GUIDE TO

FIRE PROTECTION
IN MALAYSIA

FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS (FPS)

REASON FOR INSTALLING FPS
1. MEETING CODES BY THE GOVERNMENT
2. MAKING TRADE-OFF allows more flexibility in architectural design i.e ATRIUM etc
3. SATISFYING THE LAWS
4. PROTECTING ASSETS & LIFE
5. MAINTAINING COMMUNITY RELATIONS ENVIROMENTAL

FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT OR SAFETY INSTALLATION

1. EXTINGUISHING, FIGHTING, PREVENTING, OR LIMITING A FIRE
2. FIRE DECTECTION & ALARM SYSTEMS
3. PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE PREMISSES FOR No.1.

4. PROVIDE EMERGENCY POWER SUPPLY

5. PROVIDE EMERGENCY LIGHT
6. GIVING ESCAPE DIRECTION
7. GIVING ADEQUATE SAFE EGRESS FOR THE PURPOSE OF EVACUATION THE
PREMISSES
8. SMOKE MANAGEMENT

FIRE FIGHTING SYSTEMS USED IN MALAYSIA

1. PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
2. EXTERNAL FIRE HYDRANT
3. HOSE REEL SYSTEM
4. DRY RISER SYSTEM
5. WET RISER SYSTEM
6. DOWNCOMER SYSTEM

7. AUTOMATIC SPRINGKLER SYSTEM

1. PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

DESCRIPTION
FOUR TYPES OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS:
WATER
DRY POWDER
CARBON DIOXIDE CO2
FOAM

CLASSIFICATIONS
CLASS
A

B
C
D

BURNING
MATERIAL
COMBUSTIBLE SOLID MATERIAL
SUCH AS WOOD, PAPER, RUBBER
etc
LIQUID SUCH AS PETROL, OIL,
DIESEL, KEROSENE etc
GAS SUCH AS LPG, ACETYLEENE &
NATURAL GAS
REACTIVE METAL SUCH AS
ALUMNINIUM, ZINC, SODIUM,
POTASIUM & CALCIUM
IGNITION BY ELECTRICITY

TYPE OF F/FIGHTING
WATER OR DRY POWDER

FOAM OR DRY POWDER (DO

NOT USE WATER)
DRY POWDER OR WATER
DRY POWDER (DO NOT USE
WATER)
CARBON DIOXIDE, CO2

DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
DESIGN STANDARDS
MUST COMPLY WITH FOLLOWING MALAYSIAN STANDARD;
M.S. 1179: Specification for portable fire extinguishers
M.S. 1180: Fire Extinguishers Media
M.S. 1181: Recharging fire extinguishers
M.S. 1182: Classification of fire
LOCATION AND SPACING
Located along exit routes
Beside exit doors
Beside staircase doors
About 15 m distance from the nearest people
CO2 portable fire extinguishers should be installed in electrical rooms, fire pump
rooms and lift motor rooms.
Dry powder portable fire extinguishers should be installed in storerooms.

2. EXTERNAL FIRE HYDRANT

DESCRIPTION
Installation consist of a system of pipework connected directly to the water supply
mains to provide water to each hydrant outlet. Intended to provide water to fireman
to fight a fire. The water is discharged into the fire engine from which it is then
pumped and spray over the fire. If pressure is too low, use hydrant pumps.

DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
DESIGN STANDARDS
RELEVEN STANDARDS AS FOLLOWS;
B.S. 5306: Part 1 or the equivalent Malaysian Standard;
M.S. 1395: specification for pillar hydrant

HYDRANT OUTLETS
Not less than 6 m from building & not more than 30 m from entrance to the
building
Space not more than 90 m apart along the minimum 6 m in width road
Capable of withstanding a load of 26 tons of Fire brigade vehicles.
2 or 3 outlets pillar type with underground sluice valve
In owners boundary: should be provided with 30m of 65mm rubber-lined hose
(complete with nozzles) in steel cabinet beside each hydrant.
Underground hydrants are not encouraged due to difficulty of access
Capable to handle 1000 l/min & running pressure of 4 bars but max to 7 bars only
The hydrant mains are usually laid underground with cement lined steel pipe.
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) material used for an area where corossion
is a major concern
HYDRANT PUMPS
Two sets of pumps (one duty & one standby)
Capable to supply 3000 l/min & running pressure of 4-7 bars to 3 hydrants at the
same time

