Fire Protection System
Deluge Sprinklers
• Deluge Sprinkler Systems
• The arrangement of deluge system piping is similar to a wet or dry pipe
system with two major differences:
• Standard sprinklers are used but they are all open. The
activating elements (fusible link or glass bulb) have been
removed so that when the control valve is opened, water will
flow from all of the sprinklers and deluge the are with water
• The deluge valve is normally closed. The valve is opened by
the activation of a separate fire detection system.
• The detection system is installed in the same area as the
sprinklers
• Deluge systems are used in places that are considered high
hazard areas such as power plants, aircraft hangars, and
chemical storage or processing facilities.
• Deluge systems are needed where high velocity suppression is
necessary to prevent fire spread.
Deluge valve fire protection system
• A deluge fire protection system has unpressurized dry piping and
open sprinkler heads. The system is directly connected to a water
supply and when the system is activated, a deluge valve will release
the water to all the open sprinkler heads. The valve is opened when
activated by a heat or smoke detection system
• Deluge systems are used in high hazard areas such as power plants,
aircraft hangars, and chemical plants. These systems are very
effective in hazardous areas because they release water or another
fire suppressant to all the open sprinkler heads simultaneously. This
total flood method douses a fire before it has the chance to grow uncontrollably.
• A deluge system offers several advantages over a traditional fire sprinkler system.
In a traditional sprinkler system, the pipes are filled with water and the sprinkler
heads are closed. A deluge system is a dry system which means it is not at risk for
having frozen pipes. The pipes of traditional sprinklers can freeze when exposed
to cold temperatures because they are filled with water. In addition, a deluge
system offers a quicker response to a fire by releasing water through all its open
heads at once. A regular sprinkler system with closed heads must activate each
sprinkler head individually. Therefore, the deluge system is more effective in high
hazard situations.
Typical deluge valve system
Deluge valve sprinkler system with pilot sprinkler
Deluge system with solenoid valve
Deluge valve
Deluge valve
Chemical TANK
fire protection
using Deluge
valve
Sample calculation for tank
• There is an existing Fire water distribution network in the
existing facility and this water distribution network will be
used for the Deluge valve operation.
1. The tank size is 3.7 meter diameter and 4.3 meter height ,
total surface area 50 square meter.
2. Chemical stored is Alcohol.
3. Total surface area 50 square meter.
4. Water density required as per NFPA 10.5 LPM per Meter
square to 20 LPM metre square. For this tank we have
considered 15 LPM per metre square to maintain minimum
pressure of 3.5 Bar at remotest sprinkler.
5. Open head sprinklers with spray angle of 140 degree and K
factor 64
Calculation continue
1. As per K factor and required pressure of 3.5 bar , water flow per
sprinkler is 120 LPM per sprinkler.
2. Total water required for 12 sprinklers is 1440 LPM to maintain
desired pressure and flow.
3. Coverage area of one sprinkler is approximately 10 square meter
4. Spacing between two sprinklers is approximately two meters
5. There are two rings on the tank surface And 6 sprinklers on each
ring.
6. Sprinklers installed approximately 600 mm away from the tank
surface.
7. Each Ring pipe size is 50 mm and main header size is 80 mm
8. Tapping for the installation will be taken from nearby 150 mm
hydrant line.
• System operation through Pneumatically operated Deluge Valve.
1. Deluge Valve sensing through QBD sprinklers.( Quartz Bulb Detector)
2. QBD sprinklers must be installed not more than 300 mm from the tank
surface
3. Operating temperature of the sprinklers must be at least 30 degree more
than normal temperature surrounding the tank area
4. Distance between two QBD sprinklers is approximately 2.5 meters and
total 15 sprinklers for entire tank area , five sprinklers on each ring
5. There are three rings for QBD sprinklers, one at the top of tank , one at
the tank Equator and one at the bottom.
6. All sprinklers are connected with Deluge Valve through 2 inch pipe .
7. There are other options For operating Deluge Valve , like heat detectors,
water pilot line sprinklers and it is based on deluge valve selection.
Typical deluge valve system
Deluge valve transformer
Tank protection by deluge valve system
Typical deluge valve system
Foam Fire suppression system
• A foam fire suppression system is a
type of wet sprinkler system that
combines both water and a foaming
agent for large scale fire
extinguishment.
• This water-based fire sprinkler
suppression system can extinguish
extensive fires in mere seconds with
incredible efficiency.
• Foam suppression systems extinguish
fire by separating the fuel from the
oxygen. In more technical terms, these
systems are used to “cool the fire and
coat the fuel that the fire is consuming
to prevent contact with oxygen and
reduce combustion ability.”
• To do this, the extinguishing agent (the
foam) smothers or blankets the surface
of the fuel. The water content of the
foam then cools the fuel and the area
of foam covering the fuel to prevent
reignition via flammable vapors.
How do foam suppression systems discharge?
• Foam suppression systems are
designed much like a wet sprinkler
system in that stored water flows
through a network of pipes where
it is then discharged through
nozzles. However, the main
difference with foam systems and
other traditional wet sprinkler
systems is the addition of the
foaming agent.
