Fire extinguishing system functions and integration with other engineering disciplines (Söndürme Sistemleri Fonksiyonları, Diğer Mühendislik Disiplinleri ile Entegrasyonu)

Overview

The paper was presented at the 14th National Installation Engineering Congress (TESKON 2019, Izmir), organised by the Chamber of Mechanical Engineers (TMMOB MMO), and appears on p. 1516 of the proceedings. Its author is Özlem Karadal Güneç. It is a seminar paper on how automatic suppression systems work and how they must be coordinated with architecture, HVAC and electrical systems.

The paper describes pre-action sprinkler systems for rooms where accidental water discharge is unacceptable. These systems keep air in the piping; double-interlock types release water only when both a sprinkler opens and the detection system operates, and pipe air pressure is supervised so leaks raise a trouble signal. Non-interlock, single- and double-interlock types are introduced, and pre-action is recommended for computer rooms, archives, museums and data centres.

Clean-agent (gaseous) systems are covered for IT centres, LV rooms and control rooms. In such rooms the minimum extinguishing concentration should be held for at least 10 minutes, verified by room integrity testing. The enclosure needs a calculated pressure-relief vent area, no unsealed openings, and ventilation shut down before discharge. Most poor clean-agent performance stems from user errors: doors left open, missing sealing, or later modifications to the room.

High-pressure water mist produces 50-100 µm droplets and does not need room tightness; designs are test-based (VdS 3188, NFPA 750, CEN/TS 14972, FM 5560). High-expansion foam is also outlined. Limit: it is a seminar paper, so detailed calculation methods are absent from this record; related standards are NFPA 750, VdS 3188, CEN/TS 14972, FM 5560 and NFPA 2001.

Key points

1. Pre-action systems keep air in the piping; double-interlock types release water only when both a sprinkler opens and the detection system operates; pipe air pressure is supervised so leaks raise a trouble signal.
2. Pre-action is recommended for computer rooms, archives, museums and data centres where accidental discharge would cause serious damage.
3. For clean-agent rooms, the minimum extinguishing concentration should be held for at least 10 minutes, verified by room integrity testing.
4. Clean-agent enclosures need a calculated pressure-relief vent area, no unsealed openings, and ventilation shut down before discharge.
5. Most poor clean-agent performance stems from user errors: doors left open, missing sealing, or later modifications to the room.
6. High-pressure water mist produces 50-100 µm droplets and does not need room tightness; designs are test-based (VdS 3188, NFPA 750, CEN/TS 14972, FM 5560).

Using it in design

• When a room uses gaseous suppression, require HVAC damper/fan shutdown interlocks, a pressure-relief vent and a 10-minute hold-time integrity test in the commissioning list.
• Offer double-interlock pre-action as the default sprinkler type for data halls.
• Manage later room modifications (cable penetrations, new openings) as events that require repeating the integrity test.
• Specify water mist solutions only with test-proven designs (VdS 3188, FM 5560 and so on).

Who should read it

Engineers coordinating fire suppression, HVAC and electrical design for data centres.

Related standards

• NFPA 750
• VdS 3188
• CEN/TS 14972
• FM 5560
• NFPA 2001

Publication details

Authors

Özlem Karadal Güneç

Publisher

TMMOB Makina Mühendisleri Odası (MMO)

Year

2019

Document number

TESKON 2019 Bildiriler Kitabı, s. 1516

Event

14. Ulusal Tesisat Mühendisliği Kongresi (TESKON 2019), İzmir

Document language

English

Source type

Industry body

Access

Free to read

Licence

Copyright retained; citation only — the publisher’s terms apply to the original document

Citation