Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Tsing Yi) CBE5004 – Building Systems I

Department of Construction

Fire Services System

1. Concept of fire

¾ Fire is a rapid oxidation process accompanied by the evolution of heat, light,

flames (a growing mass of gas) and the emission of sound, i.e. and unwanted
combustion.
¾ Fuel + Oxygen Æ Product + Heat
¾ Understanding the "fire triangle" is the most basic concept in fire prevention and
control. In order for any fire to occur, three critical elements must be present

o A fuel or combustible material

o An ignition or heat source
o Oxygen in sufficient quantities to support combustion

2. Stages in an Enclosure Fire

¾ When fire occurs in a room, its course is determined by the combustible contents,
the nature of the surrounding construction (wall, ceiling and floor) and the air
supply
¾ There are three stages in a fire

o Growth stage

™ This starts from the ignition up to flashover when all materials are heated
to their ignition temperatures
™ If inadequate ventilation during the growth period, flashover fails, fire
may die out or smolder

o Development stage

™ The whole content is under combustion and the temperature increases at a

significantly slower rate

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Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Tsing Yi) CBE5004 – Building Systems I
Department of Construction

o Decay stage

™ The fire is extinguishing because either the fuel is burning out or there is
insufficient air supply
™ The temperature of the enclosure drops gradually

¾ The length of each stage depends on the combustibility, calorific value of

materials, nature of surrounding construction and the supply of air

3. Fire control

¾ Extinguishment by cooling

o The most effective way to extinguish a fire by cooling is through direct

application of water to the involved surface
o The extinguishing mechanism depends upon cooling the fuel, thereby
reducing and stopping the rate of release of combustible vapors and gases
o The goal is to apply water to the burning materials in sufficient volume such
that the water is absorbing more heat than the fire is generating

¾ Extinguishment by oxygen dilution (smothering)

o The term dilution can only be applied to the gaseous state as in the combined
state oxygen is locked into the molecule and no dilution is possible
o A typical example of the use of the oxygen dilution principle is when carbon
dioxide is used in the total flooding of closed or semi-closed spaces

¾ Extinguishment by fuel removal (starvation)

o Fire extinguishment can be accomplished by removing the fuel, or indirectly

by shutting off the fuel vapors to combustion

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Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Tsing Yi) CBE5004 – Building Systems I
Department of Construction

o The cooling of a fuel surface essentially results in the removal of fuel vapor

¾ Extinguishment by chemical flame inhibition

o Extinguishment by chemical flame inhibition applies to the flame mode only

o The extinguishing agents do not combat glowing and smouldering fires
o The outstanding effect of this method is the extreme rapidly and the high
relative efficiency with which flames can be extinguished
o The mechanism depends upon the removal of H and O atoms formed in a
combustion process

4. Classification of fire risk

¾ Fires are classified according to the fuel involved

¾ Classification based on British Standards Institution (UK)

o Class A fire

™ Carbonaceous material such as wood, cloth and paper, where cooling by

water is the most effective method of reducing the temperature o the
burning material. Most fires are in this class

o Class B fire

™ Fires in inflammable liquids including petrol, oils, greases, paints,

varnishes and fats, where the blanketing or smothering effect of agents,
which exclude oxygen, is most effective.

o Class C fire

™ Fires in inflammable gases such as acetylene, methane, propane and

natural gases, where the extinguishing by blanketing or smothering to
prevent oxygen combining with the gas is the most effective.

o Class D fire

™ Fires in inflammable metals such as uranium, zinc and aluminium, where

the extinguishing or smothering effect of agents which exclude oxygen is
most effective.

o Class E fire

™ This is not a strictly separate classification, but includes all risks where
the problem of extinguishing the fire is increased, due to the danger of an
electric shock. The fire is in the presence of live electrical equipment or
wiring and a non-conducting extinguishing agent is therefore required.