• The foaming agent is stored
separately from the water and the
two are mixed within the piping
system prior to discharge.
• At the end of the piping is a
nozzle. The foaming agent is
added or ejected into the water at
the very last moment before
discharge. When the water mixes
with the foaming agent, expansion
occurs and creates an immense
coverage of foam to fill expansive
areas.
Ratio of Foam water concentrate
• For the more typical foam concentrates used on Class B
fires, manufacturers making concentrates designed to be
mixed with water at a 1%, 3%, or 6% ratio. In other words,
depending on the type of foam, or the type of fuel, foam
concentrate is designed to be mixed with 99 parts water to 1
part concentrate (1 % foam concentrate), 97 parts water to 3
parts (3% foam concentrate), or 94 parts water to 6 parts
concentrate (6% foam concentrate).
• Foam Solution is the mixing in the correct ratio of water to
foam concentrate. After the water and the foam concentrate
have been mixed together, the liquid in the pipe line is no
longer water alone, nor is it foam concentrate. Rather, we
have what is called a foam solution .
• Finished foam has great properties in its ability to prevent
the release of flammable vapors from mixing with air due to
foam’s ability to float on top of a spill and present a barrier
between the air and the fuel source.
General guidelines for Fuel storage tank fire protection system
• Petroleum products other than LPG which is a separate
category are classified according to their Flash Point as
follows:-
• Petroleum Class A means petroleum having a flash point below
23 degree centigrade .
• Petroleum Class B means petroleum having a flash point of 23
degree centigrade and above but below 65 degree centigrade .
• Petroleum Class C means petroleum having a flash point of 65
degree centigrade and above but below 93 degree centigrade .
• Excluded Petroleum means petroleum having a flash point
above 93 degree centigrade and above.
• Flash Point of any petroleum means the lowest temperature at
which it yields a vapor which will give a momentary flash when
ignited.
• Flash point of petrol 43 degree centigrade
• Flash point of automotive diesel 38 degree centigrade
Guidelines as per OISD (Oil Industry Safety Directorate )
• The installations storing Class A petroleum in above ground tanks shall
have fixed water spray system.
• Class 'B' above ground Petroleum storage tanks of diameter larger than
30 m shall be provided with fixed water spray system
• When Class A & B above ground storage tanks are placed in a common
dyke, the fixed water spray system shall be provided on all tanks
• Water flow calculated for cooling a tank on fire at a rate of 3 LPM /m² of
tank shell area.
• Water flow calculated for exposure protection for all other tanks falling
outside a radius of
• (R+30) m from centre of the tank on fire and situated in the same dyke at
a rate of 1 lpm/m² of tank shell area
• Fire water system shall be designed for a minimum residual pressure of 7
kg/cm (g) at hydraulically remotest point in the installation
2
• Fire water pumps & storage shall be located far away from the potential
leak sources / tankage are and shall be at least 30 m (minimum) away
from equipment or where hydrocarbons are handled or stored.
• Spray nozzles shall be directed radially to the tank at a distance not
exceeding 0.6 m from the tank surface. Only one type and size of spray
nozzle shall be used in a particular facility.
High Hazard spray nozzle
national pipe thread (NPT) BSPT (British Standard Pipe
Taper)
Water spray nozzle requirement
• As per NFPA 15, for a typical water LPM /
spray system, the design density of Design Objective Hazard Type Sq.
spray ranges from 4.1 LPM
Meter
/[Link] to 20.4 lpm/sq.m –
depending on the application and Exposure
hazard type. The minimum Protection Vessel surface 10.2
operating pressure of any nozzle
protecting an outdoor hazard is Horizontal 4.1
stipulated at 20 psi (1.4 bar). structural steel
Vertical structural 10.2
steel
Cable trays / runs 12.2
Transformers 10.2
Extinguishment
General 20.4
Conveyor belts 10.2
Control of Burning
Pumps and 20.4
compressors
Liquid pool fires 12.2
Typical nozzle pressure from Spray nozzle
Nozzle spray pattern at different angle at 1.4 to 1.4 Bar pressure
Typical calculation for water sprinkler for storage tank
• Total storage capacity in one tank = 140,000 m3
• No. of tanks = 2
• Capacity of each tank = 70,000 m 3
• Diameter of each ta nk = 60 mtrs.
• Height o f e ach tank = 12 metres.
• Surface area = 3.14 x Diameter x height
• Cooling water requirement:
• Cooling water rate @ 3 lpm/m2 of tank shell area for tank on fire,
• Cooling water required = II x60x12 x 3
• = 6782.4 liter per minute
• = 406.9 m3/hr
• Number of spray nozzles = tank surface area / coverage area by one
nozzal ( 10 m2)
• Tank surface area = 3.14 x 60 x 12 = 2260.8 meter square
• Total number of nozzles = 2260.8 / 10 = 226 nozzles
Foam water requirement calculation
• Water flow required for applying foam on a tank burning
surface area calculation ..