 Should be supplied with backup diesel/power generator incase of black out for at
least 2 hours
Batteries for diesel engine must be maintanance free type
Normally Jockey pumps driven by electrical motor at 120 l/min required to
maintain system presure
The pumps should be protected from the weather and away from flood area.
Pumps room should be ventilated plus signage
HYDRANT TANKS
Minimum capacity 180,000 litres ( 1 hr water supply for 3 hydrants)
Should be refilled automatically by supply pipe at 20l/s
Hydrant tanks are usually separate from other water storage tanks but may be combined
with other fire fighting system water tanks. So, tanks capacity is the sum total of all
tanks.
Tank material: pressed steel, fibreglass reinforced polyester (FRP) or concrete.
The tank should be compartmented and water level indicator must be provided
External tank should be painted red OR at least red band of minimum 200 mm should be
painted.

3. HOSE REEL SYSTEM

DESCRIPTION
Hose reel system is intended for the occupant to use during early stages of a fire and
comprises hose reel pumps, water storage tanks, hose reels, pipe work and valves.

DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
DESIGN STANDARDS
MUST COMPLY WITH FOLLOWING STANDARD;
B.S. 5306: Part 1 or the equivalent Malaysian Standard;
M.S. 1447: Hose reels with semi-rigid hose
Pr EN 694 : Semi-rigid hose for first aid fixed installations

HOSE REELS

Coverage range of 30 m for each reel

One hose reel for every 800 sq. m space area.
Usually located along escape routes or beside exit doors or staircases
Minimum discharge by each hose reel 30 l/m & 6 m jet length
The rubber hoses should be comply with pr EN 694 standard & 30 m in length
and 25 mm diameter
Nozzles should be of the jet & spray adjustable type of different diameters but 8
mm is a recommended size.
Pipework is generally 50 mm diameter and the pipe feed to individual hose not
less than 25mm diameter
Above ground pipework : minimum galvanised steel medium grade (Class B)
Underground pipework : minimum heavy grade (Class C)
Pipe painted with primer & finished with red paint (OR at least elbow & tee must
be painted with red bands)

HOSE REEL PUMPS

Two sets of pumps. One on duty & the other on standby
120 l/m and at least 2 bars in pressure for any four hose reels opearting at the
same time
Emergency generator/diesel engine adequate for minimum of 1 hr operation
Electrical cabling should be run in galvanised steel conduit
Batteries for diesel engine must be maintanance free type
If total number of hose reel is not more than 4, electrically driven is enough no
need to have an emergency generator/diesel engine.
Should provide with CO2 portable extinguisher
The pumps should be protected from the weather and away from flood area.
HOSE REEL TANKS
Tank size based on 2275 litres for the first hose reel & others 1137.5 litres to
maximum of 9100 litres for eqach system
Tank material: pressed steel, fibreglass reinforced polyester (FRP) or concrete.
The tank should be compartmented and water level indicator must be provided
External tank should be painted red OR at least red band of minimum 200 mm
should be painted.

 The tank will automatically refill from water supply pipe of 50mm diameter and
minimum flow is 150/m
Usually hose reel tanks are separated from domestic water storage tank. However,
the two can be combined to give sum total capacity.
Tap off point of the domestic use must be above the tap off point of for the hose
reels so that minimum fire reserve is always maintained

GRAVITY FEED HOSE REEL SYSTEM

Tank located on the roof or upper floors and the static pressure is adequate to
achive the required pressure & flowrate.
If pumps required, a bypass pipe is usually provided

