Date: 03.09.
2024
Fire Protection: Unit 3 (V Sem)
Water Spray Protection
Standards for Water Spray Protection System
NFPA -15 (2022) : Standard for water spray fixed system for fire protection (Ultra-
High-Speed Water Spray Systems )
NFPA -750 (2023) : Standard on Water Mist Fire Protection Systems
NFPA -14 (2024) : Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems
NFPA -25: Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based
Fire Protection Systems
NFPA -1962: Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Fire Hose,
Hose Reels, and Hose Appliances
ISO 6182-9 : Fire Protection Systems - Water Mist Systems
IS 15325 : Design and Installation of Fixed Automatic High and Medium Velocity
Water Spray System (HVWS & MVWS)
Application
Water spray is applicable for protection of specific hazards and
equipment and shall be permitted to be installed independently of, or
supplementary to, other forms of fire protection systems or equipment. Water
spray protection is acceptable for the protection of hazards involving each of
the following groups;
1. Gaseous and liquid flammable materials
2. Electrical hazards such as transformers, oil switches, cable trays, and cable
tunnels
3. Ordinary combustibles such as paper, wood, and textiles
4. Certain hazardous solids such as propellants and pyro technics.
5. Vapor mitigation
Combined System.
A system of piping that connects both sprinklers and water spray nozzles in a
common fire area, and is supplied by a single riser and system actuation valve.
Deflagration: Propagation of a combustion zone at a velocity that is less than the
speed of sound in the unreacted medium.
Speed: This is a subsonic combustion process, meaning the reaction front travels
through the material at a speed less than the speed of sound in that material.
Mechanism: In deflagration, the reaction is relatively slower and involves the
gradual propagation of a flame front through the explosive material. The pressure
generated is typically lower compared to detonation.
Example: A common example of deflagration is the burning of gunpowder. In
deflagration, the material burns at a rate that allows the flame to move through
the material at a pace that doesn't generate a shockwave.
Detonation: Propagation of a combustion zone at a velocity that is greater than
the speed of sound in the unreacted medium.
Speed: This is a supersonic combustion process, meaning the reaction front
travels through the material at a speed greater than the speed of sound in that
material.
Mechanism: Detonation involves a shockwave that compresses the explosive
material, causing a rapid and intense reaction. This produces a high-pressure
wave and is typically associated with much higher pressures and temperatures
than deflagration.
Example: Dynamite and TNT undergo detonation. In detonation, the reaction front
moves through the explosive material so quickly that it generates a powerful
shockwave, leading to a more violent and instantaneous release of energy.
Combustion Zone: This is the area where the combustion or burning is actively
occurring. In deflagration, this zone is moving through the material.
Unreacted Medium: This is the part of the material that has not yet been reached
by the combustion front or flame. It remains in its original, unburned state until
the flame front reaches it and initiates the reaction.
To illustrate, imagine you have a pile of gunpowder. When you light it, the
flame front travels through the gunpowder at a speed slower than the speed of
sound. The gunpowder that the flame has already reached and ignited is the
"reacted" part. The gunpowder that has not yet been ignited and still remains as
it was initially is the "unreacted medium." As the deflagration process continues,
the flame front moves through the unreacted gunpowder, turning it into reacted
material until the entire pile has combusted.
Objective of Water Spray system
In general, water spray shall be considered effective for any one of or a combination
of the following objectives
a. Extinguishment of fire
b. Control of burning
c. Exposure protection
d. Prevention of fire
Special Considerations.
a. A hazard analysis shall be made of the physical and chemical properties of
the materials for which the water spray protection is being considered.
b. The flash point, specific gravity, viscosity, miscibility, and solubility and
permeability of the material, temperature of the water spray, and the normal
temperature of the hazard to be protected are among the factors that shall
be given consideration.
c. Where water spray can encounter confined materials at a high temperature
or with a wide distillation range, the slop over or frothing hazard shall be
evaluated.
