Dr.

K S Ravi
Associate Professor
MODULE 2
FIRE SAFETY
1. Introduction
Fires kill several hundred persons and destroy property worth several crores of rupees every
year. More than 85% of fires in various types of plants/ building/hotels/ shops/ godowns etc. are
caused by electrical sparks or short circuits.

Hazards due to electric shocks are limited to one or two persons and one or two equipments.
Fires kill and destroy several equipment and buildings. Fire accidents can be minimized by
adopting scientific engineering approach.

Danger to life due to fire mishaps is given higher weightage than fire hazard to property under
principles of safety management.

Several preventive, protection and fighting aspects and human safety aspects should be
considered in the workplace. This requires management priority with due foresight and careful
attention to details for achieving:
a. Safe escape of personnel in the event of fire
b. Fire fighting and minimizing loss to life and property in the event of fires
c. Safety of personnel from fire and poisonous gases and smoke
d. Minimizing spread of smoke and poisonous gases
e. Emergency operations and first aid facilities

2. TERMS AND DEFINITIONS

a. Fire.
Active rapid burning and oxidation process accompanied by heat, light and poisonous gases/Smoke/
carbon dioxide gas due to combustion.
Fire is started/ ignited at a hot spot and spreads along the combustible material to neighboring areas,
subject to availability of Combustible material, Air etc.
b. Extinction of fire. Putting off of fire by removal of Combustible material
c. Fire fighting. Action of putting off the fire.
Fire fighting aims at rapid removal of Air supply, Combustible material from the area, to extinguish
the fire/ spreading of fire and save life and property from destruction.

3. Fundamentals of fire

Fire is rapid combustion resulting in release of heat and light of flame. Fire is an active, rapid, burning,
combustion, fast oxidation, process accompanied by heat, light and poisonous gases/smoke/ carbon
dioxide gas due to combustion. Flame is luminous, hot zone of the fire.

Fire is started/ignited/begun at a hot spot and spreads along the combustible material to neighboring area,
subject to availability of (1) Combustible material (2) Air and (3) Heat and local temperature rise. Various
materials differ in their ignition temperatures and fire characteristics.

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 Triangle of Fire

Air
Heat
Ignition

Combustible material

4. INITIATION OF FIRES

Initiation of fire requires (1) Heat and hot spot (2) Air and (3) Flammable material. All the three
must be present for fire to be initiated.

The electrical equipment and plants have flammable insulating materials/cooling materials and
Lubricating materials. The electrical energy can easily initiate a fire with high temperature (hot
spot)/spark/arc/ flash in the area of flammable material in presence of air/ oxygen.

5. CAUSES OF INITIATION OF FIRES

Fires in electrical power station are caused by the following:
a. Electric Arcs, Flash Overs, Short Circuits.
b. Loose connections resulting in sparks.
c. Welding sparks
d. Bursting of capacitor cans
e. Fires and Explosions in oil filled Equipment.
f. Fuels for power generation

6. TYPES OF FIRES
According to European and US Standards, Fires are classified into five classes: A, B, C, D, E on the
basis of the material involved in the fire. The type of fire extinguishing technique recommended
differs with the class of fire.
Water is used as quenching medium for class A fires. Water is not suitable for Class B, class C,
Class E fires.

Table: Classification of Fires as per European standards

Fire Class Combustion Material Involved Fire Extinguishing Medium

Class A Fires involving Ordinary solid materials Such as wood, Water or solution with high water
Fire coal, plastics, cloth, paper, Rags, Rubbish, Construction and content cooling and wetting of
packing materials, Rubber, etc. materials helps in quenching the fire
Class B Fires involving Flammable Liquids/vapours/ solvents: Limiting air or oxygen supply,
Fires Transformer oil, Diesel oil, solvents, Liquid chemicals inhibiting fire Dry chemicals, Foam,
Lubricating oils, paints/varnishes/thinners Greases. halon. Water is not suitable.

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 Class C Fires involving live Electrical Equipment, in Energised state CO2 gas, Dry chemicals. Water is
Fire If equipment is dead class is A or B. not suitable.

Class D Fires involving live Electrical Equipment, in Energised Normal extinguishing media not
Fire state. If equipment is dead class is A or B. suitable. Special chemicals and
techniques are used.

