FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS

Dr Hani Obeid
Assoc. Prof. EE, SMIEEE

COURSE CONTENT

FIRE ALARM & DETECTION SYSTEM

It is part of security. Why security? Large global market - $ 160 b.

Growth trend 7%.

Fragmented competitors > 1000

ECONOMIC ASPECT OF FIRE

Cost of direct fire losses. Cost of indirect fire losses. Fire death. Cost of fire fighting organization. Cost of fire insurance administration. Cost of fire protection to building

11/9/2001 LOSSES Direct $33.4 b Indirect $ 8.4 B

DEATH NUMBER - 2791

Fire is currently costing countries Of European community about 1% of GDP.

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE STUDY OF INSURANCE ECONOMICS.

WORLD FIRE STATISTICS

Table 1 cost of direct fire losses

Include direct losses of 11/9 of $ 33.4 b. Include explosion losses following fire, but exclude explosion loss Where no fire occurs (act of terrorism).

Table 2 Cost of indirect fire losses

Average percentage of GDP (2001-2003)

Table 3 Fire deaths

Table 4 Population comparisons for fire deaths

Death per 100000 persons

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Table 5 Cost of fire fighting organizations

Average percentage of GDP (2001-2003)

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Table 6 Cost of average insurance administration Average percentage of GDP (2001-2003)

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Table 7 Fire protection to building Estimated cost of fire protection to buildings

Estimated cost of building fire protection to total national Cost of building & construction.
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Table 8 Fire protection to buildings

Average percentage of GDP (2001-2003)

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PREVENTION Preventing injuries from ever

occurring.

PROTECTION Providing protection from injury

once an incident has occurred.

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FOUR ELEMENTS OF PANIC BEHAVIOR

A hope for escape

Contagious behavior

Aggressive concern for individuals own safety

Irrational, illogical response

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SIX DECISION PROCESSES USED IN FIRE

RECOGNETION VALIDATION DEFINITION EVALUATION COMMITMENT REASSESSMENT

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RECOGNETION
Individuals perceives cues (often ambiguous Ones) that indirect a threatening fire.

Correct action: Leave the building when fire alarm sounds.

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VALIDATION

Determine seriousness of threat cues, Often by asking others for validating information.

Questioning takes valuable escape time.

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Definition

Definition consists of trying to define how much smoke one smells, etc. and relating threat to own situation.

Use spending time defining threat to get out of the building.

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EVALAUTION

Decide whether to use fight or flight reaction to reduce danger. Happen very quickly and under great stress; Strongly influenced by action of others. * When & when not to use portable fire extinguishers.

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COMMITTMENT

Consists of acting on decision made during evacuation. Importance of fire escape plans.

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REASSESSMENT

Reassessment involves more intense effort into reaction, decisions become less rational.

* Need to remain calm and not to give up.

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CLASSIFICATION OF FIRES

Fires are classified into 4 classes: Class A Class B Class C Class D

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CLASS A
Ordinary combustibles or fibrous materials, Such as wood, paper, cloth, rubber and Some plastic.

CLASS B
Flammable or combustible liquids such as Gasoline, kerosene, paint thinners and propane.

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CLASS C
Energized electrical equipment, such as appliances, Switches, panel boxes and power tools.

CLASS D
Certain combustible metals, such as, magnesium, Titanium, potassium and sodium. These metals Burn at high temperatures and give off sufficient Oxygen to support combustion. They may react Violently with water or other chemicals, and must Be handled with care. 26

WHAT IS FIRE

Fire is the result of a rapid combustion Reaction which produces heat and light. Combustion = chemical process. Fire = result of that process.

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FIRE DYNAMICS

IGNITION HEAT TRANSFER

FIRE GROWTH
FLASHOVER

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IGNITION

Ignition is an exothermic reaction between two or more materials that results in fire, also generates heat.

Three essential elements:

1. 2. 3.

Fuel source Oxygen Heat

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IGNITION

OXYGEN

HEAT

FUEL

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THE TETRAHEDRON OF FIRE

Fuel Reducing agent

Temperature

Uninhibited Chain reaction

Oxidizing agent
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HEAT TRANSFER

THREE TYPES: Radiation (through electromagnetic waves)

Convection (by movement of medium such

As gas or liquid).

Conduction (through direct contact)

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FIRE GROWTH AND SPREAD

Factors that affect the process: Orientation of fuel Location of fire in a room Geometry of room

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STAGES OF FIRE
A fire will have 3 separate phases when confined Within an enclosed space: 1. Incipient phase 2. Steady burning phase 3. Hot-soldering phase

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INCIPIENT PHASE

It is a first phase of a fire beginning with actual ignition. The fuel is limited to the original materials that were ignited. The temperature of the room has risen slightly and the oxygen content has not decreased.

