What exactly is checked during the building fire safety inspection?

Thread Content

What exactly is checked during the building fire safety inspection? 1. Key points regarding outdoor fire protection in residential communities
1.1 Outdoor fire protection measures in residential communities
● Outdoor low-pressure fire protection piping network ； ●　Outdoor fire hydrants, fire pumps ； ●　High-pressure fire protection pipeline network (for indoor fire fighting) ； ● Fire water tank, fire water intake ； ●　Outdoor fire pump room ； ●　Fire pump coupling. 1.2 Outdoor fire protection piping systems 1.2.1 Low-pressure fire protection piping systems ● Used for supplying water to outdoor fire hydrants or for low-pressure sprinkler systems. ●　When the pressure of municipal tap water is not lower than 0.1 MPa, it can be used in conjunction with the tap water supply network. ●　When there is no municipal tap water or the water pressure is below 0.1 MPa, fire pumps are used to pressurize the water supply. ●　A circular pipe network must be installed. ●　3 m away from the building foundation. ●　Materials: water supply cast iron pipes, galvanized steel pipes inside and outside, and welded pipes with enhanced corrosion resistance. The fire pump has two suction pipes, and the fire hydrant pump has two connection pipes to the fire protection network. The outlet pipe of the spray pump has two water supply pipes in front of the alarm valve. Pipeline installation ● Connection: fork joints, clamps, welding. ●　Burial depth: 150 mm below the freezing line. ●　Laying: On the original soil layer, fine soil is backfilled and compacted in sections. ●　In the case of collapsible loess, a sand and gravel cushion as well as a concrete cushion should be used. ●　Hydraulic test, flushing. 1.2.2 High-pressure fire protection piping network ● Used to supply water to indoor fire hydrants or sprinkler systems in high-rise buildings. When the lower and upper parts are used together, the pressure of the lower-end equipment must be reduced, with the plug port pressure not exceeding 50 mH2O. ●　Consider a circular pipe network. ●　When there is no municipal tap water or when the water pressure is below 0.1 MPa, outdoor fire hydrants can share the high-pressure pipeline network with indoor systems. Pressure-reducing measures must be taken so that the pressure at the hydrant outlet does not exceed 50 mH2O. ●　Fire hydrant and sprinkler systems generally have two separate piping networks. The fire pump has two suction pipes, and the fire hydrant pump has two connection pipes to the fire protection network. The outlet pipe of the spray pump has two water supply pipes in front of the alarm valve. At least 3 meters away from buildings; in areas with collapsible loam, at least 4 meters. The pipeline is buried 150 mm below the freezing line. The pipe materials and installation requirements are the same as those for low-pressure piping networks. 1.3 Outdoor fire protection equipment and structures 1.3.1 Outdoor fire hydrants and fire water pumps ● Underground fire hydrants, in sets of 2, SN100+SN65. ●　The spacing is ≤120m, with a maximum service radius of 150m. ●　For fire hydrants, there are no uniform regulations based on local requirements. ●　Insulated manhole covers; the covers have clear markings. ●　More than 5 meters and within 15 meters from the building. 1.3.2 Fire water tank ● Capacity for fire fighting water: 2 hours for fire hydrants (3 hours in some cases), 1 hour for sprinklers. ●　Total volume of water used for indoor and outdoor fire fighting. ●　The amount of water that enters during fire suppression can be deducted, but two inlet pipes are required. ●　Provide manholes and water inlets; the water inlets must be located at least 15 meters away from buildings. ●　It can be installed indoors, but the water intake should be located outdoors (15 meters away). ● There should be 2 vent pipes and access holes at the water inlet. ●　The pump shaft is below the normal water level in the tank, and the suction inlet is below the minimum water level. ●　There should be anti-freezing measures and measures to prevent rainwater from backflowing. 1.3.3 Fire Pump Room ● One fire pump and one sprinkler pump, with one in use and one as a backup (they can be shared if the conditions permit). ●　 There are two suction pipes for the pool. ●　 There are two supply pipes in the fire hydrant network ； There are two supply pipes in front of the automatic sprinkler alarm valve. ●　Valves and pressure gauges are installed at the inlet and outlet of the water pump, with a check valve at the outlet. The water inlet of the pump is below the normal water level of the fire tank, and the suction port is below the lowest water level. The head and flow rate of the water pump meet the requirements. In conjunction with the fire control room, the fire pump and sprinkler pump can start automatically, as well as be started manually from a distance. 