SPRINKLERS

Fires can be destructive and deadly, but they don't have to be. Between 2015 and
2019, fire sprinkler systems were effective at controlling the fire in 97% of residential fires.
Installing a fire sprinkler system is a practical way to protect people and firefighters from fire
hazards.
A fire sprinkler system is a sort of automatic extinguishing system (AES) that
releases water through a series of sprinkler heads connected to a distribution piping system
to prevent fire growth and spread. When the ambient air temperature reaches 165 degrees
Fahrenheit, water is delivered through the sprinkler heads. This is an active protective
approach that can help to keep firefighters and others they work to protect safe.
Although these systems provide security, they are not found in every building. From
2015 to 2019, fire departments responded to an average of 51,000 structure fires per year.1
Only 10% of those structures had fire sprinkler systems. Furthermore, the majority of
structure fires and fire deaths occurred in homes, while only 7% of all home fires had
sprinklers.

FOUR (4) TYPES OF SPRINKLER SYSTEM

WET PIPE SPRINKLER SYSTEM

The most popular type of sprinkler system is a wet pipe sprinkler system. The
sprinkler piping in this system is constantly filled with water. When the temperature at the
ceiling rises sufficiently, a sprinkler's glass bulb or fusible link will shatter. Because the
system is already full of water, water can freely flow from that sprinkler head. Contrary to
popular belief, not all sprinkler heads in this type of system will work at the same time. The
temperature around that particular sprinkler head must be high enough to break the glass
bulb or fusible link that is preventing water from flowing. When this occurs, water will
immediately begin to flow from only that head.
Wet pipe sprinkler systems are the most dependable and economical. As a result,
they should be the first type to be considered when choosing a sprinkler system. There are
situations, however, when a wet pipe sprinkler system is not ideal. The temperature of the
space to be protected is a crucial issue in evaluating whether a wet pipe system may be
employed.
 Fig.1. Diagram of Wet Pipe Sprinkler System

DRY PIPE SPRINKLER SYSTEM

With one key exception, dry pipe systems are quite similar to wet pipe systems. The
pipe may not always have water in it. Instead, the water is retained behind a dry pipe valve,
which is normally positioned some distance away from the sprinklers. When the
temperature at the ceiling rises high enough, the glass bulb or fusible link of the sprinkler
breaks, similar to a wet pipe system. However, water is not instantly available in this
instance because the pipe is not filled with water. Air is instead released from the now-open
sprinkler head. This causes a pressure decrease, causing the dry pipe valve to open for
water to enter the system. Water will then be discharged from the open sprinkler head. The
size of dry pipe systems is limited due to the delay between sprinkler activation and water
flow. The size restriction is intended to reduce the amount of time that water delivery is
delayed. A dry pipe system is an excellent choice for unconditioned buildings or areas
where the temperature cannot be guaranteed to be high enough to keep water in the
system from freezing. It is critical to notice that the area of the building where the water
enters and the dry pipe valve is positioned must have temperatures hot enough to prevent
freezing.

Fig.2. Diagram of Dry Pipe Sprinkler System

WET VS. DRY PIPE SPRINKLER SYSTEM

Both wet and dry sprinkler systems use water to extinguish fires, but in different
ways. The pipes in a wet system are filled with pressured water. When a fire breaks out, the
system rapidly releases water to extinguish it. Dry systems, on the other hand, are filled with
pressured nitrogen or air, which keeps water at a riser. When the pressure in the pipes
drops, a valve opens, and water runs through the pipes and out to extinguish the fire.
 Table.1. Wet Vs. Dry Pipe Sprinkler System Differences

PRE-ACTION SPRINKLER SYSTEM

The pre-action system is one of the most complicated sprinkler system types. A non-
interlock system, a single interlock system, and a double interlock system are the three
types of pre-action systems. The fundamental distinction between pre-action systems and
wet and dry pipe systems is that before water is let into the system, a certain event (or
events) must occur. This may sound similar to a dry pipe system, however the distinction is
in what event causes the water to be released:
 For a non-interlock system: the operation of detection devices OR automatic sprinklers
 For a single interlock system: the operation of detection devices
 For a double interlock system: the operation of detection devices AND automatic
sprinklers
 Fig.3. Diagram of Double Interlock Pre-action Sprinkler System

