Elite Fire received a lead via our company website from a high-tech gaming technology supplier. The Managing Director and Project & Marketing Coordinator completed the quotation for the client and successfully secured the project.
This client did not have any insurance due to their fire protection system not being addressed for the last few years. A fire protection system does exist, however, water is supplied from the municipality and is not sufficient to supply the existing sprinkler system demand.
Two options were provided with our quotation. One was for cylindrical tanks and a pump house, and the other sectional tanks and pump house. Due to the limited space on the premises, the client requested us to investigate going underground.
In addition to the pump house and water supplies, their new offices and gaming assembly area requires sprinkler protection as well as gas suppression in their server room, which is currently not protected. We also included the installation of an electric hydrant pump for improved demand and supply.
After investigating going underground, Elite Fire Protection successfully secured the services of a construction company and a Civil and Structural Engineer to join us on this project.
In this case study, we discuss the design, supply and installation of fire protection systems, construction, and civil engineer designs for high-tech gaming technology supplier.
| Project | Fire Protection Systems |
| Size | 2500m2 |
| Scope | Design, Supply & Installation of Fire Protection Systems & Construction |
| Discipline | Fire Protection |
| Expected Completion | End of Q1 2024 |
Project Scope
Design, Supply and Install:
- Fire Sprinkler System
- Pumps: Diesel Driven Fire Pump & Electric Hydrant Pump
- Underground Concrete Water Storage Tanks
- Gas Suppression
- Construction and Civil Designs,
PROCESS OUTLINE
Fire Sprinkler System
The client has an existing Wet Sprinkler System protecting the warehouse and Elite Fire is responsible for making necessary alterations to the warehouse and system which includes repositioning of existing sprinklers and supplying and installing new sprinklers where needed.
We also included the supply and installation of new sprinklers in their new office space and gaming assembly area.
The fire sprinklers in both the new and existing areas will consist of 68-degree quick response chrome pendent sprinklers.
Pump Supply & Installation
Elite Fire will be supplying and installing two different pumps in an underground pump house.
The diesel driven fire pump which will supply the new and existing fire sprinkler system, and the Electric Hydrant Pump is necessary to connect to and supply the existing hydrant reticulation and hose reels.
The hydrants and hose reels, like the fire sprinkler system, is currently being supplied from municipal mains which is insufficient to meet the client’s demand.
During a fire, pumps provide fire sprinklers, hydrants, and hose reels with adequate water supply throughout the facility. Not having pumps or if sized incorrectly, can result in not enough pressure or flow being created, which can cause several problems.
Underground Concrete Water Storage Tanks
Water supplies from the municipal mains are not sufficient to meet the client’s demand. Water storage tanks are required. Two for the sprinkler system with a combined capacity of 360 000L, and another to supply hydrants and hose reels with a capacity of 120 000L.
Water storage tanks are concrete as they will be built underground as per the client’s requirements.
Gas Suppression
The client has two server rooms that will each be protected with gas suppression.
The system is designed as a full flooding system into enclosed areas, in accordance with international standards to provide gaseous fire suppression.
HFC-227ea will be used as the gas medium which leaves no residue after discharge, is electrically non-conductive, and is colourless and odourless.
HFC-227ea is environmentally acceptable and has no ozone depletion effect while being designed to extinguish a fire rapidly.
Construction and Civil Designs
Elite Fire secured a Construction Company and a Civil & Structural Engineer to lead the underground construction and designs.
The construction will consist of excavating the water storage tank and pump house area. They will also be preparing the surface bed and start construction by casting concrete. The Civil & Structural Engineer’s designs will conform to the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act 103 of 1997 (and all its amendments), and be signed off as such.
Having and maintaining good relationships with other industries such as construction companies is already noted in the beginning stages of this project.
Challenges
- We are entering the rainy season in Gauteng which could cause project delays with construction.
- Even though underground surfaces layout has been made available to the company, it will still be a challenge by ensuring that we do not hit underground surfaces.