4. DRY RISER SYSTEM

DESCRIPTION
Internal hydrant to use by fireman which normally dry & depend on fire engine to
pump water into the system
Required for building of top most floor is higher than 18.3 m & less than 30.5 m
above the fire appliance access level
Breeching Inlets to the system are located at ground level (See Fig 8.1)
DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
DESIGN STANDARDS
MUST COMPLY WITH FOLLOWING STANDARD;
B.S. 5306: Part 1 or the equivalent Malaysian Standard;

M.S. 1210: Part 2 - Landing Valves for Dry Risers

M.S. 1210: Part 3 - Inlet Breeching Riser inlets
M.S. 1210: Part 4 Boxes for Landing Valves for Dry Risers
M.S. 1210: Part 5 Boxes for Inlet Breeching

LANDING VALVE

Landing valves (comply with M.S. 1210: Part 2) are provided on each floor
Located at lobbies & staircases
Installed 0.75 m above floor level
Protected by Boxes comply with M.S. 1210: Part 4
Fire hose rubber-lined type complete with 65 mm diameter coupling & nozzle
should be provided in a hose cradle beside each landing valve

BREECHING INLET
The fire brigade breeching inlet (comply with M.S. 1210: Part 3) installed at the
bottom of the riser
Protected by Boxes comply with M.S. 1210: Part 5 & labelled Dry Riser Inlet
A drain should be provided at the bottom of the riser to drain the system after use

 A two-way breeching inlet for 100 mm diameter dry riser

A 4-way breeching inlet for 150 mm diameter dry riser
Located not more than 18 m from fire appliance access road & not more than 30 m
from the nearest external hydrant outlet

RISER PIPE
If the highest outlet is more than 23 m above the breeching inlet, use 150 mm dry
riser else 100 mm.
Pipe material: galvanised iron to B.S. 1387 (Heavy gauge) or class C tested at 21
bars
Horizontal pipework feeding the risers should be sloped for proper draining after use
An air release valve installed at the top to release air trapped in the system
Electrically earthed to achieve equipotential with the buliding

STATIC PRESSURE TEST

 First, flush the system to clear all debris insider riser

Hydraulically tested to a pressure of 14 bars (measured an inlet) for 2 hours for
leakage at joints and connections
Inspection & testing regularly all parts to ensure that they are in good operation
condition

5. WET RISER SYSTEM

DESCRIPTION
Internal hydrant to use by fireman and are always charged with water
Required for building of top most floor is higher than 30.5 m above the fire
appliance access level
Need pumps
Wet riser pipe is 150 mm.

 Rubber-lined hose with nozzles

For high rise buildings, each stage of wet riser should not exceed 71 m
See Fig 9.1 for the typical wet riser installation
DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
DESIGN STANDARDS
MUST COMPLY WITH FOLLOWING STANDARD;
B.S. 5306: Part 1 or the equivalent Malaysian Standard;
M.S. 1210: Part 1 - Landing Valves for Wet Risers
M.S. 1210: Part 3 - Inlet Breeching Riser inlets
M.S. 1210: Part 4 Boxes for Landing Valves for Dry Risers
M.S. 1210: Part 5 Boxes for Inlet Breeching
WET RISER LANDING VALVE
Landing valves (comply with M.S. 1210: Part 2) are provided on each floor

Located at lobbies & staircases

Installed 0.75 m above floor level
Protected by Boxes comply with M.S. 1210: Part 4
Pressure at landing valve should be between 4-7 bars
Fire hose rubber-lined type (not less than 35mm dia. & 30 m in length) complete
with 65 mm diameter coupling & nozzle should be provided in a hose cradle beside
each landing valve

BREECHING INLET
Should be a 4-way type complying with M.S. 1210: Part 3)
Protected by Boxes comply with M.S. 1210: Part 5 & labelled Wet Riser Inlet
A drain should be provided at the bottom of the riser
Located not more than 18 m from fire appliance access road & not more than 30 m
from the nearest external hydrant outlet

