Which Sprinkler System
Which sprinkler system should you choose? There are quite a few options and Nexus Fire Consultants will work with design teams to ensure that you have the correct Sprinkler System for your project as every project is different.
There are several types of Sprinkler Systems available in the market. Here are some examples with basic information about each system.
Different Sprinkler Systems:
1. Wet Pipe Systems
This system is the most common type of system to be used. Water is constantly filled in the sprinkler piping fully charged. When the temperature reaches above 68°C the glass bulb or fusible link attached to the sprinkler system breaking, and the system will trigger the release of water to extinguish the fire. Unlike the movies, where all sprinkler heads will be activated, only one local sprinkler head above the fire will activate.
Keep in mind that the temperature around the sprinkler head needs to be significantly higher (above 68°C) to trigger the breaking of the glass bulb or fusible link which controls the flow of water. You should also consider the location and the temperature of the space before installing this system. If your building is located in an area that has an average temperature of 4°C or greater there are no risks to the system and you can install this system without any problems.
However, If the average temperature is below 4°C there is a chance that the water inside the system might freeze and this will pose a problem and solutions such as Trace Heating and Lagging or a Dry System should be considered.
2. Dry Pipe Systems
This system is called dry, as the wet sprinkler system is charged with water, this one is dry within the pipe. The water in this system is located away from the sprinklers and held in with the Control Valve. When the glass bulb or the fusible link ruptures air is released.
This creates a fall in pressure and water follows through the open sprinkler head.
A Dry Sprinkler System is put forward to the client if the area they want to protect is likely to freeze.
3. Pre-Action Systems
Pre- Action Systems are used if areas that the client wants to protect are sensitive to water. It reduces leaks and false alarms, however, this system is much more complex. There are three different kinds of Pre-Action Systems and they are non-interlock single interlock and double interlock systems. The main difference lies in what event the release of water takes place. The differences between each system are mentioned below:
- Non-Interlock System:- The operation of detection devices or automatic sprinklers ( Standards Wet or Dry Systems)
- Single Interlock System:– The operation of detection devices.
- Double Interlock System:– The operation of detection devices and automatic sprinklers.
The non-interlock system and single interlock system work similarly during a fire. The heat detectors activate first and that results in the system filling with water. The temperature rise will cause the sprinkler system to operate. This is a standard general Wet or Dry Sprinkler System.
So like a Dry Sprinkler System, the pipes are not charged with water, however, the only way to activate the water to be pumped through the pipes is the single or double Interlock System.
4. Deluge System
Deluge Systems are similar to a Pre-Action system. The difference being is that in this system, the use of open sprinklers or nozzles takes place (there is no glass bulb to activate them). Therefore, instead of the water flowing from one sprinkler head/ nozzle, the water will flow from every open sprinkler/nozzle. Once the detection system has been activated, water fills the systems and flows from the open sprinklers/nozzles.
