Evaluation of Fire Protection System on Educational Laboratory Building of Universitas Samudra
Haikal Fajri1, Wan Alamsyah2, Defry Basrin3, M. Ridho Pratama4, Irda Yunita5
1,2,3,4Civil Engineering Department, Universitas Samudra, Langsa Indonesia
5Environmental Engineering Department, Universitas Serambi Mekkah, Banda Aceh Indonesia
*Corresponding author: haikal.fajri@unsam.ac.id
Received: May 19, 2023 Approved: May 21, 2023
Abstract
This research aims to evaluate fire protection system of educational laboratory building of Universitas Samudra in Langsa city. The building, containing chemical and biological materials that are susceptible to fire, should be protected carefully against potential fires. In addition, sophisticated and expensive equipment for practicum and research including the physical building material are also an additional factor to be preserved according to large investments budget provided. The building, served as practicum and research center will be reviewed from the aspect of active, passive, and management systems that refer to Indonesian standards and regulations. Field observations, data collection and interview were performed in observing the existing condition of the building using descriptive methods. To support the evaluation process, building model is carried out using Sketchup, AutoCAD and Dialux simulation in order to achieve more in-depth observations. The results of this study show that in general the building has met adequate fire protection system standards. The existing volume of the ground water tank is only sufficient for the daily operational needs of water in the laboratory building. However, this amount is not sufficient in a fire scenario. The addition of a new ground water tank and the addition of a Siamese connection to support the need for water imported from fire trucks is required. In addition, there is a need for a fire hazard management team in the building and the need for technical operational standards for the maintenance of all components.
Keywords: evaluation of fire protection, educational laboratory building, active fire protection, passive fire protection, fire hazard management
Abstrak
Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengevaluasi sistem proteksi kebakaran sebuah gedung laboratorium dasar Universitas Samudra di kota Langsa. Bangunan yang mengandung bahan kimia dan biologi yang rentan terhadap kebakaran, harus dilindungi secara hati-hati terhadap potensi kebakaran. Selain itu, peralatan yang canggih dan mahal yang digunakan untuk praktikum dan penelitian terpadu termasuk komponen fisik gedung juga menjadi faktor tambahan yang harus dijaga akibat besarnya nilai investasi anggaran pembangunan gedung tersebut. Evaluasi gedung tersebut akan ditinjau dari aspek aktif, pasif, dan sistem manajemen yang mengacu pada standar dan peraturan di Indonesia. Observasi lapangan, pengumpulan data dan wawancara dilakukan dalam mengevaluasi kondisi eksisting bangunan dengan menggunakan metode deskriptif. Untuk mendukung proses evaluasi, model bangunan dibentuk dengan menggunakan simulasi Sketchup, AutoCad dan Dialux untuk mencapai pengamatan yang lebih mendalam. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa secara umum gedung tersebut telah memenuhi standar sistem proteksi kebakaran yang memadai. Volume tangki air tanah yang ada saat ini hanya cukup untuk kebutuhan operasional sehari-hari di gedung laboratorium. Namun, jumlah ini tidak cukup dalam skenario kebakaran. Diperlukan penambahan tangki air tanah baru dan penambahan sambungan Siamase untuk mendukung kebutuhan air yang didatangkan dari mobil pemadam kebakaran. Selain itu, perlunya tim manajemen bahaya kebakaran di gedung dan perlunya standar operasional teknis untuk pemeliharaan semua komponen.
Kata Kunci: evaluasi proteksi kebakaran, gedung laboratorium pendidikan, proteksi kebakaran aktif, proteksi kebakaran pasif, manajemen bahaya kebakaran
1. Introduction
Recently, frequent fires of the building [1] have shown that there are internal and external factor contributed to the fire disaster namely short circuit problems [2], the use of flammable chemicals and material [3][4], continuous use of electrical equipment [5]. Moreover, the lack of fire risk management [6]
and maintenance [7][8] as well as narrow access to the building site [9], however, possess high potential
fire hazard in the educational laboratories. This hazard can cause harm to resident, equipment, and construction of building itself. There is a high amount of investment budget required to construct a laboratory building as well as pricey equipment installed for research. Therefore, the building was required to be protected safely from fire [10]. Several studies on fire protection of laboratory buildings have suggested that re-arranging the sprinkler distance and fire extinguishers [8], forming a fire emergency response team [11], periodically inspecting and replacing fire safety [12], and improving student knowledge of fire safety [13] are among the solution implemented.
