Fire Detection and Suppression Systems - Assignment Example

 Fire Detection and Suppression Systems Water is the main agent used by the municipal fire department to put out fires. A hydrant is a chief supply of water that is used to extinguish fires during retaliatory operations. In case fire outbreaks, the fire-brigade draws water from static reservoirs and carries it with their boozers. In this paper I will describe the type of hydrant to be installed, and why. I will also describe how the hydrants would be tested and maintained, the spacing requirements, and the inspection requirements and items to review in regards to the fire protection water supply system. The Dresser Low Pressure Hydrant is one I recommend should be installed. This hydrant is characterized by a grayish or silvery boater with a black drum. Sturzenbecker, Adams and Burnside (2012) argue that Dresser hydrant has two outlets of different sizes. The first outlet positioned directly perpendicular to the barrel is two and a half inch while the second is four and a half inch. The Dresser hydrant has two essential valves, a drain and a main. The two valves are put to function by the nut found on the top of the hydrant known as the operating nut. In order to determine the size of the primary supplier of the hydrant, there is a number labeled on the drum. The white lining found adjacent to the number on the drum signifies that the hydrant is supplied from a single phase ‘Dead end mains’. When the hydrant is at this point of supply, there is less water unlike if it would have been fed from multiple directions. I choose to install the Dresser Low Pressure hydrant because of the following advantages it has over the Smith hydrant, the Chapman and Eddy hydrants, and High Pressure Hydrant. The Dresser hydrant will supply 12% to 17% better release than the Smith hydrant (Sturzenbecker, Adams & Burnside, 2012). The Dresser Low Pressure hydrant has two outlets that are of different sizes (2 ½inch and 4 ½inch) unlike Chapman and Eddy hydrants which have only either two outlets 2 1/2inch or 4 1/2inch. Unlike the Eddy hydrant that is only found in certain regions supplied by Jamaica water, the Dresses hydrant can be installed almost in every region or zone ranging from single-family dwellings, multi-family dwellings, commercial buildings, businesses, assembly or mercantile occupancies. I also recommend the installation of the Dresser hydrant because hydrants such as the High Pressure are being faced-out. Despite the fact that they still exist, they are no longer serviceable therefore should be discouraged. To ensure consistent and continuous supply of water through hose lines, a locomotive firm ought to identify and connect to a specific hydrant. The following equipments are necessary for all locomotive firms to posses in order to connect to a hydrant. A 35ft soft connection which is yellow in color, five inch synthetic, and 4 ½ inch butts. From its name, it provides for a locomotive equipment to be positioned thirty-five ft from the hydrant (Sturzenbecker, Adams & Burnside, 2012). A ten ft small connection is a three and a half inch hose that butts of four and a half inch. It is placed perpendicularly on the wall of the side of the equipment. It straightens when water flows in it. A fifty ft length of three and a half inch hose provides for the low discharge of water. A ten ft hard suction connection with a four and a half inch hose and four and a half inch butts has a wide radius but least often used. The fire division staff shall carry out a regular maintenance on the hydrants found in their locality. A fire hydrant must be maintained to ensure that it is in good condition. Maintenance can range from inspecting, cleaning, oiling, painting, and flushing regularly (Engine company operations hydrant, 1997). Maintaining hydrants also ensures that the hydrants works perfectly incase of fire outbreaks. Maintenance is also essential as it ensures the proper functioning of the hydrant. The personnel assigned to each hydrant should be in possession of a hydrant test cap, wire brush and container of fare grade lubricant (Hydrant Maintenance, n.d.). When out to inspect the hydrant, it is important to check the outlets and caps to ensure that they are free of rust. Should they be hard to pop up, knock the rear side of the cap? Check the threads of the cap to affirm greasing. Then lubricate the cap with the grease. Check the functioning of the valve by taking a static reading. The reflectors should be checked as this provides for proper location and identification. Free the hydrant of any weeds to ensure identification. The table below (Table A) determines the hydrant flow rates for buildings having a fire area not exceeding 3600squre feet of California Fire Code. N/B: All flows are measures at 20 psi residual pressure. TABLE A Area Type/ Acre Hydrant spacing Minimum Hydrant Flow Rate commercial 300ft 1,250 gpm Urban & Rural Developed Neighborhood 500 ft 750 gpm Rural 5 to 10 Acres 600 ft 500 gpm Rural Over 10 Acres 800 ft 500 gpm Spacing for single-family dwellings shall be according to Table a (above). Spacing for other dwellings shall be discussed in the spacing requirements bellow. Hydrant spacing requirements shall be dependent on the distance between individual hydrants found on legalized path-ways. Hydrant location will be dependent on the fire department upon the authorization of the plan (Fire hydrant spacing and flow rates development standard, 2007). Despite the mapping, the hydrants shall be placed near residential areas, business premises and roads in order to allow for quick location. Fire hydrants should be located on both sides of driveway if the road is wider than sixty feet, middle strip occurs or if the road is a superhighway. Hydrant inspection is the routine examination of individual hydrants in order to check for their functioning in order to guarantee efficiency and full operation during firefighting. Whenever hydrant inspection is carried out, a well written and detailed documentation is filed. The following requirements are important during hydrant inspection: Hydrant number and location, paint condition, distinguish between private and public hydrants, the distance between the outlet and ground should be at least 17 inches, ensure that the outlets are aligned in proper form, clear obstacles around it, and record visible damages (Hydrant Maintenance, n.d.) References Engine company operations hydrants. (1997). Retrieved May 9, 2013, from http://sageauthoring.com/fdny/ft&p/ftpeng06.pdf Fire hydrant spacing and flow rates development standard. (2007). Retrieved May 8, 2013, from http://www.carpfire.com/pdfs/Dev2%20FIRE%20HYDRANT%20SPACING%20AND% 20FLOW%20RATES%20STANDARDS%20final.pdf Hydrant Maintenance. (n.d.) About Hydrant Maintenance. Retrieved May 7, 2013, from http://www.sopcenter.com/downloads/doc_view/277-2-3-2-hydrant-maintenance Sturzenbecker, M. J., Adams, B., & Burnside, E. (Eds.). (2012). Fire detection and suppression systems (4th ed.). Stillwater, OK: Fire Protection Publications. Read More