SKAA 2032 - Part 3

Fire Prevention System
1 INTRODUCTION
Fire prevention is the elimination of the

possibility of a fire being started. In order to start,
every fire requires an initial heat source, an initial
fuel source, and something to bring them
together.
The goal of fire prevention is to educate the public

to take precautions to prevent potentially harmful
fires, and be educated about surviving them.
2
1 INTRODUCTION
For a fire to start 3 conditions must be met at the same time:
FUEL
OXIDIZER IGNITION
3
1 INTRODUCTION
Fuels are;
1. materials that burn
2. The higher the temperature, the easier and
quicker they burn
3. Example:
i. Solvents such as acetone, alcohols, and
toluene
ii. Gases such as acetylene and propane
iii. Solids such as wood and paper
4
1 INTRODUCTION
 Oxidizers: Oxygen or other substances

capable of releasing oxygen to a fire
 Common oxidizers include:

 Acids, especially nitric and perchloric
acids
 Chlorine dioxide
 Others such as potassium permanganate
and potassium chlorate
5
1 INTRODUCTION
An ignition source can be:
 A Spark
 Static electricity
 Arcs from electrical equipment, faulty or
otherwise
 A lit cigarette
 A hot light bulb
6
1 INTRODUCTION
Lower Flammable Limit:

The lowest concentration at which a fuel/air
mixture will burn. Below this there is too little
fuel (the mixture is too lean)
Upper Flammable Limit:

The highest concentration at which a fuel/air
mixture will burn. Above this there is not
enough oxygen (the mixture is too rich)
7
2 CLASSES OF FIRE
8
2 CLASSES OF FIRE
Wood paper &

textile
Flammable
liquid
Flammable
gases
Burning
metals
Electrical
contact
9 Cooking oil &
fats
3 ELEMENTS OF PLANNING
1. List all major fire hazards and properly place inside rooms
with good circulation system.
• Scrap, waste materials, dust, trash
• Combustible materials
2. Proper control of hazardous materials
• including flammable and combustible liquids.
3. Control potential ignition sources.
4. List fire protection equipment.
5. Regular inspection and maintenance.
6. Responsible employees for fuel sources.
10
4 IDENTIFY THE HAZARDS
Flammable materials
 The unsafe use, storage, dispensing, or
disposal of flammable materials can be a
prime source of fires and explosions.
 Read labels of all spray cans to identify those
with flammable gas-propellants.
• Butane and propane are the most common
and should never be exposed to heat or
flames.
11
Electrical issues
 Extension cords and multiple plug adapters

may only be used for temporary operations.
 Overloaded circuits, damaged wiring, and

defective switches and outlets can all lead to
electrical fires.
 Placing space heaters/ blower near, or in

12 contact with, combustible materials poses a fire
hazard.
Hot work
 Any operation involving heated materials or
open flames can present a fire hazard.
 Hot work procedures have been developed
13 and are part of this program.
Machines and equipment
 Machines that are not lubricated

properly can overheat and start a
fire.
 Electrical problems and

equipment defects can lead to a
fire.
14
Renovations and maintenance

 Renovation or maintenance projects that do not meet
the requirements of the Virginia building
 fire codes can result in improper egress, construction

methods or materials, electrical hazards, and so on.
15
Careless Smoking
 Smoking is prohibited in facilities owned

or leased by the university.
 Some exceptions are made for certain
residential facilities.
 Outdoors, discarded smoking materials
carelessly tossed in waste containers or
into landscaping can easily start a fire.
16
5 PREVENTION STRATEGY
Passive fire protection in buildings involves constructing

walls, floors, ceilings, beams, columns, and shaft
enclosures so they can resist, control, and contain the
damaging effects of a fire.
Active fire protection systems include standpipe, sprinkler,

and spray systems designed to extinguish the fire
outright or control the fire by delaying its damaging
effects. Types of fire fighting media include water,
foams, inert gases, and chemical powders.
17
Housekeeping
 The accumulation of combustible materials (such as
cardboard boxes, magazines, and paper products) is
prohibited.
 Combustible material must not be stored any closer

than 36” from a heating appliance or electrical light.
 Properly dispose of items no longer in use.
 Store materials at least 18” from the ceiling in rooms

that have sprinkler systems.
 Store materials at least 24” from the ceiling in rooms

that do not have sprinkler systems.
18  Exceptions are allowed for attached wall shelving not

located directly under a sprinkler head.
Housekeeping
 Decorations, signs, and other
such items cannot be hung on or
near the sprinkler head.
 Portable fire extinguishers

