Module 3 Water-Based Suppression Systems (WBSS) Part II: Highlights of Code Requirements 1
WATER-BASED SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS-PART TWO This module covers: 1. Ohio Building Code requirements and when and why water-based suppression systems are required. 2. The requirements in Chapter 9 of the Ohio Building Code. 3. NFPA Standards that are related to Water-Based Suppression Systems. 4. The differences between the NFPA Standards and the application for each one. 5. The importance of NFPA 750 even though it is not referenced in the Ohio Building Code. 2
Water, as a medium to suppress fire, is: Inexpensive Readily available Effective Environmentally friendly Effective in preventing smoke and pollutants Appropriate for many situations Types of water-based suppression systems Wet Dry Deluge Preaction Wikimedia Commons 3
Water-based suppression system are required based on: The occupant load or occupancy of the building or fire area The height or area of a building The quantity of hazards of materials stored or used inside a building The fire loss history of a given hazard Location of exits with respect to exit discharge. 4
Water-Based suppression systems (WBSS) success: (WBSS) technology has been very successful in the past and continues to be a proven, effective extinguishing system Since 1897, in reported fires in protected structures to the National Fire Protection Association the successful operation rate of water-based suppression systems is about 96% The majority of system activation produces favorable results with the operation of one or two sprinkler heads 5
OBC Requirements 901.2 Fire protection systems. 901.2.1 Approval of fire protection systems. 901.2.1.1 Input from the fire official. 901.2.1.2 Coordination. 901.3 Modifications. No person shall remove or modify any fire protection system installed or maintained under the provisions of this code or the fire code without approval by the building official. 901.4 Threads. Threads provided for fire department connections to sprinkler systems, standpipes, yard hydrants or any other fire hose connection shall be compatible with the connections used by the local fire department. 901.6 Supervisory service. Where required, fire protection systems shall be monitored by an approved supervising station in accordance with NFPA 72. 901.6.1 Automatic sprinkler systems. 6
OBC Requirements 901.6.3 Group H. Manual fire alarm, automatic fire-extinguishing and emergency alarm systems in Group H occupancies shall be monitored by an approved supervising station. (Exception applies) 901.8 Welding and brazing. Welding and brazing of all metallic fire protection piping shall be done in accordance with Section 313 of the mechanical code. Welding Wikimedia Commons 7
OBC Requirements Section 902: Definitions: The following words and terms shall, for the purposes of this chapter, and as used elsewhere in this code, have the meanings shown herein. STANDPIPE SYSTEM, CLASSES OF. Standpipe classes are as follows: Class I system. A system providing 21/2-inch (64 mm) hose connections to supply water for use by fire departments and those trained in handling heavy fire streams. Class II system. A system providing 11/2-inch (38 mm) hose stations to supply water for use primarily by the building occupants or by the fire department during initial response. Class III system. A system providing 11/2-inch (38 mm) hose stations to supply water for use by building occupants and 21/2-inch (64 mm) hose connections to supply a larger volume of water for use by fire departments and those trained in handling heavy fire streams. 8
OBC Requirements Section 902: Definitions: The following words and terms shall, for the purposes of this chapter, and as used elsewhere in this code, have the meanings shown herein. AUTOMATIC. As applied to fire protection devices, a device or system providing an emergency function without the necessity for human intervention and activated as a result of a predetermined temperature rise, rate of temperature rise or combustion products. AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEM. An automatic sprinkler system, for fire protection purposes, is an integrated system of underground and overhead piping designed in accordance with fire protection engineering standards. The system includes a suitable water supply. The portion of the system above the ground is a network of specially sized or hydraulically designed piping installed in a structure or area, generally overhead, and to which automatic sprinklers are connected in a systematic pattern. The system is usually activated by heat from a fire and discharges water over the fire area. DELUGE SYSTEM. A sprinkler system employing open sprinklers attached to a piping system connected to a water supply through a valve that is opened by the operation of a detection system installed in the same areas as the sprinklers. When this valve opens, water flows into the piping system and discharges from all sprinklers attached thereto. 9