WET RISER PIPE

 Each wet riser should cover not more than 900 m sq floor area.
If more than one wet riser per floor, the distance apart between then not more than
60 m
The top most and the lowest wet riser should be less than 71 m
Pipe material: galvanised iron to B.S. 1387 (Heavy gauge) or class C
Pipe should be coated with primer and finished with red gloss paint alternatively the
pipe can be colour coded by red band of 100 mm width with elbows and tees painted
red
Electrically earthed to achieve equipotential with the buliding
WET RISER PUMPS
2 sets op pumps. One on duty & the other on standby
The pump capacity 1500 l/m & pressure between 4-7 bars when any three landing
valves are in use at the same time.
Should be supplied with backup diesel/power generator incase of black out for at
least 2 hours
Electrical cabling should be fire rated type
Batteries for diesel engine must be maintanance free type
Should provide with CO2 portable extinguisher
The pumps should be protected from the weather and away from flood area.

WET RISER TANKS

Minimum capacity of 45,500 litres with automatic refill rate 455 l/m
The intermediate break tank for for upper stages of the wet riser should be not less
than 11,375 litres with automatic refill rate 1365 l/m
Tank material: pressed steel, fibreglass reinforced polyester (FRP) or concrete.
The tank should be compartmented and water level indicator must be provided
External tank should be painted red OR at least red band of minimum 200 mm
should be painted.
Tanks located on the ground floor or basement
Wet riser tanks separated from other water storage tank
However, it may be combined with hose reel tanks and the capacity is the sum total
from both tanks. Hose reel tap off level should be above the wet riser tap off such
that wet riser reserve is maintained

STATIC PRESSURE TEST

First, flush the system to clear all debris insider riser

 Hydraulically tested to a pressure of 14 bars or 150% of the working pressure

(measured an inlet), whichever is the higher for 2 hours for leakage at joints and
connections
Inspection & testing regularly all parts to ensure that they are in good operation
condition
A three way landing valve should be provided on the roof or topmost floor for
testing purposes. Flowmeter should be provided to measure flowrate

6. DOWNCOMER SYSTEM
DESCRIPTION
Internal hydrant for fireman to use and always charge with water from water
tank located on the top of the building WITHOUT any pump.
Only permitted to residential buildings with open balcony & the topmost floor is
not more than 60 maboe the fire appliance access level
150mm riser pipe with landing valve on each floor and to which rubber-lined
hose with nozzles

 Should be adopted for low cost flats only

A typical downcomer Installation shown in Fig 10.1
DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
DESIGN STANDARDS
MUST COMPLY WITH FOLLOWING STANDARD;
M.S. 1210: Part 1 - Landing Valves for Wet Risers
M.S. 1210: Part 3 - Inlet Breeching Riser Inlets
M.S. 1210: Part 4 Boxes for Landing Valves for Dry Risers
M.S. 1210: Part 5 Boxes for Inlet Breeching
DOWNCOMER LANDING VALVE

Provided on each floor & complying with M.S. 1210: Part 1

Located at lobbies & staircases
Installed less than 0.75 m from the floor
Protected by Boxes comply with M.S. 1210: Part 4

 Pressure at landing valve depends on the static pressure on the valve from the roof
tank
2 sets of fire hose rubber-lined type (not less than 35mm dia. & 30 m in length)
complete with 65 mm diameter coupling & nozzle should be provided at the
caretakers unit or management office

BREECHING INLET
The fire brigate breeching inlets into which fireman will pump water into the
downcomer system located at ground floor
Should be a 4-way type complying with M.S. 1210: Part 3)
Protected by Boxes comply with M.S. 1210: Part 5 & labelled Downcomer Inlet
A drain should be provided at the bottom of the riser
Located not more than 18 m from fire appliance access road & not more than 30 m
from the nearest external hydrant
Check valve is installed between the topmost landing valve and the tank to prevent
back flow of the water from the downcomer into the tank

