Unit VII Course Project
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Date
Jun 19, 2024
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Unit VII Course Project
Scott R. Groover
Columbia Southern University
FIR 5301: Fire Protection Technology
Dr. Justin Heim
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The purpose of fire sprinkler systems is not only to protect human life, but also structural
property. There are many different types of fire sprinkler systems that have been established and
have evolved over time as fire technology has advanced. Many sprinkler systems work not to
entirely extinguish fires, but to control the fire until it can be extinguished by firefighters with
the proper equipment. Water-based sprinkler systems can help extinguish fires, while also
reducing the amount of heat being given off by fires and combustible materials. In order for
water-based sprinkler systems to work, a minimum temperature must be reached to break and
activate the fusible link so that water can be released from the sprinkler. Wet pipe, dry pipe,
pre-action, and deluge systems are the different types of water-based sprinkler systems that can
be utilized in different structural buildings. Other types of sprinkler systems include water mist
systems and foam-based sprinkler systems. Each of these works to extinguish or control fires
until fire response teams are able to respond. Though they work to achieve the same goal, it is
important to consider which would work most effectively in different structures depending on the
types of flammable and combustible materials that are stored or housed within them.
When considering the City of Washington Distribution Warehouse fire, it is important to
note that the items and materials being stored within the warehouse changed over time. Initially,
the materials in the distribution warehouse were coded as light hazards, but over time this
changed to materials that were considered Group A commodities. According to the National Fire
Protection Association (2022), Class A commodities are the most hazardous, as this group
includes plastics that can be divided into the expanded or nonexpanded subgroups (NFPA, 2022).
The NFPA (2022) explains how expanded plastics include materials that have a density that is
reduced by air pockets that are distributed throughout their overall concentration, while
nonexpanded plastics include all other materials that do not fit this description (NFPA, 2022).
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Group A plastics have both a higher heat of combustion and higher burning rate of other plastic
materials, which makes them very hazardous if fire emergencies were to occur (IFSTA, 2016).
Based on the scenario presented and all of the details included, it is very apparent that the
fire extinguishing resources and systems put into place within the distribution warehouse were
not sufficient to extinguish or control fires based on the materials that were being stored. When
rebuilding the warehouse, there are many changes that need to be made to ensure that fire
emergencies can be contained and loss of property is decreased. No matter the type of sprinkler
system being utilized, it is imperative that the sprinklers are installed and spaced according to
guidelines outlined in the standards aligned with the National Fire Protection Association
(IFSTA, 2016). The types of items being stored in the distribution warehouse also need to be
considered because in the scenario, the materials started out as light hazards, but then moved into
higher combustible materials. According to IFSTA (2016), if higher hazardous materials need to
be protected, then the sprinkler system needs to be designed based on a greater design density
(IFSTA, 2016). Even if the distribution warehouse doesn’t initially store highly hazardous items,
it is better to prepare for a higher classification of combustible materials should they be housed
in the warehouse in the future (IFSTA, 2016).
Water-Based Fire Sprinkler Systems
There are many different types of water-based fire sprinkler systems, including wet pipe,
dry pipe, pre-action, and deluge systems (IFSTA, 2016). Wet pipes are very inexpensive, but
reliable, because water is always present in the distribution pipes (IFSTA, 2016). Though this is a
reliable system, one disadvantage to this type is that it freezes very easily (IFSTA, 2016). In
comparison, dry pipes use nitrogen or compressed air under pressure, and once the sprinkler is in
use, the nitrogen or compressed air is released and water is able to flow (IFSTA, 2016).
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Pre-action systems require fire detectors to be activated, as well as deluge systems, which require
large volumes of water and increased pressure to work effectively (IFSTA, 2016). Lastly, water
mist systems dispel mist instead of water droplets, which helps to decrease the temperature of
fires that need to be extinguished (IFSTA, 2016).
