The Role of Fire Suppression Systems in Sustainable Building Design
Our environment is an ever-increasing focus for both building designers and the end user. Sustainable structures seek to be environmentally responsible not only in the design and engineering phase but through the structural lifetime. Through attention to principles such as energy efficiency, water conservation, the use of sustainable materials, indoor air quality becomes important. Even the environmental impact of the eventual demotion of the building may be a part of the long-term focus.
From these standpoints, any fire suppression system installed in a structure must also be considered. Considerations to provide the highest level of safety with the least environmental impact through the life of the building and the fire suppression system are critical. The fire safety system must be designed based on the core principles of sustainability, protecting people, preserving resources, and ensuring long-term viability.
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Understanding Fire Suppression systems
Fire suppression systems can be broken down into five basic types, depending on the type of fire suppression agent they employ or the method of delivery. The five types of fire suppression systems normally found in commercial structures include:
- Water-based systems,
- Gas-based systems,
- Powder-based systems,
- Foam systems, and,
- Wet chemical systems.
Each of these types of fire suppression systems has pros and cons, especially when considering an eco-friendly fire protection plan. Advances in technology have created new and exciting green construction materials that may also present special challenges for fire safety in sustainable construction.
Traditional vs. Modern Suppression Systems in Sustainability
Water is the most traditionally used fire suppression agent in the fire suppression system. Standpipe and sprinkler systems are well known. Chemical-based systems and gas-based systems are also considered traditional fire suppression systems in certain categories of exposure and risk.
Newer fire suppression systems use water mist systems and clean agent systems to provide more sustainable and environmentally friendly options for fire protection. More modern systems produce better results in the event of system activation than the more traditional methods. Typically, these systems produce less damage because of the delivery of the fire suppression agent, demand less cleanup and abatement after activation, and are considered environmentally safe.
Environmental Impact of Traditional Fire Suppression Systems
Older water-based fire suppression systems work well when properly maintained. However, from a sustainability point-of-view, the activation of a traditional water-based fire suppression system can be devastating. Some sprinkler heads can deliver as much as 15 gallons of water per minute when activated. According to recent data collected by the Minnesota State Fire Marshal Division, in 38 percent of fires where sprinklers were activated, five to ten sprinkler heads were involved. This can put a lot of water into a structure during firefighting activities. 1 The cost to the environment and the eventual clean-up can add considerably to the sustained losses incurred.
1 Sprinkler Effectiveness, Minnesota State Fire Marshal Division, November 2019, Sprinkler_Effectiveness_2004-2018.pdf
Where older fire suppression systems are still in use, the presence of less than desirable fire suppression agents can lead to more negative results. Many of these legacy chemical systems are dangerous and present a life safety hazard of their own. Some of these chemical agents are known to be environmental hazards as well, which can jeopardize any sustainability plans. Converting or retrofitting these traditional fire suppression systems can be a challenge and add expense to any plan to create a sustainable structure .
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Innovative Fire Suppression Technologies for Green Buildings
Sustainable building methods have become a focus for almost all parts of the design and construction industry. This has led to an increasing number of innovative new technologies for fire protection and suppression. Designers and engineers now have an array of fire suppression options that meet the needs of sustainable building design.
Water Mist Systems
Rather than delivering the large flow rates and heavy droplets of normal sprinkler heads, the water mist system deploys water as fine droplets that are more efficient at absorbing heat and effectively suppressing fire. These systems use up to 90% less water than traditional water systems. These water mist systems are more environmentally friendly. 2
Clean Agent Suppression Systems
Clean agent systems using products such as FK-5-1-12 offer exciting possibilities for fire suppression systems in the right situations. These agents leave no residue after deployment, are considered non-toxic and environmentally neutral, as well as being safe for people.. 3
Eco-friendly foam and gas alternatives
Foam has long been used in fire suppression systems, but the chemical composition of the traditional firefighting foams is often harmful to both people and the environment. Newer biodegradable foams created from plant-based ingredients break down quickly in the environment after their use.
In situations where small high-value systems in enclosed areas need protection, gas-based systems are popular. Gas-based systems are not suitable for large open areas and there are considerations about use in enclosed spaces where people may be present. Gas-based systems differ significantly from water-based systems with distinct advantages and disadvantages.
Gas suppression systems should not be seen as alternatives to sprinkler style fire suppression systems, but as adjunct systems to protect critical or highly valued equipment. Areas where high voltage equipment, spaces where irretrievable assets are stored, or spaces containing equipment that are easily damaged by water are prime locations for a gas-based fire suppression system.
2 Eco-Friendly Fire Suppressions: Green Solutions for Fire Safety, Eco-Friendly Fire Suppression: Green Solutions for Fire Safety — Damien Frearson
3
Revolutionizing Fire Safety: The Top 2024 Innovations you can't Ignore,
Revolutionizing Fire Safety: The Top 2024 Innovations You Can't Ignore
Smart detection and suppression integration
Fire protection system designers have not ignored the recent innovations in technology and are rapidly integrating these new technologies into more sophisticated monitoring systems. Faster acting detection, more sophisticated AI management, and more resilient designs are rapidly advancing the efficiency and effectiveness of fire suppression systems. This means a more rapid response, creating less environmental damage and property damage, lowering costs and losses.
Compliance with Green Building Standards
One of the significant challenges in designing and constructing a structure for sustainability is meeting the many green building standards. One of the most important is to gain LEED certifications by ensuring that fire protection and life safety systems meet the LEED certification requirements. Meeting these requirements can lead to advantages such as sustainable sites credits, energy and atmosphere credits, and material selection credits.
These compliance issues must also be addressed within the requirements for Canadian Building and Life Safety regulations and any international or local standards for fire and life protection. Unfortunately, this can be a complex and challenging task that requires careful planning during the design phases and the construction phases. Budget constraints may also be a limiting factor. 4
Best Practices for Integrating Fire Suppression in Sustainable Design
When considering a sustainable building project, the decisions and goals made early in the process can significantly affect the future of the project. Planning in the early stages must include collaboration between engineers, designers, and system manufacturers to ensure that the project includes the needed systems and expertise. Chief among these collaborators are the system designers and manufacturers who can provide insights from the most basic elements to long-term lifecycle sustainability concepts. For more information about case studies of successful sustainable building designs, Harvard University has a collection of case studies accessible through this link . 5
Future Trends in Sustainable Fire Protection
Technological advances in almost every area of modern life are affecting fire suppression and green building initiatives. Fire suppression system designers are working on the cutting edge to integrate smart technologies, such as AI and the Internet of Things (IoT) into fire suppression technology. Advances in fire-resistive materials and new eco-friendly fire suppression agents offer greater fire protection with less environmental impact. The overall goal of these efforts is to create and install sustainable and environmentally friendly fire protection systems.
4 Infrastructure: Green Building Overview and Issues, Congressional Research Service, 22.pdf (SECURED)
5 Harvard Engineering & Utilities, Green Building Resource, LEED Case Studies, LEED Case Studies | Harvard Energy & Facilities
Conclusion
Fire suppression systems remain an important part of any building design. Fire safety systems become even more important when sustainability is a major consideration for the structure. Protecting the environment is now as important as the protection of people and property. These considerations will only grow in the future.
If you are considering a green building project, you should contact Control Fire Systems to ensure that your design and engineering team gets the best information and advice on sustainable solutions for your fire and life safety systems. Call our sales team today to make an appointment to discuss your project.
