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Fire Inspection and�Code Enforcement

8th Edition�Inspector II

Chapter 13 — Special-Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems and Portable Extinguishers

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�Learning Objective 1

Identify the appropriate evaluation and testing methods for special-agent fire extinguishing systems.

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Know the duties required for inspecting dry-chemical systems.

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Evaluate the application methods, agents, components

Evaluate inspection and testing requirements

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NFPA® 17 recommends that qualified personnel perform monthly procedures.

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Check all parts of the system to verify that they are in their proper locations and connected

Inspect manual actuators for obstructions

Inspect the tamper indicators and seals to note that they are intact

Check the maintenance tag or certificate for proper placement

Examine the entire system for any obvious damage

Check the pressure gauges to verify that they read within their operable ranges

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The inspector should be able to review records of inspections and maintenance.

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Problems should be corrected immediately

In most cases, this situation requires notification of the organization responsible for the maintenance

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Verify that hydrostatic testing is �up-to-date for storage containers.

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Containers (cylinders) less than 150 pounds (75 kg) must be hydrostatically tested every 12 years

Larger storage cylinders have no hydrostatic test requirements

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Inspectors also need to check all auxiliary functions.

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Audible/visible alarms

Power shutdowns for process equipment

Functionality of ventilation fans

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REVIEW QUESTION

Describe the inspection requirements for dry-chemical systems.

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Know the duties required for inspecting wet-chemical systems.

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Basically the same as those used for dry-chemical extinguishing systems

NFPA®17A, Standard for Wet Chemical Extinguishing Systems, contains detailed requirements

Verify system maintenance

Verify all manufacturer-required system checks

Courtesy of Rich Mahaney

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Review several items when inspecting wet-chemical systems.

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System parts are in their correct location

Manual actuators are unobstructed

Tamper indicators and seals are intact

Maintenance tags are in place and up-to-date

Obvious damage is noted

Gauges are within operational limits

Equipment modifications or repairs are noted

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REVIEW QUESTION

What is included in an inspection of wet-chemical systems?

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Know where to find inspection and testing requirements for clean-agent systems.

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NFPA® 2001, Standard on Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems

NFPA® 12A, Standard on Halon 1301 Fire Extinguishing Systems

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Become familiar with some of the inspection requirements for �clean-agent systems.

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Annual inspections by qualified personnel are required for all system components

Quantity and pressure of the clean-agent must be checked semiannually

Records on all tests and inspections must be maintained and available for review

(Cont.)

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Become familiar with some of the inspection requirements for �clean-agent systems.

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Types of agents used in the systems

System components

Inspection and testing requirements

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Know inspection requirements for various parts of clean-agent systems.

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Meet U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and Transport Canada (TC) requirements
Be hydrostatically tested every 5 years

Containers

For local application must be pressure tested annually

Hoses

Determine that the integrity of the space has not been compromised by penetrations

Protected enclosures

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REVIEW QUESTION

List some of the items an inspector should verify when inspecting clean-agent systems.

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Understand the complexities of CO₂ systems.

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Only fire suppression system contractors, licensed by the manufacturer, should perform maintenance and testing

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Inspectors need to be familiar with the requirements for servicing a CO₂system.

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Physical damage to components

Excessive corrosion

Change in hazard

Enclosure integrity

Up-to-date records

Cylinders checked semiannually

Hydrostatic testing requirements are the same as for clean-agent systems

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REVIEW QUESTION

What should inspectors look for when inspecting CO₂ systems?

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Foam systems require specially trained personnel for inspections, servicing, and testing.

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Highly complex systems

NFPA® 25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems

Procedures described by the manufacturer of the system must be followed

Because some state governments may modify standards, inspectors need to check those regulations as well

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Know what duties an inspector has regarding foam systems.

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Check for signs of sludge, damage, or deterioration
Verify that inspections have been performed and documented

Concentrate tank

Check all valves and alarms attached to the system

Semiannually

Check foam concentrates, foam equipment, and foam proportioning systems
Verify that qualitative tests are performed on the concentrate to certify that no contamination is present

Annually

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REVIEW QUESTION

What items do inspectors need to verify when inspecting foam fire suppression systems?

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�Learning Objective 2

Describe proper selection, distribution, inspection, and maintenance of portable fire extinguishers.

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Understand the factors that influence proper selection and distribution of fire extinguishers.

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Nature of the hazard to be protected

Extinguisher size

Travel distances

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Understand additional factors that influence proper selection and distribution of fire extinguishers.

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Potential severity (size, intensity, and rate of fire spread) of any resulting fire

Physical abilities
Emotional characteristics
Training in extinguisher use

Personnel available

Temperature
Winds
Presence of toxic gases or fumes

Environmental conditions

(Cont.)

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Understand additional factors that influence proper selection and distribution of fire extinguishers.

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Between the extinguishing agent and the burning material

Any anticipated adverse chemical reactions

Exposure of the extinguisher operator to heat
Products of combustion
Extinguishing agent

Any health and occupational safety concerns

Inspection and service required to maintain the extinguishers

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The nature of hazards dictate the type, size, number and location of fire extinguishers.

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Some hazards may require additional extinguishers beyond the distribution required by the locally adopted code

Described in NFPA® 10
Used nationally and consists of classifying occupancies

Light (low) hazard
Ordinary (moderate) hazard
Extra (high) hazard

General method for locating or distributing extinguishers

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Inspectors need to know the characteristics of a light-hazard occupancy.

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Amount of ordinary combustible material or flammable liquids present is such that a small incipient fire may be expected

Includes classrooms, churches, assembly halls

Some parts of an occupancy that are classified as light hazard may actually be ordinary hazard

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Inspectors need to know the characteristics of an ordinary-hazard occupancy.