OBC Requirements Section 902: Definitions: The following words and terms shall, for the purposes of this chapter, and as used elsewhere in this code, have the meanings shown herein. STANDPIPE, TYPES OF. Standpipe types are as follows: Automatic dry. A dry standpipe system, normally filled with pressurized air, that is arranged through the use of a device, such as dry pipe valve, to admit water into the system piping automatically upon the opening of a hose valve. The water supply for an automatic dry standpipe system shall be capable of supplying the system demand. Automatic wet. A wet standpipe system that has a water supply that is capable of supplying the system demand automatically. Manual dry. A dry standpipe system that does not have a permanent water supply attached to the system. Manual dry standpipe systems require water from a fire department pumper to be pumped into the system through the fire department connection in order to meet the system demand. Manual wet. A wet standpipe system connected to a water supply for the purpose of maintaining water within the system but does not have a water supply capable of delivering the system demand attached to the system. Manual-wet standpipe systems require water from a fire department pumper (or the like) to be pumped into the system in order to meet the system demand. 10
OBC Requirements 903.1.1 Alternative protection. Alternative automatic fire-extinguishing systems complying with Section 904 shall be permitted in lieu of automatic sprinkler protection where recognized by the applicable standard and approved by the building code official. 903.2.1.3 Group A-3. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for Group A-3 occupancies where one of the following conditions exists: 1. The fire area exceeds 12,000 square feet (1115 m2); Exceptions Apply 903.2.3 Group E. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for Group E occupancies as follows: 1. Throughout all Group E fire areas greater than 20,000 square feet (1,858 m2) in area. 2. Throughout every portion of educational buildings below the lowest level of exit discharge serving that portion of the building. Exception: An automatic sprinkler system is not required in any area below the lowest level of exit discharge serving that area where every classroom throughout the building has at least one exterior exit door at ground level. Example of an A-3 occupancy: a courtroom Wikimedia Commons 11
OBC Requirements 903.2.7 Group M. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout buildings containing a Group M occupancy where one of the following conditions exists: 1. A Group M fire area exceeds 12,000 square feet (1115 m2). 2. A Group M fire area is located more than three stories above grade plane. 3. The combined area of all Group M fire areas on all floors, including any mezzanines, exceeds 24,000 square feet (2230 m2). 4. A Group M occupancy greater than 8,000 square feet is used for the display and sale of upholstered furniture. 903.2.8 Group R. An automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3 shall be provided throughout all buildings with a Group R fire area. Exceptions: 1. An automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.2 shall be allowed in buildings, or portions thereof, of Group R, up to and including four stories in height. 2. An automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.3 shall be allowed in buildings of Group R-3 and R-4. 3. An automatic sprinkler system is not required in buildings of Group R-2 permitted to have a single exit per Section 1021.2 where: (specific conditions apply) An example of a Group R occupancy: An apartment building Wikimedia Commons 12
OBC Requirements 903.2.11.6 Other required suppression systems. In addition to the requirements of Section 903.2, the provisions indicated in Table 903.2.11.6 also require the installation of a fire suppression system for certain buildings and areas. SECTION TABLE 903.2.11.6 ADDITIONAL REQUIRED SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS SUBJECT 402.9 Covered malls 403.2, 403.3 High-rise buildings 404.3 Atriums 405.3 Underground structures 407.5 Group I-2 410.6 Stages 411.4 Special amusement buildings 412.4.6, 412.4.6.1, 412.6.5 Aircraft hangars 415.6.2.4 Group H-2 416.4 Flammable finishes 417.4 Drying rooms 507 Unlimited area buildings 508.2.5 Incidental accessory occupancies 1028.6.2.3 Smoke-protected assembly seating OFC Sprinkler system requirements as set forth in Section 903.2.11.6 of the fire code 13