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Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Tsing Yi) CBE5004 – Building Systems I
Department of Construction

5. Hazard classification

¾ According to BS EN 12845:2004, this classification depends on the occupancy

and the fire load and shall be classified as belonging to the appropriate hazard
class, as follows:

o Light hazard (LH)

™ Occupancies with low fire loads and low combustibility and with no
single compartment greater than 126m2 with a fire resistance of at least
30 minutes.
™ Typically: Schools and other educational institutions, and offices (certain
areas)

o Ordinary hazard (OH)

™ Occupancies where combustible materials with a medium fire load and

medium combustibility are processed or manufactured. OH is sub-divided
into 4 groups:

5 OH1, Ordinary Hazard Group 1

5 OH2, Ordinary Hazard Group 2

5 OH3, Ordinary Hazard Group 3

5 OH4, Ordinary Hazard Group 4

o High hazard (HH)

™ High Hazard, Process (HHP) - High hazard, process, covers occupancies

where the materials concerned have in a high fire load and high
combustibility and are capable of developing a quickly spreading or
intense fire. HHP is sub-divided into 4 group

5 HHP1, High Hazard Process Group 1,

5 HHP2, High Hazard Process Group 2,

5 HHP3, High Hazard Process Group 3,

5 HHP4, High Hazard Process Group 4.

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Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Tsing Yi) CBE5004 – Building Systems I
Department of Construction

™ High Hazard, Storage (HHS) - High hazard, storage, covers the storage of
goods where the height of storage exceeds the limits in OH. HHS is sub-
divided into 4 categories:

5 HHS1, High Hazard Storage Category 1,

5 HHS2, High Hazard Storage Category 2,

5 HHS3, High Hazard Storage Category 3,

5 HHS4, High Hazard Storage Category 4.

Typical examples, in OH, extracted from BS EN 12845: 2004, are shown in the
following tables.

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Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Tsing Yi) CBE5004 – Building Systems I
Department of Construction

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Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Tsing Yi) CBE5004 – Building Systems I
Department of Construction

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Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Tsing Yi) CBE5004 – Building Systems I
Department of Construction

6. Fire Detection and Alarm System

6.1 Automatic fire detection system (AFA)

¾ It consists of detection system for early detection of fire and alarm system for
warning of occupants and triggering of automatic fire fighting system
¾ Connection of AFA:

o Fire detectors
o Direct link to Hong Kong Fire Services Department (HKFSD)
o Manual call points (break glass units) and fire alarm bells
o All the fire system actuation and alarm sensors

6.2 Fire Detectors

¾ Factors affecting the choices of fire detectors:

o Danger of producing false alarms. Environmental is the main problem:

humidity, dirt, air velocity and smoke
o Danger of lowering the sensitivity
o Nature of occupancy
o Ceiling height and shape of space
o Building ventilation system
o Fire load

¾ Types of Fire Detectors

o Smoke detectors

™ Smoke detector is first used at 1900

™ Smoke detector will only detect visible particles

(i) Ionization smoke detector

¾ Detect both visible and invisible aerosols that can occur in the
very early stage of a fire
¾ Working principle: radioactive source causes ionization of air,
movement of ions between the electrodes reduce the resistance of
air resulting in the flow of electric current, during fire, smoke will
attach to the ions and slow down their movement, resulting in the
reduction of current flow and cause actuation of alarm
¾ Because of high sensitivity, suffer from false alarm problems –
such as smoke, open window, high humidity (>95%),
condensation and air movement
¾ Dust build up can affect the amount of ionization particles
produced

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 Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Tsing Yi) CBE5004 – Building Systems I
Department of Construction

(ii) Optical smoke detector

¾ Light scattering type detectors which make use of the scattering

property of smoke
¾ Smoke cause deflection of light beam to the photo cell resulting in
electric current flow to actuate the alarm
¾ More suitable for sensing dense smoke since it only detect visible
white smoke and applicable for smouldering fire

Detector during normal operation Detector during an outbreak of fire

o Heat detector

(i) Fixed temperature type

¾ Make use of a bi-metal strip or a fusible alloy to make electrical

contact at a pre-determined temperature
¾ Electronic resistor calibrated as temperature sensor is employed

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Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Tsing Yi) CBE5004 – Building Systems I
Department of Construction

¾ Less likely to cause false alarm where temperature fluctuation is

normal, but the response time is slow

(ii) Rate of rise of temperature type

¾ Response more quickly, depending on the rate of temperature rise

¾ Consist of 2 bi-metal strips, one exposed and one shielded
connected in series
¾ The shielded one responds slower and both contacts will only be
closed if temperature rise is quick enough
¾ Temperature range: 57 0C – 102 0C
¾ Coverage protected area: 50 m2