Class E Fires involving Flammable Gases and Fuels, Hydrogen, Starvation of fire is most useful.
Fire Ammonia, Acetylene, LPG, Petrol, Furnace Oil Example: Gas fires can be
stopped by closing of gas inlet
valve at supply end

7. FIRE-EXTINGUISHING TECHNIQUES
a. Cooling. Cooling is removal of heat. Temperature of fire Zone and combustion zone
must be reduced so that fire does not sustain.
b. Water is the most commonly used coolant for class A fires. Only condition being:
Electrical supply should be disconnected and the electrical machines/ system must be
made dead, earthed so that the cooling water does not conduct electricity/give shock the
fire-men and does not create short circuits.
C. Ventilation (Release of Heat) helps in cooling and fire extinction.
d. Smothering (Blanketing) Smothering is suffocating the fire by external covering by
dense blanket of extinguishing medium (CO 2, Foam, Halon, Water etc.). Smothering of
fire aims at “Oxygen starvation” of fire. By combination of Cooling and Smothering, the
fires can be certainly extinguished. Smothering is useless when the combustion of
material releases oxygen on its own (e.g. Cellulose Nitrate).
e. Starvation. Fire is starved by stopping the supply or removal of combustible material and
filling dry nitrogen gas.

For example,
(a) Gas fires can be stopped by closing of gas inlet valve at supply end.

(b) Blowing off the flame and dilution of flame are also forms of “starving”. By blowing
of flame the gas is moved away faster so that flame cannot sustain. A Class fire is usually
blown to safer area and extinguished.

(c) Water soluble liquid fires can be extinguished by dilution of the combustible liquid by
water. The combustible liquid gets diluted and fire cannot sustain as water is non-
combustible.

f. Breaking Chain Reaction of Fire . Fire continues in the form of chain reaction. Fresh
combustible material receives heat from adjacent burning material and thereby fire
continues. Dry chemicals or Halogenated hydrocarbons are used for breaking chain
reaction of fire.

8. FIRE HAZARD ANALYSIS

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 A detailed fire hazard analysis should be carried out during initial plant design. This analysis
should be revised periodically as design and construction progress and before and during major
plant modifications.

The fire hazard analysis should be a systematic study of (a) all elements of the fire protection
programme being proposed to ensure that of the fire protection programme being proposed to
ensure that the plant design has included adequate identification and analysis of potential fire
hazards (b) the effect of postulated fires relative to maintaining the ability to perform safe
shutdown functions and (c) suggest remedial measures.

The fire hazard analysis should separately identify hazards and provide appropriate protection in
locations where safety related losses could occur as a result of:

(a) Concentration of combustible materials, including transient fire loads due to combustible
expected to be used in normal operation;

(b) Configuration of combustible contents, furnishings, building materials, or combinations

thereof conducive to fire spread;

(C) Exposure to fire, heat, smoke, steam that may necessitate evacuation form areas that are
required to be attended for safety functions;

(d) Fire in control rooms or other locations having critical safety related functions;

(c) Lack of adequate access or of smoke removal facilities that impede fire extinguishment in
safety related areas;

(f)Lack of explosion prevention measures;

(g) Loss of electric power and

(h) Inadvertent operation of fire suppression systems.

The possibility of a fire spreading from one unit to the other unit should be taken into account in
the fire hazard analysis i.e. the analysis of consequences of the postulated fire on safety of the
plant should be conducted by the persons trained and experienced in the principles of industrial
fire prevention and control and in fire phenomena from fire initiation through its propagation
into adjoining spaces.

9. PREVENTION OF FIRE

Fire should be prevented from occurring. This needs several preventive actions during design,
installation, testing, commissioning and operation maintenance of plants and equipment.

1. Safety documentation for plant and equipment should include safety Instructions
related to Fire Prevention.
2. Fire prevention Equipment and subsystems must be a part of plant and Equipment.

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 Fire should be prevented during storage, civil works, Installation, testing, commissioning
and operation maintenance. Fire prevention is better than fire fighting.

The prevention of fire aims at not allowing the conditions leading to combination of
(1) Combustible material (2) Air and (3) Heat and local temperature rise (4)Spark/ignition.