Given the importance of protecting a laboratory building from fire hazards as previously described, as well as little research found related to fire hazards at the Universitas Samudra, this study aims to analyze the fire protection system in the building by referring to the Indonesian standards and regulations of active, passive and management fire protection systems [14]–[16]. The results of the study are then discussed and evaluated to identify the possible problem and best-practice solution to the laboratory manager for maintaining the building from fire.
2. Material and Methods
The building was located in the center area of Universitas Samudra in Kota Langsa, Aceh Province Indonesia. The building was constructed in 2022 and operated in early 2023. As a new building, the evaluation of fire safety should be carried out to ensure the level of security. DED (Detail Engineering Design) was collected from university planning division manager to obtain more information related to fire protection method which has been planned earlier. Moreover, interviews were conducted to the manager, operators, laboratory assistants to identify potential peril from the machinery equipment’s. Furthermore, field observation was performed to investigate the completeness of safety components and rescue facilities on site. Finally, data collections will be evaluated and analyzed referring to the technical regulation for fire protection systems in buildings and the environment.
Figure 1. Floor plan of the 1st floor building Source: Universitas Samudra Planning Division
This 3-story lab building is located beside the PGSD laboratory. The typical area of each floor is 816 m2 as shown in Figure 1. The building is composed of several engineering laboratory rooms such as civil, mechanical, informatics and industrial engineering lab as well as earth science laboratory namely chemistry, biology, and physics. Other multipurpose rooms are also provided for example study room, conference and computer room, administration room, and data center. Detail of location and area of each room is shown in Table 1.
Table 1. Detail Location and Area of Laboratory Building
Room Location Area (m2)
Civil engineering Lab.
1 - Story
133,0
Mechanical engineering Lab. 133,0
Prayer Room 42,0
Administration Room 70,0
Study Room 129,5
Panel and repository Room 21,0
Industrial engineering lab.
2 - Story
133,0
Chemistry Lab 126,0
Biology Lab 122,5
Physics Lab 87,5
Food Processing Lab 122,5
Data Center
3 - Story
84,0
Microbiology Lab 84,0
Computer Room 70.0
Conference Room 129,5
Study Room 70,0
Source: Universitas Samudra planning division
Sketchup and AutoCAD software are utilized for modelling purposed for analysing both active and passive fire protection. Moreover, Dialux is performed to simulate the emergency lighting levels of the building. Furthermore, fire extinguisher in every room is calculated by following equation:
𝑅 =𝜋
4𝐷2 (1)
∑ 𝐹 =𝑅
𝐴 (2)
Fire hydrant is one of the important points for active protection, the required building hydrant can be determined by the empirical formula:
∑ 𝐻 =𝐴
𝑅× 2 (3)
The sprinkler system is set to be connected all over the building using water-based auto sprinklers.
In order to enhance the water pressure, primary and secondary system springkler is applied. The required sprinkler is shown by the equation:
∑ 𝑆 =𝐴
𝐿 (4)
The laboratory building is located beside the PGSD building which already has ground water tank.
In order to optimize water sources, this lab building is planned to use the existing water source and pump system. Calculation of ground water tank capacity is calculated by the following equation:
𝑉 = 𝑄 × 𝑇 (5)
3. Results and Discussion Fire extinguishers (APAR)
Referring to SNI 03-3987-1995 [17], it was found that the University of Samudra Laboratory Building was included in the Class B fire category. This was due to the large amount of flammable liquid in the building. Therefore, the type of APAR that is suitable for use is dry chemical powder liquid or dry chemical powder. The maximum distance of APAR is 15 m and floor are 816, so that the protected floor area is calculated by equation (1), the calculation of the need for fire extinguishers is shown in Table 1.
