Fire Water Training 10 May 2011

TRAINING IN FIRE WATER SYSTEMS
By Bhaskar Dubal
10 MAY 2011 FIRE WATER SYSTEMS DESIGN 1

Training purpose
• The purpose of this training is to give an understanding of
Design & Installation of the Water based Fire Protection
systems .
• Fire Water Network

• Fire Pumping Station & Water Storage Tanks
• Fire Hydrants and Monitors
• Deluge System .
• Sprinkler & Water Curtain System
• Stand Pipe System.
• Spray System Protection for Equipments.

Water as an agent
• At ordinary temperatures, water exists as a stable liquid.
• Water’s viscosity in the temperature range of (1 to 99°C) remains
consistent, which allows it to be transported and pumped.
• Water has a high density, which allows it to be discharged from and
projected from nozzles, etc.
• Water’s surface tension allows it to exist from small droplets to a solid
stream.
• Water expands in its conversion from a liquid state to a vapor state to
1600 to 1700 times the liquid volume. 3.8 L of liquid [which occupies
0.1337 cu ft (0.004 m3)] produces over 223 cu ft (6.3 m3) of steam.
• Water is stable, Non toxic and non harmful to human skin.

Extinguishing Process
Extinguishing by Cooling
• Water principally extinguishes fuel fires by cooling the
fuel surface.
Extinguishing by Smothering
• When water is applied to a fire or a hot compartment
surface, steam is formed. The dilution of the air (oxygen)
supply around the fuel sources provides suppression by a
smothering action.

Extinguishing Process
Extinguishing by Emulsification
• An emulsion is formed when immiscible liquids are agitated together and
one of the liquids is dispersed throughout the others.
• With some viscous liquids (such as No. 6 fuel oil), the emulsification is a
“froth” that retards the release of flammable vapors.
Extinguishing by Dilution
• Fires in water-soluble, flammable materials may, in some instances, be
extinguished by dilution.
• For example, dilution can be used successfully in a fire involving an ethyl
or methyl alcohol spill if it is possible to get an adequate mixture of water
and alcohol, and the mixture can be contained while it is being diluted.

FIRE WATER
PUMPS
Fire water Pumping Station
• Positive Suction : Horizontal Split Case pump
• Negative Suction : Vertical Turbine pump
• Shall be designed and Installed in accordance with NFPA-20
• Shall be UL /FM approved.
• Fire Pump Set shall consists of One Duty, One Standby and
One Jockey Pump with spare to maintain System Pressure
as a minimum.
• Fire Duty Pumps shall be Driven by Electric Motor or Diesel
Engine Driven. Stand by Pumps shall be Driven by Electric
Motor or Diesel Engine Driven.
• Power Supply for Electric Driven Pumps shall be from
Uninterrupted Emergency Power Supply.

Fire water pump suction piping
• Suction piping shall be installed above grade. Valves on

the immediate suction of the pumps shall be of OS&Y
type and car-sealed open.
• A listed Strainer Shall be installed on each Suction line.
• A pressure gauge shall be installed.
• Suction Piping shall be adequately supported .

OS and Y Gate Valve

Car seal arrangements
• Nowadays, most (if not all) valve manufactures will have hole cut in valve handles
and tabs on the valve bodies. Some valve manufactures will treat this as additional
feature by providing a "add-on" adapter with in-built hole. These holes can be
lined up and cable seal, plastic / metal strips, etc

Post indicating valves

Pump discharge piping
• Discharge piping and the discharge manifold (if any) shall be
above grade from pumps to the downstream side of all fire water
pump and jockey pump discharge connections.
• Valves on the immediate discharge of the pumps shall be car-

sealed open.
• A pressure gauge shall be installed between the discharge flange

of every fire water pump/jockey pump and its isolation valve.
• Pressure switches and pressure tap valves shall be installed

downstream of the pump discharge block valve.

Pump Discharge Piping
• Check valves shall be provided on the discharge of all fire water pumps
upstream of the discharge block valves.
• Check valves shall not be permitted elsewhere in the fire water system,
except as required by this Standard.
• A pressure relief valve shall be provided on the discharge of each engine-

driven pump. Relief valve discharge shall be directed to the supply source.
• The discharge line from each pump shall be fitted with a check valve, a
test valve, a pressure gage and a block valve with a locking device; the test
valves shall have a common return line with a flow metering unit.
• Each pump shall be connected separately to a common manifold.

Fire Pump Duty Calculation
Fire Pumps Duty shall be calculated as (Minimum) follows:

At least 2 Nos. of Hydrants / Monitors Operating at 250/500
GPM @ 7 Barg.
PLUS
Sprinkler System Demand OR
Deluge / Foam Water System Demand.

Fire Pump Controllers
• Fire Pump Controllers shall be UL/FM approved .
• As per NFPA-20
• Weekly Test Timer to be Provided for Diesel Engine

Driven Pump Controllers.

Fire Pump Set – Flow Test
• An averaging flow meter for local meter hook-up shall be
installed such that every fire water pump may undergo flow tests
without impairing the availability of the system.
• The meter shall be located in the bypass piping from pump

discharge to source of supply.
• Each Pump shall be Tested for the following Parameters :
 No Flow - Shut off Head at 140 % of Rated Head.

 Design Flow (Q) at Design Pressure (P).
 150% of Design Flow at 65 % of Design Pressure.

Jockey pump
• A jockey pump, or a pressure maintenance pump, is a small apparatus
that works in conjunction with a fire pump as part of a fire protection
sprinkler system.
• A jockey pump is designed to keep the pressure elevated in a fire
suppression system so that the main fire pump is prevented from running
unless absolutely necessary. It consists of a motor, a pump, and a
controller
• Jockey pump usually is run by an electric motor
• A relief valve is not required for the Jockey pump if the shut off pressure
does not exceed the working pressure of the underground and sprinkler
systems.