For prevention of fire:

 Inflammable explosive materials should be stored separately and should be handled,

stored, used by using necessary precautions. Such material should be guarded against
exposure to flames, sparks, arcs, flash-overs, intense heat, hot spots, hot air
 Insulating materials in the plant and equipment must not be exposed to (1) high local
temperatures (hot spot temperatures) beyond certain permissible limits (2)sparks (3)Arcs
(4) Flash-overs (4)Welding sparks.
 Special precautions should be taken while welding, carrying open flames so that fire is
not initiated.
 Smoking, open flames and matchboxes, inflammable materials, explosive materials, open
resistor heaters should not be allowed inside protected area of electrical plant and control
room. Smoking must be permitted only in special areas. Cigarette buts must be carefully
extinguished
 Special precautions are necessary while handling, storing, filling, drying-out transformer
oil, furnace oil, fuels, circuit breaker oil, capacitor-fluid, paints, chemicals, explosive
gases like oxygen, hydrogen, acetylene. Smoking, open flames and matchboxes,
inflammable materials, explosive materials should not be allowed to be taken inside
protected area of stores and near inflammable materials.
 LPG cylinder, Acetylene cylinder valves/pipes/tanks should be leak free. Gas cylinders
must be stored separately as per safety recommendations.
 Inflammable material should not be used in electrical equipment as far as possible.
Modern non-explosive/ fire-free equipment must be preferred (e.g. Dry transformer in
place of oil filled transformer SF6 circuit breaker in place of oil circuit breaker.
Inflammable material should not be used in civil construction as far as possible.
 Electrical equipment should not be overloaded. Over load protection, over current
protection, temperature rise protection, temperature monitoring must be provided with oil
filled equipment and electrical machines having inflammable. Insulation.
 Good housekeeping goes a long way to prevent fires scrap, waste papers, waste wood,
waste oil should be disposed off. Leakage should be attended immediately.
 Precautions are necessary in storage, erection, testing, commissioning, operation and
maintenance that fires are not initiated due to carelessness.
 Precautions are necessary while welding, heating, flame cutting, grinding, drying etc, to
eliminate initiation of fires.
 Good preventive maintenance of electrical, mechanical and chemical equipment helps in
eliminating week points and preventing fires.

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  Wiring and switchboards should have good quality of material and workmanship. Main
and back up fuses/miniature circuit breakers should be of correct rating and well
coordinated.
 Earthing of equipment bodies, pipes, cabinets etc. helps in discharge of static charges.
 Regular periodic inspection and corrective actions are necessary to prevent fires.

10. FIRE PROTECTION AND LOSS PREVENTION

Fire protection aspects cover civil Works, plant and Equipment Design, Storage, Installation,
Testing, commissioning, Operation maintenance Activities, Documentation and Human
Resource development.

a. Civil Works

The civil design should have following provisions.

 Inflammable material should not be used in civil construction.

 Adjacent rooms should be air tight from each other.
 Fire and smoke from one room should not spread to other room. Heat and smoke should
go out of the building.
 Ventilating ducts, air conditioning ducts etc. should have barriers so that smoke and
flames do not get transferred from one section to next.
 Space and approach path should be available for firefighting personnel.
 Wiring and switchboards should not initiate fires.
 Provision of Fire Fighting system and Fire Detection system must be made during civil
Design and construction.
 Special provision must be made for drainage of oil away from the plant into the oil sump
during outbursts.
 Passage, staircase and ladders should be provided for emergency escape for personnel
and for Rescue-Fire fighting squad.
 Approach road and space must be provided for Fire Engines and Ladders.

b. Electrical Plant and Equipment

 Temperatures of current carrying paths and insulating paths are not allowed to exceed
above specified limits by supervision, Monitoring, Automatic over Load protection etc,
Temperature monitoring, Gas Leak Monitoring, Automatic start of Cooling Fans,
 Fire protection systems. Fire/Smoke/Flame/High temperature are detected, portable
extinguishers can be used for small fires, alarms are initiated so that people can
immediately vacate the premises, fire extinguishing system is put into action mode, fire
bridge is called.

11. FIRE PROTECTION

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 Fire protection system for each area of the facility should be designed as per the fire hazard
analysis. It also should take into account of the speed of operation of the system and safety of
important items. Fire protection system can be classified into three categories-water system, gaseous
system and portable fire extinguishers.

