Part of the BRE Trust

Protecting People, Property and the Planet

Small Enclosure Fire Suppression Systems

London June 2014

Sarah ColwellBusiness Group Manager, Fire SuppressionBRE Global Ltd

Objectives

– Incidents

– Consequences

– Fire Propagation Principles

– Suppression Options

– Standards

– Approval

– Future Developments

– Questions

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Fire Incidents

Incidents – Bristol Airport

6th June 2014

– Electrical Distribution Panel

– 20 flights

– 2,000 people

– 4hrs of disruption

Consequences– Disproportionate Damage

– Fires Spread– Smoke Damage– Clean up Costs

– Challenging to Firefighters

– Direct Business Interruption– Local– Adjoining

– Ongoing Loss of Business and Reputation

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Fire Principles

Understanding fire

Heat

FuelOxidant(Typically air)

All three components are required for a sustained fire

Fire Sources

– Electrical Cabinets / Server Units– Components– Wiring– Motors

– Maintenance Operations– Hot Working– Debris (rags / equipment)

– Operation– Overheating– Short circuiting– Fan failures

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Fire Mitigation and Suppression Options

Mitigation and Suppression Options

– Design • Detection• Risk Assessment • Potential ignition and fuel sources

– Management• Training• Housekeeping• Maintenance and controls

– Cleaning / Maintenance• Regular • Deep cleaning

Suppression Options

Automatic Intervention– Detection

– Active Systems– Total Flood– Local response

Manual Intervention– Portable Fire Extinguishers (EN3)

– Training– Suitable units – Safe / Eases of access to Fire ?– Does not raise the alarm or shut down the fire

source

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Fixed Suppression Systems

Local Small Enclosure Suppression Systems

Two Options:

–Direct Systems

Locally activated and applied systems.

–Indirect Systems

Locally activated and globally applied systems.

LPS - Small Enclosure Suppression Systems Scheme

– Loss Prevention Schemes

• Requirements and testing procedures for the LPCB Certification and Listing of Small Enclosure Fire Suppression Systems

LPS Scheme Principles

Principle of systems design:

• Detection

• Annunciation

• Extinction

Design requirements

– Protect the cabinet and prevent breakout.

– Direct and/or Indirect systems

– Automatic with manual actuation as an option

– Detection of fires with automatic activation within the cabinet

– Option to shut-down the fan / AC supply on manual actuation or by detection system.

Design requirements

– Suppression system components shall be compatible with the environment

– Where cleaning/ agents chemicals etc are used these shall not impact on system performance.

– Provide signal for alarm system.

– External monitoring of local system pressure

System Manual & Installers

– System Manual– shall contain full instructions for the design,

installation, operation, recharge and maintenance of the system.

– Installers– The system supplier shall:

• Ensure design and installation of systems are carried out only by authorised agents;

• Maintain and make available a list of authorised agents;• Ensure agents design, install and maintain systems in

accordance with the manufacturer’s requirements and take appropriate action if this is not carried out;

• …….

Component Test

COMPONENT TESTSUsed to assess the reliability and suitability of the major components in a system.

Distribution

DISTRIBUTION TESTS– Investigate agent distribution balance in extremes of

system design.

– Operating Temperature range limited to -20 / +60

– Maximum / minimum pressure range

Fire Test

– Three Scenarios:– Flaming Component– Falling Debris– Low level smouldering

– Design Parameters– Fan Speed On/Off– Maximum / Minimum Discharge Pressure– Location of detection points – Direct

discharge

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Codes and Third Party Approvals

Codes and Standards

Building Codes/RegulationsBuilding Codes/Regulations

Installation/System CodesInstallation/System Codes

Product StandardsProduct Standards

Controls

– Regulations

• Building Regulations• Regulatory Reform Order – Fire Safety

– Insurers

• Third Party Approvals

– End Users • company policy• local practice

Test Reports

A test report is a statement of fact –

a snapshot in timerelated solely to the product presented at the time of testing and the reports only the information detailed in the Standard.

Buyer beware• Was the sample representative?

• ‘Golden’ Sample

• Fully compliant with the standard?

• Independent?• Manufacturer tested?– UKAS or ILAC recognised (International Laboratory

Accreditation Cooperation)

• Will future products be the same?• What if Materials, designs or processes change?

• No surveillance audits

Risk to the end user or specifier

• Common claims:

• “Complies with …”• “Designed to …”• “Tested to …”

• These claims are no guarantee that products will continue to meet the standards or that they fully compile.

• Always read the Test Report

Third Party Approvals & Test Reports

Third Party Approval– Initial Type Test of System

– Approval of Manufacturers QMS (ISO 9001)

– Assessment of FPC

– Product Audit testing

– QMS & FPC Surveillance visits

– Marking

– Redbook Listing

www.Redbooklive.com

Application Application Review Evaluation FPC Review Decision

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Timetable

Timetable

– Technical Review

– First Approvals Autumn 2014

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Summary

Summary

• Incidents & Consequences

• Fire principles

• Suppression options

• Codes & Approval Schemes

• Timetable

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Thank You

Questions