Jockey Pumps

Minimum flow protection
• Each pump shall be equipped with minimum flow

system to prevent the pump from overheating with no
or low water demand.
• The min flow line shall always be kept separate and

independent from other circulation systems such as
pump testing or surge control.
• The line shall be located just downstream of the pump

discharge.

Surge control
• Surge control is critical for off shore and when GRE piping is
used. A surge analysis study shall be conducted wherever
this problem is likely to happen.
• Solution is implementation of a circulation control valve
• The Control valve shall always be fail close type.
• A pressure relief valve shall be provided on the discharge of

each engine-driven pump. Relief valve discharge shall be
directed to the supply source.

Pump pressure settings as per NFPA 20
The fire pump system when started by pressure drop should be

arranged as follows :
• The jockey pump stop point should equal the pump churn pressure
plus minimum static supply pressure. ( A pump is in churn when it
operates at shutoff head or no flow.)
a) The jockey start point should be at least 10 psi (0.68 bar) less than
the jockey pump stop point.
b) The fire pump start point should be 5 psi (0.34 bar) less than the
jockey pump start point. Use 10 psi (0.68 bar) increments for each
additional pump.

FIRE WATER STORAGE TANK
• Fire Water Storage capacity shall be minimum

of 2 hours operation of Pump Set @ full
demand ,as per NFPA or As advised by the
Contractor, Which ever is higher in value.

Vertical Turbine
Pump
set Typical
Arrangement

Fire water pump shelter

Fire water pump shelter

Electric motor fire water pump

Fire water pump skid

Diesel generator pump

FIRE WATER
NETWORK

Fire Water ring main
• Fire mains and underground process water lines should be buried

but should not be located under buildings, equipment, tank
farms, concrete parking lots, etc
• Fire water systems may not have continuous flow of water, and
protection against freezing may be needed as dictated by local
ambient conditions.
• Underground mains should be buried to a depth necessary for

freeze protection, but in any case not less than 30 in (762 mm)
(above top of pipe).
• Additional cover or other protection may be necessary where

mains pass under ditches, railroads, roads or access ways subject
to heavy vehicles

Fire Water Ring Main
• Can be laid above ground or underground depending on climate
• Surface drain shall be adequate to drain the total volume of water that can be used
during fire fighting.
• Velocity normal shall be 3 m/s
• The main ring will be verified by hydraulic calculation in order to have a minimum
pressure of 7.0 barg at all areas and at the farthest take-off point.
• Above ground parts of fire water ring main shall have adequate drainage facilities.
• Piping should be laid along side roads at a distance from Hydrocarbon piping and 2m
away from edge of the road or 1 m from sidewalk.

Fire Water Ring main
• No distribution main piping shall terminate in a dead end.
• The mains of the water distribution network shall be laid

out in closed loops with dual supply.
• Branch piping shall be buried and feed no more than four

fire protection devices excluding live hose reels.
• The fire devices located on a single branch line shall

constitute no more than 50% of the devices available to
protect any single piece of process equipment.

Fire Water Ring main
• The ring main shall form a gridded distribution with sectional
isolating valves at all junctions.
• Where the ring main is run above ground there shall be 5 m.

separation where possible from any hydrocarbon piping.
• Any underground, carbon steel firewater piping shall be suitably

protected against external corrosion, by a combination of external
coating and cathodic protection.
• The pump common discharge manifold shall normally be
connected to the fire-water ring main system by two separate
pipelines each with a block valve and of the same size as the ring
main.
• Full bore flushing connections shall be provided at suitable

location to allow periodic flushing of the system.

Wrapping and coating

GRE Piping

Isolation valves
• Butterfly valves are not permitted in fire water service
where the valves are normally in open position.
• Gate valves in above ground fire water piping shall be OS
& Y Type .
• Isolation valves shall be provided at grid intersection.
• The isolation valves hall be gate or butterfly as accepted
by the company.
• A 4 way junction shall always be fitted with three valves
and a 3 way junction shall be equipped with 2 valves.

Fire water block valves
• Fire water block valves in underground fire mains shall be
operable from grade.
• They shall also be either buried or brought above ground to
eliminate any gas pockets in valve pits.
• If buried the valve packing shall be permanently protected from
contact with earth, rock or mechanical damage.
• Directly buried fire water block valves shall be the post indicator
valves (PIV) type with open or closed positions displayed above
grade.

Isolation valves
• The fire water piping will be installed as a “looped” system, with
strategically located, isolation valves. The installation of these
valves will be based on the following criteria.
• No more than 200 meters of pipe supplying hydrants, monitors, or

hose reels shall be removed from service at one time for
maintenance or repair.
• No more than 7 equipment of aggregate hydrants or monitors shall

be out of service at any one time as a result of maintenance on, or
repair of, the firewater mains
• The firewater piping on two adjacent sides of the process units will
remain in service at all times.

FIRE WATER QUALITY

Type of water
• It is preferable for the primary supply of water to be fresh water.
• Sea water not recommended except for stand by use.
• Water quality can affect quality of fire fighting foams
Underground
• Soft water : Ductile cast iron, Carbon steel, Glass reinforced
epoxy.
• Sea water : Carbon steel with cement lining, Glass fiber
reinforced epoxy
• GRP / GRE piping may be used only below ground
Above ground
• Soft water : Carbon steel.

