1. Technology in Architecture
Lecture 18
Fire & Life Safety
Fire Protection Systems

2. Fire & Life Safety

3. Sources of Ignition Chemicals: spontaneous combustion
Electrical: resistance, overloaded wiring, lightning
Mechanical: sparks and friction

4. Products of Combustion
Fire/Heat
Smoke
Gases  toxic, displace oxygen carbon monoxide cyanide  foam rubber hydrogen chloride  PVC hydrogen sulfide sulfur dioxide ammonia

5. Fire & Life Safety Objectives
Protection of Life
Protection of Property
Continuity of Operation
Codes specify minimum acceptable level of performance

6. Protection of Life Physical limits 2-way travel on stairs
Evacuation: clear pathways, smoke free, minimum 32” entrance width, 2 hour walls/doors
Physical limits
2-way travel on stairs
Do not include elevators
M: p.1148, T.25.3

7. Property Protection Increased reliability of internal systems
Access for fire/life safety vehicles
Increased reliability of internal systems
Estimated time of arrival of fire fighters
Adequate water volume and pressure
Exposure protection from surrounding context
Compartmentation
Automatic detection/ suppression systems
Structural Protection
M: p.1154, F.25.7

8. Continuity of Operations
Fire detection/suppression systems in critical areas
Smoke purging systems
Waterproof/water containment
M: p. 1158, F.25.11

9. Building System Requirements
Enhance Fire/Life Safety
High thermal mass
Adequate water pressure
Overhangs on windows
Reduce Fire/Life Safety
Open plan
Forced air systems
Electric lighting only
Sunscreens
Non-operable windows
Insulation
Acoustical materials

10. Smoke Management Strategies
Confinement
Fire walls
Smoke barriers
Dilution
Pressurized stairwells
Exhaust
Large atria
HVAC
Pressurize building
Automated Ventilating Hatches

11. Water Management Strategies
+ cools
smothers fire
removes heat/oxygen
- damages contents
conducts electricity
dilutes oil
changes to steam

12. Water Management Strategies
Water Sources
Standpipes  siamese connection to outside
Hose Cabinets  siamese connection or house tank
Sprinkler Systems  siamese connection or
house tank

13. Water Management Strategies
Sprinkler Head Types
Semi-Recessed
Recessed
Pendant
Upright
Sidewall

14. Water Management Strategies
Hazard levels
Light
Ordinary
Extra-hazard
M: p. 1166, T.25.7

15. Water Management Strategies
Sprinkler spacing
orientation
sprinkler type
hazard level
M: p. 1169, T.25.9

16. Fire Protection Systems

17. Fire Protection Systems
Sprinkler System Types
Wet-pipe
Dry-pipe
Preaction
Deluge

18. Wet-pipe Systems Water in pipe Sprinkler activated Sprinklers closed
Used in areas with temperature> 40ºF
M: p. 1172, F.25.18

19. Dry-pipe Systems Compressed air or nitrogen in pipe
Sprinkler activated
Sprinkler closed
Used in unheated areas
Valve in heated enclosure
M: p. 1177, F.25.23

20. Preaction System Air in pipe Minimal air pressure Separate detectors
Sprinklers closed
Used in water-damage sensitive areas
Delay in filling allows time to find/fight fire
M: p. 1178, F.25.24

21. Deluge System Air in pipe Separate detectors Sprinklers open
Used where extremely rapid fire spread expected
M: p. 1179, F.25.25

22. Non-Water Suppression Systems
Halogenated Gases  now illegal
Foams
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Clean Agent Gases
Portable Fire Extinguishers

23. Design Considerations
Head location/type
Uniform coverage
Symmetry
Connectivity
M: p. 1173, F.25.19

24. Example Layout