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Automatic Sprinkler Systems

Automatic Sprinkler Systems. FET 112 – Fire Protection Systems Objective #2. Automatic Sprinkler Systems. Automatic Sprinkler System. “For fire protection purposes, an integrated system of underground and overhead piping designed in accordance with fire protection

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Automatic Sprinkler Systems

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  1. Automatic Sprinkler Systems FET 112 – Fire Protection Systems Objective #2

  2. Automatic Sprinkler Systems

  3. Automatic Sprinkler System “For fire protection purposes, an integrated system of underground and overhead piping designed in accordance with fire protection engineering standards……usually activated by heat and discharges water over the fire area.”

  4. History and Development of Automatic Sprinkler Systems • Early “sprinkler” systems involved the use of steel pipe with drilled holes or perforations provided along the length of pipe • This type of system involved a manually operated water supply • Corrosion, plugged holes, poor distribution of water onto the fire

  5. History and Development of Automatic Sprinkler Systems • The concept for the use of a heat-actuated device dates back to approximately 1860, but it was not until 1875 that this concept was incorporated into a device • Henry Parmelee is given credit for the first “automatic” sprinkler • Brass Cap soldered over a perforated distributor designed to screw onto a nipple

  6. NFPA 1995 report: U.S. Experience with Sprinklers… • “NFPA has no record of a fire killing more than two people in a completely sprinklered public assembly, educational, institutional, or residential building where the system was properly operating.”

  7. Automatic Sprinkler System • Detects a fire • Sounds an alarm • Controls or extinguishes the fire • Enhances life safety • Reduces severity of loss • Minimizes business interruption • Most reliable and effective of all fire protection devices / systems

  8. Automatic Sprinkler SystemCommon Misconceptions • Heat from lighting a cigarette can activate the system • When one “goes off”, they all “go off” • Easily activated by accident • Will cause severe water damage • Leaks and drips are common problems • Not cost effective

  9. Automatic Sprinkler SystemWhy Do They Fail? Construction 6% Other Causes 11% Impairments 8% Obstructions 8% Partial Protection 8% Maintenance 35% Inadequate Water 10% Occupancy 14% National Fire Protection Association

  10. Automatic Sprinkler System INSPECTOR’S TEST CONNECTION CROSS MAIN BRANCH LINES BULK MAIN (RISER) WATER MOTOR ALARM FIRE DEPT. CONNECTION ALARM VALVE AUTOMATIC SPRINKLERS MAIN DRAIN CONNECTION O.S. & Y. GATE VALVE TO CONTROL WATER SUPPLY TO SYSTEM WATER SUPPLY

  11. Automatic Sprinkler SystemDesign Considerations • Occupancy / storage / hazards • Environment • Building construction • Size / height of building • Special features • Location • Water supply

  12. Occupancy Classifications • Light Hazard: Low Combustibility / low quantity of contents • Ordinary Hazard Group 1: Combustibility is low, quantity is moderate, moderate rate of heat release • Examples - parking garages / bakeries / canneries / laundries • Ordinary Hazard Group 2: Combustibility / quantity is moderate to high, heat release moderate to high • Examples - dry cleaners / printing / wholesale -retail sales

  13. Occupancy Classifications • Extra Hazard Group 1: Combustibility and quantity very high, probability of rapidly developing fires with high heat release, little or no flammable / combustible liquids • Examples - feed mills / paper - wood - rubber products manufacturer • Extra Hazard Group 2: Same as group 1 with moderate to substantial amounts of flammable / combustible liquids or extensive shielding of combustibles • Examples - woodworking with flammable finishing, flammable liquids spraying, flow coating, mobile or modular housing manufacturers

  14. Automatic Sprinkler SystemTypes of Systems • Wet pipe system • Dry pipe system • Deluge system • Preaction system • Antifreeze system (loop)

  15. Wet Pipe System • System entirely filled with water • Heat opens system and water begins to flow immediately • Flowing water causes an alarm to sound • Water controls or extinguishes the fire • No action required to restore system except replacing activated sprinklers • Must be non-freezing locations

  16. Wet Pipe System RISER SYSTEMSIDE SUPPLY PRESSURE SYSTEM PRESSURE CLAPPER (CLOSED) PILOT VALVE TO ALARM MAIN DRAIN O.S. & Y. VALVE SUPPLY SIDE

  17. Wet Pipe System

  18. Dry Pipe System • Used in unheated or artificially cooled areas (40º F or less) • System filled with air or nitrogen under pressure • Sprinklers opening releases air or nitrogen causing dry pipe valve to trip (open) • System fills with water and flows out opened sprinklers • Following activation system must be drained and reset

  19. AIR PRESSURE WATER PRESSURE GUAGE FILLER CUP FOR WET SEAT SYSTEM AIR TO ALARM CLOSED CLAPPER INTERMEDIATE CHAMBER MAIN DRAIN O.S. & Y. VALVE Dry Pipe Sprinkler System (Set)

  20. Dry Pipe Sprinkler System (Tripped) AIR PRESSURE GUAGE WATER PRESSURE GUAGE FILLER CUP FOR WET SEAT SYSTEM TO ALARM OPEN CLAPPER 2” DRAIN O.S. & Y. VALVE