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Amount of ordinary combustibles and flammable liquids present would likely result in a moderate incipient fire

Fire growth would not be so rapid as to be beyond the control of fire extinguishers if discovered quickly

Includes mercantile storage and display, light manufacturing facilities, parking garages, some warehouses

Courtesy of Ron Moore, McKinney (TX) Fire Department

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Inspectors need to know the characteristics of an extra-hazard occupancy.

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Amount of ordinary combustible materials and flammable liquids present are high and a rapidly spreading fire may develop

Includes automotive repair shops, painting facilities, manufacturing operations that use flammable liquids, restaurants with deep fat fryers, and locations with high-piled storage of combustibles

Courtesy of Rich Mahaney

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Understand fire extinguisher size and location requirements for Class A fuels.

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NFPA® 10 recommends the minimum size extinguisher needed and the maximum floor area to be protected by the extinguisher for Class A fuels
Maximum travel distance to an extinguisher for Class A hazards is 75 feet (25 m)

Class A fuels

(Cont.)

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Understand fire extinguisher size and location requirements for Class A fuels.

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Understand fire extinguisher size and location requirements for Class B fuels.

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Travel distance to the hazard is the most important factor in determining the distribution
Flammable liquid fires develop very rapidly and occur in a variety of situations that are fundamentally different from a fire control standpoint

Class B fuels

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Understand special considerations for Class B fuels.

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Spill fire where the flammable liquid does not have depth
Flammable liquids with depth
Individual hazards involving flammable liquids with depth are often protected by fixed extinguishing systems
These systems lessen the requirements for fire extinguishers; do not eliminate the need
Spill fires that occur beyond the reach of a fixed system require the use of portable extinguishers

Special considerations

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Understand fire extinguisher size and location requirements for Class C fuels.

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No special spacing rules are required for Class C hazards because fires involving energized electrical equipment usually involve Class A or Class B fuels

Class C fuels

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Understand fire extinguisher size and location requirements for Class D fuels.

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Placement and distribution cannot be generalized
NFPA®10 recommends only that the travel distance for Class D extinguishers not exceed 75 feet (25 m)

Class D fuels

Specific metal
Amount of metal present
Configuration of the metal
Characteristics of the extinguishing agent

Placement analysis

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Understand fire extinguisher size and location requirements for Class K fuels.

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Employees in commercial kitchens are responsible for maintaining appropriate cooking temperatures to ensure safety
NFPA®10 has assigned a more restrictive distance requirement
Maximum travel distance from the hazard to the extinguisher is reduced to 30 feet (10 m)

Class K fuels

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REVIEW QUESTION

What are the main factors that influence the proper distribution of portable fire extinguishers?

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Effectiveness of portable fire extinguishers is limited by the ability of the building occupants to use them.

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Inspectors are not responsible for this type of training

Inspectors can inquire about how well and how often the occupants are trained

Training is a service that the fire department can provide if no other source is available

Inspectors can recommend that training be given and provide information on who to contact

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Without regular inspections, fire extinguishers can be rendered useless.

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Stolen, misplaced, or obstructed

Damaged as a result of being struck by a vehicle

Low in pressure

Used on a fire and replaced without being recharged

Clogged with solid agent

Courtesy of Rich Mahaney

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Periodic fire extinguisher inspections are very important to fire and life safety in a facility.

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Simply checking to verify that they have not been stolen or vandalized is an important part of industrial plant protection

Usually performed by building or facility personnel but may be performed by fire suppression or inspection personnel

Important to consult local or state licensing/certification requirements for servicing

Courtesy of Rich Mahaney

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NFPA® 10 recommends monthly fire extinguisher inspections.

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Owner/occupant is responsible for keeping accurate records

Should feature the inspector’s name or initials
Bar code readers may also be used to record the inspection
Also provides the owner/occupant with chronological data to verify compliance with codes and insurance requirements

Extinguisher inspection tag

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Be sure to check the inspection tag and the service collar tag.

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Made of polyethylene or aluminum
Tightened down against the opening of the extinguisher body
Purpose is to verify that the extinguisher was actually opened and discharged during maintenance
Will have maintenance data impressed into the plastic for the inspector’s records
Must not be damaged
Verify the inspection has occurred

Service collar tag

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Inspectors need to check the same items the owner/occupant did.

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Make sure the extinguisher is properly located

Verify that access is not obstructed

Check that the extinguisher is suitable for the hazard protected

Check the inspection tag to determine if maintenance is due

Examine the nozzle or horn for obstructions

Verify that lock pins or tamper seals are intact

(Cont.)

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Inspectors need to check the same things the owner/occupant did.

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Check for signs of physical damage

Check that the extinguisher is fully charged with expellant and agent

Check that the pressure gauge indicates proper operating pressure

Check collar tag for current information and/or damage

Check that required signage is in place

Check to see if the operating instructions on the extinguisher nameplate are legible

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Inspectors need to know when to perform fire extinguisher maintenance and who should do it.

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Whenever an inspection reveals the need for maintenance
Unit is due for periodic maintenance required by the manufacturer

When

Personnel who are trained and certified by the extinguisher manufacturer

Who

For more information on maintenance intervals and fire extinguisher inspection, see NFPA®10

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REVIEW QUESTION

What should an inspector look for when inspecting portable fire extinguishers?

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�Summary

Special-agent extinguishing systems and portable fire extinguishers are major components of fire and life safety systems.

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(Cont.)

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�Summary

This chapter provided the fire inspector with an overview of the types of special-agent systems and portable fire extinguishers that might be found during a building or facility fire inspection.

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(Cont.)

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�Summary

The inspector should become familiar with the specific types of special-agent fire extinguishing systems that are found locally as well as the locally adopted codes and standards that govern the distribution and installation of portable fire extinguishers.

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