1.3. 4 Main items for the visual inspection of outdoor fire protection systems: ● Number, spacing, and location of fire hydrants ； ●　 Material and burial depth of circular fire protection pipes ； ●　 Fire pump coupling. ●　 Location of the fire water tank, location of the water intake ； ●　 Location of fire pump room and parameters for facility configuration ； ●　 Trial operation of the fire water supply system. 2. Indoor Fire Protection 2.1 Fire Protection in Residential Buildings 2.1.1 Contents of Fire Protection in Residential Buildings Fire water supply ● Indoor fire hydrant system ； ●　Automatic sprinkler system ； ● Fire water tank ； ●　Pressure relief device ； ●　Fire pump coupling ； ●　Fire extinguishers and gas fire suppression equipment ； ●　Smoke prevention and exhaust ● Smoke prevention measures ● Exhaust measures 2.1.2 Residential indoor fire hydrant systems ● In multi-story buildings (up to 27 meters high, approximately 7 floors or less), fire hydrants may not be required ； ●　High-rise residential buildings with a height of 27–33 meters are equipped with two-nozzle fire hydrants; single-pipe dual-nozzle fire hydrants can also be installed ； ●　In high-rise residential buildings with a height of over 33 meters, two vertical pipes and two water supply hoses for fire hydrants are required; a fire hydrant must be installed in the vestibule of the fire elevator, and its quantity is included in the total count. ●　When there are more than 10 fire hydrants and the outdoor fire water flow rate exceeds 15 L/S, a fire pump coupling is required. ●　For residences with unheated stairwells, a dry-type fire hydrant system can be used. Provide a quick-opening valve and an automatic exhaust device. ●　The vertical risers and horizontal main pipes of the fire hydrant system should form a loop. ●　The system should have two inlets connected to the outdoor ring piping network, with valves and check valves installed at the inlets. ●　The maximum operating water pressure at the fire hydrant outlet shall not exceed 0.5 MPa (50 m water column); in cases where this value is exceeded, pressure-stabilizing and reducing fire hydrants must be used. ●　 The maximum dynamic and static water pressures at the inlet of the fire hydrant system shall not exceed 0.8 MPa; if this limit is exceeded, pressure reduction or a zoned system shall be implemented. ●　Fire hydrants are installed in residential basements, with at least two water streams reaching each point. ●　The fire hydrant hose has a start button, which can be activated directly from the fire control center. There is no direct control of the water pump by a fire alarm system. ●　Location for connecting the outlet pipe of the fire water tank: The tank is to be used solely for connecting to the building’s fire main ； Used for the outdoor high-pressure fire protection piping network connecting multiple buildings in a residential complex. ●　In collapsible loess areas, buried pipes inside buildings and within 4 meters of them require a sand and gravel cushion, foundation, or leak prevention trench. Commercial service outlets: ● Commercially used spaces on the 1st to 2nd floors of residential buildings, with a single-floor area not exceeding 300 square meters. ●　Each commercial outlet must have at least one fire hydrant on each floor. ●　Other locations are treated as residential. Residential buildings with commercial spaces below: ● When the commercial area below the residential part is more than 300 square meters or there are more than three floors. ● The lower part is treated as a commercial building, while the upper part is considered residential. ●　When there are more than 10 fire hydrants and the outdoor fire water flow rate exceeds 15 L/S, a fire pump coupling is required. 2.1.3 Automatic Sprinkler Systems ● In super-tall residential buildings (over 100 meters), automatic sprinkler systems are required in stairwells and major indoor rooms. Automatic sprinkler systems are installed in the basements of high-rise and super-high-rise residential buildings. In commercial premises with residential components, an automatic sprinkler system is required if the single-story area exceeds 1,500 square meters or the total area exceeds 3,000 square meters. ●　Automatic sprinklers generally use wet-system closed-type nozzles. ●　The alarm valve is often installed in the fire pump room due to the lack of a suitable location. ●　The pipes in front of the alarm valve are arranged in a circular pattern. ●　Use pendent sprinklers when there is a ceiling, and use upright sprinklers when there is no ceiling. When there is no ceiling, sprinklers are generally arranged according to the beam zones. ●　When there are more than 10 fire hydrants and the outdoor fire water flow rate exceeds 15 L/S, a fire pump coupling is required. 