F
Explain the different types of fires extinguishers and what type of fires they are used for. Which types do we have at IAD51?
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Class A – Ordinary Combustibles
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Solids, not metal
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Class B – Flammable Liquids or Gases
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Grease, tar, alcohols, flammable gas
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Class C – Electrical
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Energized equipment
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Class D – Metal
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Magnesium, titanium, sodium
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Class K – Cooking Oils
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Animal and vegetable oils, fats
Define and describe the basic functions of each of the major components in the fire system. Express where each can be found on site.
a. FACP
Fire Alarm Control Panel
Central information hub for alarms/notifications
The main FACP that has all the building alarms/notifications are in the lobby
The data hall FACP has all the alarms/notifications for that suite
b. NAC Panel
Notification Appliance Card Panel
Communication circuit that performs the preset functions of the fire system
These are the red boxes on the wall around the building
c. NICs
Network Interface Cards
Ties the sensing devices to the network
Located inside the FACP
d. Annunciator System
Visual and audible devices to provide warnings and/or alerts
e. Speaker/Strobe
The instruments which provides the noise and light indication upon activation of fire alarm
i. Sprinkler head:
detects fire
j. pre action cabinet:
uses closed sprinkler heads that will break upon high temperature.
two steps of activation: mechanical and electrical.
k. Vesda:
Very early smoke detection apparatus
triggers supervisory
orange pipes draw in air samples to detect smoke
f. Pull Station
Manual operation of the fire alarm
g. Smoke Detector
Detects smoke and provides supervisory signal upon activation
h. Flame Detector
Monitors arc flashes from explosion
In generator enclosures
Explain the primary and secondary functions of the electric room dampers. What is their failed position?
Should a UPS CRAC fail, the primary function is to provide cooling from the neighboring UPS rooms
As the dampers failure position is to shut, the secondary function is to prevent fire/smoke to neighboring UPS rooms.
Describe the water flow path through the fire system.
Utility water -> Water Entry Room -> Fire Riser -> Pre-Action Cabinets -> Sprinklers
Describe Wet and Dry systems and include the typical locations each of them.
a. wet systems
Pipes are filled with water
Discharges immediately when sprinkler head is broken
PBB spaces
b. Dry Systems
Pipes filled with pressurized air
When sprinkler head is broken, air is discharged, valve trips and water flows into the piping
Used in spaces that are prone to freezing (loading dock, attics, parking garages)
Explain the primary and secondary functions of the electric room dampers. What is their failed position?
Should a UPS CRAC fail, the primary function is to provide cooling from the neighboring UPS rooms
As the dampers failure position is to shut, the secondary function is to prevent fire/smoke to neighboring UPS rooms.
Explain the purpose of using Nitrogen in the fire system, and at what point during the sequence is it utilized.
To prevent corrosion within the piping
Before water flow, used to clear oxygen from the pipes
Explain the Pre-Action system to include:
a. Function
pre-action systems hold water back until a fire is detected and confirmed
b. Sequence of Operation
Two steps of activation: mechanical (loss of air pressure) and electrical (cross-detection)
c. Power Supply
Dual-fed from GPNL-2
Explain the following conditions. Include when each condition can be reset on the FACP.
a. Trouble
Malfunctions that can prevent proper operation
Clears automatically once the condition no longer exists
b. Supervisory
A change of operational state in a piece of equipment, system or process
Clears when condition is back into normal operation
c. Alarm
Detected alarm condition from component
Clears only by the Fire Department
Describe a Hot Work Permit, to include:
a. Responsible Party
Operations team – fills out permit, distributes to vendor, and collects upon work completion
b. Required Information
Name of contractor, date, change request #, location of work, what work is performed, parties involved, signature
c. When they are needed
before any temporary operation involving open flames or producing heat and/or sparks, such as welding, cutting, brazing, or grinding, can begin
Describe the basic sequence of operation of a Dual-Action Fire System.
1. ELECTRICAL – Cross-Detection:
Two smoke detectors activated within
the same zone (cross-detection)
the solenoid valve will open, releasing
water pressure from the priming
chamber
• Note that the deluge valve will not
open
2. MECHANICAL - Loss of air pressure:
Opening of an automatic sprinkler via
breaking or sprinkler head (155-
165˚F) activates the low air supervisory
switch
Note that the water will not enter the
system piping.
1&2: Activation of the detection condition AND the opening of an automatic sprinkler…
deluge valve to open and water will flow out of any open sprinklers.
the alarm pressure switch will also activate.
Describe the basic functions of each of the major components in a Pre-Action Cabinet. -Gauges
System Air Pressure - measures the pressure of the dry piping that feeds to the sprinkler heads
dropping below 12 psi triggers a supervisory
Priming Pressure - measures the water pressure that is closing the Deluge valve
should be equal to or greater than the water supply pressure
Water Supply Pressure – measures the incoming water pressure from the Water Entry Room
closed off from the Deluge valve cover
Describe the basic functions of each of the major components in a Pre-Action Cabinet. -Nitrogen system and air compressor
c. Nitrogen System
Supplies nitrogen to the dry pipes
Ensures oxygen and moisture is displaced in piping
d. Air Compressor
Pushes nitrogen to the dry pipes
Turns on when System Air Pressure drops below 10 psi
Will turn off when it reaches 20 psi
Describe a Red E-tag, to include:
a. Purpose
To ensure insurance coverage upon impairments monitored by the fire system
b. Required information
Location info (name, address, etc.)
Fire protection Info (type, equipment, area)
Impairment info (reason, start/end date)
c. Insurance Company Name
FM Global
d. When they are needed
When an impairment of the fire system is made
Explain VESDAs to include:
a. Sequence of operation
Orange pipes draw in air samples, passing thru filters to clear any debris
Air then passes thru laser chamber which detects if smoke is present
b. Power supply
GPNL2
c. System response to VESDA alarm
Supervisory to the FACP
Describe the basic functions of each of the major components in a Pre-Action Cabinet. -Valves
Solenoid valve
Releases priming pressure
Activated during cross-detection
Deluge Valve
Held closed by the priming pressure
Allows water to the sprinkler piping once both conditions are met (cross-detection, loss of air pressure)
Shut-off Valve
Used for testing the system
Water Supply Control Valve
Manually shuts off the pre-action system by preventing water flow