【Weekly Topic】Production Technology: Winter maintenance of fire protection systems? 2011.11.27~12.04

Ground-based fire hydrants should all be equipped with anti-freezing features. It’s best not to connect outdoor wall-mounted hydrants to the fire water supply; instead, only leave the fire water supply connected at the street level；

Reply to 1# sun-rock: Strengthen training for key personnel in fire safety as well as specialized experts within the organization, and use these key fire safety personnel to provide further training to the organization’s employees and the general public, in order to effectively improve everyone’s ability to prevent fires. Specifically, it is necessary to enhance the “four capabilities”: first, improve the ability to identify and eliminate fire hazards. By assigning fire safety responsibilities to employees, conducting regular fire inspections, and promptly addressing any fire hazards that are identified ； For issues that cannot be rectified immediately, a rectification plan should be developed, with clear corrective measures specified and the necessary funds allocated to eliminate the risks as soon as possible. Second is to improve the organization’s ability to combat incipient fires. Establish a dedicated fire brigade, develop fire-fighting and emergency evacuation plans, and conduct regular drills. The personnel on duty in the fire control room must hold valid certificates, be familiar with fire-fighting equipment, and have a thorough understanding of the procedures and methods for dealing with fires and activating fire-fighting systems and equipment. Third, improve the ability of organizational personnel to evacuate and escape. It is necessary to ensure that all employees in the organization master the basic skills for escaping and saving themselves in case of a fire, as well as be familiar with the escape routes and the procedures for guiding people to evacuate. It is necessary to designate evacuation coordinators to ensure that, in the event of a fire, the people present can be safely evacuated promptly. Fourth, improve the capabilities in fire safety publicity, education, and training. In accordance with fire safety requirements, fire safety slogans should be placed in key areas, important venues, as well as along evacuation routes and safety exits. Fire protection equipment and devices must be installed in a proper manner, with clear and visible instructions for their operation and relevant labeling. Improving these “four capabilities” is not a matter that can be accomplished in a short time, but all units must start doing so right now to ensure that they meet the standards as soon as possible. More promotion and mobilization are needed. Since the beginning of this year, business departments and enterprises across the province have basically carried out fire safety education and publicity in various forms, spreading knowledge on emergency rescue. They have also worked together with the fire departments to publish reports on fire safety through the media, thereby creating a positive atmosphere. However, overall, there is still a certain gap compared to the requirements for fire safety work. Business departments and trade and distribution enterprises across the country should, in light of winter fire safety measures, work together again with news media at all levels to carry out extensive fire safety awareness campaigns. In collaboration with departments such as fire services, and taking advantage of the large number of people present at various commercial events, campaigns to raise awareness about fire safety are carried out. It is necessary to organize fire safety knowledge competitions and emergency drills, etc., in order to motivate the employees of the organization to take an active and proactive role in fire safety efforts. Through extensive publicity and mobilization, a strong social atmosphere has been created across the province’s commerce and distribution sector, where everyone emphasizes and focuses on safety. III. Make every effort to ensure a stable supply and keep prices stable in order to meet the consumption needs of the people. Generally, only automatic sprinkler fire suppression systems in the northern regions require certain anti-freezing measures. For pipes in outdoor areas or underground garages, it is necessary to take measures to prevent freezing; underground water tanks can be insulated against the permafrost layer, and wall insulation should be installed as appropriate.

1. Conduct a comprehensive survey to assess the status of fire water sources and fire hydrants within the factory premises, and encourage all units in the factory to participate in the maintenance of fire protection facilities. 　　 　　II. Carry out special supervision and inspection of outdoor fire hydrants and fire monitors in factory premises, and urge enterprises to take prompt action by formulating detailed plans and assigning dedicated personnel to ensure the proper management of water sources for use during winter. 　　 　　III. In conducting on-site inspections, the fire brigade focuses on the fixed fire protection facilities within enterprises as well as public fire hydrants in the area; it carries out numerous tests, activates fire suppression systems frequently, and performs regular maintenance, while also taking precautions to ensure adequate warmth protection in cold weather. 　　IV. In collaboration with the plant’s water supply and drainage department, active efforts should be made to promote awareness regarding the management of fire-fighting water sources during winter, encouraging employees to regard the maintenance, supervision, and proper management of these resources as their responsibility, so as to work together with the fire departments to ensure effective management of fire-fighting water sources.

Generally, only fire suppression systems in the northern regions require some anti-freezing measures. 1. The groundwater tank can serve as permafrost, with wall insulation added as appropriate. 2. The above-ground portion of the fire suppression pipe should be equipped with electric heating and insulated. 3. For fire hydrants, after checking to ensure there are no floor drains, electric heating should be installed along with insulation. 4. The water in the fire hose should be drained completely, and then the hose should be rolled up. 5. During inspections, check whether the electric heat tracing is in use; if not, it should be activated immediately.

Fire-fighting equipment should be inspected regularly to prevent malfunctions; in winter, care should be taken to avoid freezing by taking insulation measures. Carbon tetrachloride fire extinguishers, carbon dioxide fire extinguishers, and dry powder fire extinguishers must not be placed near heat sources or heating pipes to avoid explosions.

Fire hydrants also need to be insulated. Fire pumps have a small valve that can remain open to keep water flowing, thereby preventing the pipes from freezing.

1. Above-ground fire hydrants and CO2 fire extinguishers can be covered with a cotton sleeve on the outside, and a dedicated person should be assigned to conduct regular inspections. 2. For pipelines that need to be used irregularly and are located on the ground over long distances, a method of slightly extending the pipe length can be employed to prevent freezing. 3. Include the anti-freezing checks of the fire protection system in the shift handover procedures, with inspections to be carried out at the end of each shift.

Enhance employees’ safety awareness in winter； Conduct regular safety drills to improve the ability to handle safety incidents ； In accordance with the characteristics of the winter climate, regular inspections are carried out on the fire control system, fire alarm system, and sprinkler system, as well as on the on-site fire-fighting equipment (such as inspections and maintenance of accessories for fire hydrants, fire pumps, etc.)

After the fire drill*, any water remaining in the fire main pipes or fire monitors should be drained to prevent freezing.

Reply 1# sun-rock: In winter, the main concern is preventing pipes from freezing and getting blocked. For fire protection pipes that are not in use for extended periods, it’s best to empty the liquid inside them to avoid condensation causing the pipes to burst. It is best to keep the fire protection system operational to ensure fire safety. Additionally, winter is a dry season that prone to static electricity sparks; it is necessary to inspect equipment such as static discharge balls to prevent the accumulation of static electricity. Inspect the testing equipment to ensure it is operating properly.