Challenges faced in fire rated sealing for different building types

Challenges faced in fire rated sealing for different building types 

Fire stopping is a term used to describe the process of sealing any openings and gaps in a building to prevent fire, smoke, and toxic gases from spreading from one compartment to another. This is a crucial element in building safety that can prevent the loss of lives and property.

Joint fire rates sealing is an important aspect of building safety that involves the use of specialized materials and methods that prevent the spread of fire and smoke between various sections of a building. In our last post we analysis in deatils about building occupancy types as per NBC 2016, IBC & NFPA.

Implementing an effective fire rated sealing can be challenging when dealing with different types of buildings. Every building residential, commercial and industrial has their own set of challenges and needs that must be addressed to ensure optimal safety and compliance with fire safety regulations.

Let us explore the challenges faced in fire rated sealing by different building types-

1. Residential buildings: The variety of pathways through which the fire spreads is one of the significant challenges in residential buildings like apartments and condominiums. These include gaps around the doors, windows, and through penetrations for plumbing and electrical services. Achieving a comprehensive fire stop system; is challenging because of the complicated layouts and the need for customization in sealing solutions. Also, maintaining the aesthetic integrity of interiors while installing fire stop system is a great challenge. The residents may not be aware of maintaining these systems leading to degradation over time if sealants are painted over or tampered with.
2. Commercial building: Commercial buildings like offices and shopping malls are larger and have complex architectural designs as compared with the residential buildings. The scale and diversity of fire proofing is the main challenge here. The areas like server rooms, electrical room, and spaces with high volumes of cables need specialized joint and expansion sealant that can accommodate higher fire ratings. Also it is important to integrate the fire safety methods without disrupting business operations or limiting accessibility is also important. Another challenge is to ensure that fire rated seals are properly maintained and inspected regularly in high-traffic environments.
3. Industrial facilities: Industrial facilities including factories and warehouses present unique challenges because of presence of harmful materials and large open spaces. It is important to have robust fire rated sealant to handle intense fire and also resist chemical exposures or extreme conditions. The complexity of machinery and piping systems require custom engineered fire stop solutions. Other challenges in industrial facilities are ensuring worker safety, educating about fire risks and maintaining fire stop integrity in these harsh environments.
4. Heritage buildings: Because of their historical significance and materials used in the construction, these buildings have their own set of challenges. These buildings are not designed with modern fire safety technologies in mind. Integrating fire rated sealing without compromising the structural integrity or historical value is a delicate task. It is important to use non-intrusive and reversible fire stop solutions that can be adapted to these aged structures. Compliance with both fire safety and preservation of heritage standards require innovative materials and approaches.

What are solutions to the above challenges?

It is important that the building owners, contractors and safety consultants to work closely with certified fire safety engineers who can design and implement effective fire rating sealing systems customized to each building type.

The stakeholders need to be trained regularly so that they can understand the importance of maintaining these systems. With careful planning, expert guidance and adherence to safety norms the challenges can be overcome ensuring buildings are safe and compliant with fire safety regulations.

FAQs

1. What challenge does fire rated sealing have in residential buildings?
   The main challenge is to manage the diverse pathways for fire spread like gaps around the doors and penetrations for utilities while maintaining aesthetics integrity.
2. How to overcome the challenges of fire rated sealing in different building types?
3. To overcome the challenges, it is important to collaborate with fire safety engineers for tailored solutions and ensure regular maintenance and stakeholder education.
4. Do the structural challenges of buildings possess threat to fire safety solutions?
   Yes, structural challenges of buildings can pose significantly threats to fire safety solutions, calling for customized approach for effective implementation.

For more information write us on ssaintegrate@gmail.com

Occupancy Classifications for Building Safety

Occupancy Classifications for Building Safety 

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is a US-based organization that develops and publishes codes and standards related to fire safety. NFPA 101, also known as the Life Safety Code, is a standard that provides requirements for the safety of building occupants. One important aspect of the code is the classification of occupancy types. The following article will provide an overview of occupancy classification as per NFPA 101.

What is Occupancy Classification?

Occupancy classification is a method of categorizing buildings or portions of buildings based on the nature of their occupancy. The purpose of occupancy classification is to provide a basis for determining the level of life safety requirements for a building, including means of egress, fire protection, and structural safety.

