11: Fire Suppression Flashcards
Types of fire suppresion
water-based systems/Dry-pipe sprinkling systems/Halon systems/ FM-200/ Argonite/ Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Wet (water) based systems (WBS) compared to Dry-pipe Sprinkling system (DPSS) in regard to water
Water always remains in the water-based system; In DPSS, an electronic fire alarm activates the water pump to send water into the system
Wet (water) based systems (WBS) compared to Dry-pipe Sprinkling system (DPSS) in regard effectiveness and reliability
WBS is more effective and more reliable
Wet (water) based systems (WBS) compared to Dry-pipe Sprinkling system (DPSS) in regard to water leak
WBS would expose the facility to water damage if pipe leaks or breaks
DPSS would not expose the facility to water damage even if pipes leaks or breaks.
Halon Gas system
- *Halon removes oxygen from air thus starves the fire
- *Halon is not safe for human
- *There should be audible alarm and brief delay before discharge to permit for the evacuation
- Halon gas affect the ozone layer - it’s banned
What is FM 200 Gs
- *A colorless and odorless gas
- It’s safe to be used when people are present
- It’s environment friendly
- It’s commonly used as gaseous fire suppression agent.
What is Argonite gas
- *It’s a mixture of 50% Argon and 50% Nitrogen
- *It’s used as gaseous fire suppression agent
- Though environment friendly and non toxix, people have suffocated breathing argon my mistake.
What is Carbon dioxide (CO2)
- CO2 system releases pressurized CO2 gas in the area protected to replace the oxygen required for combustion
- unable to sustain human life
- *Illegal to be set for automatic release if any human is around.
- Permitted where no humans are regularly present.
Which gases are safe for human life
FM-200 & Argonite gases are safe for human life. FM-200 is the safest where people are present.
However, it must be noted that Argonite, though environment friendly & non-toxic, people have suffocated by breathing argon by mistake.
Which gases are NOT safe for human life
CO2 & Halon gases are not safe for human life
Which fire suppression system can damage equipments
Wet-Pipe sprinkler,
What is the highest priority in fire suppression activities
Protecting people’s life should always be of highest priority in fire suppression activities.
(1) An IS Auditor is reviewing fire safety arrangement in data centre. Which of the following is the MOST effective and environmentally friendly?
A. Carbon dioxide gas
B. Dry-pipe sprinklers
C. Wet-pipe sprinklers
D. Halon gas
Answer: B. Dry-pipe sprinklers
Explanation:
Carbon dioxide is accepted as an environmentally acceptable gas, but it is not safe for human life. Also, Halon has certain side effects and not safe for human life. Both Dry-pipe and Wet-pipe are effective and environment friendly. However, Sprinklers must be dry pipe to prevent the risk of leakage in data centre.
(2) An IS Auditor is reviewing fire safety arrangement in data centre where dry-pipe sprinklers are installed. A dry-pipe fire extinguisher uses:
A. Halon gas.
B. CO2
C. Water resides in the pipe with special water-tight sealants.
D. Water, but it enters the pipe only when fire has been detected.
Answer: D. Water, but it enters the pipe only when fire has been detected.
Explanation:
Sprinklers can be of two types i.e. dry pipe and wet pipe. Both uses water. In Wet System, water always remains in the system piping. Dry pipe does not have water in the pipes until an electronic fire alarm activates the water pump to send water into the system.
(3) An IS Auditor is reviewing fire safety arrangement in data center where wet-pipe sprinklers are installed. A wet-pipe fire extinguisher uses:
A. Water, but it enters the pipe only when fire has been detected.
B. CO2
C. Water resides in the pipe with special water-tight sealants.
D. Halon gas
Answer: C. Water resides in the pipe with special water-tight sealants.
Explanation:
Sprinklers can be of two types i.e. dry pipe and wet pipe. Both uses water. In Wet System, water always remains in the system piping. Dry pipe does not have water in the pipes until an electronic fire alarm activates the water pump to send water into the system.
4) Which of the following is the Highest risk (to be given priority) with respect to use of CO2 and Halon gas as fire extinguishers:
A. Halon gas has negative impact on the ozone layer.
B. CO2 is not effective for solid combustible.
C. Halon is not effective for solid combustible.
D.Both present a risk to human life if used in closed room.
Answer: D. Both present a risk to human life if used in closed room.
Explanation:
Both CO2 and Halon gas reduces the oxygen ratio in atmosphere and hence they are risk to human
life if used in closed room. Protecting people’s life should always be of highest priority in fire suppression activities. In many countries installing or refilling halon fire suppression systems is not allowed. Although, both gases are effective for synthetic combustibles they are ineffective on solid combustibles.
(5) An IS Auditor is reviewing fire safety arrangement in data center. Which of the following is the area of MOST concern?
A. Use of FM-200 gas in a manned data centre.
B. Use of Dry-pipe sprinklers in an expensive data centre facility.
C. Use of Wet-pipe sprinklers in an expensive data centre facility.
D. Use of Carbon dioxide gas in a manned data centre.
Answer: D. Use of Carbon dioxide gas in a manned data centre.
Explanation:
Carbon dioxide is not safe for human life. FM-200 is a safe to use where people are present. Both
Dry-pipe and Wet-pipe are effective and environment friendly. Generally, Sprinklers must be dry pipe to prevent the risk of leakage in data centre. However, major risk is use of CO2 where human
life in present.
(6) Which of the following gases is safest to be used in presence of human life?
A. CO2.
B. FM-200
C. Halon gas
D. Argonite gas.
Answer: B. FM-200
Explanation:
CO2 & Halon are not safe for human life. Argonite, though environment friendly & non-toxic, people
have suffocated by breathing argon by mistake. FM-200 is environment friendly and safe to be used
when people are present.