Water Soluble/Reactive Materials.
d. Systems shall be permitted to be designed for extinguishment by control,
extinguishment by dilution, or extinguishment by an adequate application
rate and coverage. Alcohol
e. Each water-soluble material shall be tested under the conditions of use to
determine the applicability of a water spray system, unless design
supportive data is available.
f. Water spray shall not be used for direct application to materials that react
with water, such as metallic sodium or calcium carbide, which produce
violent reactions or increase hazardous products as a result of heated vapor
emission.
g. Water spray shall not be used for applications involving liquefied gases at
cryogenic temperatures, which boil violently when heated by water.
h. An evaluation shall be conducted, given the possibility of damage,
distortion, or failure of equipment operating at high temperatures due to
water spray application.
Control of Runoff
Water discharge from water spray systems shall be controlled or contained to
prevent the spread of fire where flammable or combustible liquids are present. The
control or containment system shall utilize any one of the following:
a. Curbing and grading
b. Underground or enclosed drains
c. Open trenches or ditches
d. Diking or impoundment
Enclosed drain systems shall be fitted with traps or other means to prevent the
entrance of flames or burning liquids into the system. The control or containment
system shall be designed to accommodate the total combined flow from all of the
following:
a. All water spray systems intended to operate simultaneously within the fire
area (where the actual discharge will exceed the design flow rate, the actual
flow rate shall be used)
b. Supplemental hose streams and monitor nozzle devices likely to be used
during the fire.
c. The largest anticipated spill or accidental release of process liquids where
applicable.
d. Any normal discharge of process liquids or cooling water into the drainage
system.
e. Rain water, provided local conditions warrant inclusion
The control or containment system shall be designed to accommodate the total
combined flow for the fire's expected duration. Drains should be in sufficient
number that the required runoff is handled without formation of significant pools
Water Spray System Components:
a. Water Spray Nozzles
b. Pipe and Tube :25 mm, for steel and galvanized steel, 19 mm for copper and
stainless steel.
c. Fittings
d. Joining of Pipe and Fittings: Joint compound or tape shall be applied only
to male threads.
e. Hangers
f. Valves
g. Pressure Gauges
h. Strainers
i. Fire Department Connections
j. Hangers
Positioning of water spray nozzles: The positioning of water spray nozzles shall
include an evaluation of all the following factors:
a. The shape and size of the area to be protected
b. The nozzle design and characteristics of the water spray pattern to be
produced
c. The effect of wind and fire draft on vet)' small drop sizes or on large drop
sizes with little initial velocity
d. The potential to miss the target surface and increase water wastage
e. The effects of nozzle orientation on coverage characteristics
f. The potential for mechanical damage
Pipe welding requirement:
a. Holes cut in piping for outlets shall be cut to the full inside diameter of
fittings prior to welding in place of the fittings.
b. Discs shall be retrieved.
c. Openings cut into piping shall be smooth bore, and all internal slag and
welding residue shall be removed.
d. Fittings shall not penetrate the internal diameter of the piping.
e. Steel plates shall not be welded to the ends of piping or fitting.
f. Fittings shall not be modified.
g. Nuts, clips, eye rods, angle brackets, or other fasteners shall not be welded
to pipe or fittings, except as permitted.
h. Completed welds shall be free from cracks, incomplete fusion,
i. A welding procedure shall be prepared and qualified by the contractor or
fabricator before any welding is done.
j. Welders or welding machine operators shall, upon completion of each
welded pipe, place their identifiable mark or label onto each piece adjacent
to a weld.
k. Contractors or fabricators shall maintain certified records of the procedures
used and the welders or welding machine operators employed by them, a
long with their welding
l. identification, which shall be available to the authority having jurisdiction.
m. Joints for the connection of copper tube shall be brazed.
Fig: Acceptable weld Joints
Fig: Unacceptable weld Joints
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Dr A R Sontake
Professor, NFSC, Nagpur.