FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS
HISTORY The Need for Sprinklers -
Factories were the first to standardize fire protection systems
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In comparison to smaller shops before them, manufacturing factories were larger and therefore had property value that needed protection
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Uncharged perforated pipes on the ceiling were operable via valve if a fire broke out
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Textile mills used this sprinkler system type
FUN FACT! The first semblance of a fire sprinkler system was by Leonardo da Vinci. The whole ordeal is now referred to as da Vinci’s ‘Kitchen Nightmare’
https://i.pinimg.com/srcinals/c2/8a/3c/c28a3c5b1323c5617414a5fadfba2c01.jpg
HISTORY Automatic Sprinklers -
Experimentation with automatic sprinklers began in 1860
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1872, Philip W Pratt first patented automatic fire sprinkler system
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1874, Henry S Parmelee improved on Pratt’s design, creating the first practical fire sprinkler head; Parmelee’s design combined a sprinkler and heating system into one
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1881, Frederick Grinnell patented Grinnell automatic sprinkler.
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1890, Grinnell invented the glass disc sprinkler, which
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is essentially the same as what is in use today.
https://waltbeattie.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/evolution-of-as-beattie.pdf
http://www.zipworld.com.au/~lnbdds/Boschi/leaflet.jpg
HISTORY Insurance as a Driving Force -
The industrial revolution saw new expensive technology and equipment.
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Insurance companies were unable to deal with the financial loss of a large industrial manufacturing plant.
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1835, company owners improved their properties to prove to insurers of their good risk.
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Owner premiums were pooled together to be used if any m ember suffered a loss.
Expansion of Use -
Frequent industrial fires led to cities mandating the implementation of fire sprinkler systems in factory buildings.
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Until 1940s sprinklers were exclusively used in commercial and factory applications.
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Over the years, fire safety equipment has become part of code.
TYPES OF FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS
Wet Pipe Sprinkler Systems Dry Pipe Sprinkler Systems Deluge Sprinkler Systems Pre-action Sprinkler Systems
WET PIPE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS -
Most common
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Typically the easiest to design, install, and maintain
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Pipes contain pressurized water at all times and utilize a series of closed sprinklers
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Heat activates sprinklers and water is immediately discharged from affected heads
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Cannot be used in areas below 40 °F
http://www.sixmotechnologies.com/images/services/Sprinkler%20System%20Types2.jpg
DRY PIPE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS -
Second most common type of sprinkler system
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Installed in spaces where ambient temperature is cold enough to freeze water
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Should only be used when the pipes will be exposed to temperatures below 40 °F
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Piping does not contain any water, instead they are charged with air or nitrogen under pressure
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Heat from fire causes air pressure to drop which opens the dry-pipe valve allowing water to flow to the sprinkler heads
http://www.wmsprinkler.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dry.jpg
DISADVANTAGES OF DRY PIPE SYSTEMS 1) -
Increased complexity Require additional control equipment and air pressure supply components which increases system complexity
2) -
Higher installation and maintenance costs Added complexity impacts the overall dry-pipe installation cost, and increases maintenance expenditure primarily due to added service labor costs
3) -
Increased fire response time The delay in fire suppression results in a larger fire prior to control, increasing property damage
4) -
Increased corrosion potential Residual water collects in piping. This moisture, coupled with the oxygen available in the compressed air in the piping, increases internal pipe corrosion, eventually leading to leaks or other piping failures
Corroded sprinkler pipe https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_sprinkler_system#Wet_pipe _systems
DELUGE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS -
Second most common type of sprinkler system
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Installed in spaces where amb ient temperatures are cold enough to freeze water
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Piping does not contain any w ater, instead they are charged with air or nitrogen under pressure
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Heat from fire causes air pre ssure to drop which opens the dry-pipe valve allowing water to flow to the sprinkler heads
Foam Water Sprinkler Systems A foam water fire sprinkler system is a special application system, discharging a mixture of water and low expansion foam concentrate, resulting in a foam spray from the sprinkler.
Foam water deluge sprinkler system in airport hangar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlvYxdG1ovc
PRE-ACTION SPRINKLER SYSTEMS -
Specialized for use in locations where accidental activation is undesired
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Hybrids of wet, dry, and deluge systems, depending on the exact system goal
There are two main subtypes of pre-action systems: Single Interlock, and Double Interlock Single Interlock -
Requires activation of a heat or smoke detector to take place prior to water being introduced into the system
Double Interlock -
Requires activation of a heat or smoke detector, as well as an automatic sprinkler operation to take place before water will enter the piping system
IDENTIFYING SPRINKLER SYSTEMS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6IGf7ntEJE
SPRINKLER HEADS
Pendent Sprinkler Head Concealed Pendent Sprinkler Head Upright Sprinkler Head Side Wall Sprinkler Head
Standard Response Head Vs. Quick Response Head
http://www.baysidefire.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Sprinkler-Head-Types1.jpg
Pendent Sprinkler Head The most common type of fire sprinkler head. Pendant sprinkler heads hang down from the ceiling and spray water in a circle pattern.