DOWNCOMER PIPE

Each downcomer should cover not more than 900 m sq floor area.
If more than one riser per floor, the distance apart between then not more than 60 m
The downcomer pipe diameter is 150 mm
Pipe material: galvanised iron to B.S. 1387 (Heavy gauge) or class C
An air release valve installed at the top to release air trapped in the system
Pipe should be coated with primer and finished with red gloss paint alternatively the
pipe can be colour coded by red band of 100 mm width with elbows and tees painted
red
Electrically earthed to achieve equipotential with the buliding

DOWNCOMER WATER TANKS

Minimum capacity of 45,500 litres with automatic refill rate 455 l/m
Tank material: pressed steel, fibreglass reinforced polyester (FRP) or concrete.
The tank should be compartmented and water level indicator must be provided
External tank should be painted red OR at least red band of minimum 200 mm
should be painted.
Tanks located on the roof

 Wet riser tanks separated from other water storage tank

However, it may be combined with hose reel tanks and the capacity is the sum total
from both tanks. Hose reel tap off level should be above the downcomer tap off such
that water is reserve for the downcomer
STATIC PRESSURE TEST
First, flush the system to clear all debris insider riser
Hydraulically tested to a pressure of 14 bars or 150% of the working pressure
(measured an inlet), whichever is the higher for 2 hours for leakage at joints and
connections
Inspection & testing regularly all parts to ensure that they are in good operation
condition.

7. AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEM

DESCRIPTION
Intent to detect,control, extinguish a fire, and warn the occupants of the
occurance of fire automatically

 System consist of pumps, water tanks, control valve sets, sprinkler heads, flow
switches, pressure switches, pipework & valves
Sprinkler head has a liquid filled in glass bulb that breaks due to heat of the
fire & release water that spray over the fire
Common type sprinkler system installation shown in Fig 11.1

TYPE OF SPRINKLERS
Four types of sprinkler system as follows;
(i.)

Wet pipe installation

Pipeworks always filled with water & ready to discharge once the sprinkler bulb
breaks

(ii.)

Dry pipe installation

Pipeworks always filled with air under pressure. Air released once the sprinkler
bulb breaks and water filled the pipeworks and discharge at the sprinkler head

(iii.)

Pre-action installation
Pipeworks always filled with air under pressure. A valves release air and
pipeworks filled with water when fire is detected by smoke or heat detectors.
Water is discharged through the sprinkler head only when the sprinkler bulb
breaks

(iv.)

Deluge Installation
Sprinkler head has no bulb.and water is discharge simultaneously from all heads
when fire is detected and the deluge valve is opened

DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
DESIGN STANDARDS
MUST COMPLY WITH FOLLOWING STANDARDS;
LPC rules for Automatic Sprinklers,UK

 B.S. 5306: Part 2 Specification for Sprinkler systems

NFPA 13 (National Fire Protection Association)
Australian Std. A.S. 2118

HAZARD CLASSIFICATION
As describe in B.S. 5306 Part 2, hazard is devided into three main categories as
follows:
a)

Light Hazard
non-industrial occupancies
low quantity of combustibility contents
example: apartments, flat, schools, hostel UTM & hospital

b)

Ordinary Hazard
Group I : Offices, restaurants & hotels
Group II : Laundries, bakeries & tobacco factories
Group III : Car parks, department stores, hypermarket, cinema, clothing &
paint factories.


c)

Group IV : Match factories, film & television studios

High Hazard

Group I : Process risk .e.g. clothing, rubber,woodwool & paint factories

Group II : High piled storage risk which divided into 4 categories
i) Category I : Carpets and textile storage exceeding 4 m in height
ii) Category II : Furniture factory storage exceeding 3 m in height
iii) Category III: Rubber, wax coated paper storage exceeding 2 m in height
iv) Category IV: foam & plastics storage exceeding 1.2 m in height

SPRINKLER PUMPS

Require to feed sprinkler network

Two sets of pumps: one on duty & the other on standby
A jockey pump provided to maintain system pressure
Pumps capacity as describe in B.S. 5306 Part 2 as follows;

i)

Light Hazard

Head =15 m; Q = 300 dm3 /min at P = 1.5 bars

Head =30 m; Q = 340 dm3 /min at P = 1.8 bars

Head =45 m; Q = 375 dm3 /min at P = 2.3 bars

ii)