The occupancy classification system used in NFPA 101 is based on the function or purpose of a building or portion of a building. Below is a table comparing the different occupancy classifications between the IBC and NFPA 101/5000. One thing to note is that although some of the occupancies seem to correlate obviously, there may be differences between details within the definitions, such as minimum number of occupants, that could result in a different classification.

NFPA 101 and 5000 Occupancy Classification	IBC Occupancy Classification
Assembly	Assembly (divided into subcategories A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4, A-5)
Ambulatory Health Care	Business
Educational	Educational
Day Care	Educational or Institutional
Health Care	Institutional
Detention and Correctional	(divided into subcategories I-1, I-2, I-3, and I-4)
Residential Board and Care	Institutional or Residential
One- and Two-Family Dwelling	Residential
Lodging or Rooming House
Hotels and Dormitory	(divided into subcategories R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4)
Apartment
Mercantile	Mercantile
Business	Business
Industrial	Factory and Industrial
	(divided into subcategories F-1 and F-2)
Storage	Storage
	(divided into subcategories S-1 and S-2)
No equivalent occupancy classification (see paragraph below for additional information)	High Hazard
	(divided into subcategories H-1, H-2, H-3, H-4, and H-5)
No equivalent occupancy classification (see paragraph below for additional information)	Utility and Miscellaneous

One major difference between the NFPA 101/5000 occupancy classifications and the IBC classifications is the ambulatory health care occupancy classification. It is important to understand what types of facilities we are discussing before we get into how these are classified differently. Ambulatory health care occupancies per the Life Safety Code are those occupancies in which four or more patients are being treated simultaneously and are incapable of self-preservation because of

(1) the treatment;

(2) anesthesia; or

(3) the nature of the injury/illness.

Although not a separate occupancy classification, the IBC does have a definition for “Ambulatory Care Facility” which closely resembles the NFPA ambulatory health care occupancy. Per the IBC, these types of facilities would be considered business occupancies. NFPA 101 and 5000 create a distinction between business occupancies and ambulatory health care facilities based on the occupants’ ability of self-preservation. Therefore, these types of facilities would not be considered business occupancies but would be considered ambulatory health care occupancies per NFPA. It is worth mentioning that per NFPA a traditional doctor’s office or an urgent care center where patients are still capable of self-preservation would be considered business occupancies.

NFPA 101 separates day care occupancies from educational occupancies. The NFPA and IBC definitions for educational occupancies are fairly similar. At first glance it may seem like some occupancies that would be classified as educational per the IBC would actually be day care occupancies per NFPA. However, when you look more closely at Chapter 16 and 17 of NFPA 101 you find that occupancies in which the primary purpose is education for children 30 months of age or older must comply with the educational occupancy requirements. It should be noted that prior to the 2021 Edition, the age was 24 months.

The institutional occupancy group in the IBC consists of four different categories: I-1, I-2, I-3, and I-4. These subcategories are based on anticipated occupant characteristics and there are similar occupancy classifications found in NFPA 101/5000. However, in the NPFA codes and standards these are treated as individual occupancy classifications and not as subcategories of a broader classification. Even with the sub-categories, the occupancy classifications do not always obviously align between NFPA and IBC. The table below summarize how the NFPA occupancy classifications would most likely fall into the IBC institutional subcategories.

Closer Look at how NFPA Occupancy Classifications Align with IBC Residential Subcategories
NFPA	IBC	Notes
Day Care	I-4	Depends on number of occupants, age of occupants, and location of occupants in relationship to the level of exit discharge
	Educational
Health Care	I-2	N/A
Detention and Correctional	I-3	N/A
Residential Board and Care	I-1	Depends on the number of occupants
	R-3
	R-4

When starting with the IBC institutional subclassification determining the NFPA occupancy classification is more straightforward. Remember though, it is important to always verify the actual definitions and minimum number of occupant requirements before selecting the appropriate occupancy classification. The table below shows the potential NFPA occupancy based on the IBC institutional subcategory.

