At Intersec 2013  Bristol Fire, which is part of Concorde – Corodex Group and M.H. Al Mana Group of Companies (CCG), has revealed its participation at this year’s edition of Intersec, the leading international meeting platform for the Security & Safety industry, which will be held from January 15, 2013 to January 17, 2013 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC). The company is expected to throw the spotlight on Bristol Fire new vehicle manufacturing division, which was established to help address the Middle East region’s growing demand for world class fully efficient and reliable fire fighting and safety vehicles like fire trucks and ambulances. Two vehicles (a fire fighting vehicle and an ambulance) will be placed on display during the event, one of which is from the company’s principal, Ziegler, from Germany. The new multi-million manufacturing facility in Abu Dhabi, reflects CCG’s continuing commitment to protect life and preserve the environment. The company’s vehicle manufacturing division stand will be located at 7-705F while its main stand can be found at 7-805F, inside hall 7. The new facility measures at 30,000 square metres and specifically caters to addressing the mobile fire fighting and ambulance needs of civil defence, aviation, police, and oil and gas segments. The soft opening of the new division during the third quarter of 2012 has helped the company position itself in the segment that specializes in the manufacture of fire fighting vehicles, ambulances, and rapid intervention vehicles. Aside from the new vehicle manufacturing division, CCG will also be showcasing its product offerings for the oil and gas segment, specifically its portfolio of products from Williams Fire & Hazard Control Inc, the world’s foremost flammable liquids fire authority. Products include 12-inch fire fighting hoses, fire fighting foam and the Ambassador Monitor, which is the world’s most preferred monitor by oil and gas fire fighters. Lastly, the company’s Bristol Fire Engineering division, a leading manufacturer of high quality fire fighting products, will be launching its pioneering line of fire rated doors, which have been manufactured at the company’s manufacturing facilities in Dubai. The new doors are expected to attract the attention of MEP contractors who are looking for a high quality fire rated door for the right price. “We are looking forward to our coming participation at this year’s edition of Intersec, which will allow us the strategic opportunity to position Bristol Fire Engineering as a leading manufacturer and provider of world class fire fighting equipment,” said Mahmood Awad, Managing Director, CCG. “Over the years, Intersec has provided unique value to all target groups in the Middle East region’s thriving security & safety industry. Eagerly awaited by safety and security professionals, the event has stirred in a growing interest for new technical solutions to be used, particularly across preventing accidents and fire fighting. Participating this year, we are set to showcase our new vehicle manufacturing division and our growing portfolio of products, like monitor/nozzles, foam and fire doors." Intersec 2013 is being held under the patronage of His Highness (HH) Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and features a full program of outdoor demonstrations of tactical rescue operations, a series of safety and security themed conferences and special workshops. Bristol Fire Engineering, which have been exhibitors at Intersec since 2003, have ably positioned itself as market share leaders in the Middle East–investing heavily in the research and development of a product range that can best suit the Middle East and North African (MENA) region and even beyond. The company’s local client base includes the Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Oil Operations (ADCO), the Ministry of Interior, Dubai Civil Defense, Qatar Gas and Qatar Petroleum, to name a few.

Brighton and Hove Albion’s new stadium is protected  Opened in July 2011, the new American Express Community Stadium, home to Brighton and Hove Albion Football Team is being protected by the latest Apollo fire detection system. The ‘Seagulls’ site consists of four stands with a 27,444 capacity. The West Stand, its largest, also includes 14 luxury boxes and the premium fans’ 1901 Club. As well as football matches, the stadium is designed to host other sports, music concerts, conferences and exhibitions. The stadium incorporates a banqueting and conference facility, office space, and a club shop and a bar. The long-awaited £100m venue has been built to the very highest specification, incorporating all the best features from other stadia around the world making a truly spectacular arena. To ensure this unique venue and its visitors and staff were adequately protected, VCP Services was called in to provide a first class fire detection system. Vince Clamp, managing director at VCP Services, explains: “In 2009 we were asked to provide a range of facilities for the build. As well as the fire detection system we were contracted to install access control, intruder alarms, disabled refuge, PAVA and CCTV. It’s always good to be involved in the early stage of a build and as this was a completely new venue, we were able to ensure that any fire detection system