Ordinary Hazard
Group I : Offices, restaurants & hotels

Head =15 m; Q = 900 dm3 /min at P = 1.2 bars

Head =30 m; Q = 1150 dm3 /min at P = 1.9 bars

Head =45 m; Q = 1360 dm3 /min at P = 2.7 bars

Group II : Laundries, bakeries & tobacco factories

Head =15 m; Q = 1750 dm3 /min at P = 1.4 bars

Head =30 m; Q = 2050 dm3 /min at P = 2.0 bars

Head =45 m; Q = 2350 dm3 /min at P = 2.6 bars

Group III : Car parks, department stores, hypermarket, cinema, clothing &
paint factories.

Head =15 m; Q = 2250 dm3 /min at P = 1.4 bars

Head =30 m; Q = 2700 dm3 /min at P = 2.0 bars


Head =45 m; Q = 3100 dm3 /min at P = 2.5 bars

Group IV : Match factories, film & television studios

Head =15 m; Q = 2650 dm3 /min at P = 1.9 bars

Head =30 m; Q = 3050 dm3 /min at P = 2.4 bars

iii) High Hazard

Refer to B.S. 5306: Part 2

WATER TANKS

iv) Light Hazard

Head =15 m; Tank capacity 9 m3

Head =30 m; Tank capacity 10 m3

Head =45 m; Tank capacity 11 m3

v)

Ordinary Hazard
Group I : Offices, restaurants & hotels

Head =15 m; Tank capacity 55 m3

Head =30 m; Tank capacity 70 m3

Head =45 m; Tank capacity 80 m3

Group II : Laundries, bakeries & tobacco factories

Head =15 m; Tank capacity 105 m3

Head =30 m; Tank capacity 125 m3

Head =45 m; Tank capacity 140 m3

Group III : Car parks, department stores, hypermarket, cinema, clothing &
paint factories.

Head =15 m; Tank capacity 135 m3

Head =30 m; Tank capacity 160 m3

Head =45 m; Tank capacity 185 m3

Group IV : Match factories, film & television studios

Head =15 m; Tank capacity 160 m3

Head =30 m; Tank capacity 185 m3

vi) High Hazard

Refer to B.S. 5306: Part 2

SPRINKLER HEAD

Generally of the conventional pendant or upright type

Temperature rating: minimum = (T+30)0 C where T=maximum ambient
temperature of the protected space in degree C.
Nominal temperature rating = 680 C
In kitchen nominal temperature rating = 790 C

INSTALLATION CONTROL VALVE

Each sprinkler installation should have installation control valves which consist of
main stop valves, alarm valves, drain line with stop valve, flow rate & pressure
gauges

Maximum number of sprinklers to be fed from one set of installation control valve
shall be;

i) Light Hazard
ii) Ordinary Hazard
iii) High Hazard

: 500 sprinklers
: 1000 sprinklers
: 1000 sprinklers

SPRINKLER PIPEWORK

Black steel or galvanised iron BS.1387 (medium grade ) Class B minimum

Underground pipe: heavy gauge Class C
For Pipes of size 80 mm and below use screw joints
For Pipes of size above 100 mm may be welded OR grooved coupling up to 250 mm
Sprinkler pipes should not be concealed in the floor or ceiling concrete slabs.
Pipe should be coated with primer and finished with red gloss paint alternatively the
pipe can be colour coded by red band of 100 mm width with elbows and tees painted
red

INSPECTION & TESTING

First, flush the system to clear all debris insider riser
Hydraulically tested to a pressure of 14 bars or 150% of the working pressure
(measured an inlet), whichever is the higher for 24 hours for leakage at joints and
connections
Each zone should be tested by opening the valve on the test line. The flow switch for
that zone should indicate an alarm on the fire alarm panel.
Flow test to ensure the pumps are in proper working condition.
Inspection & testing regularly all parts & joints to ensure no leakage and they are in
good operation condition as recommended by checklist attached.