Essentials of Fire Fighting (4Th Edition-FF1)-Chapter 15 Test Review

Essentials of Firefighting (4th Edition)
Chapter 15-Sprinkler Systems
FF1 Test Review

What does AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER PROTECTION consist of?

series of sprinklers (sprinkler heads) arranged so that the system will automatically
distribute sufficient quantities of water directly to a fire to extinguish it or hold it in check until fire crews arrive

What are the 2 general TYPES of sprinkler coverage?

Complete Sprinkler System – protects entire building
Partial Sprinkler System – protects only certain areas such as high-hazard areas, exits, or places designated by code

What are the STANDARDS covering sprinkler systems?

NFPA 13 – covers installation of sprinklers
NFPA 13D – covers installation in residential homes, such as 1 & 2 family dwellings and manufactured homes

What does the NFPA standards on sprinklers cover?

spacing, piping sizes, method of hanging pipe, and all other details of installation

What is the DESIGN of a sprinkler system based on?

the assumption that only a portion of the sprinklers will operated during a fire

Where should sprinklers and sprinkler parts be LISTED?

with a nationally recognized testing laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratory or Factory Mutual

What are some reasons a sprinkler system may FAIL?

partially or completely closed main water control valve
interruption of municipal water supply
damaged or painted over sprinklers
frozen or broken pipes
excess debris or sediment in pipes
failure of a secondary water supply
tampering or vandalism

Why is LIFE SAFETY enhanced by sprinkler systems?

they discharge water directly on a fire while it is relatively small
because fire is extinguished or controlled during early growth stage, combustion products are limited

In what situations can sprinklers be EFFECTIVE?

preventing fire spread upwards in multi-story buildings
protecting lives of occupants in other parts of building

When are sprinklers alone NOT as EFFECTIVE?

When fires too small to activate sprinklers
When smoke generation reaches occupants before activating sprinklers
When sleeping, intoxicated, or handicapped persons occupy the fire building

What COMPONENTS are attached to the RISER (vertical piping)?

sprinkler valve, one-way check valve, fire department connection (FDC), alarm valve, and main drain

What is a FEED MAIN?

pipe connecting the riser to the cross mains

What does a CROSS MAIN do?

directly service a number of branch lines on which the sprinklers are installed
extend past the last branch and are capped to facilitate flushing

What happens to PIPING SIZE throughout the system?

pipe size decreases from the riser outward

How do sprinklers operate?

they discharge water after a release of a plug or cap that is activated by a heat-sensitive element
can be thought of as a fixed-spray nozzle operated by a thermal detector

How are sprinklers identified?

by the temperature at which they are designed to operate
either by color coding the sprinkler frame arm, by using different colored liquid in bulb sprinklers, or by stamping temperature into sprinkler

What are the 3 most common RELEASE MECHANISMS?

Fusible Link – frame screwed into sprinkler piping with 2 levers pressing against frame and a cap over orifice to hold back water.
Frangible Bulb – small bulb filled with liquid and an air bubble hold orifice shut, heat expands liquid until bulb shatters.
Chemical Pellet – a pellet of solder under compression within a small cylinder melts at a predetermined temperature allowing plunger to move down and release water

What is a QUICK-RESPONSE MECHANISM?

a specially designed fusible link sprinkler with a low tolerance to heat generated by a fire
a quick opening sprinkler was developed for life safety

How is the BREAKING TEMPERATURE regulated in frangible bulb sprinklers?

by the amount of liquid and the size of the bubble in the bulb
liquid is color coded to designate breaking temperature

What are the 3 basic POSITIONS for sprinklers?

Pendant – (MOST COMMON) extends down from underside of piping, sprays water downward into a deflector that breaks the stream into a hemispherical pattern
Upright – sits on top of piping, sprays water into a solid deflector that redirects water in a hemispherical pattern toward the floor
Sidewall – extends from the side of a pipe, used in small rooms where branch lines run along wall. Deflector creates a fan shape pattern of water

What are SPECIAL-PURPOSE sprinklers?

those used in specific applications because of unique characteristics (recessed, corrosive resistant, etc)

What items should be found in a STORAGE CABINET?

a MINIMUM of 6 (six) sprinklers and a sprinkler wrench
sprinklers should be changed by qualified representatives

What are CONTROL VALVES used for?

to turn OFF the water supply so that sprinklers may be replaced, maintenance can be performed, or operations can be interrupted
located between the water source and the sprinklers
usually located immediately under the sprinkler alarm valve, the dry-pipe or deluge valve, or outside the building near the sprinkler system it controls
ALWAYS return to the open position after maintenance is complete

What must be done to insure valves do not INADVERTENTLY close?

valves should be supervised or secured in the open position

What is an INDICATING CONTROL VALVE?

one that shows at a glance whether it is open or closed

What types of valves are found on the MAIN WATER CONTROL?

indicating and manually operated

What are the four common types of VALVES used in sprinkler systems?

