A Strong Partner for Sustainable Development

Module
In
Engineering Utilities
ES113

College of Engineering
BSCE 3
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Module No. 2

Life Safety Systems in Buildings

1st Semester _SY 2021-2022_

Rochel A. Gabaldon
Instructor lll

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Table of Contents

Cover _______________________________________________ 1

Title Page ____________________________________________ 2

Table of Contents ______________________________________ 3

Instruction to User _____________________________________ 4

Introduction _________________________________________ 5

Chapter l. ___________________________________________ 5

Overview _______________________________________ 5

Learning Outcomes ________________________________ 5

Time Allotment ___________________________________ 5

Pre-Test ________________________________________ 6

Discussion ______________________________________ 5

Evaluation/ Post Test ______________________________ 12

References __________________________________________ 13

Student’s Information Sheet ______________________________ 14

WPU Vision-Mission 2020 _______________________________ 15

WPU Core Values

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INSTRUCTION TO THE USER

This module would provide you an educational experience while

independently accomplishing the task at your own pace or time. It aims as
well to ensure that learning is unhampered by health and other challenges. It
covers the topic about Engineering Utilities.

Reminders in using this module:

1. Keep this material neat and intact.

2. Answer the pretest first to measure what you know and what to be
learned about the topic discussed in this module.
3. Accomplish the activities and exercises as aids and reinforcement for
better understanding of the lessons.
4. Answer the post-test to evaluate your learning.
5. Do not take pictures in any parts of this module nor post it to social
media platforms.
6. Value this module for your own learning by heartily and honestly
answering and doing the exercises and activities. Time and effort were
spent in the preparation in order that learning will still continue amidst
this Covid-19 pandemic.
7. Observe health protocols: wear mask, sanitize and maintain physical
distancing.

Hi! I’m Blue Bee, your WPU Mascot.

Welcome to Western Philippines University!

Shape your dreams with quality learning experience.

STAY SAFE AND HEALTHY!

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INTRODUCTION
The course focuses on the mechanical systems, fire protection systems,
sanitary/plumbing systems, and acoustics in buildings. Lecture discussions
include HVAC systems, acoustics, vertical transportation and fire protection.
Reducing operational loads and integrating high performance energy
systems into buildings offers solutions towards achieving a sustainable and
secure energy future. Engineers must understand the interrelationship between
a building and its subsystems, and need sufficient knowledge of building
systems and design alternatives to recommend appropriate solutions that suit
the site, climate, building type, and occupants. They must coordinate the work
of the engineering disciplines that carry the sustainability concept forward
through building design, construction, commissioning, operation and,
ultimately, demolition, recycling and reuse.

Chapter 1- Life Safety Systems in Buildings

Overview
This chapter discuss mainly the life safety system in buildings which
cover: fire sprinkler or suppression, fire alarm and detection system, CCTV
Security Cameras, Access Control Systems, Alarm & Security Monitoring,
Emergency and Exit Lighting, Fire Extinguishers

Learning Outcomes
1. Identify, describe, distinguish between passive and active fire protection
2. Identify describe, distinguish and interpret fire resistance and spread fire
ratings.
3. Name, describe and distinguish between types and key components of
building fire extinguishing, sprinkler, and standpipe systems, fire detection
systems, and fire alarm system.

Time Allotments
9 Hrs.

Pre-test
Instruction: Answer the following question below.
1. What is life safety system?
2. What are the components of life safety system?
3. What are the different types of fire sprinkler?
4. What is the fire Resistance?
5. What is the fire spread rating?

Discussion
Life safety systems are made up of elements that are designed to
protect your building and its occupants during a fire or emergency situation.
There are many components that make up life safety systems. Having an

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integrated and fully functioning life safety system can improve the safety of
your business. Here are some things elements that should be considered
when designing a building’s life safety system:

Fire Sprinklers or Suppression

Sprinklers and suppression systems are critical to the safety of the people in
your building. These systems are designed to react to a fire by extinguishing or
suppressing a fire before it causes extensive damage to the building or harms
the people inside.