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Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Tsing Yi) CBE5004 – Building Systems I
Department of Construction

o Flame detector

™ Infra-red and ultra violet light sensors used as flame detectors

™ Senses radiant energy from the fire in the infra-red or ultra-violet
spectrum with photoelectric cell reacting
™ Adapted to respond to flickering source to avoid false alarm (4 to
15Hz)
™ Suitable for areas with storage of flammable liquids and in large
volume spaces where prediction of smoke behavior is difficult

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Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Tsing Yi) CBE5004 – Building Systems I
Department of Construction

™ Not suitable for fires which produce smoke or smoulder before flames
appears
™ False alarm problem by sunlight reflected from water surface

o Other types

™ Flammable vapor detectors for detection of flammable vapors such as

petrol
™ Explosion detectors for detection of rate of pressure rise or static
pressure
™ Duct-mounted detectors for detection of smoke in ventilation
ductwork

¾ Comparison for different type of detectors

Heat Optical Ionization Flame

Poor / good
General depends on if
Slow Fast Very fast
response there is
obstruction
Invisible
Larger smoke
Sensing Temperature smoke Infra-red or
particles > 5
elements rise particles ultra-violet
microns
0 to 5 microns
Detecting
Extremely
smouldering Quite good Good Not suitable
poor
fire

Price of
single Cheapest Reasonable Reasonable Expensive
detector

Area of
Small Large Large Very large
coverage

Ceiling Ceiling Ceiling Anywhere

Mounting
position
Indoor or
Indoor only Indoor only Indoor only
outdoor

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Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Tsing Yi) CBE5004 – Building Systems I
Department of Construction

6.3 Manual call point and fire alarm bell

¾ The break glass unit for manual operation of fire alarm through breaking of
glass cover
¾ Normally it is located with alarm bell at the same location as hose reel
¾ Alarm bells are adequately located to ensure early and easy detection by
occupants
¾ The sound level of alarm bell shall be 65 dB and 75 dB for sleeping people
¾ In some case, visual signals are also required to give an additional warning
particular in areas with deaf people

6.4 Addressable fire detection system circuit

¾ Microprocessor are used widely to control the system by programming

¾ Detectors become an individual sensor giving precise location of fire signal
in addition to zoning indication
¾ System continue to communicate with all components in the circuit by
scanning rate of 50 cycle/second

Schematic Diagram of Automatic & Manual Fire Alarm Panel

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Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Tsing Yi) CBE5004 – Building Systems I
Department of Construction

7. Sprinkler System

¾ Sprinklers are an active system that detect and extinguish fire

¾ Sprinklers have a number of advantages, such as:

o Detects and extinguishes

o Immediate action
o Always ready attacks the seat of the fire
o Restricts fire growth
o Reduces smoke spread
o Requires no human intervention to operate

7.1 Sprinkler operation

¾ On the outbreak of fire, the fire heats the sprinkler head until a preset
temperature is exceeded
¾ The head opens allowing the water in the pipe to spray down on the fire
¾ The water flow in the pipe is detected by a flow detector that automatically
starts the fire pumps, and signals the fire alarm panel, which in turn signals a
general alarm and notifies the Fire Bridge
¾ The sprinkler system will continue to operate until it is either switched off
manually, or runs out of water

7.2 Major Components

¾ In general, a sprinkler system consists of the following components:

o A water storage tank / sprinkler water tank

o Sprinkler pumps and jockey pump
o Distribution pipework for conveying water to sprinkler heads
o A sprinkler installation valve connected to a hydraulic motor alarm gong
o Sprinkler heads
o A detector system (can be the sprinkler head itself) to actuate the fire
fighting system
o Other features including flow detectors, pressure switches for starting
pumps

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Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Tsing Yi) CBE5004 – Building Systems I
Department of Construction

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Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Tsing Yi) CBE5004 – Building Systems I
Department of Construction

Schematic of a sprinkler system

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Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Tsing Yi) CBE5004 – Building Systems I
Department of Construction