2.1.4 Residential fire extinguishers and gas fire suppression equipment ● Fire extinguishers should be installed in residences, with portable dry powder fire extinguishers being commonly used. ●　At least 2 per unit per floor, with a minimum fire rating of 2A. 1A class covers 26 square meters when there is a fire hydrant, and 20 square meters when there is no fire hydrant. ●　The service radius is no more than 20 meters. ●　It can be placed inside a fire hydrant cabinet, or a separate fire extinguisher cabinet can be installed. ●　Specialized substations are equipped with dedicated fire extinguishers and gas fire suppression systems. 2.1.5 Smoke control in residential buildings (1) Smoke control systems ● Residential buildings with a height of over 33 meters shall be equipped with smoke-proof stairwells and fire control room vestibules. Smoke control facilities must be installed in the smoke-proof stairwells, the vestibules adjacent to these stairwells, the fire control room vestibules, or any shared vestibules. ●　For heights below 50 meters, natural smoke exhaust can be used for smoke control, while positive pressure ventilation is required for heights above 50 meters. ●　For positive pressure air supply, shafts are generally used; positive pressure air supply outlets in stairwells are installed every 2 to 3 floors and remain open at all times ； One per floor in the vestibule or shared vestibule, normally closed. In case of a fire, only the floor where the fire occurs, the floor above it, or one floor above and below should be opened. It can be controlled remotely as well as manually. ●　Generally, positive pressure exhaust fans are installed on the roof. Pay attention to the direction of the fan. ●　The stairwells in the basement are separated from those above by fire doors; when the upper stairwells use natural smoke exhaust, the lower area must also have a smoke exhaust shaft or mechanical air supply. This issue also needs to be considered in the fire elevator vestibule. ●　The air outlet is at the bottom. (2) Smoke exhaust measures ● Smoke exhaust facilities are required when the total area of the residential basement is greater than 200 square meters, or when there are large rooms or long internal corridors. ●　Natural smoke exhaust (window wells) should be used as much as possible. The area of the natural smoke exhaust windows shall be no less than 2% of the floor area. It is possible to use partial natural exhaust and partial mechanical exhaust. ●　Except for those rooms that can exhaust smoke naturally, any room larger than 50 square meters, or rooms with a total area of more than 200 square meters, require a mechanical smoke exhaust system. For rooms larger than 50 square meters, the smoke exhaust outlets are located within the room. ●　Mechanical smoke extraction shall be installed in interior corridors longer than 20 meters. ●　The distance from the smoke exhaust outlet to the farthest point shall not exceed 30 m. ● If smoke control zones are established, the smoke exhaust outlets should be able to be controlled for opening and closing according to those zones. ●　Ventilation measures must be in place, with the ventilation volume being no less than 50% of the exhaust volume. 2.1.6 Main items for the visual inspection of residential fire protection facilities ● Number and spacing of fire hydrants, circular fire piping ； ●　Types of automatic sprinkler heads, spacing, spray direction, alarm valves, water flow indicators, testing devices ； Fire pump coupling ； ●　Number of fire extinguishers and spacing between them ； ●　Position of positive pressure air supply outlet, direction of air supply fan ； ●　Location of smoke exhaust outlets, control method, direction of smoke exhaust fans ； ●　Gas fire extinguishing systems. ●　Trial operation of the smoke control and exhaust system, fire water supply system, and gas fire extinguishing system. 2.2 Interior fire protection in public buildings: properties, commercial premises, office buildings, garages, community offices, etc. 2.2.1 Fire protection for public buildings – Fire water supply ● Indoor fire hydrant system ； ●　Automatic sprinkler system ； ● Fire water tank ； ●　Pressure relief device ； ●　Fire pump coupling. ●　Fire extinguisher placement ； ●　Smoke prevention and exhaust Smoke prevention measures Exhaust measures 2.2.2 Indoor fire hydrant systems in public buildings ● Fire hydrant systems shall be installed in public buildings with a volume of over 10,000 cubic meters or with more than four floors (including those with commercial spaces on the ground floor); such systems are not required in other buildings ； ●　Two fire hoses reach each location ； ●　The vertical risers and horizontal main pipes of the fire hydrant system should form a loop. ●　The system should have two inlets connected to the outdoor ring piping network, with valves and check valves installed at the inlets. ●　The water supply to the indoor fire