Fire sprinkler systems are very important and unique fire protection systems that are silently on guard 24/7 in those facilities in which their present at. These vital fire fighting systems have a proven track record over the years, though they have one weak link to where they become unreliable. The one major draw back and deficiency if there is one is the lack of proper schedule inspection and maintenance. Miss use and not following fire codes are also factors that could hamper the proper functions of these important fire fighting systems.Sprinkler systems have been used in the United States since 1874, and were use in factory applications where fires at the turn of the century were often catastrophic in terms of both human and property losses.
Persons working in the fire protection field need to have a general/working knowledge on how sprinkler systems operate. Property/facility owners need to ensure there’s regular schedule pressure readings, inspections, and maintenance of sprinkler systems. Following “Life Safety Codes” and fire ordinance/codes should also be adhered to with these systems.
The basic functions of a sprinkler systems is where a series of piping end with closed-head sprinklers we see along the ceiling area and the sprinkler head is held closed by either a heat-sensitive glass bulb or a two-part metal link (the most common) held together with a fusible alloy. Each sprinkler activates independently when the predetermined heat level is reached. There are four basic fire sprinkler system types found in the industry today that a fire fighter should be familiar with.
The wet pipe sprinkler system is the first and most common one often found then all other types. The wet pipe sprinkler systems are the most reliable type. Wet systems are simple and have water already present in the piping system. Once the heat temperature is reached to melt the fusible link on the sprinkler head, water is fighting the fire and keeping it in check.
Dry pipe sprinkler systems are where there’s no water present in the piping above the rise. The sprinkler riser is a point where the water is introduced into the system. These dry systems can be used in spaces in which temperatures may become cold enough to freeze the water in a wet pipe system. Dry pipe sprinkler systems are most often used in unheated buildings. The dry pipe sprinkler systems are the second most common type system used. Air is present in the pipe system above the riser clapper, and when a sprinkler head is open the air escapes allowing the clapper to open and introducing water into the system piping and to the open sprinkler head to fight fire.
The third type sprinkler system is the deluge system which has open sprinkler heads. There’s no water or air to hold the clapper at the riser down to prevent water from flowing into the above piping system at the riser. Instead there’s a mechanical latch valve called a deluge valve and it is opened only when a signal tells it to open from a specialized fire alarm system.
The final sprinkler system type is the pre-action sprinkler system which are hybrids of the wet, dry, and deluge systems depending on what is needed. The “per-action” that takes place is typically the action of heat or smoke detectors being activated which is the “pre” part. The “action” part is the water introduction into the system piping by opening the clapper which is mechanically latched.
Two other types of special sprinkler systems are the foam and water spray systems. These systems are used where special hazards occupancies are associated with and are designed to protect a uniquely configured hazard.
Sprinkler systems are a proven fire protection system that works. Sprinkler systems are credited each year for quickly extinguishing fires. At a recent fire where the cause of the blaze that was accidental from spontaneous heating, “It was believed that without the fire suppression sprinkler system this building would have sustain major fire damage….” A fire at a Best Buy in Okemos that was “…believed to have started from a electrical malfunction in the store’s back storage area…The fire was contained to the store’s electrical room after a sprinkler system extinguished the blaze.” In Charlotte, N.C. in an apartment fire, “…the fire appeared to have started in a unit on the eighth floor and was contained by the sprinkler system.” These are just a few examples of fire protection systems that were on guard 24/7 and did what they were suppose to do.
Here is a YouTube video of a side-by-side room display set up at the Plymouth Massachusetts Fire Department on May 29, 2009. Sprinklers had been installed in only one of the rooms. Both rooms were set on fire. Fire sprinklers are designed to activate when a certain degree of heat increase is reached, so as the temperature in the display went up, the sprinklers went off. As seen in this demonstration, the fire in the sprinkled room was controlled quickly by overhead sprinklers. In contrast, the fire in the room without sprinklers burned out of control until the fire department put out the fire.
I have been around these types of types sprinkler systems throughout my past US Air Force Fire Protection career as a fire fighter specialist. The industrial plant where I work currently, which has a fire protection requirement both Fire Brigade and ARFF wise, I find myself once again around an old dependable fire protection system that has enable me to learn even more there is to learn about the fire service. It’s my shift’s month to take the weekly riser reading to ensure these important fire protection systems stand ready to act when called upon to do so. They may not have all the bright lights and shinny chrome that a fire truck may have. But, a sprinkler system is worth it’s weight in gold when it goes into operation and works the way it was designed to. Only through proper care of the sprinkler system itself will it stand on guard 24/7.
(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)
