Archive for August 2022
New York Local Law: Fire Suppression Systems in Buildings
What is the New York local law regarding fire suppression systems in buildings? You will find many commercial buildings and residential real estate equipped with cutting-edge active fire protection systems. However, two of the most frequently used terms for fire safety include “fire suppression systems” and “fire sprinkler systems.” While it’s typically easy to understand what a fire sprinkler system is, most people confuse it with a “fire suppression system.” Both refer to active fire protection systems, but that doesn’t mean they can be used interchangeably.
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The US National Fire Protection Association has various codes regarding fire suppression system selection, design, and installation in commercial as well as residential buildings. In this post, you will understand more about fire suppression systems, how they’re different, and New York laws that are specific to them.
How Does a Fire Suppression System work?
A fire suppression system works on detecting active smoke or flame, which means that it will trigger an alarm as soon as it detects smoke or a sharp rise in temperature. Following the alarm, a fire suppression system will use a pre-defined strategy to prevent the fire from spreading and, most likely, contain it. The fire suppression system will release chemical compounds, foams, or similar material to douse the fire.
An alarm will trigger when the fire suppression system comes in contact with smoke or see a sharp rise in temperature. It also helps in notifying the occupants and tenants of a building to take the safety exits or take cover from fire wherever possible.
Is a Fire Sprinkler System the Same as a Fire Suppression System?
In simple words, the answer is “no.” A fire sprinkler system is a type of fire suppression system. However, most fire suppression systems depend on other forms of fire-dousing agents compared to a fire sprinkler system only which depends on water.
For example, a fire extinguisher (i.e., a relatively small cylinder filled with carbon dioxide foam) is a popular component of an active fire suppression strategy. The fire extinguisher helps occupants and tenants of a building douse the fire as soon as they detect it. However, the most important things are that the fire extinguisher is filled with foam and chemical compounds rather than water.
In many locations, such as oil processing plants or chemical factories that deal with flammable material or chemicals, water will not be useful in stopping the fire. Therefore, fire suppression systems such as fire extinguishers, foam fire suppressors, and clean agent extinguishers are quite effective.
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New York Local Law for Fire Suppression Systems
You should know that a fire sprinkler system is a form of fire suppression, among many. It’s an active fire protection strategy that uses water in abundance to douse fires that spread quickly in both residential and commercial buildings.
The New York Local Law 26 states that all buildings 100 feet or taller must have an active fire sprinkler system to protect occupants and tenants. Moreover, there are other laws that require building owners and project developers to create strategic fire suppression sites inside a building to install pipe extensions, water supply extensions, and fire extinguishers.
New York Local Law: Fire Suppression Systems Conclusion
At F2M Fire & Drafting Designs Inc, you can rely on our experienced professionals who have worked with many clients, form small sized projects to very large. From huge residential schemes to some of the biggest companies in New York, our experienced partners can handle your fire sprinkler and fire suppression system design needs.
Whether you want to get a fire suppression system designed or discuss the installation of a standard fire sprinkler system, call F2M Fire & Drafting Designs Inc. at (718) 928-3009 today for an expert consultation.
Hydraulic Calculations for Fire Sprinkler Systems
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), hydraulic calculations work best for designing fire sprinkler systems. The 2016 edition of the NFPA 13 handbook states, “A sprinkler system designed using hydraulic (calculation) is preferable over those systems designed using a pipe schedule approach.”
Fire protection systems such as a fire suppression system and fire sprinkler system can safeguard commercial buildings. If you are developing any sort of commercial building, make sure to contact a company like F2M Fire Drafting Designs Inc to get a fire sprinkler system design & layout.
Why are Hydraulic Calculations Important?
A reliable fire protection system is important for the safety of potential occupants and residents of a commercial or residential property.
Running hydraulic calculations ensures that the rate of flow in the pipes is sufficient for effectively controlling a fire situation. The National Fire Protection Association establishes and verifies the hydraulic calculations on the basis of three basic elements. These are:
- Available water supply
- Requirement of water delivery from the fire sprinkler system
- The piping network and issues like friction loss
Since a fire system is the first line of defense against fire, it is important to ensure that the pipes deliver enough water to extinguish the fire. This is only possible with the help of hydraulic calculations.
Water Flow Testing for Fire Protection System
You must conduct a test for water flow as part of the hydraulic calculation. Usually, the municipal water department makes this information public. However, you can also do this by measuring the flow and pressure at the particular water hydrant.
In certain cases, water from the municipal water supply is not enough to protect against fire hazards. To solve this issue, you can design the piping so that it can draw water from other open or closed sources.
Hydraulic Calculations for Fire Sprinkler Systems: Piping System
Configurations
There are three main types of piping networks for fire protection systems. This depends on the individual arrangement of pipes.
Tree
This type of pipe configuration resembles a tree’s trunk and branches. The main pipe branches into smaller pipes, which provide the individual sprinklers and other parts with water.
Loop
The grid configuration is quite similar to a ‘tree.’ However, the main pipe completes a loop at the surface as it extends and returns to the starting point.
Grid
In a grid configuration, there are rather two main pipelines running parallel to one another. Smaller segments of pipe connect the two lines together. With more routes leading to each sprinkler, there are fewer chances of friction losses.
Sprinkler Pressure Calculation
The function of a fire sprinkler involves converting pressure into kinetic energy. This makes the process of pressure calculation an incredibly complex one.
Depending on the pressure inside the pipe, the formula for calculating water flow through an outlet is:
Q (flow) = 29.83 x CD x d2 x √P
In this formula,
CD = discharge coefficient
d = diameter
p = pressure
The good news here is that fire sprinklers already have a design diameter. So, we can simplify the calculation by combining all factors except pressure into the ‘K-factor.’
So, the new formula will be:
Q = K x √P
To calculate the pressure when you already know the value of Q (flow), rearrange this formula as such:
P = (Q / K) 2
According to NFPA, your fire sprinkler should establish a minimum pressure of 7 psi. This is applicable even, especially if your calculations result in a smaller value. A minimum pressure of 7 psi ensures an appropriate spraying pattern.
Some exceptions for this include the following situations:
- Use of dry pipe sprinkler
- Use of quick-response sprinklers
- Combustible and concealed or non-sprinklered spaces
- Spaces divided into multiple compartments
- Units and corridors
Hydraulic Calculations for Fire Sprinkler Systems: Conclusion
F2M Fire & Drafting Designs Inc. is here to help with all your commercial and residential fire sprinkler system design needs. Whether you’re looking to install a new system or replace the old one, we can design a fire suppression system that fits well with your company’s specific requirements and budget.
Our many years of experience and expertise also provides the best hydraulic calculations with no errors whatsoever. Contact us today to schedule a meeting with our qualified experts to get all your answers and the best services in town.
Give us a call for an expert consultation.
F2M Fire & Drafting Designs Inc.
1231 Lafayette Ave, Fl 2
Bronx, New York, 10474
(718) 928-3009
info@f2mfadds.com