Fire Detection and Alarm Systems (FDAS), a brief guide to Qatar fire protection engineering practice in the building environment

Abstract

This article paper will provide a course background with the requirement of the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) which is the QCDD for the Fire Detection and Alarm System (FDAS) on all building scales applications within the building built environment in Qatar constructions. And thus, provides a learning process and experiences that will applies within the course of my study and research over time in particular with Fire Protection and Safety Engineering, and sharing with you something on design aspect and even in the construction side.

Gomeseria, R. V. (2019, May 15). Fire Detection and Alarm System. https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/U2BCF

Insight

The Fire Detection and Alarm Systems (FDAS) is one of the branch subject course topics of Fire Protection and Safety Engineering. And with reference to NFPA Fire Protection Handbooks, and also, with the Building Services Engineering, which was described in my past Article published via LinkedIn (Building Services Engineering Management, an introduction that needs to understand…), which is part of my AIU Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering Subject Course with “Fire System Design and Analysis”. However, the essential thought in the building facility is the smoke detection system, which has been designed for the system to discover fires at the early stage of their development so that the time availability will secure for the safe evacuation of occupants in the building. With the early detection, the system will play a significant role in protecting the safety of emergency response personnel where building property loss can be reduced, and downtime for the operation will minimize. Because of the control efforts which have started while the fire source is still small. Most buildings designed alarm systems have provided information to emergency responders on the location where the fire source began, and thus, speeding the process of fire control within the building environment.

FDAS Design Practice Requirement in the State of Qatar

Throughout my practice in Qatar have had consolidated the general Fire Detection and Alarm Systems (FDA ) requirements for the development of any building structures in Qatar. Which will be provided in accordance with the Qatar Law through the Qatar Civil Defence Department Fire Safety Standards (FSS) , as the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) with setting forth relevance and coordination with other authorities like KAHRAMAA and ASHGHAL Regulations, and applicable National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 70 and NFPA 72) Codes and Standards to applied in the building.

The main objective is to provide an overview of the Fire Detection and Alarm System (FDAS) strategically for any Buildings Project that has to be developed as well as ensuring compliance with the prescriptive requirements in support of the formal approval process as defined by the Qatar Civil Defence (QCD) in the country that needs to be achieved.

In Qatar, the AHJ, which is the Qatar Civil Defence Department (QCDD) have enforced and require the use of the QCD Fire Safety Standards and the NFPAs suite of Codes and Standards of Practices for applications. NFPAs applicable edition of the following Codes and Standards are the basis of design for any building environment structures as follows:

• Qatar Civil Defence Fire Safety Standards Series (QCD FSS)
• KAHRAMAA and ASHGHAL Regulations
• NFPA 1, Fire Code
• NFPA 14, Standard for Installation of Standpipe, and Hose Systems
• NFPA 16, Standard for the Installation of Foam-Water Sprinkler and Foam-Water Spray Systems
• NFPA 20, Installation of Stationary Pumps
• NFPA 22, Water Tanks for Private Fire Protection
• NFPA 24, Standard for Installation of Private Fire Service Mains and Their Appurtenances
• NFPA 45, Standard on Fire Protection for Laboratories Using Chemicals
• NFPA 70, National Electric Code
• NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm Code
• NFPA 75, Standard for the fire protection of information technology equipment
• NFPA 76, Standard for the fire protection of telecommunications facilities
• NFPA 90A, Standard for Installation of Air-conditioning and Ventilating Systems
• NFPA 92, Standard for Smoke Control Systems
• NFPA 101, Life Safety Code
• NFPA 110, Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems
• NFPA 400, Hazardous Materials Code
• NFPA 5000, Building Construction and Safety Code

Qatar Civil Defence (QCD) will play an integral role in the development of the design and the fire safety provisions that to incorporate in the buildings. Although QCD is not actively involved in the design, however, all design solutions and proposals concerning architectural, structural, and MEP are subject to the approval of QCD, the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) in the country in securing building permits before construction within the Tender IFC Stage of design.

Accordingly, the AHJ has full mandate to arbitrate any interpretation of the codes, or even request features above and beyond the prescriptive guidance during the approval process.