Table 2. Fire extinguisher required
No Room Area (m2) Requirement
1-Story
1. Civil Engineering Lab 133 133
176,625= 0,753 = 1 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡
2. Mechanical engineering Lab. 133 133
176,625= 0,753 = 1 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡
3. Panel and repository room 21 21
176,625= 0,118 = 1 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡
4. Administration Room 70 70
176,625= 0,396 = 1 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡
5. Study room 129,5 129,5
176,625= 0,733 = 1 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡 2-Story
1. Industrial engineering lab. 133,0 133
176,625= 0,753 = 1 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡
2. Chemistry Lab 126,0 126
176,625= 0,713 = 1 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡
3. Biology Lab 122,5 122,5
176,625= 0,694 = 1 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡
4. Physics Lab 87,5 87,5
176,625= 0,495 = 1 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡
5. Food Processing Lab 122,5 122,5
176,625= 0,694 = 1 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡 .3-Story
1. Data Center 84,0 84
176,625= 0,476 = 1 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡
2. Microbiology Lab 84,0 84
176,625= 0,476 = 1 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡
3. Computer Room 70,0 70
176,625= 0,396 = 1 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡
4. Conference Room 129,5 129,5
176,625= 0,733 = 1 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡
5. Study Room 70,0 70
176,625= 0,396 = 1 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡
Total 15 units
The number of fire extinguishers required in the Laboratory building is 15 units. The fire extinguishers are placed in each room that has the potential to cause a fire hazard as shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2. The layout of the fire extinguisher, fire alarm, sprinkler, fire hydrant, and fire detector
Fire Hydrant
Based on SNI 03-1745-2000 and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) [18], the fire hydrant system of lab building is indicated to light fire type category. Water discharge of the building is 400 liters/minute; water pressure is 6,9 bar; Hose nozzle is 1,5 inch and maximum water flow required is 30 minutes. The floor area protected by hydrants is 800 m2, so that the need for hydrant boxes and pillars is calculated by equation (3).
Table 3. The hydrant required for the building
Story Area (m2) Requirement
Hydrant box
1 - Story 816 816800x 2 = 2 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡s
2 - Story 816 816800x 2 = 2 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡s
3 - Story 816 816
800x 2 = 2 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡s Hydrant Pillar
1 - Story 816 816800x 2 = 2 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡s
The total hydrant box required for the building is 6 units which is placed on left and right side of each floor while the hydrant pillar requisited is 2 unit that installed at the front and back of the building.
Sprinkler System
The procedure for planning and installing an automatic sprinkler system for fire prevention in buildings refers to SNI 03-3989-2000. Because this laboratory building is classified as a mild to moderate fire hazard, the sprinkler used is 1/2” with a capacity (Q) = 80 liters/minute. Hole diameter is 0,5 inch; jet density is 2.25 mm/minute; water pressure is 2,2 bar; the maximum distance between sprinklers is 4,6 m;
and the distance to the wall is 1,7 m. Sprinkler coverage area is 11,9 m2. The calculation of the required sprinklers is calculated equation (4). Hence, the need for sprinklers for the entire building is 180 units with the placement location shown in Figure 3.
Figure 3. Sprinkler layout plan 1-story
Fire Alarm and Detector
Calculation of fire alarms and detectors refers to SNI 03-3985-2000 concerning procedures for planning, installing and testing fire detection and alarm systems for fire prevention in buildings. There is a multiplier factor based on the height of the room ceiling as shown in Table 4.
Table 4. Multiplying factor No. Heights Multiplier (%)
1. 0 – 3,0 100
2. 3,0 – 3,6 91
3. 3,6 – 4,2 84
4. 4,2 – 4,8 77
5. 4,8 – 5,4 71
6. 5,4 – 6,0 64
7. 6,0 – 6,7 58
8. 6,7 – 7,3 52
9. 7,3 – 7,9 46
10. 7,9 – 8,5 40
11. 8,5 – 9,1 34
Source: SNI 03-3985-2000
The height of each floor is 4,0 m so that the multiplier factor is 84%. Based on the results, the number of alarms and smoke detectors required on each floor is 10 units.
Evaluation of Ground Water Tank Volume
After analyzing the number and location active and passive fire protection installation, the next step is to evaluate the volume of water availability. The water source for this laboratory is planned to use water sources from the PGSD lab, so that it is necessary to evaluate the adequacy of water. The water demand during the extinguishing process (30 minutes = 1800 second) determined is shown in Table 5.
Table 5. The water demand of building No. Protection
System
Discharge (Q)
Time
(T) Volume (V) Unit Water demand (liter)
1. Sprinkler 1.333
(liters/sec)
1.800 (seconds)
2.400
(liters) 180 432.000 liters 2. Hydrant Box 6.667
(liters/sec)
1.800 (seconds)
12.000
(liters) 6 72.000 liters
3. Hydrant Pillar 38 (liters/sec) 1.800 (seconds)
68.400
(liters) 2 136.800 liters
Total Amount of Water Required 640.800 ≈ 641.000 liters It can be seen from the Table 5 that the water requirement of the fire protection system for sprinkler and hydrant in the Laboratory Building is 641.000 liters.