OBC Requirements 903.4 Sprinkler system supervision and alarms. All valves controlling the water supply for automatic sprinkler systems, pumps, tanks, water levels and temperatures, critical air pressures and waterflow switches on all sprinkler systems shall be electrically supervised by a listed fire alarm control unit. Exceptions Apply 903.4.1 Monitoring. Alarm, supervisory and trouble signals shall be distinctly different and shall be automatically transmitted to an approved supervising station or, when approved by the building official, shall sound an audible signal at a constantly attended location. Exceptions: Apply 903.4.2 Alarms. Approved audible devices shall be connected to every automatic sprinkler system. Such sprinkler waterflow alarm devices shall be activated by waterflow equivalent to the flow of a single sprinkler of the smallest orifice size installed in the system. Alarm devices shall be provided on the exterior of the building in an approved location. Where a fire alarm system is installed, actuation of the automatic sprinkler system shall actuate the building fire alarm system. Exception: Water-flow alarms are not required for limited area sprinkler systems installed in accordance with Section 903.3.5.1.1. 903.4.3 Floor control valves. Approved supervised indicating control valves shall be provided at the point of connection to the riser on each floor in high-rise buildings. A water flow alarm Complete Plumbing Source 14
OBC Requirements 905.2 Installation standard. Standpipe systems shall be installed in accordance with this section and NFPA 14. 905.3 Required installations. Standpipe systems shall be installed when required by Sections 905.3.1 through 905.3.7 in the locations indicated in Sections 905.4, 905.5 and 905.6. Standpipe systems are allowed to be combined with automatic sprinkler systems. Exception: Standpipe systems are not required in Group R-3 occupancies. 905.4.1 Protection. Risers and laterals of Class I standpipe systems not located within an enclosed stairway or pressurized enclosure shall be protected by a degree of fire resistance equal to that required for vertical enclosures in the building in which they are located. Exception: In buildings equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system, laterals that are not located within an enclosed stairway or pressurized enclosure are not required to be enclosed within fire-resistance-rated construction. A standpipe 905.4.2 Interconnection. In buildings where more than one standpipe is provided, the standpipes shall be interconnected in accordance with NFPA 14. 15
OBC Requirements 905.6 Location of Class III standpipe hose connection. Class III standpipe hose connections shall have hose connections located as required for Class I standpipes in Section 905.4 and shall have Class II hose connections as required in Section 905.5. 905.6.1 Protection. Risers and laterals of Class III standpipe systems shall be protected as required for Class I systems in accordance with Section 905.4.1. 905.6.2 Interconnection. In buildings where more than one Class III standpipe is provided, the standpipes shall be interconnected in accordance with NFPA 14. A Class III standpipe Wikimedia Commons 16
OBC Requirements 912.1 Installation. Fire department connections shall be installed in accordance with the NFPA standard applicable to the system design and shall comply with Sections 912.2 through 912.5. Exceptions: Fire department connections are not required for: 1. Limited area sprinkler systems supplied from the domestic water system. 2. Automatic sprinkler systems having less than 20 sprinklers. A fire department connection for an automatic sprinkler system 17
OBC Requirements 912.2 Location. With respect to hydrants, driveways, buildings and landscaping, fire department connections shall be so located that fire apparatus and hose connected to supply the system will not obstruct access to the buildings for other fire apparatus. The location of fire department connections shall be approved by the building official with input from the fire chief. 912.2.1 Visible location. 912.2.2 Existing buildings. 913.2 Protection against interruption of service. The fire pump, driver and controller shall be protected in accordance with NFPA 20 against possible interruption of service through damage caused by explosion, fire, flood, earthquake, rodents, insects, windstorm, freezing, vandalism and other adverse conditions. 913.2.1 Protection of fire pump rooms. 18
OBC Requirements 913.3 Temperature of pump room. Suitable means shall be provided for maintaining the temperature of a pump room or pump house, where required, above 40 F (5 C). 913.3.1 Engine manufacturer s recommendation. 913.4 Valve supervision. Where provided, the fire pump suction, discharge and bypass valves, and isolation valves on the backflow prevention device or assembly shall be supervised open by one of the following methods: 1. Central-station, proprietary or remote-station signaling service. 2. Local signaling service that will cause the sounding of an audible signal at a constantly attended location. 3. Locking valves open. 4. Sealing of valves and approved weekly recorded inspection where valves are located within fenced enclosures under the control of the owner. 913.4.1 Test outlet valve supervision. 913.5 Acceptance test. Acceptance testing shall be done in accordance with the requirements of NFPA 20 and Section 901.5. 19
