What Sets Off Fire Sprinklers?
Automatic fire prevention sprinklers are the first line of defence against a blaze. When fire sprinkler systems are activated, a heat-sensitive trigger is activated in the sprinkler closest to the fire. This causes water to be applied to the area which will hold back or normally extinguish the fire. If one sprinkler head fails to extinguish the fire, the adjacent head will activate as the temperature continues to rise. If a fire sprinkler system has a false activation, this could result in costly water damage. This is why the maintenance of such fire suppression systems is integral, fire sprinklers have been known to activate due to a number of causes, but also by accident.
In this article, we’ll examine the core reasons behind exactly what sets off fire sprinklers, as well as the most common reasons for accidental propulsions and system leaks. We’ll also consider how important servicing is for the correct function of any sprinkler system.
What sets off fire sprinklers?
Fire sprinkler systems are intricate, to say the least. They are sophisticated designs that are heat sensitive, and only activate when temperatures rise to fire-induced temperatures.
Can smoke set off a fire sprinkler system?
Smoke will never cause a fire sprinkler to activate.
This is because fire sprinklers are designed to activate only to heat and not smoke. Early-warning systems such as smoke detectors are put in place to provide an audible signal to homeowners of a sudden smoke source.
Overheating Causes Fire Sprinklers to Activate
Automatic sprinklers can be triggered by temperature increases in areas like lofts and conservatories in residential situations. When this happens, it means that the sprinkler can’t tell the difference between ordinary heat sources and heat caused by a fire.
Installing fire sprinkler systems close to heaters, cooking equipment or skylights can result in an accidental activation.
What temperature sets off fire sprinklers?
Residential fire sprinklers are usually triggered when the temperature rises to 56 degrees Celsius and above. In warehouse and commercial complexes, sprinklers typically go off after the temperature hits 63 degrees Celsius. Sprinklers can be installed with higher temperature sensitivity if required.
In order to prevent accidental discharge, it is important to ensure that heating devices are kept as far as possible from the installed fire sprinkler. Likewise, if new heat sources are installed within a building, fire sprinklers could also need to be adjusted.
Freezing Temperatures Can Cause Sprinkler Systems to Leak
Most installations feature a wet pipe system, which you can imagine is filled with water. If even the smallest portion of this system is exposed to freezing temperatures, ice can form in the piping.
When the water freezes it can expand by around 10 percent, which causes an immense pressure on the pipe fittings that can break, crack and force valves open.
When the temperature eventually rises and the ice melts, the damaged pipework and fittings can then start leaking or, worse still, the pipes may burst and flood the area.
The solution?
Wet sprinkler systems are installed within the heated area of the building. However, if part of the system runs outside the building, then electric trace
heating can be used.
System Manufacturing, Defects and Mechanical Damage
Damaged and defective fire sprinkles occasionally find their way into installations, and it is normally because of damage that occurs during or after they are produced. The faster the response time on a sprinkler system, the more prone they are to sustaining damage during the shipping and installation process. This is because the fittings heighten their sensitivity which results in them becoming a lot more fragile.
Carrying out regular inspections and testing the system’s operative capability to see if there is any damage are among the best ways to identify system damage and ultimately prevent any potential problems.
Mechanical damage is common for setting fire sprinklers off through accidental discharges. Mechanical damage can be sustained through something as simple as tightening a valve or sprinkler head too tight.
Shutguns; What are they and what do they do?
These inexpensive devices can seal openings in an activated or damaged fire sprinkler, which can stop the source of water flow. They also include a heat-sensitive element that falls away when exposed to high temperatures, a function that allows sprinkler heads to function correctly in the case of a fire.
Contact Us
If you have an installation of fire precaution methods in your property, it is vital that everything is in working order to prevent catastrophic consequences such as property loss or worse, the loss of life.
If you require more information on fire suppression systems or testing existing fire sprinkler installations, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at RAD Fire Sprinklers, your safety is our highest priority.