IBC	NFPA
I-1	Residential Board and Care
I-2	Health Care
I-3	Detention and Correctional
I-4	Day Care

The residential occupancy group in the IBC consists of four different categories: R-1, R-2, R-3, and R-4. These subcategories are based on anticipated occupant characteristics and there are similar occupancy classifications found in NFPA 101/5000. However, in the NPFA codes and standards these are treated as individual occupancy classifications and not as subcategories of a broader classification. Even with the sub-categories, the occupancy classifications do not always obviously align between NFPA and IBC. The table below summarize how the NFPA occupancy classifications would most likely fall into the IBC residential subcategories.

Closer Look at how NFPA Occupancy Classifications Align with IBC Residential Subcategories
NFPA	IBC	Notes
One- and Two-Family Dwelling	R-3	N/A
Lodging or Rooming House	R-1	Depends on the number of occupants
	R-3
Hotels	R-1	Depends on the nature of the occupants (transient or not)
	R-2
Dormitories	R-2	N/A
Apartment	R-2	N/A
Residential Board and Care	R-3	Depends on the number of occupants
	R-4
	Institutional

If you are starting with the IBC residential subclassification and trying to determine the NFPA occupancy classification, it is not as straightforward. The IBC uses terminology not found in NFPA 101 or 5000 and creates the subclassification groups based on different characteristics of how the space is being used, such as the number of occupants. The table below shows how many potential NFPA occupancies you could have per each IBC residential subcategory.

Closer Look at how IBC Residential Subcategories Align with NFPA Occupancy Classifications
IBC	NFPA	Notes
R-1	Lodging or Rooming House	Depends on the number of occupants
	Hotel
R-2	Apartment	Depends on the nature of the occupants (transient or not)
	Hotels
	Dormitories
R-3	One- and Two- Family Dwelling	Depends on (1) number of occupants and/or outsiders and (2) if residents are receiving personal care services
	Lodging or Rooming House
	Residential Board and Care
R-4	Residential Board and Care	N/A

NFPA 101/5000 and the IBC address occupancy classification is how they handle areas and spaces where high hazard materials are present. The IBC has a separate occupancy classification for areas or spaces that manufacture, process, generate, or store “materials that constitute a physical or health hazard” in amounts larger than what is permitted in control areas. NFPA, on the other hand, does not create a separate occupancy classification, instead, there are provisions for high hazard contents that must be followed, regardless of the occupancy whenever applicable. High hazard contents are “those that are likely to burn with extreme rapidity or from which explosions are likely.”

NFPA 5000 has a chapter with additional requirements based on the presence of high hazard contents. Again, this does not change the occupancy classification itself but does require additional fire protection and/or life safety features because of the increased hazard of the space.

The occupancy classification of a building or portion of a building is typically determined by the building owner or designer, in consultation with local authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ). The AHJ may be a fire department, building department, or other agency responsible for enforcing the life safety code in a particular area.

The AHJ will typically review the plans and specifications for a building to determine the occupancy classification, and will also perform inspections of the completed building to ensure that it meets the code requirements for the identified occupancy type.

It is important to note that occupancy classification is not a one-time process. Changes in building use or occupancy over time may require reclassification and upgrades to life safety features to ensure continued compliance with the code. Building owners and managers should regularly review their buildings to ensure that they are properly classified and up to date with all applicable life safety requirements.

If you are working with NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, Table 7.3.1.2 provides occupant load factors for different uses found in a building. Occupant load factors are chosen based on how the space is used and not the occupancy classification of the space. For example, it isn't uncommon for a business occupancy to have spaces that would fall under “business use”, as there will almost always be spaces used for non-business purposes also within the building. A conference room within the business occupancy wouldn't be considered an assembly occupancy unless it was determined to have an occupant load of 50 or more people. For the purposes of determining the occupant load, that conference room has an assembly use. Once the occupant load factor has been determined based on the use of the space, it is then used to calculate the occupant load of that space. Calculating occupant load can be thought of in three steps:

• Select an occupant load factor
• Determine the size of the room
• Apply the occupant load factor to the space

There is a common misconception that the calculated occupant load is the maximum number of occupants the space can contain. Instead, the calculated occupant load is actually the minimum number of expected occupants. If the designer, building owner, or other involved party knows the expected number of occupants may be higher than the calculated number of occupants, then that number should be used as the occupant load. If, for example, the building owner knows there will be 5 people working in a storage room that has a calculated occupancy of 3 people, the design needs to be based off of the expected occupant load (5 people). Now, if the building owner says there will only be 1 person in the storage room that has a calculated occupancy of 3 people, the design needs to be based off of the calculated occupant load (3 people).