Five (5) Types of Fire Sprinkler Systems and Their Benefits

1. Wet Pipe Fire Sprinkler Systems

This type of sprinkler contains pipes that are filled with water and sprinkler
heads. During a fire, the heat causes the core of the sprinkler head to burst
discharging water. The sprinkler heads are not all activated at once since each
one of them is independent. It will depend on whether they are exposed to heat.
The main advantage of this system is that it can help to significantly reduce
damage in the event of a false alarm since only one sprinkler head will be
activated. It’s no wonder this is the most commonly used sprinkler system in
the market today.

2. Dry Pipe Fire Sprinkler Systems

In locations that experience cold climates, the wet pipe sprinklers may be at risk
of freezing and becoming inefficient. In this case, the dry pipe system, which is
filled with air as opposed to water in the pipe system, is recommended. This dry
pipe sprinklers are designed to only discharge water to the pipes when the
sprinkler heads are activated. They are usually more complex than the wet pipe
sprinklers and therefore cost more to install. Because the water is not supplied
to the pipe, this kind of system has an increased fire response time. It is often
recommended in cold climates where the risk of freezing is so high that it could
undermine other fire protection systems.

3. Foam Fire Sprinkler Systems

There are other fire protection systems that are designed to discharge water and
foam to put off a fire. The foam fire sprinkler system works this way. It is mainly
recommended in buildings that handle highly hazardous components and
flammable liquids like workplaces, industries and aircraft hangers.

4. Pre-action Fire Sprinkler Systems

These are hybrid fire protection systems that are designed to take advantage of
the flexibility of wet pipe systems as well as the complexity of dry pipe
sprinklers. The major drawback is that they can be very costly to install and
have high maintenance demands. This type of system is often installed in
commercial properties such as libraries, museums and data centres where if
there is an accidental discharge it can lead to significant losses.

5. Deluge Fire Sprinkler Systems

This sprinkler system is designed without the heat sensing elements that are
contained in both wet and dry pipe systems. They have a common trigger that
causes the valves to open. Once the valve opens, the water is discharged to the

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piping system and sprays on all the heads at once covering the whole area. This
type of system is not commonly used at homes but is mainly found in industries
with flammable liquids.

Fire Alarm & Detection System

These systems detect the presence of a fire and alert the people within the
building. This allows people to evacuate the building safely before the fire
becomes too large.

Two Types of Fire Alarm Systems

The two main types of fire alarm systems are conventional and addressable. The
various components that make up these systems are either automatic or
manual.

Conventional Fire Alarm

Conventional fire alarm systems and its components are all wired to the same
cable that connects them to a fire alarm control panel. The control panel
displays a signal when these components activate. These types of systems are
inexpensive and work well in small facilities. The main problem with
conventional fire alarm systems is that when a fire alarm component produces
a signal and it appears on the control panel there is no way to know which
component it is in the building. If you foresee this to be a problem you may want
to consider an addressable fire alarm system.

Addressable Fire Alarm

Addressable fire alarm systems are the most modern type of system and its
components have individual unique identifiers. When one of the system’s
components initiates, it indicates the component’s address on the fire alarm
panel. Large facilities utilize these systems because they can quickly pinpoint
where the trouble signal originated. This saves a lot of time because it
eliminates the need to search for the component that produced the signal.

Types of Fire Alarm Monitoring Systems

There are three main types of fire alarm monitoring systems: ionization,
photoelectric, and combination alarms which is discuss below.

Ionization
Ionization fire alarms are best for detecting flaming fires. Inside of the alarm
is a tiny bit of radioactive material (don’t be alarmed – pun intended) that sits
between two electronically charged plates. This causes a constant current of
ionized air between the two plates. When smoke enters between the ionized
current, it interrupts the current and sets the alarm off. These alarm systems
are better for detecting fast, flaming fires.

Photoelectric
These types of alarms are better for detecting smoldering fires. The smoke that
is produced by a slow flaming, smoldering fire is much different than a raging
flame fire. A photoelectric fire alarm uses a beam of light that is sent into a

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chamber away from a light sensor. When smoke enters the chamber, it reflects
the light towards the sensor, and triggers the alarm to sound.

