
Reduces number of surprises you may encounter on actual emergency.

5. What to Look For Things to note: Size of buildings Nature of occupancy
Presence, type, and condition of:
Sprinkler system(s)
Standpipes
Fire detection and alarm systems
Things to note:
Overall size of buildings
Nature of occupancy – What kind of hazard does this present to FD operation?
Presence, type, condition of:
Sprinkler system
Standpipes - Are there any? What kind are they? How do we use them? How can we use them to our benefit? Are they in good working condition?
Fire detection and alarm systems – Are there any? How do they work?

6. What to Look For (cont.) 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.
Water supply – Required and available fire flow – How much water will this need vs. how much do we have available
Location/ condition of FDC – Gotta find it first. Any obstructions? Are threads compatible with our hoses?
Sprinkler control valves – Where are they? What kind are they? How do they work?

7. What to Look For (cont.)
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
1 and 2 family dwellings equipped with sprinklers do not have FDCs.
FDCs can be found in industrial and commercial occupancies, multi-family dwellings (apartments), and healthcare facilities.

8. FIRE Department connections

9. Fire Department Connections
FDCs supply:
Sprinkler systems
Automatic
Non-automatic
Standpipe systems
Both sprinkler and standpipe systems
Known as combination systems
May be wet or dry systems
FDCs supply:
Sprinkler systems – both automatic and non-automatic
Standpipe systems
Sprinkler and standpipe systems – Known as combination systems
Combo systems can be wet or dry systems

10. Combination wet and dry system. Wet system on left/ dry on right.
2 zones. Dry system is in roof, wet system is interior of building.

11. Fire Department Connections
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 usually by-pass control valve in the system so it can be used regardless of position control valve is in.
Should be located near main entrance of building.
Others may be located at various locations around building for use by additional companies or if system is divided into zones.

12. What You Are Looking For

13. What You Are Looking For
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”
FDCs should be clearly marked – signs of various sizes with various markings

14. Is this clearly marked? Could you find this at 2am?

15. What It Can Tell You Kind of system it supplies.
If trusses are present.
Where trusses are located.
Type of construction.
If water is flowing.
What it can tell you….
Kind of system it supplies – Sprinklers/ standpipes/ combo system. Noted on a plate around the connection or connection itself.
Truss identification signs – If trusses are present, where they are, type of construction. Not present in every community.
If water is flowing. – Water flow alarms are usually located near FDC. Sounding water flow alarm does NOT guarantee fire condition. Could be from broken pipe or sprinkler head.

16. FDC for combination system

18. FDC Problems 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.
FDC problems include:
Missing caps
Defective or incompatible threads
Debris in connection
Tight caps
Frozen female swivels
Broken/ jammed clapper valves – use spare male cap to close one side of connection if this happens

19. Why should you augment the system?

20. Why They Should Be Augmented
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.
Why they should be augmented…
Insufficient water supply – Water mains or private tanks – modifications or change in occupancy
Water supply may be overtaxed due to large number of sprinkler heads that are activated.
Increase overall water flow at each sprinkler head.

21. Why (continued)
“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)
Quote – Goodson and Sneed

22. Why (continued) 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)
They can make our job easier- by knocking down or extinguishing fire in its incipient stage.
May reduce risk to occupants and firefighters.
Quote – 96% of fires in sprinkled structures are controlled by the sprinkler system.

23. Water Flow

24. Water Flow
“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
Water flow…
Quote – Sprinkler heads are designed to operate at minimum of 7psi pressure.
At 7psi, a sprinkler with ½- inch opening should flow 15gpm.
As pressure increases, so will the flow.
To calculate sprinkler head gpm : ½ residual psi plus fifteen = gpm

25. Water Flow
“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
Quote – Pump 150 psi into sprinkler system – This is true for the industry standard, unless marked otherwise.
Use a set pressure because no way to tell: number of open heads
location of open heads
amount of water flowing

26. Water Flow 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.
Do not over pump the system.
Too much pressure will cause water to exit at too high velocity.
Causes water to atomize and be too small/ light to penetrate to seat of fire.

27. Non-Automatic Sprinklers
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
Non-automatic sprinklers…
Found in cellars and sub-cellars of older commercial buildings
FD is only water supply
May contain fusible links, open sprinkler heads, or perforated pipes

28. Combination Systems 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!!
Combination systems…
Sprinkler heads and standpipes share common riser.
If conducting interior ops: Connect 1st supply line to standpipe
Connect 2nd supply line to sprinkler system
Personnel may be using standpipes for interior ops
Safety of personnel is TOP priority!!!

29. Effective Fire Stream 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.
Whether you are using sprinklers or standpipes, you are trying to produce an effective fire stream.
3 critical factors:
Must flow sufficient gpm to absorb BTUs
Correct application points
Applied in correct form – Does not mean always use smooth bore or fog nozzle. Use what is appropriate for situation.
Smooth bore nozzle is capable of penetrating a deep seated fire.

30. One Meridian plaza high-rise fire
Case Study

31. One Meridian Plaza 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.
Occurred February 23rd, 1991 in Philadelphia, PA
Started on 22nd floor
Little pre-plan info available prior to incident
Less than half of building had sprinklers
Standpipe operation was ineffective due to pressure reducing valves that FD did not know how to operate.

32. One Meridian Plaza
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
Fire burned floors 22 through 29 and killed three FFs.
Fire was stopped by TEN sprinkler heads on 30th floor.
Exact flow of each head is not known, but if each head delivered max flow of 25 gpm, then 10 delivered 250 gpm. The same flow as one 2 ½- inch hose line.

33. Standard operating guidelines (Sog)

34. SOGs
“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
Quote – Departments should have SOPs addressing operations in buildings with sprinklers.
FD ops could lower the pressure in sprinkler systems water supply.
Consider using an alternate water main/ source.
Sprinklers cool fire gases – Fire may not be vented. This will produce an environment with much more smoke and fire gases.
Addressing ventilation and respiratory protection requirements is critical.

35. SOGs
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.
FDs can refer to NFPA 13E for guidance on SOGs.

36. SOGs (example) 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
SOGs example:
First-in engine company should:
Locate FDC, locate nearest suitable water supply, connect to FDC, and wait for confirmation that augmentation is required prior to charging system.

37. SOGs (example) 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
Interior crews should:
Locate the fire
Determine if charging the system is necessary. – Could be due to broken pipe or head
Check control valves – make sure they are open
Fire pump – if there is one, make sure its running.

38. Control Valves

39. Control Valves
“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)
Quote – Control valve should not be shut down until fire is under control, hose lines are in place, and IC gives the orders.

40. Control Valves 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.
Four types: OS&Y, PIV, WIV, Butterfly
OS&Y and PIV are most commonly encountered.
May also be found in standpipe systems.

41. 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
FD personnel with radios should shut system down:
After fire is under control
After IC tells them to
After hose lines are in place
To reduce water damage

42. review

43. What We Talked About 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.
Pre-planning – So we know what we’re dealing with. Discussed One Meridian Plaza Fire
What info to look for – FDCs, water supply, types of systems, and control valves
FDCs – Location, problems (obstructions, threads)
Why we should augment systems – Required fire flow, making sure system is not overwhelmed
SOGs – Sprinklers can change the way we fight fire. Use them to our advantage.
When/ how to shut systems down – control valves, waiting for IC to give order

44. Thanks for your time & attention
Stay safe and have a great day!!!

45. Works Cited
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.

46. Works Cited (cont.)
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.

47. Works Cited (cont.)
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.