This is class to orient and educate firefighters on the proper response and actions to be taken when responding to fires at buildings equipped with fire sprinkler and standpipe systems. This course is based on the recommendations of NFPA 13E, "Recommended Practice for Fire Department Operations in Properties Protected by Sprinkler and Standpipe Systems", and local fire department protocols.

1. Fighting Fires in
Sprinklered
Buildings
NFPA 13E

2. Types of Sprinkler Systems
• Wet-Pipe
• Dry-Pipe
• Preaction
• Deluge

3. Wet-Pipe System
How system works?

4. Dry-Pipe System
• water replaced by air under pressure
• air escapes first, valve opens
• air-pressure gauge above the valve; water
pressure gauge below

6. Preaction System
• dry system
• deluge-type valve, fire detection systems,
closed sprinklers
• system discharges only when smoke/heat
device is activated

8. Preaction System
Single-interlock
Double-interlock

9. Preaction System
VIDEO

10. Deluge System
• open heads
• deluge valve (specific to system sections)
• flame/heat/smoke detection devices
• manual device

11. Types of Sprinkler Heads

12. Identify what types of systems are in each building on the facility.

13. NFPA 13E
Fighting Fires In Sprinklered Buildings

14. Why sprinklers fail?
1. Closed valve in supply line.
2. Inadequate water supply to the system.
3. Occupancy changes that render system
ineffective.
How do we mitigate these risks?

15. Pre-incident Planning
1. Building construction, contents, layout
2. Water supply to system, source/type, flow/pressure,
duration of available supply
3. Location of control valves, area controlled,
consequence of shutting valve
4. Location of FDC and layout to be used
5. Location of other water supplies
6. Alternate means of supplying water (damaged FDC)
7. Location of spare/replacement sprinklers

16. Fireground Operations
*Sprinkler system should not be shut down
1. supply system (150 psi)

19. Fireground Operations
*Sprinkler system should not be shut down
1. supply system (150 psi)
2. connect other hose streams (use different
source)
3. verify that water is flowing to system
4. If not- verify valves are open, verify pump
operation (make note of closed valves for
investigation)

20. Fireground Operations
5. If not- verify valves are open, verify pump
operation
6. Initiate ventilation procedures
7. Salvage covers deployed to protect
property
8. Undertake water removal procedures

21. Post-fire Operations
1. System should not be shut down until fire
extinguished.
2. Shut down sectional valve, not main system
3. Firefighter to remain at valve until overhaul
complete.
4. Shut down lines connected to FDC.
5. If only few opened heads, use wedges

22. Post-fire Operations
6. Conduct routine overhaul; initiate
investigation (notify fire prevention)
7. Disconnect hose lines
8. Contact sprinkler contractor; assist in
restoring system (building should not be
occupied until system restored)
9. Notify fire prevention.

23. Reports
• location of operating
sprinklers
• number of sprinkler
operating
• result of sprinkler
operation
• reason for
unsatisfactory operation
• employee assigned to
• did FD connect to
system
• unit that connected to
FDC
• number of lines used
• was water pumped into
system? how long?
what pressure?
• valve closed after fire

24. Reports
• number of sprinklers
replaced by fire dept.
• type of sprinklers
installed
• was system restored?
by whom?
• actions taken to restore
service
• did water supply
• fire prevention
personnel notified
• proper facilities
personnel notified

25. Exercise
Given a floor plan, walk through facility and
make note of sprinkler system components
and connections. Connect to FDC from truck,
to ensure proper operation.