The floor plan below shows an example of occupant load calculations for several types of rooms commonly found in an office. The occupant load factors used for each room come from Table 7.3.1.2 in NFPA 101.

Egress Capacity: The number of people for which the egress system is credited. Egress capacity is calculated based on the available width of egress components (doors, stairs, corridors, walkways, etc.). Further requirements in Chapter 7 of NFPA 101 provide the details for calculating egress capacity of the space.

Occupant Load: The total number of people that might occupy a building or space at any one time. The occupant load reflects the maximum number of people anticipated to occupy the building rooms or spaces at any given time and under all possible situations. The occupant load is the greater of either the calculated value OR the maximum probable number of people expected in the space.

What is the difference between a net and a gross occupant load factor?

A: A gross factor is applied to the entire floor area, including the area occupied by interior walls, corridors, columns, fixed furnishings, shafts, and the like. A net factor is applied only to the floor area available for use, excluding the aforementioned areas.

How is occupant load determined when a building has areas used for different purposes, such as a multipurpose room?

A: Occupant load is based on how areas are used and not on the building’s occupancy classification. On one day, a multipurpose room might be set up with tables and chairs for dining. This arrangement is typically considered to be a less-concentrated assembly use and the occupant load factor of 15 ft2 (1.4 m2)/ person (net) applies. On another day, the tables might be removed and rows of chairs set up for a presentation. This is typically considered to be a concentrated assembly use and the factor of 7 ft2 (0.65 m2)/person (net) applies.

Fire and Smoke Damper Requirements as per IBC

Fire & Smoke Damper Requirements as per IBC

According to the International Building Code (IBC), fire and smoke dampers are required in certain locations to prevent the spread of smoke and protect people and buildings from fire.

Fire dampers are installed in ducts passing through or in air outlet openings terminating at shaft walls, fire barriers (such as an occupancy separation wall, horizontal exit walls, corridor walls, corridor ceilings, floor-ceiling assemblies) and other fire resistance–rated assemblies as required by a building or life safety code and other applicable standards.  Under severe fire exposure, a duct may eventually collapse or significantly deform, creating an opening in the fire barrier. Fire dampers provide a method of protecting such penetrations and openings. Fire dampers must be inspected one year after installation and every four years after that. Hospitals are an exception, and must be inspected after one year and every six years.

Smoke damper’s primary function is to control the movement of smoke in dynamic air distribution systems, and they reduce the possibility of smoke transfer within ductwork or through wall openings. They are installed in ducts passing through, or air outlet openings terminating at, smoke barriers, shaft walls, horizontal exit walls, corridor walls, corridor ceilings, and other barriers designed to resist the spread of smoke as required by a building or life safety code and other applicable standards. Smoke dampers operate automatically on detection of smoke and must function so that smoke movement through the duct is halted.  Their activation can be by area detectors that are installed in the related smoke compartment or by detectors that are installed in the air duct systems. 

MS of ITC EXTERNAL FIRE HYDRANT

METHOD STATEMENT FOR INSTALLATION,TESTING & COMMISSIONING OF EXTERNAL FIRE HYDRANT 

1.0 PURPOSE

 

Ø  This method statement is applicable for the Installation, Testing & Commissioning of External Fire Hydrant for the project as mentioned in the Specifications & Approved Shop Drawings.

2.0 SCOPE

 

Ø  This method Statement shall cover the Supply, Installation, Testing & Commissioning of External Fire Hydrant in line with project requirements as indicated in the Approved Shop Drawings, specifications & manufacturer’s instructions.