Existing Ground Water Tank and Distribution Pump
Based on field observation and interviews from the building owner of PGSD building, the existing Ground Water Tank (GWT) volume is 143.550 liters as shown in Figure 4. According to field observation in PGSD water pomp building, the pump house water distribution system consists of a suction pump from a deep bore well and a water distribution pump. The water pump used is branded SHIMIZU PC-286 BIT and is included in the Jet Pump category which is commonly used as a deep well pump. The end of the suction pipe has an ejector that functions as an increase in thrust to be able to suck and push water at high speed.
The specifications of the pump have a Pressure Tank, a Maximum Total Head of 60 Meters, a Suction Capability of Up to 30 Meters, a Plastic Fan Cover (Anti-Rust), and a Suction Pipe of 1.25". The stability of the water pressure on the hydrant and sprinkler is regulated by a jockey pump to ensure that the water jet is regulated at a stable pressure during the fire suppression process. The jockey pump used has a capacity of 10 m3/h with the Groundfos CR brand. In addition, a diesel pump with a capacity of 3000 gpm is installed to ensure that water distribution remains available in the event of a power outage due to fire. The pumps are shown in Figure 5. The three pumps are installed in a pump house which is located behind the PGSD lab building.
Figure 4. Ground water tank existing of PGSD building
Figure 5. Suction pump, Jockey pump and Diesel pump
It can be concluded that the existing water sources from PGSD ground water tank (143.550 liters) is not sufficient to extinguish fires in the event of a fire disaster in the laboratory building (641.000 liters).
Therefore, it is necessary to implement several alternatives such as adding a new ground water tank or providing a Siamese connection instead.
Fire hazard management
According to interview with building owner, team for fire hazard organization is not been established yet. Only evacuation road has been designed as shown in the Figure 6. Based on the regulation and standard of fire safety from minister of public work, a fire protection organization is compulsory for fire safety plan activity such as inspection, replacement, repair, audit of fire safety.
Figure 6. Evacuation routes and zones
4. Conclusion
In general, the results of the planning design have met adequate fire protection system standards, only the location of the fire extinguishers and sprinklers need to be reviewed with the appropriate positioning. The design of the evacuation route needs a zoning system so that there is no accumulation of users at one exit door when a disaster occurs. The existing volume of the ground water tank is only sufficient for the daily operational needs of water in the laboratory building. However, this amount is not sufficient in a fire hazard scenario. In addition, the need for a fire hazard management team in the building and the need for technical operational standards to maintain all components.
5. Acknowledgment
Authors thank our colleagues from Universitas Samudra and Universitas Serambi Mekkah Indonesia who provided insight and expertise that greatly assisted the research, although they may not agree with all of the interpretations/conclusions of this paper.
6. Abbreviations
R protected floor area
A floor area (m2)
D maximum distance (m)
H required building hydrant
S required sprinkler
L sprinkler coverage area (m2)
V required volume of water (liters)
Q discharge (liter/second)
T storage water supply time (second) 7. References
[1] K. Mróz, I. Hager, and K. Korniejenko, “Material Solutions for Passive Fire Protection of Buildings and Structures and Their Performances Testing,” Procedia Eng., vol. 151, pp. 284–291, 2016, doi:
10.1016/j.proeng.2016.07.388.
[2] N. P. R. Yuliartini and K. D. Pramita, “Jurnal komunikasi hukum,” J. Komun. Huk., vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 469–480, 2022.
[3] J. Beitel, B. Lattimer, C. Beyler, J. Beitel, N. Iwankiw, and B. Lattimer, “Fire Resistance Testing for Performance-based Fire Design of Buildings. Final Report NIST GCR 07-910,” no. June 2015, 2007.
[4] D. N. Saputro and E. Rahmawati, “Fire Risk Analysis and Evaluation of Rescue Facilities in the Engineering Laboratory Building,” Proc. 2nd Int. Conf. Soc. Sci. Humanit. Public Heal. (icosh.
2021), vol. 645, no. Icoship 2021, pp. 270–274, 2022, doi: 10.2991/assehr.k.220207.046.