GRE Pipes
• Glass reinforced epoxy are made from the dual helical winding technology.
• The major raw materials used for this are fiber glass, Amine Cured Epoxy resin and
sand (certain cases).
• Inner liner consists of surface tissue and Amine Cured Epoxy resin for maximum
chemical resistance and will enhance abrasion resistance.
• The structural layer consists of E- glass and Amine Cured Epoxy resin.
• Outer Liner is a small layer with structure similar to the structural layer.
• Diameters of pipes produced range from 25mm to 2000mm currently.
• GRE pipes are lighter and easier to handle and have a smoother internal surface
GRE pipes also have minimal thermal conductivity giving it insulation properties.

Sea water
• When seawater is used, a chlorination, hypochlorination, or other

system shall be provided to prevent the growth of marine
organisms in pump suctions, pump caissons, and other piping
systems susceptible to their growth.
• Systems shall be capable of being adjusted to provide down to

1 ppm of free chlorine to the inlet of the source pump suction.
• A system shall be provided to monitor the chlorine concentration

entering the pump.

Water treatment
• For corrosion – use protective coatings or plastic
pipe
• Impounding :Provision for collecting fire water

run off should be provided.
• If the water supply is brackish, chemical injection

or other means of water treatment should be
considered in system design to reduce corrosivity,
scaling/fouling tendency, and other undesirable
factors.
WINTERISING

Winterizing
• All portions of water lines above the frost line shall be provided
with drains.
• In freezing climate where water lines must be above ground,
branch lines shall be taken from the top of horizontal main lines
with the block valve in a horizontal position and drains shall be
provided on the dead leg side.
• In climates where freezing occurs, provisions shall be made to
prevent stored water from freezing, e.g. by circulation or by
heating;.
• In locations where freezing can occur, the fire-water pumps shall
be installed in a housing for protection; for other locations, a
rain/sun cover only may be required.

HYDRANTS AND MONITORS

What is a Fire Hydrant System?
• Fire Hydrant System is a Net Work of
underground Pipes Pressurized and
maintained by a public water authority or
a specially designed and listed pump that
increases the pressure of the water
serving a fire protection system.
• Fire Hydrant system shall be designed in

accordance with NFPA-24.

Dry barrel hydrant
• There are two types of fire hydrants in general use today. The most
common is the base valve (dry barrel) hydrant (also known as a
frostproof hydrant) in which the valve controlling the water is
located below the frost line between the foot piece and the barrel
of the hydrant (Figure 10.3.18).
• The barrel on this type hydrant is normally dry with water being
admitted only when there is a need.
• A drain valve at the base of the barrel is open when the main valve
is closed, allowing residual water in the barrel to drain out. This
type of hydrant is used whenever there is a chance the temperature
will go below freezing, because the valve and water supply are
installed below the frost line.

Internally valves pillar hydrant

Wet barrel hydrant
• The other type of hydrant is the wet barrel
(California) type, which is sometimes used
where the temperature remains above
• freezing. These hydrants usually have a

compression valve at each outlet, but they
may have another valve in the bonnet that
controls the water flow to all outlets.

Wet barrel hydrant

Hydrants
• Hydrants should be located near roadways and be accessible
under fire conditions and clear of any potential structural
collapse.
• Fire hydrants shall be of The self-draining type
• Threads should be compatible with plant/local standards or

adapters must be provided.
• Hydrants shall be located along road or access ways, at least 50

feet from structures or tanks being protected and within 20 feet
of roads or access ways.

Hydrants
• Where pipe racks or ditches hinder access to plant or
tank bunds the hydrants shall be positioned near
access ways or walkways across the obstructions.
• Hydrants generally do not require barrier protection

inside plots but where vulnerable to mechanical
damage from vehicles, hydrants shall be protected by
8” guard posts, not guard rails.
• Hydrants with the pumper connections shall be

located suitably for fire vehicle access and have the
pumper connection facing the road or access way.

Underground to above ground
connection

Hydrant connection

Monitors
• Monitors shall be located a minimum of 15 m (50 ft) and a
maximum of 30 m (100 ft) from equipment being protected.
• Monitors shall not be located within 3 m (10 ft) of any catch basin
or drainage channel.
•
• Monitors shall not be located inside tank dikes or in drainage
swales.
• Attention shall be given to the extent to which adjacent objects

will obstruct the pattern of coverage of monitors.
•
• Final design shall either remove the obstruction, reposition the
monitor, or provide additional monitors.

Monitors
• Except for elevated monitors, ready access shall be provided to all
monitors.
• A level working area shall be provided for a 3 m (10 ft) radius

around each monitor.
• Where elevated monitors are used to provide protection of

congested equipment, they shall be operable from grade in terms
of adjustment of water flow and horizontal and vertical
movement.

Types of Monitors
• For general protection purposes, the preferred arrangement is
fixed manually operated monitors with adjustable nozzles
installed at strategic points around and inside plant areas where
fire hazards have been identified.
• Generally, self-oscillating monitors are not recommended
• Elevated stationary fire water monitors shall be installed to

protect congested areas and where obstructions (e.g., at table
tops and at jetty heads) prevent the effective use of ground level
monitors

Fixed Monitors
• Fixed firewater monitors shall be located a minimum of 50 feet

but not more than 100 feet from equipment being protected.
• Fixed monitors are the preferred method of protecting

equipment handling hydrocarbons, e.g. compressors, pumps,
exchangers, vessels, columns etc.
• Monitors are also comparatively more effective in fighting jet

fires.