Combination
Combination alarms feature both ionization and photoelectric fire detecting
technologies. There are arguments for having combination alarms in your
home, or having both ionization, and photoelectric alarms in your home to
maximize your home protection, as combination alarms aren’t as great as one
detection method or the other, compared to the single units.

CCTV Security Cameras

Having security cameras installed in your facility can help to deter crime and
monitor the activities of your facility. CCTV cameras provide peace of mind by
recording videos of your property.
CCTV plays a huge part in today’s society, and with cameras all around us, our
day-to-day lives are experiencing higher levels of security each day. What many
people don’t know, however, is that there are a variety of different types of CCTV
camera which suit different situations or premises, and that selecting the
proper camera for the right application really is vital.

Different Types of CCTV

Dome Camera
Internal and External Dome Camera
The dome camera is one most commonly used for indoor and outdoor security
and surveillance. The shape of the camera makes it difficult for onlookers to tell
which way the camera is facing, which is a strong piece of design, deterring
criminals by creating an air of uncertainty.

Bullet Camera
Bullet cameras are long and cylindrical in shape and are ideal for outdoor use.
Their strengths lie specifically in applications which require long distance
viewing. Installed within protective casings, the cameras are shielded against
dust, dirt and other natural elements. The cameras can easily be mounted with
a mounting bracket, and come fitted with either fixed or varifocal lenses
depending on the requirements of its intended application.

C-mount Camera
Coming with detachable lenses, C-mount cameras allow for simple lens
changes to fit different applications. C-mount cameras can cover distances
beyond 40 ft thanks to the possibility to use special lenses with these cameras,
whereas standard CCTV lenses can only cover distances of 35-40 ft.

Day/Night Camera
Capable of operating in both normal and poorly lit environments, these cameras
benefit from not requiring inbuilt infrared illuminators as they can capture
clear video images in the dark thanks to their extra sensitive imaging chips. For
this reason, these cameras are ideal for outdoor surveillance applications in
which IR cameras are unable to function optimally.

PTZ Pan Tilt & Zoom Camera

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PTZ – Pan/tilt/zoom – cameras allow the camera to be moved left or right

(panning), up and down (tilting) and even allow the lens to be zoomed closer or
farther. These cameras are used in situations where a live guard or surveillance
specialist is there operating the security systems.

Access Control Systems

An access control system helps to secure your building by controlling who can
enter your facility. This prevents unauthorized personnel from entering your
property and causing damage or harm.

Alarm & Security Monitoring

Monitoring your alarm and security systems provides 24-hour protection for
your building in emergency situations. When an alarm in your building
activates, authorities will be alerted immediately to make sure that your
building is attended to as quickly as possible.

Emergency and Exit Lighting

It is important to have emergency and exit lighting in your facility to allow
occupants to safely find their way to an exit. These emergency lighting systems
work when the power is out in a facility.

Fire Extinguishers
A fire extinguisher can be used to extinguish small fires before they grow into
larger uncontrollable fires. Having fire extinguishers throughout your building
and along with personnel who are trained to operate them can help save lives.

Types of Fire Extinguishers

1. Water and Foam
Water and Foam fire extinguishers extinguish the fire by taking away the heat
element of the fire triangle. Foam agents also separate the oxygen element from
the other elements.
Water extinguishers are for Class A fires only - they should not be used on Class
B or C fires. The discharge stream could spread the flammable liquid in a Class
B fire or could create a shock hazard on a Class C fire.

Carbon Dioxide
Carbon Dioxide fire extinguishers extinguish fire by taking away the oxygen
element of the fire triangle and also be removing the heat with a very cold
discharge.
Carbon dioxide can be used on Class B & C fires. They are usually ineffective on
Class A fires.

Dry Chemical
Dry Chemical fire extinguishers extinguish the fire primarily by interrupting the
chemical reaction of the fire triangle.
Today's most widely used type of fire extinguisher is the multipurpose dry
chemical that is effective on Class A, B, and C fires. This agent also works by
creating a barrier between the oxygen element and the fuel element on Class A
fires.

