What are the Main Components of a Fire Sprinkler System?
When you make the decision to install a fire sprinkler system into your home, there are four main systems that you need to consider. Deluge, pre-action, wet and dry pipe systems are commonly found in a range of properties, with each system suited to one building more than another. No matter which variation you have in your property, each system has various components that work together to give you maximum protection. But which main components help your fire sprinkler systems work?
Before installation, your sprinkler system will be designed to fit the dimensions of your building, and your water pressure and supply will also be measured. Fire sprinklers work to detect the heat from a fire, releasing water that extinguishes the fire efficiently to keep water damage to a minimum. They’re the best form of fire protection to have in your property, providing a lifesaving service that can protect both your property and those within it. Read on below to discover the main components of a fire sprinkler system.
A Suitable Water Supply
Depending on the type of sprinkler system you have installed in your property, you will need an appropriate supply of water to ensure your system is working as optimally as possible. For automatic fire sprinklers, the amount of water they dispense all depends on the risk the fire presents. Therefore, water supply requirements are calculated in accordance with the relevant guidelines, and in relation to the pressure and flow to the system. You will either need a direct connection to the mains, a stored or pumped water supply, cisterns, appropriate levels of recycled water or a pressurised vessel.
Flow and pressure requirements vary based upon the classification of the fire hazard. Sprinkler pumps work with your water supply to release the appropriate amount of water in the event of a fire. When the pressure in the fire sprinkler system falls beneath a certain level, the pump releases the high-pressure water flow, extinguishing the fire effectively. To find out more about our various fire sprinkler systems, please refer to our website here.
Piping System
No matter where your sprinkler heads are placed, whether they’re in the ceiling or on the walls, there will be an intricately placed system of pipes running through your building, linking the sprinkler heads to your water supply. As previously mentioned, there are four main types of piping systems. A wet pipe system is common in homes and residential properties, where cold water is stored in the pipes and released immediately in the event of a fire. Dry pipe sprinklers are used in buildings where the pipes may freeze, so take a little longer to activate, but still provide exemplary protection from fires.
Where excessive fire damage is considered a risk, such as in warehouses, deluge sprinkler systems are installed. The nozzle is always open, and they are triggered by an alarm that releases the water. Pre-action sprinklers combine the wet and dry pipe sprinkler systems, and water will not be stored in the pipes until the heat from the fire is detected. They are just as responsive as an automatic sprinkler system, however.
Sprinkler Heads
The types of sprinkler heads you have installed into your property all depend on the type of system that is required. For example, in residential properties or office buildings, concealed sprinkler heads are often used to fit with your interior decor, and disguise themselves in your ceilings. They are kept closed by a small glass bulb filled with liquid; when the heat from a fire is detected and reaches above a certain level, the glass bulb breaks as the water expands. At this point, water is released from the sprinkler system and works to extinguish the fire.
Only the sprinkler heads in the nearest vicinity to the fire will be activated, reducing water damage in your property. There are other important components involved in your fire sprinkler system, such as the control and alarm valves and the pressure gauge and switch, but the fire sprinkler company that installs your system will understand exactly what needs to be utilised to provide you with a system that works for you.
Our Installation Process; Fire Sprinkler Systems
Here at RAD Fire Sprinklers, we can design and install your sprinkler system to fit the dimensions of your property, choosing the very best system and distribution of sprinkler heads. Our fully qualified and experienced experts know which sprinkler systems work with each property, providing you with full fire protection in your buildings.
To find out more, or to receive a quote, please get in touch today by filling out our online contact form.
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