Remote control monitors
• Remote-control power-operated monitors shall be electrically
powered from the essential electrical supply (e.g., typical max.
power consumption 1 kW).
• As a minimum, the equipment and operating panel shall be

suitably rated to operate in a hazardous zone 2 environment.
• The operating panel shall be located upwind of the prevailing

wind direction and at least 50 m away from the fire hazard.
• The operator shall have a good sight of the area.
• A secondary panel may be installed in the control room if a CCTV

is provided.

Monitor in action

Fire Monitor hand held Nozzles

Fire hydrant valve and hose

Fixed Monitor and Oscillating monitor

Mobile monitor and Portable monitor

Remote controlled monitor

Loop and High volume monitor
• Loop type monitor High volume monitors

Tower Monitors

Types of water spray
systems

Wet pipe sprinkler system
• A wet pipe sprinkler system may be installed in any structure not subject
to freezing to automatically protect the structure, contents, and/or
personnel from loss due to fire: offices, residential and administrative
buildings, trade centers, industrial complexes, hotels, etc. Unheated areas
of a building may be protected by a system if an antifreeze-loop or dry
system is installed.
• A wet pipe sprinkler system is a sprinkler system employing automatic

sprinkler heads attached to a piping system containing water and
connected to a water supply so that water discharges immediately from
sprinklers opened by heat from a fire.
• Each sprinkler is activated individually when it is heated to its design

temperature. Most sprinklers discharge approximately 20-25 gallons per
minute (gpm), depending on the system design. Sprinklers for special
applications are designed to discharge up to 100 gpm.

Wet pipe sprinkler

Dry pipe Sprinkler
• A dry pipe sprinkler system is a system with automatic sprinkler heads

attached to a piping system containing air or nitrogen under pressure.
• The release of this pressure (as from the opening of a sprinkler) permits
the water pressure to open a valve known as a dry pipe valve and the
water then flows into the piping system and out of the open sprinkler
head.
• Dry pipe sprinkler systems are installed in areas where wet pipe systems
may be inappropriate such as areas where freezing temperatures might be
expected.

Dry pipe sprinkler

Deluge sprinkler
• The arrangement of deluge system piping is similar to a wet or dry pipe
system with two major differences:
• A. Standard sprinklers are used, but they are all open. The activating
elements have been removed so that when the control valve is opened
water will flow from all of the sprinklers simultaneously and deluge the
area with water.
• B. The deluge valve is normally closed. The valve is opened by the
activation of a separate fire detection system.
• Deluge systems are used where large quantities of water are needed
quickly to control a fast-developing fire. Deluge valves can be electrically,
pneumatically or hydraulically operated.

Deluge sprinkler

Pre-Action System
• A pre-action sprinkler system is similar to a deluge sprinkler system
except the sprinklers are closed. This type system is typically used in areas
containing high value equipment or contents and spaces which are highly
sensitive to the effects of accidental sprinkler water discharge. The pre-
action valve is normally closed and is operated by a separate detection
system.
• Activation of a fire detector will open the pre-action valve, allowing water
to enter the system piping. Water will not flow from the sprinklers until
heat activates the operating element in individual sprinklers. Opening of
the pre-action valve effectively converts the system to a wet pipe sprinkler
system.
• In a pre-action system the piping is pressurized with air or nitrogen,
monitoring of this air pressure provides a means of supervising the system
piping. Loss of the supervisory air pressure in the system piping results in a
trouble signal at the alarm panel.

Pre- ACTION SPRINKLER

DELUGE SYSTEM

What is a Water Spray system?
• A water spray system is a fixed pipe system permanently connected to
a water supply providing directional water spray protection over a
protected area.
• Hazards protected by water spray include flammable liquids, dusts

and commodities capable of producing rapidly spreading fires.
• Water Spray systems are designed in accordance with NFPA 15.
• Water spray fixed systems in process areas shall only be installed

where adequate protection is not available from monitor nozzles

Deluge spray protection (Typical)
• LPG containing equipment (threshold inventory is often around 5 m3)
• Large hydrocarbon inventory equipment (columns, drums, S&T heat

exchangers, storage tanks and the like)
• Pumps handling hot materials, particularly when operating temperature

is above AIT (Auto Ignition Temperature)
• Compressors, Loading arms -Area protection
• Specific protection to vessels, pump seals, cable tray etc
• Water curtain
• Foam systems

Deluge valve location
• Deluge valves need to be in a heated building if the location is subject to
freezing.
• Drainage trench should be provided to remove water from area during

maintenance operations.
• Feed main should slope back to sump at deluge valve house.
• Deluge valve must be accessible for maintenance
• High hazard area the deluge valve shall be protected by blast wall

Deluge valves location
• Actuation valves shall be located upwind or cross-wind from the
equipment they protect to allow the appropriate valve be opened
in the case of a fire.
• Valves shall be located a minimum of 100 feet from any dike walls
enclosing the vessel/tank being protected and a minimum of 150
feet from a vessel/tank being protected, if the vessel/tank is not
enclosed by a dike wall.
• They shall not be located within 25 feet of any high fire potential
equipment or within 10 feet of a catch basin, drainage channel or
swale.

Pilot Heads
• Provide 1 pilot head for every spray nozzle.

• Pilot heads and associated piping to be located adjacent to the
corresponding spray nozzle and piping.

Deluge piping
• Deluge systems are very often limited in size by various
client to 8" with corresponds to a maximum flow rate of
600 m3/h @ 5 m/s velocity per system.
• Supply sub-headers will be sized 2" NPS and above, smaller

diameter will not be allowed.
• Terminal pipes that connect shifted nozzle to supply header

shall not be smaller than 1" NPS in diameter
• Each water spray system shall be supplied from two

separate parts of the fire water ring main.
• There shall be an isolation valve on the ring main that is

located between the two sources of supply.