cannot be obstructed, and must
be clearly visible with
notification signs displayed.
19
Housekeeping
 Keep passageways clear
of obstacles, including
furniture and other
equipment.
20
Housekeeping
 Maintain premises free of
unneeded and unnecessary
combustible materials.
 Surplus or properly discard
unused items being
stockpiled or hoarded.
 Hoarding increases the
risk of fire and possible
structural damage due to
increased weight loading
on floors.
21
Fire-rated doors must not be

blocked open with wedges,
stoppers, or anything else!
 These doors are to remain

closed to reduce fire and
smoke spread through the
rest of the building.
22
Fire-Rated Doors
 Magnetic door-hold-open devices are permitted only
if they are tied into the fire alarm system or to a single
station smoke detector located in front of the door.
Note: Fire-rated doors are generally found at

any opening to a corridor, stairwell, storage
room, mechanical room, or electrical
equipment room.
23
Fire-Resistant Barriers
• All building materials used in renovation and

building projects must meet the state fire code
requirements for fire-resistance.
• All work must be performed in accordance with the
building code requirements.
• All renovation projects must comply with
University Policy 5405.
24
Fire-Resistant Barriers
• All penetrations of floors, ceilings,
and walls are avenues for smoke and
heat travel.
• These penetrations must be properly
fire-stopped where required.
• For example, in walls that are fire-
rated or serve as smoke barriers.
• This includes the replacing of
ceiling tile when disturbed for any
reason.
25
Electrical
• Inspect all wiring, switches and
plugs for damage.
• Repair must be performed by
an “Electrical Qualified
Person”.
• Contact Physical Plant if
necessary.
• All outlets, junction boxes, and
electrical panels must have
proper covers.
• Do not connect/disconnect
electrical cords with wet hands.
26
Electrical
• Do not overload motors or circuits, which can easily become
a source of ignition.
• Report any problems with lighting fixtures.
• Improper use of extension cords is prohibited.
• Always plug extension cords and power strips directly
into building wiring – no “daisy chaining”.
• Use heavy-duty, grounded, single appliance extension
cords only.
• Improper use of extension cords is prohibited.
• Do not use extension cords for an extended period of time
(90 days is a good rule of thumb).
• Use a power strip with breaker protection in lieu of
extension cords.
• Multiple plug adapters are prohibited.
27
Flammable and Combustible

Materials
• Where possible, substitute
flammable materials with
safer, less/non flammable,
non-toxic materials.
28
Flammable and Combustible Materials

• Cabinet storage limits are as follows:
• No more than 120 gallons of Class I, II, & IIIA
combined in one cabinet.
• Only 3 cabinets allowed in each fire area,
unless each group of 3 can be separated by 100
feet.
• If the building has a sprinkler system, the
number of cabinets can be increased to 6.
• If stored amounts exceed these limits, a
separate inside storage room is required.
29
• Containers should be tightly sealed when not in use.

• Liquids should be stored in an area where temperature
is stable to avoid pressure buildup from vaporization.
• Approved safety cans are recommended for smaller
quantities.
• The spring-loaded safety cap prevents spillage,
prevents vapors from escaping, acts as a pressure
vent if engulfed in fire, and prevents explosion and
rocketing of the can.
30
• Quantities of flammable and

combustible liquids located outside
of storage cabinets should be
restricted to one day’s supply, or to
what can be used during a single
shift.
31

• Some flammable liquids, such as
xylene, toluene, benzene, and gasoline
have a tendency to accumulate a static
electric charge, which can release a
spark that ignites the liquid.
• Always bond metal dispensing and
receiving containers together before
pouring.
32

• To prevent the accumulation of vapors
inside of storage areas, a continuous
mechanical ventilation system must be in
place.
• Both makeup and exhaust air openings
must be arranged to provide air
movement directly to the exterior of the
building.
• Exhaust ventilation ducts must be
exclusive to the system and used for no
other purposes.
33
• Flammable and Combustible Materials
• If a spill occurs:
• Limit spread by diking with suitable absorbent
material.
• Minimize vapors by covering surface of spill with
same absorbent material.
• Notify supervisor immediately. Call 911 to summon
Fire Department if necessary.
• Contact EHSS for assistance and guidance.
• Ensure all sources of ignition are off or controlled.
• Begin cleanup right away.
34
• Compressed Gas Cylinders
• Gases in these cylinders can pose fire or explosion

hazards, may be toxic, or can displace oxygen in the
area.
• Perform a visual inspection of the cylinder and
refuse delivery if the cylinder appears to be
damaged or defective in any way.
• Cylinders must be stored in compatible groups,
with flammables separated from oxidizers and
corrosives.
35
Compressed Gas Cylinders