Fig.4. Diagram of Single Interlock Pre-action Sprinkler System

DELUGE SPRINKLER SYSTEM

Deluge systems, like preaction systems, utilize a different form of detection to
operate. The main distinction is that deluge systems use open sprinklers or nozzles. Instead
of receiving water flow from individual sprinkler heads that have been activated, water will
flow from every sprinkler head once the system has been filled. A deluge valve, like a
preaction system, prevents water from entering the system until another form of detection
system, such as smoke detection, is activated. Water not only enters the system but also
flows from the open sprinklers or nozzles once that detecting system is engaged. These
devices are commonly utilized in high-risk situations where fires can spread quickly. In
contrast to standard wet sprinkler systems, the sprinkler heads of a Deluge system are
always left open, allowing a significant amount of water to be dumped on a hazard. This
open position allows water to flow from all sprinkler heads at once rather than one at a time.

Fig.5. Diagram of Deluge Sprinkler System

Fire sprinkler systems are classified into four kinds. The sort of fire sprinkler that will
give the best protection depends on the type of institution and the threats present. Despite
the fact that these systems differ in how they operate and whether their pipes contain water,
pressured air, or none, they all work to keep fires from spreading. Check out the difference
between standard response, quick response, and open fire sprinklers for more information
about fire sprinklers and their reaction times.
 TYPES OF SPRINKLER HEADS
Fire sprinkler heads have been around for decades and have consistently proven to
be successful at protecting both life and property. Sprinklers, in reality, are 95% effective at
controlling fires because they tackle the source of the fire immediately. Sprinkler heads are
classified into four types:

PENDENT SPRINKLER HEAD

A pendent (sometimes written “pendant”) fire sprinkler hangs from above-ceiling
pipes and uses a convex deflector to distribute water in a domed or conical pattern. Unlike
disguised pendent sprinklers, the head of a typical pendent fire sprinkler remains visible
after installation.

 Hangs down from the ceiling

 Sprays water downward in circular pattern to maximize coverage
 Ideal for offices, hotels, and factories etc.

Fig.6. Pendent Sprinkler Head

UPRIGHT SPRINKLER HEAD
Water is sprayed upward by upright fire sprinklers to a concave deflector, creating a
dome-shaped spray pattern. They put deflector-up to cover certain areas and keep ice and
debris out of the head. In many system types, upright sprinklers are installed where
impediments impede with coverage, as well as in dry-pipe systems exposed to freezing
conditions.

 Stands upright
 Sprays water upward in a hemispherical pattern
 Useful in buildings with exposed ceilings like mechanical rooms or hard to reach
places like beams and ducts

Fig.7. Upright Sprinkler Head

SIDEWALL SPRINKLER HEAD
Where ceiling pipe is unavailable, or where aesthetic issues or impediments preclude
the use of other sprinkler types, sidewall fire sprinklers are installed along walls or beneath
beams. Most are intended to defend small rooms, closets, or hallways and feature a
semicircular deflector that generates a crescent-shaped spray pattern.

 Mounted on the side of wall, only have half of a deflector

 Sprays water in half circle/crescent shape
 Great for small rooms, hallways, and places sprinkler pipes run up walls

Fig.8. Sidewall Sprinkler Head

CONCEALED SPRINKLER HEAD
Concealed fire sprinkler cover plates are installed in walls or ceilings and completely
cover a pendent or sidewall sprinkler head. This heat-sensitive plate detaches at
temperatures around 20 degrees Fahrenheit (F) lower than the fire sprinkler head, allowing
the deflector of the concealed sprinkler to descend and the head to activate.

 Are located within the ceiling and are hidden by a cover plate
 Works similar to a pendent sprinkler head after the cover plate falls off once it
reaches 20˚F lower than fire sprinkler temperature
 Ideal for places where aesthetic is a concern

Fig.9. Concealed Sprinkler Head

FIRE SPRINKLER HEAD TEMPERATURES

 Fire sprinklers are activated when they reach a specified temperature, which is
sensed using a glass bulb. When a certain temperature is attained, the bulb is filled with a
glycerin-based liquid that expands and splits.

Table.2. Fire Sprinkler Head Temperature

STANDARD VS. QUICK RESPONSE FIRE SPRINKLERS

The size of the bulb is the most significant difference between regular and quick
response sprinklers. Because the bulb in a normal sprinkler is significantly larger, it takes
slightly longer to work. As the name implies, a quick response sprinkler is thinner and has a
faster response time.
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