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Ordinary dry chemical is for Class B & C fires only. It is important to use the
correct extinguisher for the type of fuel! Using the incorrect agent can allow the
fire to re-ignite after apparently being extinguished successfully.

Wet Chemical
Wet Chemical is a new agent that extinguishes the fire by removing the heat of
the fire triangle and prevents re-ignition by creating a barrier between the
oxygen and fuel elements.

Wet chemical of Class K extinguishers was developed for modern, high

efficiency deep fat fryers in commercial cooking operations. Some may also be
used on Class A fires in commercial kitchens.

Clean Agent
Halogenated or Clean Agent extinguishers include the halon agents as well as
the newer and less ozone depleting halocarbon agents. They extinguish the fire
by interrupting the chemical reaction and/or removing heat from the fire
triangle.
Clean agent extinguishers are effective on Class A, B and C fires. Smaller sized
handheld extinguishers are not large enough to obtain a 1A rating and may carry
only a Class B and C rating.

Fire-Resistance
A fire-resistance rating typically means the duration for which a passive fire
protection system can withstand a standard fire resistance test. This can be
quantified simply as a measure of time, or it may entail a host of other criteria,
involving other evidence of functionality or fitness for purpose.

Flame Spread Rating

Many factors influence fire spread within buildings, and one of the most
important is the interior finish material.
Back in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s combustible acoustical tile used on
ceilings were of serious consequence in loss of life in building fires. After several
major incidents involving schools, nursing homes, hospitals and similar
structures, revision of fire protection standards brought correction of this
defect, so today the fire spread characteristics of such materials are regulated
by code requirements.
So, what does something like a class a fire rating mean? Today there are several
methods of evaluating surface burning characteristics of building materials to
judge their suitability within an occupancy.
The most widely recognized laboratory test of such fire characteristics is defined
in NFPA Standard No. 255 – Method of Test of Surface Burning Characteristics
of Building Materials (also Standard E-84 of the American Society for Testing
and Materials and No. 723 of Underwriters’ Laboratories, Inc.). This standard
defines the equipment and test method that can be used to discern the flame
spread rating of a material. It should be noted that this rating is a number,
calculated from results of the test. The number indicates the relative rate at
which flame will spread over the surface of a material, as compared with flame
spread on asbestos-cement board (rated zero) and on red oak (rated 100). It
should be emphasized that this rating number is not the rate at which the flame
actually spreads along the surface and is not an indication of the fire resistance

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of the material. The method and equipment used in this evaluation is commonly
referred to as the Tunnel Test; the test equipment is referred to as the Steiner
Tunnel named after its designer A.L. Steiner, formerly of Underwriters’
Laboratories, Inc., Chicago, Illinois. In the test procedure, the sample of
material (18 inches wide, 25 feet long) is installed on the underside of the
removable top panel (see sketch), A gas flame is applied at one end and a
regulated constant draft is directed through the tunnel from the flame end. The
progress of the flame front along the sample is observed through side windows
and timed. From these observations a flame spread rating can be calculated.
For example, if the flame travels 19-1/2 feet in less than 5-1/2 minutes (the time
required for flame to spread on 19-1/2 feet of red oak), the rating is 100 times
5-1/2 divided by the time (minutes) in which flame spreads 19-1/2 feet on the
sample.
The purpose of such testing is to provide architects and fire protection
engineers with adequate information so that they can select appropriate
material that will not contribute to the problem of life safety from fire within
structures. Obviously, the speed of flame over surface interior material can
affect the safety of people within a building if flame spread is faster than
evacuation can be accomplished, or if fire spreads throughout an entire building
before adequate fire protection measures can extinguish the blaze.
Browse by Application

Flame Spread Rating

Many factors influence fire spread within buildings, and one of the most
important is the interior finish material.

Back in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s combustible acoustical tile used on
ceilings was of serious consequence in loss of life in building fires. After several
major incidents involving schools, nursing homes, hospitals and similar
structures, revision of fire protection standards brought correction of this
defect, so today the fire spread characteristics of such materials are regulated
by code requirements.

So, what does something like a class a fire rating mean? Today there are several
methods of evaluating surface burning characteristics of building materials to
judge their suitability within an occupancy.