fitted with the look and feel of the site and also provided appropriate levels of coverage. "We used Discovery Multisensor throughout the stadium, including the stands, ancillary spaces such as the kitchen and plant room and the conferencing areas. This product comprises of a smoke and temperature sensor. The outputs can be reported individually which means a rise in temperature and/or change in level of smoke can be checked separately, improving false alarm management. The sensitivity selection offered by the range was also vital as it allowed us to change the response mode on individual detectors depending on where they were sited. For example, the detectors had a lower sensitivity to fire in areas where smoke and steam would be expected – such as the kitchen. "Apollo’s open protocol approach was also essential. Apollo publishes and shares information including technical data, enabling panel manufacturers and other companies to design compatible controlling equipment. As an installer, it means we are not tied to using one manufacturer but can fit the best product for the site. In this instance, a unique architectural feature of the build made an open protocol approach essential. In most of the conference rooms they have what is described as’ wave’ ceilings – amazing sculptural shapes designed to replicate the nearby sea. The nature of these ceilings means there are large voids above the plaster which had to be protected by an aspirated system. Conventional detectors covered the space below but the system had to work together so we used an Apollo XP95 input/output interface. The interface which is engineered simply removes the need for custom designed equipment and allows the aspirated system and conventional detectors to run on the same loop. It is also fitted with a bi-directional short circuit isolator meaning it would be unaffected by a single short circuit on either loop input or output."   The installation of all of the equipment took twelve months and, having recently completed phase two of the East Stand, VCP has installed more than 700 detectors across 189 zones using five Advanced Mx4400 panels. The team will also be completing the installation of fire detection equipment at the brand new training ground for the ‘Seagulls’ which, although at a different location, will be linked to the stadium’s building management system.   Vince concludes: "With a background in installing a range of facilities in stadia across the UK, it has been a pleasure to be part of this ground-breaking new build. Whilst the fans may have had to wait over a decade for a new home for their team they can rest assured that Apollo fire detectors will continue to protect it for many years to come."

TechXchange in Manchester  Tyco Fire Protection Products has opened a new TechXchange Training Academy in Manchester, United Kingdom which will provide training services to fire and mechanical installers, contractors, specifiers and engineers who design and install fire protection and mechanical solutions, throughout the EMEA region. The Academy, which will be used by Tyco’s regional sales teams and technical trainers from around EMEA, will provide support to customers throughout the region. This will be achieved through hands-on practical and theoretical sessions conducted in local language. The wide range of training solutions that will be provided include automatic sprinkler systems, gaseous suppression, foam fire protection, restaurant fire suppression systems, fire detection and alarm, mechanical and grooved piping solutions and importantly how to design, install and maintain a fire protection system. The Training Academy is easily accessible due to its central location close to both Manchester and Liverpool international airports and motorway network. The centre has a 50m² conference room, a 49m² Sprinkler, Suppression & Mechanical hands‐on training room, a 59m² Detection hands‐on training room and a 12m² spray demonstration room. It is estimated that there will be 90 – 100 training sessions, with over 1000 people trained annually. Geoff Harris, Area Manager at the Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service officially opened the new TechXchange Training Academy, he said "I am pleased to have been invited to open the TechXchange Academy; a training centre such as this will raise awareness on the importance of fire protection systems within the UK for life safety and property protection”. “Regional facilities allow our customers to access a full range of training services. Professional training tailored to local needs and regulations is key to providing best practice in fire safety,” explained Jan Schumer, Territory Manager, UK for, Tyco Fire Protection Products. “With these well equipped new facilities, regional teams will be able to easily hold customised sessions.” At the official opening Tyco welcomed more than 60 customers and visitors to the centre. Through an overview of both practical and theory based presentations that will be delivered, attendees were given a detailed insight into the current strategy and future of the centre. As part of the business’ commitment to sharing its knowledge and expertise within the fire protection industry, Tyco is continuing to investigate further opportunities for additional local training centres across EMEA.