NFPA Requirements NFPA 13: Automatic Sprinklers Chapter 5: Classification of Occupancies and Commodities provides information on the classification of occupancy hazards as stored commodities. To a large degree, the occupancy hazard classifications and commodity classifications for the basis of the design and installation criteria of NFPA 13. The occupancy hazards provide a convenient means of categorizing the fuel loads and fire severity associated with certain building operations. The commodity classifications also present a relationship between the burning characteristics of these fuels and the ability of a sprinkler system in controlling the associated types of fires. The likelihood of ignition is not considered in the occupancy or commodity classifications. 20
NFPA Requirements NFPA 13: Automatic Sprinklers Chapter 8: Installation Requirements Numerous factors, such as available water supply, type of sprinkler, building construction features, and anticipated fire hazards, must be considered in the design of automatic sprinkler system. Chapter 8 deals exclusively with installation details, such as positioning, and location of system components, such as sprinklers and valves. The requirements in this chapter identify the location and positioning rules for system components and consider the impact of building construction and equipment on satisfactory sprinkler system performance. 21
NFPA Requirements NFPA 13: Automatic Sprinklers Chapter 10: Underground Piping Chapter 10 was added to NFPA 13 beginning with the 2001 edition to consolidate all of the requirements for underground piping, including piping materials, fittings, joining of pipe and fittings, depth of cover, protection against freezing, protection against damage, laying of pipe, joint restraint, backfilling, and testing and acceptance. The provisions of Chapter 10 also appear as Chapter 10 of NFPA 24. The wordings of the two chapters is identical, including all section numbers, tables, and figures. NFPA 13 Chapter 10 10.1 Piping Materials 10.2 Fittings 10.3 Joining of Pipe and Fittings 10.4 Depth of Cover 105 Protection Against Freezing 10.6 Protection against Damage 10.7 Requirement for Laying Pipe 10.8 Joint Restraint 10.9 Backfilling 10.10 Testing and Acceptance 22
NFPA Requirements NFPA 13: Automatic Sprinklers Chapter 22: Plans and Calculations This chapter covers the information that needs to be submitted to the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) to verify that a proposed sprinkler system will comply with all of the requirements of NFPA 13. These same plans are also used to convey information to the system installers to ensure correct installation. Sections 22.1 through 22.3 contain the requirements for information that needs to be included in the drawings to ensure that the layout of the system is appropriate. Sections 22.4 through 22.9 address the methods used to verify that the proposed pipe sizes are acceptable and will work with the given water supply. 23
NFPA Requirements NFPA 13R: Installation of Sprinklers Systems in Residential Occupancies up to and Including Four Stories in Height This standard is intended to provide a higher degree of life safety and property protection to the inhabitants of low-rise, multifamily dwellings. promulgated as a document that provides for increased levels of protection to building occupants, the document also considers the economic aspects of a sprinklered facility as compared to an unsprinklered facility. NFPA 13R Chapter 4: General Requirements 4.1 Sprinklered throughout 4.2 Compartments 4.3 Basic Requirements 4.4 Tube 4.5 Listed or Labeled 24
NFPA Requirements NFPA 13D: Installation of Sprinkler Systems in Oneand Two-Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes NFPA 13D Chapter 4: General Requirements 4.1 Compartments 4.2 Maintencance 4.3 Hydrostatic Tests 4.4 Sprinkler Temperature Rating 4.5 Tube 4.6 Listed or Labeled 4.7 Smoke Alarms 4.8 Documentations 25
NFPA Requirements NFPA 14: Standpipe and Hose Systems Detailed list of information required on fire protection system plans submitted for approval for NFPA 14 1. Working plans with all applicable items. 2. Class of standpipe on plans. 3. Type of standpipe (wet, dry, etc). 4. Location of waterflow alarms. 5. Location of piping. 6. Correctly located fire department connection. 7. Hose connections located. 8. Correct number of standpipes. 9. Correct interconnection of multiple standpipes. 10. Correct pipe sizing. 11. Minimum pressures. 12. Pressure regulating devices provided for outlets with high pressures. 13. Minimum flow rates achieved. 14. Drain and test riser appropriately sized. 15. Correct number of fire department connections. 16. A complete set of hydraulic calculations. 17. Plans to show an approved water supply capable of supplying the system demand. 18. Current water supply information. 19. For high-rise buildings, plans of the temporary standpipe with the FDC location shown. 26