OS&Y (Outside Screw and Yoke) – has a yoke on the outside with a threaded stem
Post Indicator Valve (PIV) – hollow metal post attached to the valve housing, the words OPEN and SHUT are printed at the opening
Wall Post Indicator Valve (WPIV) – PIV that extends through the wall with a target and valve operating nut on the outside of the building
Post Indicator Valve Assembly (PIVA) – does not use the words OPEN and SHUT, but has a sight area that is open when valve is open and closed when valve is closed

What are the OPERATING VALVES used in sprinkler systems?

alarm test valve, inspector’s test valve, and a main drain valve

What is the RETARD CHAMBER?

place that catches excess water from momentary water pressure surges

Where is the ALARM TEST VALVE located?

on a pipe that connects the supply side of the alarm check valve to the retard chamber
provided to stimulate the actuation of the system by allowing water to flow into the retard chamber and operate the water flow alarm devices

Where is the INSPECTOR’S VALVE located?

in a remote part of the sprinkler system
equipped with same size orifice as one sprinkler and is used to stimulate the activation of one sprinkler
should drain to the outside of the building

What is the PRIMARY PURPOSE of the MAIN DRAIN VALVE?

to simply drain water from the system for maintenance purposes
can also be used to check the system water supply

How are WATER FLOW ALARMS operated?

hydraulically or electrically by flowing water
alerts personnel of flowing water in the system
water from a branch of the system is fed into a water motor that drives a local alarm gong
can also be arranged to notify fire department as well as occupants

What must a MINIMUM WATER SUPPLY deliver?

to deliver the required volume of water to the highest sprinkler in the system at a residual pressure of 15 psi
minimum flow depends on hazard to be protected, its occupancy, and building contents

What is the water supply DESIGNED TO SUPPLY?

only a fraction of the sprinklers in the system

What happens if a LARGE FIRE or PIPE BREAK occurs?

system will need an outside source of water and pressure to effectively do its job

How is ADDITIONAL PRESSURE provided to a system?

a pumper connected to the Fire Department Connection (FDC) to boost flow

What do FIRE DEPARTMENT CONNECTIONS (FDC) consist of?

usually a siamese with at least two 2 1/2-inch female connections with a clapper valve or one large diameter connection that is connected to a clappered inlet
pumpers supplying FDC’s should have a capacity of AT LEAST 1,000 gpm
a minimum of two 2 1/2-inch or larger hoses should be attached to the FDC

What hydrants should pumpers use to BOOST FD CONNECTIONS?

Hydrants connected to a main other than the one supplying the sprinkler system

What does a CHECK VALVE do?

prevents water from system from entering FDC
prevent water coming into the FDC from entering sprinkler system directly

What is a BALL DRIP VALVE?

keeps the check valve dry and from freezing

What should FD SOP’s include for sprinklered buildings?

identify operating pressures for systems
types of occupancies
types of systems
extent of the systems

What are important factors when fighting fire in a sprinklered building?

early arriving pumper should attach to FDC
sprinkler pressure should be first priority
limit hoselines from same water supply as sprinkler system
system control valves must be open
sprinklers should not be closed until fire officer deems water is being wasted, producing heavy water damage, or hamper final extinguishment by FF’s
premature closure of control valve could result in increased intensity of the fire
a FF should be stationed at a closed control valve in case reopening because of a rekindle is necessary
pumpers should not disconnect from FDC until extinguishment and overhaul is complete
sprinklers systems should be restored to service before leaving premises
system maintenance should be performed by a representative of the occupant
for liability purposes, FF personnel should not service sprinklers

Why would it be necessary to STOP THE FLOW of a sprinkler?

residual water after the main valve is closed will continue to drain through an open sprinkler

How should the flow of water be STOPPED in a sprinkler?

by using wooden wedges or commercially made stoppers in between the orifice and deflector