After it had frozen solid  A warehouse in the US city of Chicago, which was encrusted with ice after firefighters apparently extinguished a blaze on Wednesday, is again on fire. Reports said the fire had engulfed the whole building for a second time. Water used to put out the initial fire had frozen in the extreme cold, leaving a thick crust of ice. Fire officials say the structure should be pulled down, as it has already partly collapsed and the weight of the ice would have made it more unstable. Temperatures in the city are currently falling to -7C (19F) at night. The cold has also hampered efforts to put out the fire. About 170 firefighters battled it from Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning, their hoses and hydrants freezing. It is not clear what caused either of the fires, but the warehouse is said to be full of old timber. (Source: BBC)

Numerous commemorations planned  Pierce Manufacturing, an Oshkosh Corporation company, and the leading U.S. manufacturer of fire and emergency vehicles, is celebrating its 100th Anniversary in 2013. Pierce is kicking off its yearlong commemoration by launching a special website section located at www.piercemfg.com/100thAnniversary. The site features an interactive historical timeline, a 100thAnniversary video, a photo contest, limited edition merchandise, and upcoming events. The Pierce 100th Anniversary website, along with social media posts, will provide information about the company’s history and centennial events, including a 100th Anniversary Open House celebration in Appleton on July 13, 2013. The website is also a venue where people can share special memories and photos. “Pierce is a company with humble beginnings, a rich history, and an exciting future,” said Jim Johnson, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president of the Fire & Emergency segment and Pierce Manufacturing. “It is significant that only a small fraction of companies from any industry achieve the 100 year milestone. On behalf of Pierce employees, and all those who preceded us, we pledge an unwavering level of commitment to firefighters, and boldness in our thinking, as we look ahead to the next one hundred years.” Founded in 1913 by Humphrey and Dudley Pierce in Appleton, Pierce Manufacturing first built after-market bodies for Ford Model T chassis. In 1939, the company manufactured its first fire truck body and grew to 20 employees. In 1958, ushering in a new era of boom and platform vehicles, Pierce designed the first ever articulating aerial apparatus that was used to reach up and over tall obstructions. Pierce introduced its first custom chassis and body – the Arrow – in 1982, and that design changed the face of the modern fire industry. More recent examples of Pierce innovations include industry firsts like the Dash® CF fire apparatus (that features an innovative cab-forward design), frontal airbags and the side roll protection systems, and the patented Pierce Ultimate Configuration (PUC) response vehicle. Other examples include Command Zone™ advanced electronics to enhance vehicle troubleshooting and reliability, and TAK-4® independent front suspension for unmatched vehicle maneuverability. Pierce engineers and manufactures its own Husky® foam and Hercules® compressed air foam systems that more effectively attack and suppress structural, wildland, automobile, and fuel fires. Every vehicle component is designed to help firefighters perform safely at their highest level. “The more than 2,000 people who work for Pierce, including many families with multiple generations of service, are our backbone – and the reason for our longevity, success and growth,” added Johnson. “Pierce employees think of their work as more of a vocation than a job, and the average employee tenure is nearly 20 years. That speaks volumes.” Pierce markets its products through the industry’s largest and most comprehensive dealer and service network. The company enjoys a nationwide web of dealerships with over 600 certified and factory trained Service Brigade technicians and over 50 service centers. Pierce also offers custom training sessions for fire departments. Photo Caption: Pierce is kicking off its yearlong centennial celebration and has launched a special website section at www.piercemfg.com/100thAnniversary. This Pierce 100-Year Anniversary logo will be featured on each and every vehicle shipped in 2013. About Pierce Manufacturing Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation [NYSE: OSK] company, is celebrating its 100th year in business in 2013. Pierce is the leading North American manufacturer of custom fire apparatus, including custom and commercial pumpers, aerials, rescue trucks, wildland trucks, minipumpers, elliptical tankers, and homeland security apparatus. In addition, Pierce designs its own foam systems and was the first company to introduce frontal airbags and the Side Roll Protection system to fire apparatus. To learn more about Pierce, visit www.piercemfg.com. About Oshkosh Corporation Oshkosh Corporation is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of a broad range of specialty access equipment, commercial, fire & emergency and military vehicles and vehicle bodies. Oshkosh Corporation manufactures, distributes and services products under the brands of Oshkosh®, JLG®, Pierce®, McNeilus®, Jerr-Dan®, Frontline™, CON-E-CO®, London® and IMT®. Oshkosh products are valued worldwide in businesses where high quality, superior performance, rugged reliability and long-term value are paramount. For more information, visit www.oshkoshcorporation.com.

