How Do Fire Sprinklers Work? Fire Sprinkler Misconceptions First, it may be helpful to dispel some common and potentially harmful misconceptions many people have about fire sprinklers and how they work. Here are just a few misconceptions: Smoke triggers a fire sprinkler Once one automatic sprinkler activates, all automatic sprinklers in the system activate together Fire sprinkler activation automatically means massive water damage Smoke detectors activate fire sprinklers Fire sprinklers will shut off automatically once a fire is under control Continue reading to learn how fire sprinklers actually work so that you and your property can be better prepared in the event of a fire.
Basic Parts of a Fire Sprinkler System To better understand how the system works as a whole, it is helpful to know the various parts that make up a fire sprinkler system : Automatic Sprinklers : The part of the fire sprinkler system you see throughout the building which disperses the water onto the fire.
There is a wide variety of automatic sprinkler types that suit varying needs and settings. Heat-Sensitive Element : A component of each automatic sprinkler, the heat-sensitive element, is the all-important trigger that activates the sprinkler. The most common type of heat-sensitive element is a glass bulb filled with a kind of glycerin-based liquid which expands and bursts in response to fire-related temperatures, typically between degrees Fahrenheit. Sprinkler System Cross and Main Pipes: The pipes that run above the ceilings and behind the walls which carry and hold the pressurized water that will be dispersed through the automatic sprinkler s in the event of a fire.
Sprinkler System Risers : The pipes that connect the sprinkler system cross and main pipes to the domestic water supply for the building. Fire Sprinkler Pressure Gauges: Gauges that measure the water pressure within the sprinkler system to indicate whether or not sufficient pressure is present to efficiently send water through the system in the event of a fire.
System Control Valves: Valves used to drain, test, and isolate specific sections of the fire sprinkler system. Water Flow Switch: A switch that is activated when water runs through the sprinkler system that sends an alarm to alert local authorities that the system has been triggered. Water Motor Gong: A device that sounds an alarm when water is actively flowing through the sprinkler system.
How are Fire Sprinklers Activated? Where is the Water Stored? Wet Pipe Fire Sprinklers: In a wet pipe system, the pipes are filled with water that is slightly pressurized. When the system is activated, the water then releases immediately through the activated automated sprinkler.
We'll explore existing codes and the possible need for home regulations on the next few pages. Fire sprinkler systems have been in use for more than years. This is no doubt a result of codes and regulations, requiring the use of these systems in public buildings.
Codes and regulations that require the installation of fire sprinkler systems were first put into place in the s [source: Fleming ]. Before then, builders mainly installed sprinklers to reduce property loss and insurance costs. After collecting staggering statistics comparing the fire death rate in sprinkler-protected buildings versus non-protected, the fire sprinkler industry began a push for updated building codes to require the installation of these systems.
Today, building codes in many countries require the installation of fire sprinkler systems, although the United States has the highest record of systems installed.
Once adopted, these generic codes are locally amended. In the United States, building codes are set by city and state governments. Code sets usually require the installation of fire sprinkler systems across the board for new construction of high rises and commercial buildings.
Retro-fit codes are becoming more popular. Some of the old, existing building types that now require sprinklers include hotels, nursing homes and dormitories. You can find out more about your area's codes for fire sprinkler systems by visiting your local government's Web site. Or visit www. The USFA Web site has many helpful resources as well, including a list of fire sprinkler protected hotels.
Unfortunately, even though most fire deaths occur in homes, codes have not yet been put into effect requiring fire sprinkler system installation in single-family homes.
We'll discuss the advantages and disadvantages of installing home sprinkler systems on the next page. In , and just a year after the "unsinkable" Titanic sank, the story "absolutely fireproof" Winecoff Hotel in Atlanta was built without a fire sprinkler system, smoke detectors or fire escape ladders. Then more than 30 years later in December , a massive fire broke out in the hotel, killing guests, including 30 teenage boys, who had no means of escape.
The tragedy, which is still the deadliest hotel fire in the United States, led to immediate national fire and safety codes that are still strictly enforced [source: NFPA]. According to the American Fire Sprinkler Association, a home fire occurs every 79 seconds.
A National Fire Protection Association study reports that 3, deaths a year can be attributed to fires in homes [source: Figueroa ]. Given these startling statistics and what we've already learned about the life- and property-saving characteristics of fire sprinkler system installation, it's hard to believe that less than 2 percent of homes in the United States have fire sprinkler systems [source: Hall].
So why are homeowners hesitant to install a system that could save their lives and property? While aesthetics shouldn't outweigh life safety, one reason many single-family homeowners don't want to install sprinkler systems is that they believe sprinkler heads are an eye sore. Fortunately, new designs for residential systems are actually quite undetectable, and many can be installed flush to the ceiling.
Flush sprinkler heads are hidden behind a metal panel that hides the sprinkler head, but still allows it to spray normally. And residential sprinklers are smaller than commercial ones and require less water. They're typically dry pipe systems, providing added protection against potential water damage that could occur during home improvements or other home accidents. Additionally, since the development of residential systems is a newer concept, their designs include many new innovations like improved sensitivity , making them faster than commercial sprinklers.
Perhaps the most common myth about home sprinkler systems is that they're expensive. Not only is the installation of a home fire sprinkler system affordable, it can drastically decrease your home owner's insurance premium. Home systems will only continue to become more cost-effective as they become more common. Don't be surprised if you're required to install sprinkler systems in your home at some point in the future.
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Home DIY. Household Safety. How Fire Sprinkler Systems Work. Fire sprinkler systems are triggered by extreme heat and can quickly extinguish a fire in the room where it started. Fire Sprinklers as Fire Prevention Systems You've heard about the importance of a properly maintained smoke detector. Types of Fire Sprinkler Systems Because fire sprinkler systems protect a variety of buildings and property, many different types have been developed over the years.
More Fire Safety Tips. Fire Sprinklers and Building Codes Fire sprinkler systems have been in use for more than years. The Winecoff Hotel Fire. In wet pipe sprinklers, pressure in the pipes ensures the water is delivered quickly. In dry pipe and pre-action sprinkler systems, pressurized air is used to fill the pipes instead of water filling the pipes.
Once the air is released, due to a fire being detected, the water then flows through the pipes. It is a myth that once a fire is detected all fire sprinklers go off. If you require a sprinkler system where all the sprinkler heads go off at the same time, then you need a deluge sprinkler system.
Deluge sprinkler systems release water from every sprinkler head once a fire alarm goes off and are used in facilities with flammable or combustible liquids where the threat of fire is extremely high. Keystone Fire Protection Co. Other fire sprinkler systems have minimal clean-up and cause little damage due to the localized response such as the Hi-Fog Water Mist system offered by Keystone Fire Protection Co.
Fire sprinkler systems should be inspected and tested according to NFPA Weekly or monthly, gauges should be inspected. Quarterly, alarm devices and control valves should be inspected. Bracings, pipes, fittings, and signings should be inspected annually.
Every five years, an internal inspection is required. Tests of mechanical devices should happen quarterly. Switch type devices should be tested every six months. Every year, full testing and tagging should include water flow, fire pump, antifreeze concentration, and alarm tests.
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