 

3.0 REFERENCE

 

      3.1  Latest Approved shop drawings intended for Fire Fighting System

            3.2  Specifications

3.3   Project Quality Plan

3.4   Project HSE Plan

3.5   Material Approval

3.6   Approved Method Statement for Installation & Testing for Fire Fighting System & Accessories                                                

4.0 DEFINITIONS

 

          PQP                             : Project Quality Plan

          PSP                              : Project Safety Plan

          QCP                             : Quality Control Procedure

          HSE                             : Health, Safety and Environment

          MS                               : Method Statement

          ITP                               : Inspection Test Plan

          QA/QC                         : Quality Assurance / Quality Control Engineer.

          WIR                             : Inspection and Test Request

          MIR                             : Material Inspection Request

          UPVC Class E              : Ultra polyvinyl chloride

          UPVC                          : Ultra polyvinyl chloride

          HDPE                           : High density polyethylene

          PEX PIPE                     : Cross-linked Polyethylene

          G.I. Pipe                       : Galvanized Iron Pipe

                                                                       

5.0 RESPONSIBILITIES:

Ø  Responsibilities for ensuring that the steps in this procedure shall be carried out are specified at relevant steps in the procedure:

·        Project Manager

·        Construction manager

·        QA/QC Engineer

·        Site Engineer

·        HSE officer

·        SK

       5.1 Project Manager

 

Ø  The work progress shall be carried out as per planned program and all the equipment’s required to execute the works shall be available and in good condition as per project planned.

Ø  Specific attention is paid to all safety measures and quality control in coordination with Safety Engineer and QA/QC Engineer and in line with PSP and PQP.

5.2 Construction Manager

 

Ø  Construction Manager is responsible to supervise and control the work on site.

Ø  Coordinating with QA/QC Engineers, Site Team & Foremen for all activities on site.

Ø  Control and sign all WIRs before issuing to Consultant approval.

5.3 Site Engineer

 

Ø  The method of statement to the system shall be implemented according to the Consultant project specifications and approved shop drawings.

Ø  Provision of all necessary information and distribution of responsibilities to his Construction team.

Ø  The work progress shall be monitored in accordance with the planned work program and he will provide reports to his superiors.

Ø  The constant coordination with the Safety Engineer to ensure that the works are carried out in safe working atmosphere.

Ø  The constant coordination with the QA/QC Engineer for any works to be carried out and initiate for the Inspection for the finished works.

Ø  He will ensure the implementation of any request that might be raised by the Consultant.

Ø  Efficient daily progress shall be obtained for all the equipment and manpower.

Ø  He will engage in the work and check the same against the daily report received from the Foremen.

Ø  The passage of all the revised information to the Foremen and ensure that it’s being carried out properly.

5.4 QA/QC Engineer (MEP):

 

Ø  The monitoring of executions of works at site and should be as per the approved shop drawings and project specifications.

Ø  Ensure WIRs and MIRs are being raised for activities in timely manner and inspected by the Consultant.

Ø  He will follow and carries out all the relevant tests as per project specifications.

Ø  Obtain the required clearance prior to Consultant’s inspections.

Ø  Should acquire any necessary civil works clearances and coordination.

Ø  QA/QC Engineer will assist the Consultant Engineer/ Inspector during Inspection.

Ø  Check & ensure work is completed prior to offer Consultant for inspection.

Ø  Coordination with site construction team.

Ø  He will assist the Consultant Engineer/ Inspector during the inspection.

5.5   Site Foreman

Ø  The carrying-out of work and the proper distribution of all the available resources in coordination with the Site Engineer on a daily basis.

Ø  Daily reports of the works are achieved and coordinated for the future planning with the Site Engineer.

Ø  Incorporate all the QA/QC and Safety requirements as requested by the concerned Engineer.

Ø  Meeting with any type of unforeseen incident or requirement and reporting the same to the Site Engineer immediately.

5.6 Safety Officer

 

Ø  The implementation of all safety measures in accordance with the HSE plan and that the whole work force is aware of its proper implementation.

Ø  The implementation of safety measures is adequate to maintain a safe working environment on the work activity.

Ø  Inspection of all the site activities and training personnel in accident prevention and its proper reporting to the Construction Manager and the Project Manager.

Ø  The site is maintained in a clean and tidy manner.

Ø  Ensure only trained persons shall operate the power tools.

Ø  Ensure all concerned personals shall use PPE and all other items as required.

Ø  Ensure adequate lighting is provided in the working area at night time.