• For tank of 60 meters diameter, the Seal area = // x 60x 0.8 (
// =3.14 )
= 150.72 m2
• Foam solution rate @ 12 lpm/m2 = 1808.64 lpm
= 108.5 m3/hr
Approximate flow from one nozzle = 1808/12 = 150 lpm
Calculation of pressure from nozzle at k factor 70
P= (Q/K )X ( Q/K)
= ( 150 / 70 ) x ( 150 / 70 )
= 4.2 Bar
General guidelines for Basement and car park
• PODIUM /CAR PARKING FLOORS
• All the sides of the stilted / covered car parking shall be kept open except parapet
walls of not more than 0.75 meters height. Automatic sprinkler system at the top of
the podium shall be provided to the entire parking floor.
• BASEMENT:
• Each basement shall be separately ventilated. Vents with cross-sectional
area(Aggregate) not less than 2.5 percent of the floor area spread evenly around the
perimeter of the basement shall be provided in the form of grills.
• Mechanical ventilation shall be provided to the basement with 15 air changes per
hour with an arrangement to accelerate the rate of air changes to 30 per hour in the
event of a fire emergency
• The ducts of the mechanical ventilations system shall be of substantial metal gauge as
per the relevant I.S. standard.
• The operating switches of the mechanical ventilation shall be located in the fire
control room with appropriate zonal indications.
• Exhaust duct shall be provided to draw out exhaust at ground level of the basement.
• Automatic sprinkler system shall be provided in basement area/including ramp.
These systems shall be installed as per the standard laid down by relevant I.S.
specifications
• One Dry Chemical Powder fire extinguisher ABC type of 09 kgs Capacity each shall be
kept for every 100 sq mtrs area in each basement
• exits signs with IP 54 enclosure Luminance of the signages shall be such that they are
visible from a distance of 12 to 16 meters
• The staircase of the basement & the associated lift lobbies shall be pressurized. in the event
of fire The pressure m this enclosed staircase and enclosed lift lobbies shall be maintained
not less than 5mm. W G & 25 mm W G for lift lobbies
• CO2 Detector with audible alarm system shall be provided to all the basement areas and
the circuit of the same shall be given / connected to mechanical ventilation system to start
automatically on actuation of CO detector and the other detectors provided in the
basement.
• ventilation system shall start automatically on actuation of detector provided in the
basement area.
• Exhaust duct, mechanical ventilation duct should not pass through exit or entry.
• FIRE LIFT:
• To enable fire services personnel to reach the upper floors with the minimum delay one
fire lift shall be provided and shall be available for the exclusive use of the firemen in an
emergency.
• The lift shall have a floor area of not less than 1.4 sq mtrs It shall have loading capacity of
not less than 545 kg (08 persons lift) with automatic closing doors of minimum 0.8 m.
width.
• The electric supply shall be on a separate service from electric supply mains in abuilding
and the cables run in a route safe from fire that is within the lift shaft Light &fans in the
elevators having wooden panelling or sheet steel construction shall be operated on 24 volt
supply.
• Alternatively, the lift shall be so wired that in case of power failure it comes down at the
ground level and comes to stand-still with door open.( ARD system )
• Pre-action Sprinkler Systems
• The pre-action sprinkler system is similar to the deluge
sprinkler system except that the sprinklers are not open;
they are closed sprinklers with fusible links or glass bulbs
• For a single interlocked system, the pre-action valve is
normally closed and operated by a separate fire detection
system. Activation of a fire detector will open the pre-
action valve, allowing water to enter the system piping.
• Water will not flow from the sprinklers until heat from the
fire activates the operating element in individual
sprinklers Used where it is not acceptable to have the
pipes full of water until there is a fire (e.g. computer
suites)
Pre action sprinkler system
• Pre-action Sprinkler
Systems – A pre-action system
is a dry pipe system where the
water is held back by
an electronically controlled
valve that is connected to a fire
detection system. Only after the
fire detection system is
activated will water enter the
systems pipes and each
sprinkler head is activated
individually. A pre-action
system is great for applications
where accident discharge of
sprinklers would cause
extensive damage like data
centre.
Typical double interlock pre action sprinkler system
• In a double interlock system the electric
detection device has to be activated together
with a fall in the maintained air pressure in
the closed automatic sprinkler pipeline, as at
least one sprinkler is activated by a heat
source, before water will be released into the
sprinkler piping.
• In the event that only the electric detection
device is activated or only the air pressure
switch in the sprinkler piping is activated the
main valve will stay closed and the sprinkler
piping will stay dry.
• Double interlock pre-action systems offer a
level of insurance against unnecessary water
damage should one of the detection devices
be activated through accident or fault, as
might happen if a pipe breaks or an automatic
sprinkler gets knocked or broken, or an
electrical fault in the heat/fire detection
device. Therefore Double interlock pre-action
systems are often installed where highly
valuable or irreplaceable equipment is stored.
For example, computer rooms, libraries,
museums, or art galleries.