User Manual

Fire Safety
42
Building Technologies 049_Archives_and_Libraries_A6
V10271399_a_en.doc
Fire Safety & Security Products 03.2009
4.4 Extinguishing System
4.4.1 Basic aspects
A good fire safety concept for archives and libraries usually includes passive fire
protection measures (fire resistant walls, floors, doors, etc. that attempt to contain
or slow the spread of fires) fire detection, alarm and evacuation systems (as al-
ready stated in the chapter before) and often being prepared for a fire, requires the
implementation of a fire extinguishing system.
In terms of fire extinguishing archives and libraries have very different require-
ments:
– archives:
Are meant for the conservation of items, with often high legal or economic
value. Usually are unique or original items. They consist of limited storage
volumes with controlled atmosphere for the proper conservation and security
measures. are suitable, provided the archive room is tightly sealed.
– libraries:
Are meant to make knowledge and literature publicly available. Usually con-
sist of very large areas to store information and make it available for reading
and investigation. Depending on the volume of the room and the values pre-
served, gas based solutions might be applicable; in case of very big volumes
the use of water based fire fighting system is more suitable.
Water based fire fighting solutions offer a good protection for buildings and can be
useful for fire contention. Nevertheless there is a constant threat to provoke dam-
age to contents and building infrastructure through water leakage and water flood-
ing. J. A. Wilson from the Smithsonian Institution assures: Many people in the cul-
tural field also have an innate fear of having pipes filled with water overhead, a dis-
aster waiting to happen. This fear is probably grounded in the many mishaps that
occur with other piping systems, e.g. domestic water lines, roof and other drains,
condenser lines, etc.
The types of automatic sprinkler systems recommended for archives and libraries,
are the ones with control valve where the system can be turned off, and water-flow
alarm that activates when water movement occurs within the pipes and transmits
the alarm to a constantly attended control room.
– Pre-action system: Pipes are normally dry. A fire detection system must be
installed in the same area as the sprinklers. Activation of this supplemental
fire detection system opens a valve that allows water to fill the pipes. Water is
not released until a sprinkler head is activated. This type of system minimizes
the possibility of accidental water damage due to a sprinkler pipe or head be-
ing mechanically damaged.
– Dry-pipe system: Overhead pipes are filled with air under pressure. The air
pressure is significant enough to hold "closed" a valve that allows water into
the system. Should a sprinkler head open, the air bleeds off and the water
valve is allowed to open. Water then flows through the system and out of the
open heads. This type of system should only be used in areas subject to
freezing. The use of dry-pipe systems in historic buildings should be limited to
loading docks, unheated structures, etc.