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ROLLOVER

Rollover takes place when the unburned flammable gases released during the incipient phase accumulate at ceiling level and spreads into adjacent open areas where they mix with fresh oxygen. When the ignition temperature is increased, the gases ignite and expand very rapidly across the ceiling. At this point only gases are burning.

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STEADY BURNING PHASE

The steady burning phase, sometimes called the free burning phase, is where sufficient oxygen and fuel are available for fire growth and open burning to a point where total involvement of the structures possible. At this point, temperatures of over 1200 degrees Fahrenheit can be reached and the oxygen supply can be greatly diminished. With the temperature being this high, one breath of the superheated air can sear the lungs.

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FLASHOVER

A flashover occurs when flames flash over the entire surface area of a room. As the fire continues to burn, all contents of the fire area gradually heated to their ignition temperatures. When they reach their ignition point, simultaneous ignition occurs, and the area becomes fully involved by fire. This ignition is almost instantaneous and can be quite dramatic.

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Average room temperature between 9300 F to

13000 F.
Room fills with flames.

Fire may be noisy.

Oxygen levels in smoke layer drop to 5%

Burning of fire gases outside the room of origin

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HOT-SMOLDERING PHASE

If the area of the fire is sufficiently air-tight, the steady burning phase will deplete the oxygen to the point where the flames will go out and fire is reduced to burning embers. As the flames die down, the room fills with dense smoke and unburned flammable gases. At this point, the temperature now exceeds 10000 F and oxygen supply is below 15%.

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BACKDRAFT

The introduction of oxygen to the smoldering phase of a fire can cause a backdraft. Since the temperature is still past the ignition point and flammable gases are still present, the only component keeping the fire from burning is sufficient oxygen. When oxygen is made rapidly available by improper ventilation (opening a door or window) the stalled burning of the fire will resume with devastating force and speed, qualifying as an explosion.

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HAZARDS FROM FIRE

Temperature Heat flux Smoke obscuration Oxygen depletion Exposure to fire gases

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TEMPERATURE
Effects vary with: Length of time Relative humidity Breathability of clothing Death from hypothermia occurs at temperatures Greater than 2120 F

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HEAT FLUX

How much heat for how long is required to make a burn. Maximum amount of heat flux is 2.5 kw/m2. The higher the temperature, the more quickly heat burn injury will occur.

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SMOKE OBSCURATION

Reduced visibility. Reduced ability to escape.

Irritation and toxicity caused by smoke

inhalation.

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OXYGEN DEPLETION

Normal air contains 21% oxygen. @ 12%, vomiting & paralysis can be experienced within 30 minutes. @ 9%, loss of consciousness can occur in 5 minutes. @ 6%, death occur in 1-2 minutes.

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EXPOSURES TO FIRE GASES

Carbon monoxide poising alone causes half of all fire deaths. Prevents oxygen from going to red blood cells. Symptoms range from headache to convulsions to death.

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FIRE SAFETY OBJECTIVES

To provide for the safety of occupants in building, and to make provision for their evacuation or refuge during a fire or other emergency. To provide for the safety of fire fighters fighting a fire. To provide for the safety of adjoining property and to prevent the spread of fire. To provide for the preservation of the property itself.
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TO BE EFFECTIVE, FIRE ALARM SYSTEM MUST BE:

PROPERLY DESIGNED PROPERLY INSTALLED PROPERLY MAINTAINED

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CODES AND STANDARDS

NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm Code. NFPA 1221 Standard on the Installation, Maintenance and Use of Public Fire Service Communications Systems. .2004

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Combined standards: BS EN 54-1:1996 Fire Detection & Fire Alarm. International Standards: IEC 60331 (1970-01) Fire resisting characteristics Of electric cables Performance requirements, Sample and test conditions, source of heat and Test procedures.

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IEC 60332-2 (1989-03) Tests on electric

Cables under fire conditions.

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BRITISH STANDARDS

BS 5446: Part 1:1990 Components of automatic fire alarm systems for residential premises. BS 4422:Part 3:1990 Glossary of terms associated with fire detection and alarm. BS 7671:1992 Requirements for electrical installations. IEE Wiring Regulations. 16Th Edition.

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BS 7807:1995 Code of practice for design, Installation and servicing of integrated systems Incorporating fire detection and alarm systems And/or other security systems for buildings Other than dwellings. BS 5839: Part 1:1988 Fire detection and alarm Systems for buildings. Code of practice for System design, installation and servicing.

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BS 5839: Part 2:1983 Fire detection alarm Systems for buildings. Specification for manual Call points. BS 5839: Part 3:1988 Fire detection and alarm Systems for buildings. Specification for automatic Release mechanisms for certain fire protection Equipment.