Ø  Ensure high risk elevated areas are provided are barricade, tape, safety nets and provided with ladders.

Ø  Ensure service area/inspection area openings are provided with barricade, tape, and safety nets.

Ø  Ensure safe access to site work at all times.

            5.7 Store Keeper (SK)

 Ø  Responsible for overall Store operations in making sure to store the material delivery to the site and keep it in suitable area that will keep the material in safe from rusty and damage.

Ø  One who will acknowledge the receiving of materials at site in coordination with QA/QC & concerned Engineer.

6.0  EQUIPMENTS

 Following tools shall be arranged before starting the job.

a.      Tool Box.

b.      Measuring Tape.

c.      Hack Saw Blade

d.      Spirit Level

e.      Electric Drill Machine

f.       Step Ladders

g.      Threading Machine

h.      Solvent Cement

i.       Electric welding machine. (if required)

j.       Torque Wrench

k.      Pipe Cutting Machine

l.       Grinding Machine

m.    Pressure Gauge

n.      Hammer

o.      Water Level Marker

p.      Mobile Scaffolds

q.      Staging Platforms

7.0   PROCEDURE

 

Ø  Work Sequence/Procedure

           

7.1     General Requirements

·        All the materials received at site shall be as per the approved technical material submittal for  External Fire Hydrant to be inspected upon receipt & approved by the engineer prior in proceeding with the installation through MIR. Any discrepancies, damages etc., should be reported to the supplier for rectification or replacement & to be removed from site immediately.

·        All construction/inspection/testing works shall be carried out in accordance with the specifications & to be done by qualified Mechanical Engineers and shall be checked and approved by MEP Subcontractor Construction Manager along with QA/QC Engineer.

·        Contractor has to clarify the procedure for material delivery to the site through Consultant Engineer at site.

            7.2        Delivery & Storage

 

            7.2.1     Material Transport/ Delivery

 

·        During transportation ensure that the equipment & its components (if any) are delivered in a shipping package and or shall be at least in a box covered with plastic. Extra care in unloading the equipment is required to avoid scratching or denting.

·        Where ever possible the loading and offloading of the External Fire Hydrant shall be carried out by hand. If weight cannot bear by hand, fork lift shall be used.

·        Equipment shall not be dropped onto hard surfaces & should not be dragged along the ground.

·        All the received units shall be checked & inspected to ensure that it is complying with the approved material submittals prior to site storage.

7.3        Storage

 

            7.3.1  Storage on Site Store

 

·        To ensure that deterioration of the External Fire Hydrant does not occur during storage, it is recommended to store the equipment in sheltered conditions that are protected from weather elements and accidental damage.

·        External Fire Hydrant shall be protected with plastic/ tarpaulin or shall not be removed from the shipping package unless otherwise instructed to do so.

·        All packages for the equipment reaching the site shall be identified as per package list.

 

            7.4 Sequence of Installation for the External Fire Hydrant

7.4.1 Safety

·        All site safety rules & regulations shall be complied with.

·        Supervisors will deliver tool box talks, relevant to these activities to all operatives involved in the installation, testing & commissioning and shall be recorded.

·        All operatives will be equipped with minimum personnel protective equipment; hard hat, coveralls, safety boots, safety glasses.

·        The persons using cleaning fluid and solvent cement have to wear hand gloves.

·        Ensure only qualified personnel shall install, test & commissioned the equipment.

·        During Testing & Commissioning, display warning sign boards necessarily provided and barricade the area whenever necessary.

·        Ensure that all operatives fully understand the method of these activities.

7.4.2 Pre- Installation Procedure

Ø  Before commencement of installation activity, the supervisor must ensure that:

·        Delivered Fire Hydrants shall have been inspected & approved via MIR by the Consultant prior to installation at site.

·        All Installations & Pressure Testing of Fire Fighting Pipe works have been completed & approved by the Consultant.

·        Relevant documents or certificates shall be presented at the time of inspection if required by the Consultant.

·        Permission to start or Civil Clearances prior to installation has been given by the main contractor.

·        All relevant Shop drawings for the installation of the equipment shall be available & approved by the Consultant. No installation shall be done without Approved Shop Drawings.

·        Installation activities shall only commence when all associated works by the Civil have been verified & completed.