NFPA Requirements NFPA 11: Standard for Medium- and High-Expansion Foam Detailed list of information required on fire protection system plans submitted for approval for NFPA 11 1. Physical details of the hazard: including the location, arrangement and hazardous materials involved. 2. Water requirements. 3. The type of foam concentrate used. 4. The consumption rates of the foam concentrate. 5. The required solution application rate and discharge time. 6. The method of foam proportioning. 7. Pipe and fittings. 8. The method of system control including schematic wiring diagrams if required. 9. Supplemental protection if provided. 10. Calculations specifying required amount of concentrate. 11. Hydraulic calculations. 12. Identify and state capacity of all equipment and devices. 13. Location of all piping, detection devices, operating devices, generators, discharge outlets and auxiliary equipment. 14. Complete working plans and detailed data (specifications) describing pumps, drivers, controllers, power supply, fittings, suction and discharge connections and suction conditions, shall be submitted for approval. 27
NFPA Requirements NFPA 16: Installation of Foam-Water Sprinkler and Foam-Water Spray Systems Detailed list of information required on fire protection system plans submitted for approval for NFPA 11 1. Working plans that indicate the quantity of foam concentrate to be stored including the quantity in reserve, the concentrate designation and the minimum anticipated temperature of the concentrate at the point of proportioning. 2. List the specific tests to be conducted. 3. The type of foam concentrate used. 4. The method of foam proportioning. 5. Pump submittal. 6. The method of system control including schematic wiring diagrams if required. 7. The location of draft curtains, detection zones and drainage area separations if the impact the performance of the foam-water system. 8. The location and description of hazards to be protected. 9. Hydraulic calculations. 10. The required discharge density. 28
NFPA Requirements NFPA 20: Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection Detailed list of information required on fire protection system plans submitted for approval for NFPA 20 Working Plans: A complete plan and detailed data describing pump, driver, controller, power supply, fittings, suction and discharge connections, and water supply conditions shall be prepared and submitted for approval, including the following information: 1. Correct fire rating for pump room. 2. Rated pump capacity. 3. All equipment clearly noted. 4. Relief valve if required. 5. Bypass piping if required. 6. A method for testing the fire pump. 7. Pump shaft rotation. 8. Jockey pump and associated valves and piping. 9. Backflow preventer properly piped. 10. Fire pump submittal & certified shop test curve. 11. Fire pump & jockey pump controller locations. 12. Fire pump & jockey pump controller piping. 13. Power supply arrangement shall be shown. 29
NFPA Requirements NFPA 22: Water Tanks for Private Fire Protection Detailed list of information required on fire protection system plans submitted for approval for NFPA 22 1. The capacity and elevation of the tank. 2. The tank location. 3. The material the tank is constructed from. 4. Information on the tank foundation if applicable. 5. The tank dead load. 6. The tank live load. 7. The wind load on the tank if applicable. 8. The tank specification submittal. 9. The air pressure and water level of pressure tanks. 10. The method of freeze protection if applicable. 11. Air compressor information for pressure tanks. 12. The method for tank filling. 13. Working plans of the tank, piping & valves. An example of a tank regulated by NFPA 22 Wikimedia Commons 30
NFPA Requirements NFPA 750: Water Mist Fire Protection Not referenced in OBC, but good to know about Detailed list of information required on fire protection system plans submitted for approval for NFPA 750 1. Working plans shall show those items from NFPA 750 that pertain to the design of the submitted system. 2. Hydraulic calculations. 3. Pneumatic calculations. 4. Detection, actuation and control systems documentation. 31
Hazards and risks of using water Unable to extinguish certain types of fires Can cause damage to electrical equipment Can cause damage to other materials Lack of detailed models to support fire suppression analysis Wikimedia Commons 32
Lessons Learned from Module 3 Water-based suppression system requirements are based on multiple characteristics including the occupant load or occupancy of a building or fire area. Water-based suppression system component installation in the OBC often references the NFPA for requirements NFPA 13 provides standards for automatic sprinklers. There are many type of protection systems and/or system components that may be required to protect a building, such as portable fire extinguishers or standpipes. Although it s not included in the OBC, water mist fire protection is regulated by NFPA and is good to know about. 33