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Label: Oil & Gas Title: North Sea oil & gas Teaser: Tim Banner examines fire considerations of oil and gas facilities Label: Fire Protection & Equipment Label: Fire Protection & Detection Label: Recession Title: Fire departments come under scrutiny Teaser: Carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide are the silent killers Teaser: Staff shortages and rising response times

By Dr. Allan Jowsey MEng AIFireE MSFPE, Fire Engineering Manager for International Paint The intumescent coatings industry has moved at a fast pace over recent years. Understanding passive fire protection technology and the impact of legislation is important to ensure compliance with international standards for fire and life safety. Introduction The ever-increasing use of steel as a construction material has led to enhanced flexibility in design, as well as significant time savings in the construction industry. However, its use in social infrastructure and buildings has brought an additional challenge – that of fire safety. In the event of a fire, steel can lose its strength and collapse, resulting in damage to property and in the worst case, loss of life. Almost all buildings incorporate some fire safety measures. In the event of a fire, structures are required to maintain their stability for a reasonable period of time to enable occupants to evacuate and to provide safety to fire-fighters. There are numerous products available to designers to satisfy the fire resistance requirements of their projects. Intumescent coatings provide one such method. They react in the presence of intense heat to form an insulating layer, protecting the underlying steel and extending the duration of its structural integrity. Traditional methods of fireproofing, such as cementitious coatings and gypsum boards, can only be applied on-site and are often considered aesthetically unappealing for visually exposed steelwork and labour-intensive to apply. Intumescent coatings allow for easy off-site and on-site application during construction and provide an attractive finish that does not compromise intricate designs and shapes created from the steel. This allows maximum architectural expression for structures such as airports, stadia, leisure facilities, hospitals and office buildings. As with any fire protection product, it is important to understand its basis to ensure correct specification and one that is fit for purpose. This article outlines some of the keys issues that architects, engineers, fabricators, applicators and Approving Authorities should be aware of when dealing with intumescent coatings. To fully appreciate the role of passive fire protection, it is important to understand three main things: How a structure will perform in the event of a fire? What fire scenario may it be exposed to? What benefits can passive fire protection offer? Structural response Structural steel reduces in strength and stiffness with increased temperature. This can have a detrimental effect on the stability of a structure. Unprotected steel will heat very rapidly in a fire. The aim of an intumescent coating is to insulate the steel and keep it relatively cool for the required fire resistance rating. The response of a steel structure in a fire can be further influenced by the maximum temperature attained, the degree to which it is loaded, its restraint and the mechanical properties of the steel itself. The term ‘Fire Resistance Rating’ is associated with the ability of a building element to perform its function as a barrier or structural component for a specified time during the course of a fire. It is often specified in combination with a critical steel temperature as set by a qualified engineer. Durations vary with legislation around the world, but a typical period may be 60, 90 or 120 minutes. The basis for the rating is typically specified in accordance with design standards and guidance documents. These documents vary in nature around the world, but fire resistance requirements are strongly related to the risk of fire (occupancy use), the height of the structure and may be associated with provision of a suppression system. It is critical to understand the correct legislative requirements for a project. Intumescent coatings can cover a wide range of structural sections including universal beams and columns, circular and rectangular hollow sections and concrete-filled tubes. Depending on the type of intumescent coating, it is possible to protect members for up to 3 hours fire resistance. Manufacturers also assess their products over a wide range of critical temperatures – known as Multi-Temperature Assessments (MTAs). These may typically be 350°C to 750°C and can permit engineers to specify temperatures of their structural elements as part of an optimised design. Fire types The fire protection industry has adopted standard “fire curves” for different types of fires: Cellulosic fires are fuelled by combustibles such as wood, paper and textiles. They are typically associated with commercial infrastructure. Hydrocarbon fires, or pool fires, are fuelled by oil and gas and have a very rapid heat rise. They can be extremely turbulent as they entrain oxygen to maintain combustion. Jet fires are a particular group of hydrocarbon-fuelled fires expelled from an orifice under high pressure. They can have high erosive forces in addition to high heat fluxes above those experienced in open pool fires. Epoxy intumescents are used where there is a risk of hydrocarbon and jet fires, Thin-film acrylics are typically used where there is risk of a cellulosic fire, although an epoxy coating may be required for durability. Intumescent coatings Intumescent coatings work by undergoing a chemical reaction when heated to form an expanded, thermally insulating layer. The coatings include an acid source – typically phosphorous-based, a carbon source and one or more blowing agents dispersed in a suitable resin system. At temperatures of around 200°C the acid and carbon source react to form a carbonaceous melt which is then expanded by gases generated during the thermal decomposition of the blowing agents resulting in a sponge-like char. Intumescents are available in categories that include thin-film water-borne or solvent-borne acrylics and high-build epoxies. The choice of which to use on a specific project is dependent on factors that include : The fire resistance rating and fire exposure type: Often set by a design standard and influenced by the occupancy use of the structure Legislative requirements including the fire test standard: Strongly linked to global geographic location with fire test standards being referenced in design documents Durability and anti-corrosion requirements: The degree of environmental exposure of the steel is important in selecting an intumescent coating. Environmental Classifications are set out in ISO 12944 Part