tank comes from the domestic water supply system; in the case of single-story buildings, the outlet pipe is connected to the indoor fire hydrant system. If multiple buildings share the same tank, the outlet pipe must be connected to the outdoor temporary high-pressure fire protection network. ●　The maximum operating water pressure at the fire hydrant outlet shall not exceed 0.5 MPa (50 m water column); in cases where this value is exceeded, pressure-stabilizing and reducing fire hydrants must be used. ●　The maximum dynamic and static water pressures at the inlet of the fire hydrant system must not exceed 0.8 MPa; if they do, pressure reduction is required. Fire hydrants are installed in the basement, with at least two water streams reaching each point. ●　When there are more than 10 fire hydrants and the outdoor fire water flow rate exceeds 15 L/S, a fire pump coupling is required. 2.2.3 Automatic sprinkler systems for public buildings ● An automatic sprinkler system must be installed in buildings where the floor area of a single floor exceeds 1,500 square meters, or the total floor area exceeds 3,000 square meters. Automatic sprinklers generally use wet-system closed-type nozzles. ●　System components: alarm valves, flow indicators, sprinklers, and test devices. The alarm valve can be installed in the fire pump room. ●　The pipes in front of the alarm valve are arranged in a circular pattern. ●　Use pendent sprinklers when there is a ceiling, and use upright sprinklers when there is no ceiling. When there is no ceiling, sprinklers are generally arranged according to the beam zones. ●　There must be a fire pump coupling. 2.2.4 Fire extinguishers and gas fire suppression equipment for public buildings ● Portable dry powder fire extinguishers are generally used. ●　At least 2 per location, with a minimum fire suppression rating of 2A. 1A class covers 26 square meters when there is a fire hydrant, and 20 square meters when there is no fire hydrant. ●　The service radius is no more than 20 meters. ●　It can be placed inside a fire hydrant cabinet, or a separate fire extinguisher cabinet can be installed. ●　Specialized substations are equipped with dedicated fire extinguishers and gas fire suppression systems. 2.2.5 Smoke prevention and exhaust (1) Smoke prevention: Generally, high-rise buildings do not require smoke prevention facilities; however, if enclosed stairwells lack natural exhaust conditions, positive pressure ventilation should be installed. (2) Smoke exhaust ● Smoke exhaust facilities include natural smoke exhaust and mechanical smoke exhaust; natural smoke exhaust (windows and shafts) should be used as much as possible. The area of the natural smoke exhaust windows shall be no less than 2% of the floor area. It is possible to use partial natural exhaust and partial mechanical exhaust. ●　The partially enclosed stairwell in the basement is separated from the upper part by a fire door; when the upper stairwell relies on natural smoke exhaust, a smoke exhaust shaft must also be available in the lower part, or mechanical air supply must be installed. In basements where there are combustibles and the usable area of a single room exceeds 50 square meters, mechanical smoke exhaust facilities must be installed, with the smoke exhaust outlets located within that room. In the basement, there are flammable materials, but no rooms larger than 50 square meters. When the total area, excluding rooms for natural smoke exhaust, is greater than 200 square meters, mechanical smoke exhaust systems must be installed, with the smoke exhaust outlets located in the corridors. ●　Rooms on the ground floor that are frequently used and have an area of more than 100 square meters, as well as rooms containing flammable materials over an area of 300 square meters, should be equipped with smoke exhaust systems; natural smoke exhaust should be given priority. ●　For internal corridors longer than 20 meters, mechanical smoke exhaust must be installed. The distance from the smoke exhaust outlet to the farthest point shall not exceed 30 m. If smoke control zones are established, the smoke exhaust outlets should be capable of being controlled for opening and closing. Ventilation measures must be in place, with the ventilation volume being no less than 50% of the exhaust volume. 2.2.6 Main items for the visual inspection of fire protection facilities in public buildings ● Number and spacing of fire hydrants, circular fire protection piping ； ●　Types of automatic sprinkler heads, spacing, spray direction, alarm valves, water flow indicators, testing devices ； ●　Fire pump coupling ； ●　Number of fire extinguishers and spacing between them ； ●　Position of positive pressure air supply outlet, direction of air supply fan ； ●　Location of smoke exhaust outlets, control method, direction of smoke exhaust fans ； ●　Gas fire extinguishing system ； ●　Trial operation of the smoke control and exhaust system, fire water supply system, and gas fire extinguishing system. 