"...the AHJ has full mandate to arbitrate any interpretation of the codes, or even request features above and beyond the prescriptive guidance..."

All buildings shall be protected throughout by an approved with total (complete) coverage smoke detection system in providing occupant notification. The fire Detection and Alarm Systems (FDAS) shall installed following NFPA 72.

In the Fire Alarm Notification, visual and audible alarms have to provide throughout the buildings structures, and these shall design in accordance with NFPA 72 applicable to all building environmental facilities that include, Health Care, High-Rise Buildings, Mixed Used, Offices, Hotels, commercial, industrial, military institution and others as specified and identifies in NFPA 101. Once initiated, it will activate an alert signal in the location where the fire command center is located, and these will acknowledge within 15 seconds, there will then be a 3-minute period of investigation. If ever a fire is confirmed in the building facility, then a full evacuation sequence will be initiated for the affected building. Emergency forces notification might be provided to alert the fire department of fire or another emergency as specified.

Additionally, in the Fire Alarm Interfacing, the Fire Detection and Alarm System (FDAS) will have to be interfaced with the building services to initiate the plant shutdown where applicable and the return of all lifts to the ground level.

Any multimedia or sound system within the building facility have to be connected to the fire alarm system to ensure that the operations will automatically shut down when a fire is detected from anywhere sources within the building.

The fire alarm system will also be used to operate the automatic smoke management systems and the emergency forces notification system for the entire building.

Observation and Conclusion

In the preparation of the design or even in the construction stage, the following fire alarm system components are typically linked to a fire alarm control panel via SLC loops, NACs, and relays with the flame detectors, heat detectors, smoke detectors (the ionization, photoelectric, and others as mentioned in NFPA 72.). CO detectors, fire sprinklers, fire hose, radio repeaters, signal translators; node panels; and fire suppression systems which have designed in the building environment are essentials. However, emergency call systems individually hardwired via phone lines.

The designed fire alarm control panels (FACPs) in the building facility will relay fire detection and response communications between detectors, alarms, suppression systems, and monitoring stations. A control panel accordingly triggers visual, auditory, and occasionally other types of notification devices to alert inhabitants of an emergency situation; this most often results in the building's evacuation. Essential and invaluable structures will have a fire suppression system consisting of water-based sprinklers, dry or wet chemical dispersal systems, or a gas blanketing system. Simultaneously the panel informs a monitoring center of the alarm status, and individuals at the receiving location determine ensuing procedures. The control panel, however, can also control the HVAC systems, automation controllers, access points, and elevators to isolate the fire or route personnel during an emergency.

Thereby, alarms will supplement with communications devices, which allow providing specific information and instructions to the building occupants. Usually, people tend not always to respond as they should when a fire alarm sounds. However, through emergency voice communications system can significantly improve the response of the building occupants.

As a conclusion, Fire Detection and Alarm Systems (FDAS) are an essential part of the overall building fire protection process where discovering fires in the early stage will contribute in protecting building occupants, limiting property damage, and minimizing interruption of the entire building operation.

References

Ronald Valledor Gomeseria; (2013) "Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Fire System Design and Analysis", Atlantic International University, School of Science and Engineering, USA

Ronald Valledor Gomeseria; (2018) "Master of Science in Construction Management", Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Faculty of Graduate Studies, Philippines

Ronald Valledor Gomeseria; (Ongoing) "Master of Science in Fire Protection and Safety Engineering", IICSE University, Faculty of Distance Education, USA

Ronald Valledor Gomeseria; (2018) "DBCE 103 Building Fire Protection and Safety Engineering, Ph.D. in Building and Construction Engineering", Atlantic International University, School of Science and Engineering, USA

NFPAs Codes and Standards, and the NFPA Fire Protection Handbooks

FDAS is an excerpt topic and edited to suit with this article from my "Fire System Design and Analysis" Thesis Research Application in 2011 submitted to the Atlantic International University (AIU USA) in one of the approved subject courses curricula, "Fire System Design and Analysis"

Article Write-up Reference