Concealed Pendent Sprinkler Head Concealed pendant sprinkler heads are recessed in a ceiling and are covered with a decorative cap. The cap will fall away prior to activation of the sprinkler.
Upright Sprinkler Head Upright sprinkler heads project up into a space and have deflectors that spray the water downward. They are generally used in inaccessible areas to provide better coverage between obstructions like beams or ducts.
Side Wall Sprinkler Head Side wall sprinkler heads stand out from a wall and have a deflector that sprays water away from the wall in a half-circle or crescent spray pattern.
SPRINKLER HEAD COMPONENTS
http://www.qrfs.com/assets/images/Components%20Fire%20Sprinkler%20Head.jpg
STANDARD RESPONSE VS. QUICK RESPONSE
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/types-sprinkler-heads-fire-protection-jack-su
Standard Response (5mm Bulb) Standard response sprinklers are used to pre-wet the materials around the fire in order to remove the fuel source. This sprinkler head soaks the surrounding area to slow the fire, buying time for the fire department to extinguish the fire. Quick Response (3mm Bulb) Quick response sprinkler heads are generally used for light hazardous situations, like in schools and office buildings. Quick response sprinkler heads discharge water to keep the fire from climbing up walls and to maintain lower ceiling temperatures.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS -
Control mode sprinklers control the heat release rate to prevent the building structure from collapsing; the surrounding combustibles are pre-wet to prevent fire spread, and manual intervention extinguishes the fire
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Suppression mode sprinklers result in a sudden reduction of the heat release of the fire followed by complete extinguishment
RESIDENTIAL APPLICATION Multipurpose Residential Fire Sprinkler System Residential cold-water potable water system and the fire sprinkler system share the same pipes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCEdmHcA0W0
APPLICATIONS IN HOSPITALITY -
The main concern in hospitality facility is life safety, as occupancy involves guests, customers, patients, etc.
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Fire protection systems in a hospitality industry includes sprinklers and pumps, fire alarm, fire extinguishers, emergency lighting, hood suppression, backflow protection, fire dampers, fire doors, and even elevator fire protection.
Manitoba’s Health Care System & Sprinklers -
1998 code specifies all new and renovated care homes must be fully covered by sprinklers
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Recent article found that only ⅓ of 75 MB hospitals are fully covered, 27 partially covered, 22 have no cover
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There is no law that makes sprinkler systems mandatory for existing, untouched hospitals and care homes
OTHER APPLICATIONS O ff- Ro ad Veh ic le Sup pr ess ion
O n-R oa d V ehi cl e S upp re ssi on
Direct Release
https://www.trianglefireinc.com/v/vspfiles/assets/images/kidde-argonite-fire-suppression-system.jpg
Indirect Release https://www.firetrace.com/fire-suppression-systems/
OTHER APPLICATIONS Water Curtain System -
An active fire suppression system
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It creates a curtain to prevent smoke, fire, heat moving from one area to another
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Ideal for use in partitioning different sized spaces, protecting windows, flammable wall surfaces, corners, etc.
http://amazonautomation.in/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/water-960x384.jpg
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Abderrahmane_Benbrik/publication/268177100/figure/fig1/AS:295403284123652@1 447441039887/Fig-1-Water-Curtain-for-Fire-protection-4.png
TYPES OF FIRE ALARM & PROTECTION SYSTEMS -
Single stage: may be activated by sprinkler flow switch
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2 stage: no sprinklers engaged initially, only in event of confirmed fire
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Passive: using building components to inhibit fire spread
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Active: installed automatic fire protection measures
https://www.wfm.co.in/fire-safety-in-facades-myths-realities/
AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEMS
http://regencyfire.com/fire-protection-resources/fire-sprinkler-systems-components-large/
STANDPIPE & HOSE Series of pipes, valves, and hoses installed throughout the building in an arrangement that adequately supplies water to hose outlets
http://www.fireengineering.com/articles/print/volume-167/issue-4/features/standpipe-operations-preparation.html
STEEL PIPES
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most likely black or red pipes
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high melting point not very flexible
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the most durable and UV resistant
http://www.bullmoosetube.com/products-services/products/sprinkler-pipe
COPPER PIPES -
brownish pipe colour
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more flexible than steel
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one of the cheaper options, as it takes less time to install
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joined by soldering or brazing
https://www.centuryrooter.com/residential/
CPVC PIPES -
bright orange pipes
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will expand in high heat and can lose strength
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prone to cracks and gouges
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joined by solvent cement and prime to make chemical reaction
https://www.reminetwork.com/articles/cpvc-fire-sprinkler-retrofits-can-save-buildings/
INSTALLATION
1)
Go through blueprints and assess requirements based on fire code
2)
Delivery and layout of components and equipment
3)
Installation involving many people and techniques
4)
Testing and inspection
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0dfXh7UjEI&ytbChannel=null
WHY SPRINKLERS?
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Sprinklers are the best option for fire protection
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They are cost efficient
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They save lives: occupants and firefighters
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99% of all fires started in North American buildings that were fully covered were successfully stopped by their sprinkler systems
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As most deaths due to ‘fire’ are really a consequence of smoke inhalation, sprinklers reduce smoke transfer and flash-overs