2.3 Fire protection in underground garages 2.3.1 Contents of fire protection in underground garages Fire water supply ● Fire hydrant system ； ●　Automatic sprinkler system ； ●　Pressure relief device ； ●　Fire pump coupling ； Fire extinguisher placement ； Smoke exhaust measures ； Specialized power distribution rooms and generator rooms are equipped with gas extinguishing systems. 2.3.2 Garage fire hydrant system ● Fire hydrant systems must be installed in surface garages of Classes I, II, and III, as well as in underground garages with more than 5 parking spaces ； ●　If heating is not provided in cold areas, a dry-type fire hydrant system can be used. ●　Two water columns arrive at each location ； ●　In systems with more than 10 fire hydrants, the main piping must be arranged in a circular configuration, and there must be two entrances connecting to the outdoor circular piping network; valves and check valves should be installed at these entrances. ●　The maximum operating water pressure at the fire hydrant outlet shall not exceed 0.5 MPa (50 m water column); in cases where this value is exceeded, pressure-stabilizing and reducing fire hydrants must be used. ●　When there are more than 10 fire hydrants and the outdoor fire water flow rate exceeds 15 L/S, a fire pump coupling is required. 2.3.3 Automatic Sprinkler Fire Extinguishing Systems in Garages ● Automatic sprinkler fire extinguishing systems must be installed in surface garages of Classes I, II, and III, as well as in underground garages with more than 10 parking spaces. ●　Automatic sprinkler systems generally use wet-system closed-head sprinklers; in cold regions where heating is not available, dry automatic sprinkler systems can be used. ●　System components: alarm valve, water flow indicator, sprinklers, water discharge device; the alarm valve can be located in the fire pump room. The pipes in front of the alarm valve are arranged in a circular pattern. ●　There must be a fire pump coupling. 2.3.4 Fire Extinguishers ● Portable dry powder fire extinguishers are generally used. ●　At least 2 per location, with a minimum fire suppression rating of 2A. 1A class covers 26 square meters when there is a fire hydrant, and 20 square meters when there is no fire hydrant. ●　The service radius is no more than 20 meters. ●　It can be placed inside a fire hydrant cabinet, or a separate fire extinguisher cabinet can be installed. ●　The underground substation is equipped with dedicated fire extinguishers and a gas fire suppression system. 2.3.5 Exhaust ventilation in garages ● Underground garages with an area of over 2,000 square meters should use mechanical exhaust ventilation, while others can use natural exhaust ventilation (through windows and vents) ； ●　The smoke control zone shall not exceed 2,000 square meters ； ●　Where possible, the ventilation system should be used in combination with mechanical smoke extraction; exhaust fans, smoke exhaust outlets, and air outlets should have proper switching mechanisms. ●　Ventilation measures must be in place, with the ventilation volume being no less than 50% of the exhaust volume. ●　The distance from the smoke exhaust outlet to the farthest point shall not exceed 30 m ； ●　The exhaust fans are either centrifugal fans or specialized exhaust axial flow fans, while the ducts are made of fire-resistant materials. 2.3.6 Main items for the external fire safety inspection of garages ● Number and spacing of fire hydrants, circular fire piping ； ●　Spacing between automatic sprinkler heads (upper spray), alarm valve, water flow indicator, test device ； ●　Fire pump coupling ； ●　Number of fire extinguishers and spacing between them ； ●　Location of smoke exhaust outlets, control method, direction of smoke exhaust fans ； ●　Trial operation of the smoke control and exhaust system, fire water supply system, and gas fire extinguishing system. 2.4 Fire protection in civil air defense basements ● The requirements for civil air defense basements are the same as those for ordinary underground structures. ● Civil air defense basements are often used as parking garages in normal times, and in such cases fire protection measures are designed in accordance with the standards for parking garages. ● This includes fire hydrants, automatic sprinkler systems, fire extinguishers, and smoke exhaust systems. ●　Main items for visual inspection: number of fire hydrants, spacing between them, fire protection pipes ； Spacing between automatic sprinkler heads (upper spray), alarm valve, water flow indicator, test device ； Number of fire extinguishers and spacing between them ； ●　Location of air supply and exhaust outlets, control methods, and exhaust fans. ●　Fire pump coupling. ●　Protection valve for crossing the retaining wall and air barrier wall (1.0 MPa).