Despite the economic troubles with clever thinking fire chiefs can still deliver high-quality service Many fire departments are being challenged by budget crises, rising call volume, personnel and equipment shortages, security issues and the overall expectation to do more with less. Effectively managing these challenges requires a basic understanding of how changes in levels of fire department resources deployed affect outcomes from emergencies that occur daily. Failing to manage these challenges can leave individuals, a fire department and a community vulnerable to undesirable events. Both in the UK and the US, fire departments have seen response times suffer as staff are laid off. For instance, Canvey Island, in Essex, has not had a full-time fire crew since October 2011. A part-time, but still fully trained, staff have been in place sine. However, figures released earlier this year have shown that this has had a dramatic effect on response times in the region. Average duty response times had risen by two minutes in first nine months after the change, and the average maximum response time rose by an alarming eight-and-a-half months. Since November 2011, the station’s average monthly responses have also consistently exceeded eight minutes, rising to more than ten minutes at the start of 2012. Prior to the switchover, the average monthly response time hovered between six and seven minutes. In March 2012, the average response time was eight minutes 56 seconds. Unsurprisingly, the news has not gone down well with local residents. One told the local press that “The fire service promised this would not have an impact on response times and it clearly has. In those extra two minutes you never know what could happen. It could be the difference between saving a life and not.” Essex Fire and Rescue, who are in charge of the Canvey area, say that the move will help save £845,000 a year, and argued that, although the response times had risen, it had meant that the local rescue pump has been more accessible: “Since the move to retained firefighters, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service has used mixed crewing to ensure Canvey’s rescue pump remained on the run, and availability has significantly improved. There has been no increase in appliances from elsewhere being the first appliance to be mobilised to incidents on Canvey.” On the other side of the Pond, in Los Angeles, fire chief Brian Cummings has been summoned to appear in front of the city’s council to explain why his department has “been unwilling or unable to develop a plan to reduce response times and improve public safety.” When he was elected in 2010, Cummings had devised an innovative cost-cutting plan to help Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa cut over $50 million from the city’s fire department budget, while nudging response times back down to pre-recession levels. However, his plans have largely failed to materialise: Response times are worse than when stations were fully staffed, and dispatchers are struggling to process 911 calls quickly. Cummings has argued that he is doing all he can with limited funds and promised to improve things if and when he gets more resources. He also said that other measures of his force’s performance had been ignored, with the media instead focusing too much on the negative headlines. LAFD Commissioner Alan Skobin has criticised Cummings, saying: “I saw no evidence that he had the professional focus or tools to approach it…” and suggesting that Cummings was not interested in ensuring the department’s performance reporting is accurate, thus undermining public confidence. While it is understandable that difficult economic times will have an impact on the fire service, fire professionals have to bear in mind the measures they take in order to both maintain public confidence and, more importantly, continue saving lives and protecting property. It is up to fire chiefs to decide what risks they are willing to take and how much they are prepared to cut back on. Cutting staff would lead to lead to longer response time and less quality of care; cutting equipment will mean there’s less to go round – either way, it will be more dangerous to the general public. The operational performance of a fire department depends on three key factors: Resource availability/reliability – the degree to which the • resources are ready and available to respond Department capability – the ability of the resources • deployed to deal with the incident Overall effectiveness – the outcome achieved by the • deployed resources To have a reliable, and thus successful, response to an incident, fire-fighters and their equipment must be properly equipped and available. As the number of calls increases and the number of fire- fighters/equipment available decreases, it is increasingly likely that the fire services will lose effectiveness. It is up to fire chiefs to ensure prioritise what equipment or how many personnel to send to each incident. It is often down to timing: It is pointless wasting time spending dozens of fire-fighters to a small-scale fire; similarly, assigning a large fire to a small team would endanger both their lives and the public’s, as well as risk even more property damage. The job of the fire chief is to decide when and where to deploy his staff. To do this, they target a point in the fire’s growth that marks a significant shift in its threat to life and property. This is called the ‘flashover’. At flashover, a fire engulfs everything in the room, and the ensuing heat, smoke and pressure begins to force the fire into adjoining rooms. This is a massive risk to the survival of any occupants of the room. It also creates an exponential growth to the rate of combustion and risk to the fire-fighters’ health and safety. Furthermore, more water and more fire-fighters are needed to extinguish the larger fire, and, as flashover fires cause more damage and cover a larger area than regular fires, more personnel are needed to perform a search and rescue operation once the fire has been put