• Oxygen cylinders must be at least 20 feet from
flammable and combustible materials.
• Separation can be by barrier that has a fire-rating of
at least ½ hour, such as concrete block or sheet
metal, that is at least 5 feet in height.
36
Compressed Gas Cylinders
• Gas cylinders, or any other hazardous material,

cannot be stored in public hallways or unprotected
areas.
• Nonflammable cylinders must be at least 5 feet from
exits or unprotected openings such as windows.
• Flammable cylinders must be at least 25 feet from
exits and windows.
• Keep valves closed and put caps on cylinders when
not in use.
• Never store gas cylinders near radiators or other heat
sources (including direct sunlight).
• Contact EHSS Fire Safety for bulk storage rooms or
new installations of storage areas. 37
• Fire Protection Systems

• If your building is not equipped with a fire alarm
system, occupants will need to communicate to others
in the building by yelling “FIRE” as they exit the
building, or by other means as defined in the
building’s Emergency Action Plan.
38
Fire Protection Systems
• Automatic fire alarm systems are installed to

facilitate notification of building occupants of a fire
emergency.
• Various types of smoke and heat detectors, along

with manual pull stations (along building exit
routes), are linked to the alarm system.
• When activated, the fire alarm system sends a

signal to police station and sounds an audible
and/or visual alarm in the building.
39
Hose Reel Break glass Fire Detector
40
Sprinklers
41

• Fire suppression systems are known as “sprinkler
systems”. The most common type uses water
• Several types are present in campus buildings.
• designed to extinguish small fires and/or reduce
the spread of fire to provide building occupants
time to evacuate.
• Fire suppression systems are interconnected to the
building fire alarm.
• The building fire alarm can also be activated by
smoke detectors or manually without the sprinklers
going off.
42
Other types of fire suppression systems include dry pipe

water and wet chemical systems.
These systems are found:

• where hazardous materials are located,
• in commercial kitchen hood exhaust systems,
• in areas where freezing is a concern.
Each existing commercial cooking appliance, such as a
grill, deep fryer, that produces grease-laden vapors, is
required to have an approved commercial kitchen
exhaust hood and duct system.
43

• The sprinkler heads within the hoods require
regular maintenance and cleaning to remove
deposits of residue and grease from the system.
• Fire extinguishers can play an important role in the
fire protection program.
1. Extinguisher is properly located, is the proper
type for the fire, and is in working order.
2. The fire is discovered while still small enough
to be extinguished, and someone is ready,
willing, and able to use the extinguisher.
44

• Consider the following factors when selecting portable
fire extinguishers :
1. Nature of flammables and combustibles in that
area
2. Potential severity of any resulting fire
3. Effectiveness and ease of use of the extinguisher
4. Personnel available to operate the extinguisher,
their physical abilities and emotional reactions
5. Environmental conditions
6. Suitability of extinguisher for its environment
45

• Consider the following factors when selecting
portable fire extinguishers:
1. Anticipated adverse chemical reactions
between extinguishing agent and burning
materials,
2. Health and operational concerns
3. Upkeep and maintenance requirements
for the extinguisher.
46
Miscellaneous Requirements
Landscaping must not:
• obstruct fire vehicle or emergency responder access
to a building.
• Obstruct access to fire hydrants, fire department
connections or other fire sprinkler test valves and
other emergency devices.
• Obstruct or cause a tripping hazard for occupants
evacuating a building.
• Obstruct exits from doors, windows, or other
designated evacuation points from a building.
Cables, equipment cords, etc. may not be placed in any
permitted opening in a rated fire wall or smoke barrier,
such as through a door or within ventilation ductwork.
47
• All wood and metal shavings must be cleaned from the

building at the end of the workday.
• All shops with machinery that produces hazardous shavings
or dust must have an approved dust collection system.
• Lint catchers in clothes dryers should be emptied after each
load.
• Check the area behind the washer and dryer periodically.
• For workshops, at the end of the work day or as necessary:
• Clean all work areas of oil to prevent buildup.
• Return all oils and flammables to their proper storage.
• Turn off all power equipment or unplug.
• Turn off all fuel valves and power to such systems.
48
• Spray finishing with flammable materials is only
allowed in approved paint booths, or with procedure
approval by the EHSS Fire Safety Engineer.
• For Art Departments:
• Flammable liquids used to create, or in the display of
artwork, may only be used with written approval
from EHSS Fire Safety Engineer.
• Electrical wiring and devices used in art creations or
displays must meet National requirements, especially
for temporary wiring.
49
Table 1: Summary on NFA 101, Life Safety Code,

Provision for Occupant Load, and Exit capacity
50
A multi-storey office building is 80 ft. (24 m) wide by 300

ft. (80 m) long. What exit capacity is required per floor?
Gross floor area = 80 x 3000 = 2400ft2