[5] R. A. Lestari and K. Oginawati, “Analisis Potensi Ledakan dan Kebakaran Primary Reformer sebagai Unit Proses Produksi Amonia di PT. X Analysis of Potential of Fire and Explosion at Primary Reformer as Processing Unit in Ammonia Production in PT. X,” J. Rekayasa Kim. dan Lingkung., vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 72–81, 2016.
[6] E. Saptaria, S. Mulyanto, and Maryono., “Pemeriksaan keselamatan kebakaran bangunan gedung,”
PUSLITBANG PU Dinas Pekerj. Umum, pp. 1–27, 2006.
[7] M. R. Suryoputro, F. A. Buana, A. D. Sari, and F. I. Rahmillah, “Active and passive fire protection system in academic building KH. Mas Mansur, Islamic University of Indonesia,” MATEC Web Conf., vol. 154, pp. 0–5, 2018, doi: 10.1051/matecconf/201815401094.
[8] E. R. Novanandini, O. C. Dewi, and Y. S. Nugroho, “Evaluation of fire safety maintenance of an educational laboratory facility,” IOP Conf. Ser. Earth Environ. Sci., vol. 933, no. 1, 2021, doi:
10.1088/1755-1315/933/1/012029.
[9] H. A. Rahardjo, N. Hafizh, and M. Prihanton, “Manajemen Resiko Kebakaran Untuk Keberlangsungan Fungsi Bangunan,” Semin. Nas. Sains dan Teknol. 2019 Fak. Tek. Univ.
Muhammadiyah Jakarta, pp. 1–10, 2019.
[10] C. Martín-Gómez, N. Mambrilla-Herrero, O. Zapata, S. Villanueva, and J. B. Echeverría Trueba,
“Architectural Fire Protection Learning: the ETSAUN Case,” 39th World Congr. Hous. Sci. Chang.
Needs, Adapt. Build. Smart Cities., pp. 345–352, 2013.
[11] L. F. Sarida, M. Yunus, and S. T. Puspitasari, “Analysis of Safety Building Facilities as a Fire Prevention Effort at the State University of Malang’s Faculty of Sports Science,” Proc. 3rd Int. Sci.
Meet. Public Heal. Sport. (ISMOPHS 2021), vol. 44, no. Ismophs 2021, pp. 129–136, 2022, doi:
10.2991/ahsr.k.220108.023.
[12] N. Nadzim and M. Taib, “Appraisal of Fire Safety Management Systems at Educational Buildings,”
SHS Web Conf., vol. 11, p. 01005, 2014, doi: 10.1051/shsconf/20141101005.
[13] D. Meng, H. W. Yao, T. Y. Cui, and Y. C. Sun, “Survey and Countermeasure Discussion of College Students’ Campus Fire Safety,” Procedia Eng., vol. 135, pp. 25–28, 2016, doi:
10.1016/j.proeng.2016.01.074.
[14] Presiden Republik Indonesia, “Peraturan Pemerintah No 16 tahun 2021 Tentang Peraturan Pelaksanaan Undang-Undang Nomor 28 Tahun 2002 Tentang Bangunan Gedung,” Pres. Republik Indones., no. 087169, p. 406, 2021, [Online]. Available: https://jdih.pu.go.id/detail- dokumen/2851/1.
[15] P. PUPR, “Peraturan Menteri Pekerjaan Umum No. 26/PRT/M/2008 Tentang Persyaratan Teknis Sistem Proteksi Kebakaran pada Bangunan Gedung dan Lingkungan.,” 2008.
[16] Badan Standar Nasional Indonesia, “Sni 03-1736-2000 tentang Tata cara perencanaan sistem protekasi pasif untuk pencegahan bahaya kebakaran pada bangunan rumah dan gedung.,” Bsn, pp.
1–83, 2000, [Online]. Available: http://dppk.bandung.go.id/assets/uploads/file/4fee4-sni- springkler.pdf.
[17] I. Silahuddin, T. Efendi, M. Sutrisno, and R. E. Ambat, “Perencanaan Ulang Sistem Proteksi Kebakaran Pada Gedung Serbaguna Tekmira Jend. Sudirman No. 623 Bandung,” Potensi J. Sipil Politek., vol. 21, no. 1, p. 19, 2019, doi: 10.35313/potensi.v21i1.1312.
[18] J. M. Watts, “Fire protection performance evaluation for historic buildings,” J. Fire Prot. Eng., vol.
11, no. 4, pp. 197–208, 2001, doi: 10.1177/104239101400934388.
