Fire Protection

Introduction

Fire protection system is required only during fire hazard and such hazard is a rare incident. Hence unless a maintainability plan is adopted, there is a high possibility that during emergency it may remain inoperative. Especially for non-sprinkled buildings fire brigade relies upon fire hydrants. As these are usually under supervision of local water department, it has a higher probability of being forgotten or being camouflaged by landscaping, parking or any other outdoor structure.

For a performance oriented design of fire protection system, various recognised guidelines such as SFPE Engineering Guide (NFPA & SFPE, 2000) can be consulted. In Singapore SCDF (Singapore Civil Defence Force0 provides the necessary guidelines. All fire protection equipments are standardised elements as approved by the local fire department. However at any instant deviation is not allowed as such unfamiliarity or non compatibility with fire brigade tools may create critical confusion for fire fighters and cause un-repairable damage.

The good practices guideline and corresponding grades are provided for:

• Introduction
• Design
• Construction/Installation
• Maintenance
• References