7.2.1 Sprinkler pumps

¾ The Code requires that there are two pumps, each capable of handling
the entire load of the system
¾ The sprinkler duty pump shall be started when the design pressure
dropped to 85% of the design value
¾ Standby pump is connected in parallel with the duty pump and is
activated when the duty pump fails to start
¾ Jockey pump is installed to replenish small leakage in the sprinkler
system
¾ Jockey pump shall be started when the design pressure dropped to
95% of the design value.
¾ The pumpset must be protected, so it is normally housed in a fire
rated room supplied with lighting and ventilation from an emergency
supply

7.2.2 Distribution pipework

¾ The first part of the distribution pipework is the riser which runs
vertically in the building; it connects the installation valves with
distribution pipes
¾ Branching from the riser to serve each floor or part of a floor are the
distribution pipes
¾ Branching off from these distribution pipes are the final range pipes
that contain the sprinkler heads

Range pipe

Distribution pipe

Riser

7.2.3 Sprinkler heads

¾ There is a standard range of temperature settings for sprinkler heads

¾ The normal rating for most occupancy is 570C or 680C
¾ The color rating for bulb type sprinkler heads are as follows

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Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Tsing Yi) CBE5004 – Building Systems I
Department of Construction

Sprinkler rating Color of bulb

57 Orange
68 Red
79 Yellow
93 Green
141 Blue
182 Mauve
204 to 260 Black

7.3 Types of sprinkler systems

¾ There are numerous types of automatic sprinkler systems, each ideally suited
for certain spaces

7.3.1 Wet-pipe system

¾ Automatic sprinkler are attached to a piping system that contains

water under pressure at all times
¾ Water discharges immediately from sprinklers opened by a fire
¾ Wet pipe system is the most reliable and simple of all sprinkler
systems since no equipment other that the sprinklers themselves are
required to actuate the system

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Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Tsing Yi) CBE5004 – Building Systems I
Department of Construction

7.3.2 Dry-pipe system

¾ Automatic sprinklers are attached to a piping system that normally

contains air under pressure
¾ The release of air from the opening of a sprinkler permits water
pressure to open the dry pipe valve
¾ Water then flows into the piping system and discharges only from
those sprinklers which have been operated by heat over the fire
¾ Dry-pipe installation are necessary either where there is a danger of
the water in the pipes freezing (< 5oC) or where temperature above
70oC may be encountered

7.3.3 Deluge system

¾ Open sprinklers are used

¾ A deluge valve holds back the water from the piping under normal
condition
¾ A separate fire detection system is used to activate the system under
fire condition
¾ The fire detection system opens the deluge valve, which then admits
water into the piping network, and water flows simultaneously from
all of the open sprinklers
¾ Deluge sprinkler system is used for protection against rapidly
spreading high-hazard fires

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Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Tsing Yi) CBE5004 – Building Systems I
Department of Construction

Open Sprinkler

Deluge valve

7.3.4 Preaction System

¾ Similar to deluge system except automatic sprinklers are used, rather

than open sprinklers
¾ There is no water in the piping under ordinary circumstances
¾ A small air pressure is usually maintained in the piping network
¾ A decrease in air pressure is an indication of a leak
¾ The flow of water from the system does not take place unless heat
from the fires has also activated one or more sprinklers
¾ Preaction system are generally used where there is special concern
that accidental discharge of water may cause considerable damage to
the area being protected

Closed sprinkler

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Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Tsing Yi) CBE5004 – Building Systems I
Department of Construction

7.4 Size of sprinkler tank and zoning

¾ Where tank is not dependent on inflow, it implies the town main is single end
feed
¾ Where tank is dependent on inflow, the town mains is double end feed
¾ The rules of the FOC for automatic sprinkler installations provides guidance
on the design of sprinkler installations where the maximum height difference
between the highest and lowest sprinklers does not exceed 45m
¾ The maximum number of sprinkler for the multi-storey building is 500 per
zone
¾ According to BS EN 12845: 2004, the minimum water volume for pre-
calculated LH and OH systems is shown in the following table.