  21. Dry Pipe Valve Set Tripped

  22. Dry Pipe System

  23. Dry Pipe SystemQuick Opening Devices Required if system capacity exceeds 500 gallons or time for water flow to test connection exceeds 60 seconds. • Accelerator: Sprinkler opening causes air pressure to drop. Accelerator activates, sending air pressure under clapper causing dry pipe valve to trip • Exhauster: Sprinkler opening causes exhauster to open, allowing air to escape to atmosphere. Dry pipe valve trips quicker

  24. Quick Opening Device FLEXIBLE DIAPHRAGM RESTRICTED ORIFICE AIR AIR ACCELERATOR VALVE TO ALARM CLAPPER AIR SEAT WATER SEAT BALL DRIP WATER INTERMEDIATE CHAMBER WATER Accelerator

  25. Quick Opening Device (Exhauster) RISER SYSTEM RESTRICTED ORIFICE 40 40 TO ATMOSPHERE AIR

  26. Deluge System • Special use system • All sprinklers are open • Valve to system is opened by a heat / smoke detection system • Water flows from all sprinklers upon activation • Requires draining / resetting following activation • Valve must be in heated location

  27. Deluge System AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL ACTIVATING DEVICE SUPPLY PRESSURE ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE OPEN SPRINKLER TO ALARM MAIN DRAIN

  28. Deluge System

  29. Preaction System • Developed for properties highly susceptible to water damage • Requires 2 activations for water discharge • Piping is filled with air/ sprinklers closed • A fire detection system opens valve flooding system with water and sounding an alarm • Water does not flow until heat opens a sprinkler • May allow time for manual fire suppression • System requires draining / resetting

  30. Preaction System AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL ACTIVATING DEVICE SUPPLY PRESSURE ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE CLOSED SPRINKLER TO ALARM MAIN DRAIN

  31. Preaction System

  32. Review of theThree Types ofPreaction Systems

  33. Non-InterlockedPreaction systems • Designed so the Deluge Valve will open when EITHER the detection system operates OR a loss of pneumatic (air) pressure in the sprinkler system occurs • When the Deluge Valve opens, water will flow into the sprinkler piping and out of any open sprinklers and any other opening on the system. • In the event of non-operation of the release system, the system will operate as a dry system.

  34. Single-InterlockedPreaction systems (most common) • Activation of a fire detection system will fill the system piping with water • Used where: • It is desirable to have water available at the sprinkler when the sprinkler operates • The sprinkler piping is subject to: • Damage • Freezing conditions • Accidental water discharge must be minimized

  35. Double-InterlockedPreaction systems • Activation of BOTH the detection system and operation of an automatic sprinkler are necessary to cause discharge of water in the hazard area • Activation of one only will not cause the valve to open • Detection only – alarm condition • Sprinkler activation – loss of air pressure

  36. Antifreeze System (Loop) • Used in small unheated area such as a loading dock • Connected to a wet pipe system • Capacity of antifreeze system should not exceed 40 gallons • Must meet local / state health regulations • Solution must meet proper type / mixture

  37. Antifreeze System (Loop) – (cont.) • Heat opens the sprinklers releasing antifreeze followed by water from wet pipe system • System requires restoration following the activation • Annual testing of solution required

  38. Antifreeze System (Loop) SPRINKLER FILLING CUP WET PIPE SYSTEM WATER VALVE HEATED AREA UNHEATED AREA ANTI- FREEZE SOLUTION CHECK VALVE DRAIN VALVE

  39. Residential Sprinkler Systems

  40. History – Residential Systems • Automatic Sprinkler Systems have been successfully used to protect various occupancies, including commercial and industrial buildings for over 100 years • However, a residence has historically been the place where most people die • In 1973, a report of the National Commission on Fire Prevention and Control titled, “America Burning” brought to light this fact • 80% of fire deaths were in the home

  41. Residential Installation • Although increasing, it is estimated that less than 3 percent of the one- and two-family homes in the United States have them installed

  42. Residential Sprinkler Systems • Handout of NFPA 13R – Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in Residential Occupancies up to and Including Four Stories in Height • NFPA 13D – Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes

  43. Residential Sprinkler Systems (cont.) • NFPA 13R addresses cost-effective sprinkler protection with LIFE SAFETY as its PRIMARY GOAL and PROPERTY PROTECTION as a SECONDARY GOAL • NFPA 13R provides a high, but not an absolute, level of life safety and a somewhat lesser degree of property protection

  44. Residential Sprinkler Systems (cont.) • A sprinkler system designed and installed with NFPA 13R is expected to prevent flashover (total involvement) in the room of fire origin, where sprinklered, and to improve the chance for occupants to escape or be evacuated • Criteria was developed by Underwriters Laboratory (UL) and Factory Mutual Research Corporation (FMRC) during actual fire tests

  45. Residential Sprinkler Systems (cont.) • The main differences between a commercial sprinkler system (NFPA 13) and a residential sprinkler system is the sprinkler heads and the incoming service arrangement • Response Time vs. Conductivity of the head

  46. Residential Sprinkler Heads • Classified as Fast Response Sprinkler Heads • Also, the spray from the residential sprinkler heads must wet the walls of the fire test chamber within their area of coverage to at least 18 inches from the ceiling

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