(a)Water system

Fire suppression system that uses water as the extinguishing medium are of three types-
water sprinkler system, water mist system and fire hydrant system.

i. Water sprinkler system

Fully automatic low-pressure water sprinkler system should be installed in areas where
substantial amount of combustible material might be present. Generally water sprinkler
system is preferred in areas of high fire load such as electrical cable gallery. It is also used to
protect large oil filled transformers. Water sprinkler system should be designed as per
appropriate standards.
ii. Water mist system
Water mist system converts water in to fine mist. Water mist is water spray in which 99%
of the water is in droplets. As a result of water being atomized into such fine droplets at high
pressure, the surface area available for cooling is considerably greater than that of
conventional low-pressure sprinkler system.
iii. Fire hydrant system
Standpipes with hose connections equipped with fire hose and nozzles should be installed in
prominent locations in the plant area as per fire hazard analysis requirements to suppress
fire.

(b) Fixed Foam system

Fixed foam systems are automatic, totally self-contained and require no manual intervention
for operation. These systems are installed to protect areas where large quantity of flammable
liquid is stored. Fixed foam systems are classified into three categories namely–low
expansion, medium expansion and high expansion. Low expansion fixed foam system is
used to protect large storage tanks of flammable liquids. Low expansion foam system is
suitable for oil pool fires where a thin layer of foam on the oil surface can quench the fire by
depriving it of oxygen (smothering effect). High expansion foam systems operate on the
principle of mechanical expansion of the foam by air and water.

(c) Gaseous System

Fire suppression system that uses gas as the extinguishing medium is of two types-Carbon
dioxide and halon. The halons are used as fire extinguishing agents, both in built-in systems
and in handheld portable fire extinguishers, but they pose a threat to the environment
because of presence of chlorine and bromine.

Carbon dioxide (co2) system

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 Carbon dioxide systems are normally used to suppress fire of electrical systems. This
system should only be used in areas where required CO 2 concentration can be maintained to
extinguish fire.

(d) Portable fire Extinguisher

Portable as well as trolley mounted fire extinguishers for different class of fire should be
kept at various locations. Water is used as the extinguishing medium and is applicable to all
fires (Class-A involving ordinary combustible such as wood, paper, cloth, rubber and the
like. Foam, Dry chemical powder (DCP) are used as extinguishing medium for fires (Class-
B) involving flammable liquids, paints, solvents and the like. CO 2 and DCP are used as
extinguishing medium for fires (Class-c) involving fire in gases including liquefied gases.
Special type of dry chemical power such as Ternary Eutectic Chloride (TEC)/Graphite
based/Bi-carbonate based powders should be used as extinguishing medium for fires (Class-
D) involving fires in metals. It is worthwhile to note that where energized electrical
equipment is involved in fire, the non-conductivity of the extinguishing media is of utmost
importance and only CO2 and DCP should be used. Once the electrical equipment is de
energized, extinguishers suitable for class-A, B or C may be used safely. The extinguishers
should be kept as near as possible to the fire exits and stair case landing in addition to the
places where there could be a fire hazard to safety related equipment.

12. STEPS AFTER OCCURRENCE OF FIRE

1. Fire Occurs
2. Fire is Detected by Observer or Detection System
3. Alarm is sounded
4. Electric Power supply and Other Fuel Supplies are switched Off
5. Immediate Use of portable Fire Extinguishers and Water/sand for Extinguishing
small Fires then and there
6. Automatic Fire Fighting system Gets Initiated
7. Call Fire Brigade.
8. Persons vacate the place.

13. Portable Fire Extinguishers

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 Fire fighting is a process of extinguishing fires. The fire fighting aims at
1. Extinguishing fire
2. Stopping spreading of fire and smoke
3. Saving life
4. Saving property
5. Minimizing the risks to adjacent building and premises
Portable fire extinguishers are used immediately on occurrence of fire. It is important that all
personnel know how to operate fire extinguishers and recharge them. Also periodic maintenance
and inspection of extinguishers is essential. When more than one type of extinguishers used,
specific instructions must be given and exhibited for the correct choice and proper method of
operation.
Types of fire extinguishers
a. WATER TYPE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
Water expelling fire extinguishers has water as an extinguishing agent which is released
in the form of a jet by means of gas pressure in the upper part of the container. The gas
pressure may be induced by mechanical means.
Water expelling fire extinguishers are used mainly in class”A”fires involving ordinary
combustible materials like wood, paper, textiles, etc. which are put out by the cooling
action of water. Besides, water when applied to burning material is converted to steam
which reduces the percentage of available oxygen.