Deluge piping
• Strainers shall be required on water supplies unless the water
supply source is completely free of debris, e.g., potable water.
• All above ground piping shall be galvanized. In some cases

stainless steel is an alternative e.g., for cold weather plants.
• In high hazard plants, e.g., plants with potential for explosion,

piping larger than 2.5 in (64 mm) shall be of flanged or welded
construction.
• As a rule, it is commonly admitted by most of the clients that the

velocity within the dry deluge systems should be limited to 5 m/s.

Deluge piping spacing
• Max. distance between branch lines Shall not be more than

3 Meters.
• Max. distance between shall not be more than 2.5 mtrs
• Max. area coverage/spray head = 9 Sq.Mtr

Deluge System -Piping
• The entire spray system downstream of the isolation valve shall

be capable of being drained by low point drains.
• The piping shall slope to the low points with a minimum slope of
1/165.
• If the fire water is not fresh water, flush-out connections shall be

installed to allow flushing of the spray system with fresh water

Deluge piping sizes
• At fixed velocity, whereas the pressure drop in large bore pipes (2" and
above) is kept reasonably low, it increases drastically in small bore
pipes.Therefore the following aspects must be considered with attention
while sizing deluge systems:
• Small bore pipe lengths, regularly used to connect deluge nozzle to supply
branch, shall be minimised as they generate high levels of pressure drop.
• Pipe Internal diameters MUST be determined with actual project piping

classes and associated schedules as pressure drop drastically increase with
pipe thickness in a given nominal diameter.
• It must be noted that some clients do not accept RO's sized under a certain
ratio in comparison with the line internal diameter.
• In the absence of such criteria, 20% of the pipe ID must be considered as the
lowest acceptable ratio to remove cavitations appearance.

Deluge Piping -Low point drains
• 6 mm dia. hole drilled in the pipe (where it is accepted by client
to release water on facilities other than on deluged area).
• Each hole is also an extra water consumer to be considered when

systems are approaching design values.
• ¾" valved drain (To make sure that pipes are dry in normal
operating conditions, such valves are usually left open where for
instance installed in safely accessible areas ; e.g. immediately
downstream of the deluge valves)

Deluge piping Supports
• Deluge system pipe supports should be attached to the vessel
shell where possible thus producing a good, secure, unobstructed
and economical design.
• The vessel will possibly have to have reinforcing pads welded to

the shell to accommodate such supports.
• It may be necessary, or indeed more cost effective to provide

pipe supports from straps or bands secured to the vessel shell.
• All pipe support hangars shall be galvanised

Strainer specifications
• The strainer shall be located immediately upstream of the
actuation valve.
• The strainer shall be of a type that can be cleaned while in

service and shall be listed for fire service.
• Mesh in the strainer basket shall have a diameter no

greater than one-fifth of the diameter of the smallest
orifice in the spray system.
• The total area of screen openings for all strainers shall be at

least three times the inlet pipe cross-sectional area.

Deluge valve strainer

WATER SPRAY
NOZZLES

WATER SPRAY NOZZLES TYPES

Spray nozzles selection
• Minimum water way of MV nozzles is not less than 6 mm (¼
inch) to minimise nozzle blocking
• Nozzles are provided with a male threaded connection,

preferably sized ½".
• Nozzles are not equipped with internal strainers
• Material of construction is suitable for the quality of deluge

water (fresh soft water, brackish or salty water)

Deluge System - Spray Nozzle
NFPA 15:
• "The design shall ensure that the nozzle spay patterns meet or
overlap“
• "Nozzle spacing (vertically or horizontally) shall not exceed 3 m

(10 ft)“
• The nozzles shall be supplied by a network of firewater pipes of

suitable diameter to ensure that each nozzle operates at the
required water flow and pressure.

Spray nozzle piping routing

Spray Nozzle orientation

Spray Nozzles
• The effect of wind and fire draft on very small drop sizes or on
larger drop sizes with little initial nozzle velocity shall be
considered, since these factors will limit the distance between
nozzle and surface, and will limit the effectiveness of exposure
protection, fire control or extinguishment.
• Care shall be taken in positioning nozzles that water spray does

not miss the targeted surface and reduce the efficiency or
calculated discharge rate (L/- min.)/m2.

Nozzle spray obstructions
Obstructions to water discharge may be caused by various items
of equipment and structures and “shadow areas” created. Such
obstructions may include and are not limited to:
• Structural Steelwork, Mezzanines, Walkways, Ducts, Pipe work,

Cable Trays
• Where such obstructions would cause disruption to the overhead

general area spray pattern, or are over 1.0m in width, then
additional nozzles should be provided beneath them
• If the obstruction is located below nozzles but between two

nozzles the obstruction shall be placed minimum 610 mm below
the nozzles and shall have a width less than 610
mm.

Water Spray System
Smoke / Heat
Detectors
SPRAY
NOZZLES
Electrical Detection
System Control Panel

Sprinkler nozzles
• Upright sprinklers
• Pendent sprinklers and sidewall sprinklers installed on return bends,
where the sprinklers, return bend, and branch line piping are in an area
maintained at or above 40°F (4°C)
• Horizontal sidewall sprinklers, installed so that water is not trapped
• The difference between an upright head and a pendent head is, an upright
sprinkler is designed to be installed upright in the branchline piping of a
sprinkler system.
• The pendent is designed to be in the pendent or 6 o clock position, with
the deflector facing downward.