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BS 5839: Part 4:1988 Fire detection and alarm Systems for buildings. Specification for control And indicating equipment. BS 5839: Part 5:1988 Fire detection and alarm Systems for buildings. Specification for optical Beam smoke detectors requirements. BS 5839: Part 6:1995 Fire detection and alarm Systems for buildings. Code of practice for the Design and installation of fire detection and Alarm systems in dwellings.
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BS 5839-8:1998 Fire detection and alarm Systems for buildings. Code of practice for The design, installation and servicing of Voice alarm systems.

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Fire precautions in the Workplace Regulations 1997 Covers area where anyone is employed. Any site with 5 persons or more employees Must keep a formal record of Fire Risk Assessement.

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Site specific installations: Mines Sports ground Subsurface rail way stations

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The Health & Safety (Safety Signs & signals) Regulations 1996.

Adequate provisions of signs, protected by Emergency lighting signs should be located At all final exits and also on the escape Routes at any locations where the route May be in doubt.

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Code of Practice for Design, Installation & servicing

Advice on the design & Installation of fire

Detector alarm systems for general application

And is based on standards and code of practice

For design, Installation & Service.

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DEFINITIONS

ACKNOWLEDGE. To confirm that a message or signal has

been received, such as by pressing of a button or the selection of a software command.

ADDRESSABLE DEVICE. A fire alarm system component with

discrete identification that can have its status individually identified or that is used to individually control over other functions.

AIR SAMPLING-TYPE DETECTOR. A detector that consists

of a piping or tubing distribution network from the detector to the area(s) to be protected. An aspiration fan in the detector housing draws air from the protected area back to the detector through air sampling ports, piping, or tubing. At the detector, air is analyzed for fire products.

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DEFINITIONS

ALARM SYSTEM. A combination of compatible

initiating devices, control units, and indicating appliances designed and installed to produce an alarm signal in the event of fire. ALARM SIGNAL. A signal indicating an emergency requiring immediate action, such as a signal indicative of fire. ANNUNCIATOR. A unit containing one or more indicator lamps, alphanumeric displays, or other equivalent means in which each indication provides status information about a circuit, condition, or location.

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DEFINITIONS

AUDIBLE SIGNAL. An audible signal is the sound

made by one or more audible notification appliances such as bells, horns, or speakers in response to the operation of an initiating device.

AUTOMATIC FIRE ALARM SYSTEM. A system in HEAT DETECTOR. A fire detector that senses heat

which all or some of the initiating device circuits are activated by automatic devices, such as fire detectors.

produced by burning substances. Heat is the energy produced by combustion that causes substances to rise in temperature.

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DEFINITIONS

SMOKE DETECTOR. A device that detects visible or invisible particles of combustion. BELL. A single stroke or vibrating type audible
notification appliance which has a bell tone.

BREAKGLASS FIRE ALARM BOX. A fire alarm box

in which it is necessary to break a special element in order to operate the box.

CEILING HEIGHT. The height from the continuous

floor of a room to the continuous ceiling of a room or space.

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DEFINITIONS

CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT. An

arrangement of circuitry using computer circuit techniques usually consisting of memory elements, signal processing circuitry, and a means to input and output data at very high speed. CLASS A CIRCUIT. Class A refers to an arrangement of monitored initiating device, signaling line, or notification appliance circuits, that prevents a single open or ground fault on the installation wiring of these circuits from causing loss of systems intended function .
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DEFINITIONS

CLASS B CIRCUIT. Class B refers to an arrangement

of monitored initiating device, signaling line, or notification appliance circuits, which would permit a single open or ground on the installation wiring of these circuits to cause loss of the systems intended function.

CONTROL UNIT. A system component that monitors

inputs and output through various types of circuits.

DETECTOR. A device suitable for connection to a

circuit having a sensor that responds to a physical stimulus such as heat or smoke.

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DEFINITIONS

EMERGENCY VOICE/ALARM COMMUNICATIONS. Dedicated manual or automatic facilities for originating and distributing voice instructions, as well as alert and evacuation signals pertaining to a fire emergency, to the occupants of ma building. EVACUATION. The withdrawal of occupants from a building. INITIATING DEVICE. A system component that originates transmission of a change of state condition, such as a smoke detector, manual fire alarm box, or supervisory switch.

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DEFINITIONS

SHALL indicates a mandatory requirements. SHOULD indicates a recommendation or that which is

advised but not required.

SPACING. A horizontally measured dimension relating

to the allowable coverage of fire detectors.

ZONE. A defined area within the protected premises. A

zone can define an area from which a signal can be received, an area to which a signal can be sent, or an area in which a form of control can be executed.

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