The various types of water expelling extinguishers are:

1) Soda acid type IS:934-1979

2) Gas pressure actuated type IS:940-1976
3) Constant Air pressure Type IS:6234-1971

i) SODA ACID TYPE-WATER EXTINGUISHERS

CONSTRUCTION: The various parts and contents of soda acid extinguishers are
shown in the Fig below. The total liquid capacity of the body (or the solution
containers) when filled to the specified level, should be 9 litres. During manufacture,
the body is required to be tested to an internal hydraulic pressure of 25 Kgf/cm 2 for 5
minutes.

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 Method of operation: The operational instructions given on the body of the
extinguishers should be read carefully. It should be confirmed whether soda acid
extinguishers are of up-right type or turn-over type depending on their method of
working. The type of the extinguishers provided at a given place must be known and
method of operation must be practiced well in advance during training.

Principle of Operation: When the plunger is struck the acid bottle ruptures. The
sulphuric acid and sodium bicarbonate solution react together to release Carbon
dioxide (CO2) gas. The CO2 generated creates internal pressure which forces the water
out of the extinguishers.

Note. The CO2 gas acts only as a propellant and the water extinguishers the fire by cooling
effect. Such extinguishers are recommended only for class A fires.

ii) GAS PRESSURE TYPE WATER EXTINGUISHER

The gas pressure type essentially has an outer container similar to that of the soda acid
type. There is a gas cartridge filled with CO 2 under pressure which forms the inner
compartment. When the cartridge is pierced open, CO 2 under pressure is released into
the body of extinguishers driving water out through the discharge tube.

iii) CONSTANT AIR PRESSURE TYPE WATER EXTINGUISHER

The constant air pressure extinguishers is filled with water and dry air is introduced form air
lines till the desired pressure is build up. When air lines are removed, the container is
hermetically sealed. While actuating, safety pin is withdrawn and value level is depressed
resulting in a jet of water through the hose under internal air pressure.

b. FOAM EXTINGUISHERS
Portable extinguishers expelling foam are recommended for class B fires involving flammable
liquids like oils, solvents, petroleum products, varnishes, paints, etc. The foam expelled by
actuating the extinguishers forms a blanket over the surface.

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 When a liquid in a container is on fire, direct the jet at the far inside edge of the container. This
breaks the jet and allows the foam to build up and flow across the surface of the liquid. Where
this is not possible, stand well back, direct the jet as mentioned above, and with a gentle
sweeping movement allow the foam to drop down and lie on the surface of the liquid. The jet
from foam extinguishers should have a length of at least 6 metres.
Do not direct the jet directly into the liquid because this will drive the foam beneath the surface
and render it ineffective. In addition it may splash the fire on the surroundings.

c. DRY POWDER FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

Dry powder fire Extinguishers are suitable for tackling petroleum fires, gas fires, fires in
electrical equipments and for controlling surface fires in textile fibers. These extinguishers are
noted for the speed with which they put out fires.
The chemical powders employed are usually sodium based and when applied to a fire, undergo
chemical reaction. The free radicals which are responsible for sustaining any fire are out of
action by the dry chemical powders and because of this, the fire dies out very fast. Special dry
powders containing sodium, potassium and barium compounds have been found useful in
extinguishing fires in metals such as sodium and magnesium.

There are two types of dry powder extinguishers

(1) Gas Cartridge type and

(2) Stored pressure type.

1) Gas Cartridge type

These extinguishers are available in 1, 2, 5, and 10 kg capacities.

2) Stored pressure type

The construction of this type of fire extinguisher is shown in the figure below. The chemical
powder is contained in the main shell of the extinguisher and CO 2 gas is held under high pressure
in a sealed cartridge. When the extinguisher is operated, the cartridge is broken allowing the CO 2
gas to escape to the main shell and push out the powder in the form of fog.