Foam-Based Sprinkler Systems
Foam-based sprinklers are used in structures in which water is not an effective
extinguisher of fire by creating a blanket of foam that puts out burning combustibles. The foam
is effective because of its ability to smother and keep air and flammable vapors from mixing,
separating the fuel and the fire, lowering the temperature of the fuel, suppressing flammable
vapors (IFSTA, 2016). IFSTA (2016) describes many different types of foam that can be utilized
in foam-based sprinkler systems, and while some are specific to the types of flammable and
combustible materials they may encounter, most of them can be used effectively for all types
(IFSTA, 2016). Though foam-based sprinklers work effectively, there are many factors to
consider when ensuring that these types of sprinkler systems are being used appropriately and
effectively. To ensure that foam-based sprinklers are being used appropriately, the most critical
factor is making sure that the foam proportioner is correctly combining the foam concentrate and
water to create the foam solution (IFSTA, 2016). This piece must be correctly matched to the
other parts of the sprinkler system to ensure that it works properly.
Sprinkler Recommendations
Based on the details of the City of Washington Distribution Warehouse fire, the
recommendation is that a foam-based sprinkler system be considered when rebuilding the
structure. Grachulin, Kamluk, and Likhomanov (2020) affirm the fact that the foam-based
sprinkler system is the most effective, as these types of systems are widely used in industrial
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structures where highly flammable and combustible liquids and materials are stored (Grachulin,
Kamluk, & Likhomanov, 2020). The foam-based sprinkler system will be the best
recommendation because it will be better equipped to respond effectively to fire emergencies
within the warehouse that stores flammable and combustible materials. This sprinkler system
will work more effectively because when fire emergencies occur, the foam-based sprinkler
system has the ability to smother and keep air and flammable vapors from mixing, separating the
fuel and the fire, lowering the temperature of the fuel, suppressing flammable vapors (IFSTA,
2016). This will be effective if a fire emergency occurs within the distribution warehouse. Also,
when installing the foam-based sprinkler systems, it will always be necessary to ensure that
sprinkler heads are installed not just above the storage racks or containers, but throughout each
level of them. This will ensure that if a fire occurs, the sprinkler heads will not only activate to
extinguish or control fires from above, but also within each level of the storage units. This will
keep the fire from spreading and will increase the chances of property being preserved and
protected.
Fire Pump Recommendations
When considering the use of foam-based sprinkler systems, it is also important to
consider the type of fire pump being utilized. The purpose of a fire pump is to increase the
pressure of the water moving through it and it is needed to supply a sprinkler system (IFSTA,
2016). If a foam-based sprinkler system is being utilized, the most appropriate fire pump to
consider is a positive-displacement pump, which works on the concept that once pressure is
applied to a liquid, that same pressure is transferred in all directions, as it captures a specific
volume of fluid per pump revolution. (IFSTA, 2016). Though positive-displacement pumps have
limited flow volume, they create very high pressures that will generate enough of the foam and
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water mixture to extinguish or control fires that might occur (NFPA, 2021). In addition to using
this type of fire pump, it is also important to consider surge protector devices. In accordance with
the NFPA standards and codes, surge protector devices are required for fire pump controllers
(NFPA, 2021).
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References
IFSTA (2016). Fire Protection, Detection, and Suppression Systems (5th ed.). Fire Protection
Publications. https://online.vitalsource.com/books/9780879396015
Kamluk, A., Likhomanov, A., & Grachulin, A. (2020). Field testing and extinguishing efficiency
comparison of the optimized for higher expansion rates deflector type sprinkler with
other foam and foam-water sprinklers.
Fire Safety Journal
,
116
.
https://doi-org.libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/10.1016/j.firesaf.2020.103177
Nfpa.org. (2022).
https://www.nfpa.org/news-blogs-and-articles/blogs/2022/01/18/commodity-classificatio
ns-in-nfpa-13
Nfpa.org. (2021).
https://www.nfpa.org/news-blogs-and-articles/blogs/2021/04/02/fire-pump-types