Tim Banner examines the fire considerations on North Sea oil and gas facilities, and the latest developments in fire protection technology The North Sea is one of the world’s most developed oil basins. Hydrocarbons have been produced from the North Sea since the 1970s and the region leads the global offshore industry in terms of oil and gas production and export infrastructures, technical skill base and, most importantly, safety record. However, the drawback of such development is that most of the area’s largest oil and gas fields are now in decline and new discoveries are usually technically challenging and marginal in terms of volume. Even the more optimistic estimates of the remaining volumes of hydrocarbons in place estimate that roughly 70% of the recoverable UK sector oil has been produced. The same figure for Norwegian sector oil is estimated at roughly 50%. Because of this, it is not usually economic to commission new, dedicated offshore facilities to produce from these newly discovered yet marginal fields. Therefore, it is becoming increasingly important to make use of existing infrastructure in order to exploit new discoveries and maintain production levels. A common method of doing this is to tie new discoveries back to existing facilities, where the produced hydrocarbons can be processed and exported to shore. This can represent significant challenges in terms of subsea engineering, processing capacity aboard the host facilities, structural integrity of older platforms and the safety implications of extending existing processes. Fire protection technology has a vital role to play in extending the life of existing assets and thereby maximising the production potential of the remaining North Sea oil and gas fields. Whenever extending a process beyond its original design it is vital that the firewater system is upgraded accordingly. A typical fire protection system aboard an offshore rig can be described as a pipework circuit (called a ringmain) with water being driven around this circuit by a firewater circulation pump. At certain points, the circuit branches off from the ringmain to cover the various areas of the facility; flow to these branches is controlled by deluge valves, which in turn are linked to fire detectors. These branches network out to a series of deluge nozzles, which cover the platform area with a spray of protective water in the event of a fire. Under normal operation (without a fire), these deluge valves stay closed and the water circles around the ringmain loop. However, should the sensors detect a fire they send a signal to the deluge valves to open in the relevant area. This causes water to flow down the branches and out through the deluge nozzles. In turn, this causes the pressure in the ringmain to drop, which is measured by a series of pressures gauges fitted to the ringmain. These gauges are connected to a seawater lift pump, which responds the pressure drop in the ringmain by raising water from the sea to provide a continuous water supply with which to fight the fire. Extending existing processes often means extra deck space, which must be covered by extending the fire protection system. In addition, these extra modules can increase the water demands of the system in the event of a fire. Both of these aspects put additional strain on the firewater pumps that drive the system and the performance of the existing system must be assessed before oil and gas production can be enhanced. There are certain considerations that influence the design of an extension to an existing firewater system : How does the extension physically fit into the existing facilities? Space matters aboard an offshore oil and gas facility. Deck space is limited yet must accommodate the main processes for oil, gas and water treatment as well as the various utility systems: Steam, coolant, electrical systems, fire protection and so on. Therefore, effective piping engineering is essential to physically integrate the extensions within the space available. In addition, the points where the extensions tie-in to the original fire protection system must be carefully selected to ensure that they are accessible for modification work as well as viable from a hydraulic performance perspective (more on that later). How does the extension integrate with the existing control system? As mentioned earlier, the performance of the system is dependent on a series of sensors and control valves. When selecting these elements for the extensions it is vital to choose parts that are compatible with the existing control system. Since these modifications often involve mature assets, in some cases the original manufacturers no longer exist. Therefore, careful consideration must be given to whether new parts will work within older systems and whether certain older parts should be replaced to accommodate the changes, if necessary. What are the additional fire water requirements associated with the extended system? In effect, how much additional water will be required to cover the extra deck space? This is generally based on how much additional deck area must be covered and is also dependent on the type of deluge nozzles, how much water can be supplied to each nozzle and the pressure at which this water can be supplied. Nozzles have a typical spray pattern that is dependent on the flow rate and pressure of the supplied water. Each nozzle has a minimum requirement for water rate and pressure; if these minimum specifications are met then the nozzle can effectively distribute water over a certain area and protect it from fire. The total requirements for water flow rate and pressure can be established by considering the total number of nozzles required to cover a given area and the minimum flow rate and pressure required for each nozzle. How does the extension affect the hydraulic performance of the existing system? For the extensions to work, they must be hydraulically viable. The system must be capable of delivering water to the nozzles at the required flow rates and pressures. This capability is determined by the performance of the pump that drives the system, the diameters of the pipework that