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 METHOD OF OPERATION
Carry the extinguisher to the place of fire and keep it upright. Remove the safety clip and strike
the knob located in the cap to actuate the piercing mechanism which in turn breaks the sealing
disk of the cartridge. Direct the stream of escaping powder at the base of the flame. For effective
result stand about 2 to 3 m away and direct the stream near the seat of the fire. Progress forward,
moving the nozzle rapidly with a side sweeping motion.
When using on outdoor fires always operate the extinguisher from the upwind side of the fire to
extend the effective range of the spray.
d. CARBON DIOXIDE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
Carbon. Dioxide (CO2) is effective extinguishing agent primarily it reduces the oxygen content of
air to a point where combustion cannot continue. CO 2 is non combustible and does not react with
most substances. Being a gas it can penetrate and spread to all areas affected by fire.
Carbon Dioxide fire extinguishers are used for putting out fires in oils, petroleum products, gaseous
substance under pressure, and also on electronic apparatus.

Carbon Dioxide extinguishers are not to be used in:

i. Fires involving chemicals that contain their own oxygen supply (such as cellulose
nitrate).
ii. Fires involving reactive metals such as sodium, potassium and magnesium.
Construction: The principal parts of extinguishers are, as shown in figure below. Carbon
Dioxide is retained in the cylinder as liquid under pressure. The cylinder is filled with the charge
to about two-thirds by weight of its total water capacity.
Method of Operation: Take extinguisher to the place of fire. Remove the safety pin, operate the
discharge device or unscrew the valve depending on the design. Carbon dioxide is delivered by
means of discharge horn through a high pressure flexible hose. Project the hose to the base of the
fire, starting at one edge and sweeping across the surface of the burning material. When used in

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 open air, the operator should stand on the up-wind side of the fire. Then direct the jet or horn
straight at the fire.

The gas at the time of discharge makes considerable noise. The user should therefore be well conversant
with its operation to prevent the jet from being misdirected during the first few seconds.

PRINCIPLE OF CARBON DIOXIDE EXTINGUISHER

When the extinguisher is actuated carbon dioxide from the cylinder comes out at a considerable
velocity into the atmosphere and forms a layer of gas which is about one and a half times heavier than
air. The vapour blanket puts out fire and reducing the oxygen supply needed to continue combustion.

e. HALON EXTINGUISHERS
On flammable liquid fires, best results are obtained when the discharge from the extinguisher is employed
to sweep the flame of the burning surface. This can be done by applying the discharge first at the near edge
of the fire gradually progressing towards the back of the fire, by moving the discharged initially from a
distance not closer than 2.5 meters, to prevent splashing of flammable liquids.

Summary of Types of Fire Extinguishers and Applications

Water Foam Dry CO2 Halon

Extinguishers Extinguishers Chemical Extinguishers Extinguishers
Powder
Extinguishers
Cylinder Emerald
Signal Red Pale cream French Blue Black
color Green
Solid Wood, paper Wood, paper
Material Textile etc. Tex-tile etc.
Liquid Flammable Flammable Flammable Flammable
Material Liquids Liquids Liquids Liquids

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 Gaseous Flammable Flammable Flammable
Material Gases Gases Gases
For
Electrical Electrical Electrical
Electric
Equipment Equipment Equipment
Equipment
Fumes are
Do not use on
Do not use on Dangerous in
Electrical or
Note Electrical Confined
Flammable
Fires Spaces.
Liquid Fires

14. Maintenance of fire extinguishers:

The maintenance checks issued with the particular type of extinguisher should be carefully studied
and persons should be trained for checking and maintenance.
Following maintenance schedules are recommended
i) Once a week
ii) Clean the exterior of the extinguishers, polish the painted portion with a little colourless wax
polish, polish the brass and chromium plated parts
iii) Check the nozzle outlet and vent holes in the threaded portion of the cap for clogging
iv) Check that plunger is clean and is in fully extended position
v) Once in a year the extinguishers should be put into operation for evaluating their satisfactory
performance.
vi) Once in three years extinguishers should be discharged and tested for any damage. Also it should
be dry before recharging it.
15. Types of fire fighting systems and applications:
i) Water Hose reels: This is used for use in offices, stores, corridors
ii) Hydrant system for general use throughout the plant
iii) Sprinkler system for offices, stores, transformer, turbine generators
iv) CO2 Installations used in enclosed areas, switchgear room, gas turbines
v) Halon systems for computer room, control-relay room
vi) Mechanical foam installations for fuel oil storage tank protection
vii) Dry chemical powder installation for control room, offices, electrical plant, all
purpose
16. Functions of fire detection and alarm system
i) To detect smoke, fire and sound alarm about occurrence of fire/smoke and its location
ii) To initiate operation of automatic fire fighting system in the affected zone
iii) To initiate operation of valves
iv) To initiate tripping of circuit breakers feeding power to electrical plants in the affected
areas via fire control