The most widely recognized laboratory test of such fire characteristics is defined
in NFPA Standard No. 255 – Method of Test of Surface Burning Characteristics
of Building Materials (also Standard E-84 of the American Society for Testing
and Materials and No. 723 of Underwriters’ Laboratories, Inc.). This standard
defines the equipment and test method that can be used to discern the flame
spread rating of a material. It should be noted that this rating is a number,
calculated from results of the test. The number indicates the relative rate at
which flame will spread over the surface of a material, as compared with flame
spread on asbestos-cement board (rated zero) and on red oak (rated 100). It
should be emphasized that this rating number is not the rate at which the flame
actually spreads along the surface and is not an indication of the fire resistance
of the material.

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The method and equipment used in this evaluation is commonly referred to as

the Tunnel Test; the test equipment is referred to as the Steiner Tunnel named
after its designer A.L. Steiner, formerly of Underwriters’ Laboratories, Inc.,
Chicago, Illinois. In the test procedure, the sample of material (18 inches wide,
25 feet long) is installed on the underside of the removable top panel (see
sketch), A gas flame is applied at one end and a regulated constant draft is
directed through the tunnel from the flame end. The progress of the flame front
along the sample is observed through side windows and timed. From these
observations a flame spread rating can be calculated. For example, if the flame
travels 19-1/2 feet in less than 5-1/2 minutes (the time required for flame to
spread on 19-1/2 feet of red oak), the rating is 100 times 5-1/2 divided by the
time (minutes) in which flame spreads 19-1/2 feet on the sample.

The purpose of such testing is to provide architects and fire protection

engineers with adequate information so that they can select appropriate
material that will not contribute to the problem of life safety from fire within
structures. Obviously, the speed of flame over surface interior material can
affect the safety of people within a building if flame spread is faster than
evacuation can be accomplished, or if fire spreads throughout an entire building
before adequate fire protection measures can extinguish the blaze.

For the purpose of applying flame spread limits to interior finish material,
NFPA Standard No. 101 – The Life Safety Code groups flame spread ratings into
five classes:
Class A flame spread rating 0-25
Class B flame spread rating 26-75
Class C flame spread rating 76-200
Class D flame spread rating 201-500
Class E flame spread rating over 500
The installation of a complete automatic sprinkler system in structures having
these interior finish materials modifies the fire hazard risk.

Post-test
Instruction: Answer the following question below.
1. What is life safety system?
2. What are the components of life safety system?
3. What are the different types of fire sprinkler?
4. Discuss why it needs to determine the fire resistance and fire spread rating?

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References
1. https://steadfastfire.com/5-types-of-fire-sprinkler-systems-and-their-benefits/
2. https://kinetixfire.com/types-of-fire-alarm-systems-conventional-vs-addressable/
3.https://www.agmonitoring.com/blog/industry-news/three-types-fire-alarm-monitoring
4. https://www.caughtoncamera.net/news/different-types-of-cctv/#question_5
5. https://www.acousticalsurfaces.com/soundproofing_tips/html/flame_spread.htm

Other References
1. Mechanical and Electrical Equipment for Building, 11 th eDition.
Walter T. Grondzik, Alison G. Kwok, Benjamine Stein, John S. Reynolds, John Wiley
2. Mechanical and electrical Systems in Buildings, 5th Edition.
William K.Y. Tao, and Richard R. Janis. Pearson Education/ Prentice Hall.
3. Pertinent Codes (most recent): National Fire Protection Association. International Fire
Code Council. Plumbing Code, International Code Council. Mechanical Code, International
Code Council.

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Congratulations for completing this module!

Student’s Information

Name:
Program:
Year and Section:
Contact No.:
E-mail address:
Facebook Account:
Messenger Account:

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Vision 2020
WPU: the leading knowledge center for sustainable
development of West Philippines and beyond.

Mission
WPU commits to develop quality human resource and green
technologies for a dynamic economy and sustainable
development through relevant instruction,
research and extension services.

Core Values (3CT)

Culture of Excellence
Commitment
Creativity
Teamwork

WPU-QSF-ACAD-82A Rev. 00 (09.15.20)