Fire Detection and

Suppression
Chapter 7
Special Extinguishing Systems

Characteristics of Special
Extinguishing Systems
Used where automatic sprinklers may not be
the best solution to fire problems
Have a limited amount of extinguishing agent
Must extinguish fire to be successful

7-2

Special Extingui
shing Systems

Wet Chemical Systems

Used for commercial cooking hoods,
plenums, ducts, and associated cooking
appliances
Agent typically solution of water and either
potassium carbonate or potassium acetate
NFPA 17A, Standard for Wet Chemical
Extinguishing Systems
(Continued)

7-3

Special Extingui
shing Systems

Wet Chemical Systems

(cont.)
Engineered/pre-engineered systems
Components
Storage tank for expellant gas and agent
Piping to carry the gas and agent
Nozzles to disperse the agent
Actuating mechanism
(Continued)

7-4

Special Extingui
shing Systems

Wet Chemical Systems

(cont.)
General inspection points
Mechanical damage
Aim of nozzles
Change in hazard
Proper pressures on stored-pressure containers
Check maintenance tag for scheduled service
(Continued)

7-5

Special Extingui
shing Systems

Wet Chemical Systems

(cont.)
Monthly inspection (to be performed only by
trained personnel)
Check that all parts of system are in their proper
location and connected.
Inspect manual actuators for obstructions.
Inspect tamper indicators and seals to ensure
that they are intact.
Check maintenance tag or certificate for proper
placement and information.
(Continued)

7-6

Special Extingui
shing Systems

Wet Chemical Systems

Monthly inspection (cont.)
Examine system for any obvious damage.
Check pressure gauges.
Check nozzle blowoff caps, if provided, for
damage.
Check that protected equipment or hazard has
not been modified, replaced, or relocated.
(Continued)

7-7

Special Extingui
shing Systems

Wet Chemical Systems

(cont.)
Semiannual inspection (to be performed only
by trained personnel)
Ensure that the size or nature of the hazard
being protected has not changed.
Examine all components thoroughly.
Check liquid levels of nonpressurized containers.
Verify that the piping is not obstructed.
(Continued)

7-8

Special Extingui
shing Systems

Wet Chemical Systems

Semiannual inspection (cont.)
Examine the system for evidence of corrosion,
structural damage, or repairs.
Test all working components in accordance with the
manufacturers instructions.
Correct any problems noted in accordance with
manufacturers recommendations.
Maintenance report and recommendations to be
given to a responsible person.
7-9

Special Extingui
shing Systems

Dry Chemical Systems

Common uses
NFPA 17, Standard for Dry Chemical
Extinguishing Systems
Residue

7-10

Special Extingui
shing Systems

Gaseous Systems
Used where wet or dry systems may not be
suitable
Extinguishing agents
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
Halogenated agents
Halon substitutes
(Continued)

7-11

Special Extingui
shing Systems

Gaseous Systems (cont.)

Carbon dioxide extinguishing systems
NFPA 12, Standard on Carbon Dioxide
Extinguishing Systems
Personnel safety
System components
Actuation device
Agent storage container
Piping
Nozzles
(Continued)

7-12

Special Extingui
shing Systems

Gaseous Systems
Carbon dioxide extinguishing systems (cont.)
High-pressure systems/low-pressure systems
Inspection and testing

7-13

Special Extingui
shing Systems

Foam Systems
Typically used where water alone may not be
effective
Components
Water supply
Foam concentrate
Piping system
Proportioning equipment
Foam makers (discharge devices)
(Continued)

7-14

Special Extingui
shing Systems

Foam Systems (cont.)

Types
Fixed
Semifixed Type A
Semifixed Type B
High-expansion
Foam/water
(Continued)

7-15

Special Extingui
shing Systems

Foam Systems (cont.)

How foam extinguishes fire
Smothering/suppressing: prevents air and
flammable vapors from combining
Separating: intervenes between the fuel and the
fire
Cooling: lowers the temperature of the fuel and
adjacent surfaces
Suppressing: prevents the release of flammable
vapors
(Continued)

7-16

Special Extingui
shing Systems

Foam Systems (cont.)

Foam generation
Key terms
Foam concentrate
Foam proportioner
Foam solution
Foam

Two-stage process
Proportioning
Aeration
(Continued)

7-17

Special Extingui
shing Systems

Foam Systems
Foam proportioners (cont.)
Line eductors
Balanced pressure proportioner
Around-the-pump proportioner
Pressure proportioning tank system
Coupled water motor-pump proportioner
Premixed foam
(Continued)

7-18

Special Extingui
shing Systems

Foam Systems (cont.)

Foam nozzles and sprinklers
Solid bore nozzle
Low-expansion foam nozzle
Self-educting foam nozzle
Standard fixed-flow fog nozzle
Automatic nozzle
Foam/water sprinklers
(Continued)

7-19

Special Extingui
shing Systems

Foam Systems (cont.)

Foam nozzles and sprinklers
High back-pressure foam aspirator
High-expansion foam generators

Foam system inspection and testing

7-20

Special Extingui
shing Systems