Sprinkler nozzles

Medium and High velocity nozzles

Air bottle

Deluge valves in field

Deluge valve

Multi leg deluge skid

Deluge skid

Deluge valve action

Equipment protection

Spray over compressors
• Sprays shall be designed to concentrate flow on the
compressor, the seal area, and the lube oil/seal oil area, and
not necessarily evenly over the skid.
• Spray coverage shall extend at least 0.6 m (2 ft) beyond the

periphery of the casing, seals, and lube oil/seal oil area.

Spray on pumps
• Water sprays protecting pumps shall be designed to cover the
pump casing and the horizontal area at least 0.6 m (2 ft) from
the periphery of the casing.
• The suction and discharge flanges, casing drain valves, gauge

connections, balance lines, and pump seals shall be included
in the spray area.

Typical Arrangement of Spray on
Pumpset.

Water spray nozzles on pumps

Vessel protection
NFPA 15:
• "Water spray shall be applied to vessel surfaces (including

top and bottom surfaces of vertical vessels) at a net rate of
not less than 10.2 l/min/m2 of exposed surface.
• "Where rundown is contemplated, the distance between
nozzles at different level or elevations, protecting vertical or
inclined surfaces, shall not exceed 3.7 metres as measured
along the surface.“
• "The horizontal distance between nozzles shall be such that
spray patterns meet or overlap at the protected surface.“
• "Spherical or horizontal cylindrical surfaces below the vessel
equator shall not be considered wettable from rundown."

Spray Protection for Vessels
• Where projections (manhole flanges, pipe flanges, support brackets,
etc.) will obstruct water spray coverage, including run-down or slippage
on vertical surfaces, additional nozzles shall be installed around the
projections to maintain the wetting pattern which otherwise would be
seriously interrupted.
• Bottom and top surfaces of vertical vessels shall be completely covered

by directed water spray at an average rate of not less than 10.2
(L/min.)/m2 of exposed uninsulated surface. Consideration shall be given
to slippage but on the bottom surfaces the horizontal extremities of
spray patterns shall at least meet.
• Special attention shall be given to distribution of water spray around

relief valves and around supply piping and valve connection projections.
• Uninsulated vessel skirts shall have water spray applied on one exposed
(uninsulated) side, either inside or outside, at a net rate of not less than
10.2 (L/min.)/m2

VESSEL
PROTECTION

Spray for vessels
• For horizontal vessels, the protected area shall be defined as the surface area of
the upper half of the vessel.
• If the normal liquid level is below the mid-point of the vessel, the surface area
between the mid-point of the vessel and the normal liquid level shall also be
protected.
• For vertical vessels, a maximum rundown of 3.7 m (12 ft) between spray rings, and
between the lower-most spray ring and normal liquid level shall be permitted.
• For vessel/equipment protection, only one spray angle and size of orifice should be
used to protect a single item of equipment, and nozzles shall be of the maximum
orifice size permissible in accordance with the calculations.
• On some vessel ends, it may be accepted that different “K” factor and cone angle
nozzles are deployed to those protecting the vessel shell.

Spray for horizontal vessels
• Each horizontal vessel or heat exchanger, normally holding a liquid volume of
5 m3 of flammable hydrocarbon, shall be protected by a dedicated water
spray protection systems.
• spray system to cool down the product and the vessel/ exchanger, in the
event of a fire.
Design
• Equipment, insulated for process purposes, shall not be protected by water

spray.
• The systems shall be hydraulically designed using NFPA 15 so that the
required pressure for the optimum operation of the spray nozzles is achieved
by adequate dimensioning of the piping without application of restriction
orifices

Horizontal vessel coverage

Horizontal Vessel End Protection

Horizontal vessel nozzle details

Spray Nozzle Orientation

Spray for Columns and vertical
vessels
• Each column or vertical vessel normally holding a liquid volume of 5 m3 or
more of flammable hydrocarbon, shall be protected by a dedicated water
spray system to cool down the product and the vessel/column, in the
event of a fire.
Design
• The vertical extent of the water spray application shall be approx. 12m
above grade with minimum of one spray nozzle directed at the bottom
vessel head inside the skirt.
• When vessel skirts are not fireproofed, consideration shall be given to
supplemental spray protection inside the skirt.

Vertical vessel protection

Vertical vessel nozzles data

Typical Vertical Vessel Protection

Water spray on transformer

WATER SPRINKLER
SYSTEMS

What is a sprinkler system?
• A system of pipes at or near ceiling level on each floor &
connected through control valves to one or more water
supplies. At intervals in the pipe work are sealed outlets
called sprinkler heads.
• These contain a device whereby a rise in temperature to a
predetermined level causes the sprinkler to open and
water to be discharged in the form of a spray over an area
of the floor below the sprinkler.
• The operation of the head leads to an opening of a valve
and causes an alarm bell to ring. Sprinkler systems are
designed in accordance with NFPA 13.

Max sprinkler area coverage
• If the area of the equipment and vessels to be protected is greater
than 4831 square meters (52000 square feet), install 2 separate
sprinkler systems.
• For extra hazard, use 2323 square meters (25000 square feet) as limit
for the area.
• Design Density shall be in accordance with Area Protected / Hazard

Classification.
• Dry pipe systems shall be designed for 130% of the listed areas
• Max. distance between branch lines = 4.6 m (15 ft)

• Max. distance between sprinkler heads = 4.6 m (15 ft)
• Max. area coverage/sprinkler head = 10.2 m^2 (110 ft^2)

Sprinkler System Water Supply
• Verify if the existing supply main has adequate

pressure at the tie-in connection to satisfy the
requirements of the proposed sprinkler system.
• If not, increase pipe size to reduce line losses.
• Minimum Pressure @ the Sprinkler Head shall be 0.5

barg.