In general, each water supply shall have sufficient capacity for the following minimum
duration:

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Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Tsing Yi) CBE5004 – Building Systems I
Department of Construction

8. Fire Hydrant and Hose Reel System

¾ Fire hydrant is designed for firemen’s use in order to provide quick and
convenient means for obtaining water through out a building whereas hosereel
enables first-hand fighting of fire by occupants

8.1 Major Components

¾ The system comprise of hydrant outlet, hose reel, fire pump, supply tank,
rising main and fire service inlet together to form a wet riser system

8.1.1 Hydrant outlet

¾ Hydrant outlet shall be sited at half-landing of a staircase to serve two

floors in case of fire
¾ The outlets of all hydrants shall be 63.5 mm standard
¾ They shall be mounted not less than 800 mm or more than 1200 mm
above floor level
¾ The hydrant for industrial building shall be twin outlet while other
types of building may use single outlet

Standard type Twin outlet type

¾ Each outlet shall be individually controlled by a wheel-operated

screw valve designed to open by counter-clockwise rotation
¾ Water pressure at hydrant outlet shall be 350 kPa to 850 kPa with
minimum flow rate of 450 L/min per outlet

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Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Tsing Yi) CBE5004 – Building Systems I
Department of Construction

8.1.2 Hose reel

¾ The internal bore of the hose reel tubing shall not be less than 19 mm,
such tubing shall have a pressure of not less than 2700 kPa
¾ The tubing of every hose reel shall not exceed 30 m in length and be
capable of being wound round a drum of not less than 150 mm in
diameter
¾ The tubing shall be capable of projecting a jet not less than 6 m in
length
¾ Rising mains and associated pipework used for the hose reels shall be
not less than 40 mm nominal bore and pipes feeding individual hose
reel shall not be less than 25 mm nominal bore

ALARM BELL

DRUM

BREAK GLASS

¾ The hose reel should normally be located in occupied units/areas to

enable the occupants of the building to attack a fire. However, in case
of a building having a number of small units, hose reels may be
located in common areas immediately outside the occupied
units/areas on that floor
¾ Manual fire alarm call points shall be positioned at prominent and
accessible position near the hose reels

8.1.3 Rising main

¾ Each wet riser shall be connected to a fire services inlet on ground

floor
¾ The nominal bore of the rising main in industrial buildings shall be
not less than 100 mm and 80 mm for other types of building

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Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Tsing Yi) CBE5004 – Building Systems I
Department of Construction

8.1.4 Fire service inlet

¾ Each rising main shall be provided with a standard Fire Service Inlet
at ground floor level in a prominent position on the exterior of the
building and shall be enclosed by glazing

¾ Its location shall be approved by FSD. In principle, it should be

situated within easy reach of a fire appliance parked near the building

8.1.5 Fire pump

¾ Fire pumps shall be started automatically once any fire alarm point is
actuated
¾ It shall be provided with remote start/stop and indication of running at
the fire service inlet
¾ All fire pumps shall be arranged in a duty and standby manner.
Should the duty pump fails to operate in 15 seconds, the standby
pump shall become the duty pump immediately

(i) Fixed fire pump

¾ It is normally required for buildings having a height of not

more than 60 m
¾ The minimum running pressure of fixed fire pump shall be
350 kPa
¾ The minimum flow rate of industrial building and other types
of building shall be 1350 L/min and 900 L/min respectively

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Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Tsing Yi) CBE5004 – Building Systems I
Department of Construction

(ii) Intermediate booster pump

¾ Intermediate booster pump shall be provided when the height

between the topmost hydrant and the lowest fire service inlet
is in excess 60 m as the pumping pressure available from the
fire brigade is limited to 800 kPa
¾ Suitable start/stop push buttons together with an indication
and alarm buzzers shall be provided adjacent to the fire
service inlet to enable fire service personnel to exercise
control of the intermediate booster pumps
¾ The running pressure at any hydrant outlet when delivering
450 L/min shall be not less than 350 kPa

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Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Tsing Yi) CBE5004 – Building Systems I
Department of Construction

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Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Tsing Yi) CBE5004 – Building Systems I
Department of Construction

8.1.6 Supply tank

¾ The minimum quantity of water required to be available, having

regard to the floor area factor of the largest floor is as follows:

Floor area (gross) in m2 Water storage required in m3

Not exceeding 230 9
Over 230 but not exceeding 460 18
Over 460 but not exceeding 920 27
Over 920 36

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