From table 1, “business category” are based on 1 person
per gross 100ft2.
The population per floor is,
= 2400ft2/(100ft2/person) = 240 people
Exit door (to stairs): 240 people x 0.2 in/person = 48 in total
(one 34-in clear door into each of two stairs = 2 doors x 34
= 68 in, more than minimum)
51 Stairs: 240 people x 0.3in/ person = 72 in total
(two stairs at 44 in each = 88, more than the minimum)
Table 2: Requirements for exit stairs
52
Fire Fighting System Selection – Office Building

Extinguishing Fire Alarm
Size of Building
System System
4 storey's and less OR less than Not
Not Required
1,000 m2 gross floor area Required
5 storey’s and over OR
exceeding 1,000 m2 gross floor Hose Reel Break Glass
area
Exceeding 18 m in height BUT Break Glass
Hose Reel
less than 10,000 m2 gross floor Fire
Dry Riser
area Detector
Exceeding 30 m in height OR Hose Reel
53
10,000 m2 gross floor area Wet Riser Break Glass
Sprinklers
Fire Fighting System Selection – Hostels and Dormitories
Extinguishing Fire Alarm

Building
System System
Not
Single storey Not Required
Required
2 to 3 storey’s Hose Reel Break Glass
Break Glass
4 to 10 storey’s Hose Reel Fire
Detector
Hose Reel
54
11 storey’s and over Wet Riser Break Glass
Sprinklers
55
Water Reticulation
56
Installation of Fire Hydrant
57
Fire Fighting Tanks
Water Supply Hose Reel

58
59
60
Dry riser system typical arrangement
61
Fire sprinkler
62
Sprinkler System Tank Capacity Selection

Height of Building Tank
Building Capacity
(liters)
Not exceeding 15 m 55,000
Office Not exceeding 30 m 70,000
Hospital, Library, Not exceeding 15 m 9,000

Museum, Hostel.
63

Carbon dioxide extinguishing systems

64
CO2 requirement for surface fires
Volume of Volume Factor Minimum

Space (m3) (kg.CO2/m3) CO2 (kg)
<4 1.15 -
> 4 <14 1.07 0.45
>14 < 45 1.01 16.0
> 45 < 126 0.90 45.0
> 126 < 1400 0.80 110.0
65
> 1400 0.74 1100.0

SKAA 2032 - Part 3

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SKAA 2032 - Part 3

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Fire Prevention System

Fire prevention is the elimination of the

The goal of fire prevention is to educate the public

For a fire to start 3 conditions must be met at the same time:

 Oxidizers: Oxygen or other substances

 Common oxidizers include:

An ignition source can be:

Lower Flammable Limit:

Upper Flammable Limit:

Wood paper &

 Extension cords and multiple plug adapters

 Overloaded circuits, damaged wiring, and

 Placing space heaters/ blower near, or in

Machines and equipment

 Machines that are not lubricated

 Electrical problems and

Renovations and maintenance

 fire codes can result in improper egress, construction

 Smoking is prohibited in facilities owned

Passive fire protection in buildings involves constructing

Active fire protection systems include standpipe, sprinkler,

 Combustible material must not be stored any closer

 Properly dispose of items no longer in use.

 Store materials at least 18” from the ceiling in rooms

 Store materials at least 24” from the ceiling in rooms

18  Exceptions are allowed for attached wall shelving not

 Portable fire extinguishers

Fire-rated doors must not be

 These doors are to remain

Note: Fire-rated doors are generally found at

• All building materials used in renovation and

Flammable and Combustible

Flammable and Combustible Materials

Flammable and Combustible Materials

• Containers should be tightly sealed when not in use.

Flammable and Combustible Materials

• Quantities of flammable and

Flammable and Combustible Materials

Flammable and Combustible Materials

• Flammable and Combustible Materials

• Compressed Gas Cylinders

• Gases in these cylinders can pose fire or explosion

Compressed Gas Cylinders

Compressed Gas Cylinders

• Gas cylinders, or any other hazardous material,

• Fire Protection Systems

Fire Protection Systems

• Automatic fire alarm systems are installed to

• Various types of smoke and heat detectors, along

• When activated, the fire alarm system sends a

Hose Reel Break glass Fire Detector

Fire Protection Systems

Fire Protection Systems

Other types of fire suppression systems include dry pipe

These systems are found:

Fire Protection Systems

Fire Protection Systems

Fire Protection Systems

• All wood and metal shavings must be cleaned from the

Table 1: Summary on NFA 101, Life Safety Code,

A multi-storey office building is 80 ft. (24 m) wide by 300

Gross floor area = 80 x 3000 = 2400ft2

Table 2: Requirements for exit stairs