·        Safe access shall be provided by the Main Contractor thru Work Permit in coordination with the Safety in charge at site.

·        Inspect the relevant area for any possible clashes with other services.

·        Check for other services, making sure that there is no interference between each service & adequate access to work and for future maintenance can be maintained.

 

7.4.3        Installation Procedure for the External Fire Hydrant

 

·          Prior to installation, ensure that all External Fire Hydrants are equipped with associated appurtenances as per manufacturer standard & supply according to the approved material submittal.

·          All External Fire Hydrants shall be covered & protected for moisture, corrosion, dust & any deterioration before & after the installation.

·          Ensure all pipework to be connected to the External Fire Hydrant has the proper size & have been hydraulically tested.

·          Pipes shall be free of debris or dirt prior to connection.

·          Mark the location & size of the Valve pit in preparation. Inform civil staffs for construction.

·          Valve pits shall be of concrete construction to adequately house the valves.

·          Ensure that the location of the valves are readily accessible for inspection, operation, testing & for future maintenance.

·          Provide plinths for the External Fire Hydrants. Size of plinths shall be as per the size requirement & size shall be as per the approved details.

·          Place the External Fire Hydrant on the plinths as per the approved installation details.

·          Each fire hydrant will be provided with isolation valve with the correct size.

·          Ensure that the isolation valve shall open & close from the surface of the ground level.

·          Whenever required, provide valve pit covers on the pit for protection.

·          After installation, raise an inspection to the Consultant for approval & acceptance.

7.4.3.2.2 Installation Procedure of Butterfly Valves:

·          Install butterfly valves as per the approved drawings. Ensure that it is readily accessible for operation & maintenance.

·          Ensure valve disc does not interface with the operation of other system components adjacent to the butterfly valve.

·          If the valve is hard to close, it may be due to debris lodge in the sealing area. This can be corrected by backing-off the hand wheel and closing it again several times if necessary. Don’t force the valve to seat by applying a wrench to hand wheel. This may distort the valve components or scratch the sealing surfaces.

·          The inlet & outlet piping of the valve shall be properly supported to prevent excessive stress to the valve body. Do not use the valve body to support pipeline position as it may result in distortion of the valve body.

 

7.4.4. Testing & Commissioning Procedures

7.4.4.1 Visual Inspection & Testing Procedure

 ·          After documentations & visual checks, Testing shall proceed further.

·          Ensure all pipe works has been hydrostatically tested & completed. Refer to Approved Method Statement Ref. No.: MS-6012-0021 Rev.02.

·          All supporting system has been completed, properly installed & fixed.

·          Ensure all instruments (if required) to be used during the testing shall be calibrated & records shall be available.

·          Ensure that the all Equipment is in their proper location as mentioned on the Approved Shop Drawings. 

7.4.4.2      Commissioning Procedure for the External Fire Hydrant

·          Prior to commissioning, ensure that all instruments (if any) to be used during the commissioning shall be calibrated. Calibration certificates shall be available.

·          Ensure that all installed External Fire Hydrants & Valves have been installed as per the approved shop drawings, manufacturers’ recommendation.

·          Piping system has been tested for leaks. Approval for all preliminary inspections shall be available during the commissioning stage.

·          Ensure all External Fire Hydrants have been installed & fix properly with the correct alignment & spacing.

·          Ensure firmness & tightness of supports prior to Commissioning of the Fire Hydrant.

·          Verify that the external Fire Hydrant shall be easily accessible.

·          Verify that the hydrant has been fitted with maintenance record tag.

·          Verify that signage has been provided that clearly indicates the location of the fire hydrant.

·          Simulate fire conditions by opening a valve.

·          Verify that all water flow alarm & valve monitoring system switches operate correctly.

·          Verify water pressure & flow at the hydrant.

·          Connect a fire hose & open the fire hydrant valve. The water throw shall be at least 20 meters.

 

8.0.  ATTACHMENTS

 8.1.   Inspection & Test Plan    

8.2.     Installation Check Sheet 

8.3.      Testing & Commissioning Check Sheet 

8.4.    Risk Assessment 

Now you need to Zoom and read below Checklist form.

You need to Zoom and read.