Sprinkler heads
• Heads should be installed in the upright Position in

exposed areas and Pendent Position in False ceiling
areas. Pendent traps water which cannot be drained
• Ball valves recommended for all trim piping.
• Wet pipes not suitable for areas where freezing

temperatures are possible.

Alarm check valve

SPRINKLER SYSTEM SCHEMATIC

SPRINKLER SYSTEM IN NORMAL CONDITION

SPRINKLER HEAD OPERATED

SPRINKLER SYSTEM II STAGE OF OPERATION

SPRINKLER SYSTEM OPERATED

Sprinkler nozzle action

WATER MIST
SYSTEMS

Water Mist System
• Water Mist System shall be designed and installed in
accordance with NFPA-750
WATER MIST DEFINED AS

A water spray for which 99% of the total volume of
water is in droplets with a diameter less than 1000
microns (Dv0.99) at the minimum design operating
pressure of the water mist nozzle.

Water mist
Application:
– Gas Turbines, Machinery Spaces and Special Hazards
• Semiconductor
– Wet Benches and Mini-environments
• Extinguishes fires faster
• Extinguishes pressurized spray fires.

Water Mist
• One of the most outstanding factors is the small amount of water used.
• Water mist system extinquishes fire by the force of the water.
• The system operates at pressures of 80 to 200 bar, producing droplets of very small
diameter at very high velocity.
• Spray heads are designed to discharge water in the form of water mist. Thus the system
optimizes the quantity of water used, maximizing effective water volume.
• Water mist system provides a fast and efficient extinguishment for class A, B and C fires,
eliminating the hazard of re-ignition. Water mist extinguishes fire by 3 main effects:
- smothering – vapour generated displaces an equivalent of oxygen
volume, producing smothering effect;
- cooling – water spray in droplets produces a large heat collector surface;
- attenuation – mist absorbs a great amount of radiant heat, thus protecting
adjacent objects

Water Mist
• The success of water mist technology is based upon many tiny water droplets, equally
distributed at the scene of the fire. In contrary to conventional sprinkler systems, water mist
utilizes the physical phenomen of evaporation of water for the benefit of fire suppression.
And it is this evaporation which is responsible for two of the three main advantages of water
mist for fire suppression purposes:
• Vast cooling effect

• Oxygen depletion
• reduction of radiant heat
• Applications : Tunnel , Paper Industry, Steel Industry, Cable Ducts

• Cable Double Floor, Hydraulic Rooms, Stores, Filter, Transformers

Water mist nozzle

DRY AND WET
STAND PIPE

What is a standpipe system?
• An arrangement of piping valves, hose connections and allied
equipment installed in a building or structure with the hose
connection located in such a manner that water can be discharged in
streams or spray patterns through attached hose and nozzles, for the
purpose of extinguishing a fire and so protecting a building or
structure and its contents in addition to protecting the occupants.
• This is accomplished by connections to water supply by pumps, tanks

and other equipment necessary to provide an adequate supply of
water to the hose connections. Stand pipe systems are designed in
accordance with NFPA 14.

Dry and Wet Riser
Ring Main, Dry (Dry Riser)
• A vertical pipe installed in a building for fire fighting purposes, fitted with
inlet connections at fire brigade access level and landing valves at
specified point, which is normally dry but is capable of being charged with
water usually by pumping from fire service appliances.
Rising Main, Wet (Wet Riser)

• A vertical pipe installed in a building for fire fighting purposes and
permanently charged with water from a pressurized supply, and fitted
with landing valves at specified points.

Dry and Wet Pipe Systems
Wet Pipe System shall meet the following requirements must also be
considered:
• The maximum response time shall not exceed 3 minutes.
• The maximum piping volume in any branch must not exceed 2270 l (600
gallons).
• The Dry Pipe Valve booth must be heated to maintain a minimum

temperature of 4.4 dg C (40 dg F).

Dry pipe System valves
• Dry pipe systems are used in buildings which are unheated and water
could freeze in the piping.
• Dry pipe systems are slower and costly than wet pipe systems.
• Dry pipe system is used in spaces where the ambient temperature may be
cold enough to freeze the water in a wet pipe system. Water is not present
in the piping until the system operates

Stand pipe system
• Standpipes shall be designed and installed in accordance with

NFPA-14
• The standpipes shall consist of a pump-in Y-type two way

manifold set one metre above grade. The inlets shall consist of
two 2.5" inlet female couplings complete with non-return flap
devices, cap and chain, and a manual drain down valve fitted at
the standpipe’s low point.
• Water to the 4” standpipe shall be supplied from a site hydrant

located within 65 feet (20 metres) of the standpipe inlet location.

Stand Pipe System
• Tall structures and columns etc. shall have a single outlet valve at
each access platform with a manhole access. On process
structures, a 4" standpipe in galvanized steel pipe shall run from
grade to the highest working platform level with two hydrant
outlets at each working platform level over the first elevated
level.
• to allow the egress of air when the line fills and the ingress of air
during drain down operations.
• Each landing valve outlet shall consist of a valve and 2.5" hose
coupling complete with protective cap and chain.

Stand Pipe System
FIRE CABINET
FIRE CABINET

Stand pipe And Riser system

Fire Hydrant accessories
• Hydrant valve Stand post
Delivery hose
couplings Branches

HOSE REELS

Stand Pipe System : Hose reels
Fire-fighting equipment, consisting of a length of tubing fitted with a shut-off nozzle
and attached to a reel, with a permanent connection to a pressurized water
supply.
Hose reels should be sited in prominent and accessible positions at each floor level
adjacent to exits in such a way that the nozzle of the hose can be taken into every
area and within 6 m of each part of an area, having regard to any obstruction
Coverage of all ground-level vessels and equipment by at least one live hose reel shall
be provided as follows:
• Process areas.
• Utility areas for process areas.
• Combustible/flammable yard storage; inside warehouses,
labs, industrial shops, and construction camp buildings.
• Scraper traps located in plant areas.

