FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

HISTORY

The Need for Sprinklers

- Factories were the first to standardize fire protection systems
- In comparison to smaller shops before them, manufacturing factories were larger and
therefore had property value that needed protection
- Uncharged perforated pipes on the ceiling were operable via valve if a fire broke out
- 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 Vincis
Kitchen Nightmare

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/c2/8a/3c/c28a3c5b1323c5617414a5fadfba2c01.jpg
 HISTORY
Automatic Sprinklers
- Experimentation with automatic sprinklers began in 1860
- 1872, Philip W Pratt first patented automatic fire sprinkler system
- 1874, Henry S Parmelee improved on Pratts design, creating the first practical fire
sprinkler head; Parmelees design combined a sprinkler and heating system into one
- 1881, Frederick Grinnell patented Grinnell automatic sprinkler.
- 1890, Grinnell invented the glass disc sprinkler, which
- 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.
- Insurance companies were unable to deal with the financial loss of a large industrial
manufacturing plant.
- 1835, company owners improved their properties to prove to insurers of their good risk.
- Owner premiums were pooled together to be used if any member suffered a loss.

Expansion of Use
- Frequent industrial fires led to cities mandating the implementation of fire sprinkler
systems in factory buildings.
- Until 1940s sprinklers were exclusively used in commercial and factory applications.
- 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
- Typically the easiest to design, install, and maintain
- Pipes contain pressurized water at all times and utilize a series of closed sprinklers
- Heat activates sprinklers and water is immediately discharged from affected heads
- 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
- Installed in spaces where ambient temperature is cold enough to freeze water
- Should only be used when the pipes will be exposed to temperatures below 40 F
- Piping does not contain any water, instead they are charged with air or nitrogen under
pressure
- 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
- Installed in spaces where ambient temperatures are cold enough to freeze water
- Piping does not contain any water, instead they are charged with air or nitrogen under
pressure
- Heat from fire causes air pressure 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

- 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
- 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.
- 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.

Manitobas Health Care System & Sprinklers

- 1998 code specifies all new and renovated care homes must be fully covered by sprinklers
- Recent article found that only of 75 MB hospitals are fully covered, 27 partially
covered, 22 have no cover
- There is no law that makes sprinkler systems mandatory for existing, untouched hospitals
and care homes
 OTHER APPLICATIONS
Off-Road Vehicle Suppression On-Road Vehicle Suppression

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
- It creates a curtain to prevent smoke, fire, heat moving from one area to another
- 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

- 2 stage: no sprinklers engaged initially, only in event of confirmed fire
- Passive: using building components to inhibit fire spread
- 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

- most likely black or red pipes

- high melting point
- not very flexible
- the most durable and UV resistant

http://www.bullmoosetube.com/products-services/products/sprinkler-pipe
 COPPER PIPES

- brownish pipe colour

- more flexible than steel
- one of the cheaper options, as it takes less time to install
- joined by soldering or brazing

https://www.centuryrooter.com/residential/
 CPVC PIPES

- bright orange pipes

- will expand in high heat and can lose strength
- prone to cracks and gouges
- 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?

- Sprinklers are the best option for fire protection

- They are cost efficient
- They save lives: occupants and firefighters
- 99% of all fires started in North American buildings that were fully covered were
successfully stopped by their sprinkler systems
- As most deaths due to fire are really a consequence of smoke inhalation, sprinklers
reduce smoke transfer and flash-overs