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17. Types of fire detectors
The following types of detectors are generally favoured in thermal power plants and substations
i) Fusible glass bulb detectors
Figure below shows fusible heat detector combined with water- valve.

Five different temperature ratings covering the 600 C to 1400 C range are used. When
subjected to a specific temperature, the bulb shatters to release either compressed air or high
pressure water.
ii) Rate of temperature rise detector
It is a mercury switch which operates an alarm and initiates release of compressed air. Two
interconnected inert gas filled bulbs, one shielded from direct heat, contain a flow restricting
orifice. In the event of a fire, the heat creates a differential pressure between the two bulbs
which transfers the mercury to change the state of the mercury switch.
iii) Heat sensitive cables
These are suspended along cable trays as shown in the figure 13.9 to detect an increase in
surrounding temperature. The detector cables have conducting cores insulated from each
other by a sensitive temperature coefficient dielectric whose insulation resistance reduces
rapidly with increase in temperature. An alarm is initiated when a temperature rise of 25 0 C
over ambient temperature of 40 0 C over entire length or temperature rise of 75 0 C over
ambient temperature of 400 C in two meter length of cable.

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 iv) Smoke and heat detectors
These are located on ceilings of risk areas; they have neon indicators to identify which device
has operated. Smoke detectors may be of either the ionization type as shown in fig. below.
These detectors initiate only alarms. In some cases, they may initiate discharge of halon gas
in computer rooms.

v) Heat sensitive fire detection canopies

These are mounted over selected coal conveyors, detect rate of rise in temperature, any fire
will activate the sprinkler fire protection system and stop the conveyor. A group of electrical
detectors, incorporating exposed and shielded materials is used. The shielded element is
covered by a silicon compound. In the event of fire, the hot gases trapped under the canopy,
create a voltage difference between the shielded and exposed element and actuate the
detection system.
18. High pressure water spray and sprinkler system in a thermal power plant
Figure 13.11 shows a High pressure water spray and sprinkler system in a thermal power plant. It
consists of:
i) Water pump sets ( 2 or 4 sets) driven by a motor or diesel engine
ii) Overhead water tank. Air compressor for pressuring the water in the reservoir

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 iii) Main trunk piping system
iv) Branch piping system
v) Distribution pipes system between branch pipes and spray systems
vi) Water spray system in various risk zones
vii) Projectors fitted for spraying water in certain direction
Water pump sets driven by motor fill water in overhead pressurized water tanks (2). The main trunk
piping system (5) is closed ring to which branch pipes are connected. The individual zone in the
plant has distributed pipe system which receives water from respective branch pipe.
An air compressor (4) maintains the air pressure on the water in the overhead pressurized tank at
about 10 bars. The compressor and the charging pump are interlocked to ensure that the compressor
will only run if the water level is correct. A low air pressure alarm is raised if the tank pressure falls

below 10 bars due to leakage. The water spray systems are either automatic or manual control.
Automatics systems are of either wet or dry section types. In cold countries wet systems are used and
dry sections are used for outdoors to avoid the risk of frost damage to the protection equipment. The
personnel operating the valves are shielded by fire resistant barriers when manual controlled systems
are used.

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19. Safety sign boards

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20. Instructions on portable fire Extinguishers

The acronym PASS is used to describe these four basic steps.

1. Pull (Pin)
Pull pin at the top of the extinguisher, breaking the seal. ...
2. Aim.
Aim the nozzle or hose at the base of the fire from the recommended safe distance.
3. Squeeze.
Squeeze the handles together to discharge the extinguishing agent inside
4. Sweep.
Starting at the recommended distance, Sweep the nozzle or hose from side to side until the fire is
out. Move forward or around the fire area as the fire diminishes. Watch the area in case of
re-ignition.

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