Hose reel installation
• Clear Space Requirement
• A minimum clear space of 4.5 m (15 ft) shall be provided in
front of every live hose reel cabinet to allow proper hose
withdrawal.
• Orientation to Equipment
• Live hose reel cabinets shall be located such that all
equipment that they are intended to protect can be so
protected without kinking the hose
• In process facilities, live hose reels shall be a minimum of
7.5 m (25 ft) from the equipment being protected.

Hose reel

WATER CURTAIN

Water Curtain
• Primarily to dilute the vapors with entrained air.

• Absorbing vapors if they area soluble.
• Installation of water curtains where strong winds persist
water curtain will not be effective
• It provides a barrier between an ignition source and a possible
vapour release area

Water curtain
• Vertical spacing between nozzle rows shall be less than 5 m, unless
otherwise justified. Nozzles shall be of the "flat jet" type, spaying an
elliptic shaped pattern in order to improve efficiency (see schematic
below).
• Screen spraying nozzles with horizontal axis are not recommended. 40° to
80°
• Water curtains require a flow rate of more than 15 l/min/linear meter and
up to 25 l/min/linear meter in certain conditions (for each row). Water
shall be supplied at a minimum pressure of 5 barg.
• The number of nozzles shall be determined in function of the nozzle flow
characteristics, their spraying patterns and the water flow requirement by
row and by unit of length.

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TRAINING IN FIRE WATER SYSTEMS

10 MAY 2011 FIRE WATER SYSTEMS DESIGN 1

• Fire Water Network

10 MAY 2011 FIRE WATER SYSTEMS DESIGN 2

10 MAY 2011 FIRE WATER SYSTEMS DESIGN 3

10 MAY 2011 FIRE WATER SYSTEMS DESIGN 4

10 MAY 2011 FIRE WATER SYSTEMS DESIGN 5

10 MAY 2011 FIRE WATER SYSTEMS DESIGN 7

• Suction piping shall be installed above grade. Valves on

• A listed Strainer Shall be installed on each Suction line.

• A pressure gauge shall be installed.

• Suction Piping shall be adequately supported .

10 MAY 2011 FIRE WATER SYSTEMS DESIGN 8

10 MAY 2011 FIRE WATER SYSTEMS DESIGN 9

10 MAY 2011 FIRE WATER SYSTEMS DESIGN 10

10 MAY 2011 FIRE WATER SYSTEMS DESIGN 11

• Valves on the immediate discharge of the pumps shall be car-

• A pressure gauge shall be installed between the discharge flange

• Pressure switches and pressure tap valves shall be installed

10 MAY 2011 FIRE WATER SYSTEMS DESIGN 12

• A pressure relief valve shall be provided on the discharge of each engine-

• Each pump shall be connected separately to a common manifold.

10 MAY 2011 FIRE WATER SYSTEMS DESIGN 13

Fire Pumps Duty shall be calculated as (Minimum) follows:

10 MAY 2011 FIRE WATER SYSTEMS DESIGN 14

• Weekly Test Timer to be Provided for Diesel Engine

10 MAY 2011 FIRE WATER SYSTEMS DESIGN 15

• The meter shall be located in the bypass piping from pump

• Each Pump shall be Tested for the following Parameters :

 No Flow - Shut off Head at 140 % of Rated Head.

10 MAY 2011 FIRE WATER SYSTEMS DESIGN 16

10 MAY 2011 FIRE WATER SYSTEMS DESIGN 17

10 MAY 2011 FIRE WATER SYSTEMS DESIGN 18

• Each pump shall be equipped with minimum flow

• The min flow line shall always be kept separate and

• The line shall be located just downstream of the pump

10 MAY 2011 FIRE WATER SYSTEMS DESIGN 19

• Solution is implementation of a circulation control valve

• The Control valve shall always be fail close type.

• A pressure relief valve shall be provided on the discharge of

10 MAY 2011 FIRE WATER SYSTEMS DESIGN 20

The fire pump system when started by pressure drop should be

10 MAY 2011 FIRE WATER SYSTEMS DESIGN 21

• Fire Water Storage capacity shall be minimum

10 MAY 2011 FIRE WATER SYSTEMS DESIGN 22

10 MAY 2011 FIRE WATER SYSTEMS DESIGN 23

10 MAY 2011 FIRE WATER SYSTEMS DESIGN 24

10 MAY 2011 FIRE WATER SYSTEMS DESIGN 25

10 MAY 2011 FIRE WATER SYSTEMS DESIGN 26

10 MAY 2011 FIRE WATER SYSTEMS DESIGN 27

10 MAY 2011 FIRE WATER SYSTEMS DESIGN 28

10 MAY 2011 FIRE WATER SYSTEMS DESIGN 29

• Fire mains and underground process water lines should be buried

• Underground mains should be buried to a depth necessary for

• Additional cover or other protection may be necessary where

10 MAY 2011 FIRE WATER SYSTEMS DESIGN 30

• Velocity normal shall be 3 m/s

10 MAY 2011 FIRE WATER SYSTEMS DESIGN 31

• The mains of the water distribution network shall be laid

• Branch piping shall be buried and feed no more than four

• The fire devices located on a single branch line shall

10 MAY 2011 FIRE WATER SYSTEMS DESIGN 32

• Where the ring main is run above ground there shall be 5 m.