High-Rise Fire Suppression Water Systems Flashcards
FDC
Fire department connection
Three groups of equipment are required
- High rise bag
- Hose bundles (30m of 44mm and 15m of 65mm)
- Irons
With the 44 mm hose, the nozzle is attached to the male coupling, and the female end is left unattached on the outside
With the 65 mm hose, the female coupling is attached to the male coupling. For ease of carrying, the hose is folded at approximately 32 inches from the tip of the male coupling
82cm (32in) fold for 65mm hose
80cm (30in) fold for 44mm hose
If the municipal water provides the proper pressure and volume to the top floor, a building fire pump is not required
This is usually the case for buildings up to three stories. A fire pump is required as the height of the building increases past three floors.
Floors above the third and up to the thirteenth are zoned separately and have a separate main riser supplying them. Buildings exceeding thirteen floors will have a third zone with another riser supplying it. In Calgary, the third zone will supply water to the rest of the upper floors.
A combined standpipe and sprinkler system employs a common fire pump and main risers. As the main riser goes up the building stairwell, the standpipe valves branch off on each floor at approximately waist height; while the sprinkler lines connect to the riser at ceiling height. The sprinkler branch at each floor level uses a pressure-reducing device to prevent over- pressurization of the sprinkler system on that floor.
A jockey pump is employed to keep the standpipe system at a constant pressure that is higher than the domestic pressure.
This minimizes false alarms that occur when domestic water pressure fluctuates.
A check valve stops water from back flowing into the municipal water line. If a sprinkler head or standpipe valve is opened and the system pressure decreases to a predetermined amount, and the jockey pump cannot keep up to the pressure loss..
Then the fire pump engages and boosts the pressure to the pre-set pressure that enables 700 kPa at the top floor.
Once activated, the fire pump will not automatically shut off. It will need to be manually shut off by a firefighter, a building operator or the standpipe company
If the fire pump is working and supplying adequate water volume and pressure for suppression activities, let it continue.
Connect the fire engine to the FDC line and hydrant, and standby in case the building fire pump fails.
If the fire pump fails due to mechanical or electrical problems, the fire engine and operator will need to supply water to the building for suppression activities.
The Calgary Fire Department (CFD) has access to two sources of municipal water in high-rise buildings
- Standpipe System: The standpipe system consists of a connection from the water mains, a building fire pump, and standpipe connections on every floor.
- Hydrant Water: The hydrant is often the preferred source of water because it is the most secure. There are two ways of connecting to the hydrant: a forward lay and a reverse lay
Before connecting to a standpipe, make sure that you are using a high-pressure hose.
True
Clogged Connection
If the FDC is clogged, clear it with needlenose pliers or a similar tool to avoid sharps and/or biohazardous materials.
Seized Cap
If one cap is seized, use a wye with double male and double female adapters. If both caps are seized, take the hose inside to a standpipe valve on the main floor.
Missing Clapper
If the clapper is missing, use a hydrant gate. This allows you to connect one line and pressurize the system, while still having the ability to connect a second line later.
Most buildings that include both high-rise and low-rise sections have two standpipe systems and two FDCs
The standpipe system for the low-rise is used for the lower floors in the high- rise. However, the other standpipe system must be used on floors above the top floor of the low-rise.
Two types of nozzles are used at high-rise incidents
- 44 mm smoothbore with 24 mm tip
- Blitzfire® nozzle with stackable smooth bore tips
The operating pressure of a 44 mm smooth bore nozzle, which is used at all high-rise incidents, is 350 kPa. This pressure results in a minimum flow of 500 lpm.
The operating pressure of a Blitzfire® nozzle with smooth bore tips is 550 kPa.
Arrive two floors below the suspected fire.
The Senior Firefighter does not bring a charged hose to the suspected fire floor. If the Senior Firefighter were to hook into the standpipe and bring up the charged hose line, and then later discover that the fire isn’t on that floor, there wouldn’t be enough hose to mount an effective fire attack from even one floor higher
Keep the primary attack line on the inside of the stairwell and the backup line on the outside of the stairwell.
Flake the remaining uncharged hose on the landing above the fire floor
Remember
To connect the inline pressure gauge
Define a high rise structure…
A residential high rise by CFD definition is 6 stories or more.
A typical fire service definition for high-rise structures is a building that is beyond the exterior reach of the aerial apparatus available.
What is a high rise building construction type?
Type 1 - Fire Resistive. They have non combustible materials and have fire protection by encasement.
When should stairs be used in a high rise?
When there is an alarm involving 5 floors and below.
When can elevators be used at the discretion of command?
Alarms at 6 floors and above.
In regard to scissor stairwells, the entry/exit points should be the same on every _______ floor.
Second
