Fire Sprinkler Systems

The most common type of fire sprinkler system, the water in a Wet Pipe fire sprinkler is stored directly in the pipes and released by heat-activated sprinkler heads. This Wet Pipe sprinkler can activate instantly with no lag time when the fire sprinkler heads open.

Dry Pipe fire sprinkler systems are similar to the Wet Pipe system, except the water is not actually stored in the pipes. Instead, the pipes are filled with pressurized air or nitrogen gas. When the sprinkler heads open, the gas is released and a valve opens, allowing water to flow out through the open fire sprinkler heads. Dry Pipe systems are commonly used in environments prone to freezing temperatures.

A Deluge fire sprinkler system is similar to a Wet Pipe system, except the fire sprinkler heads are kept open at all times and are not activated by heat. Instead, Deluge systems are operated by a specialized fire alarm which causes a valve to open and release the water. Once the valve opens, it can’t be closed until manually turned off. Deluge systems are used in properties where rapid fire spread is a concern, such as flammable liquid handling/storage areas, petroleum/chemical plants, and aircraft hangars.

A Pre-Action fire sprinkler system is a combination of Wet Pipe and Dry Pipe systems. Water is not stored in the pipes until a fire detection device senses a fire. When a fire is detected, the device opens a valve to let the water in before the sprinkler heads open. When the heads open, the pre-action fire sprinkler system reacts as quickly as a wet pipe system. Pre-Action sprinkler systems are best suited for high-risk areas for serious water damage (where electronics or industrial equipment exist) in the event of accidental fire sprinkler activation.

A Foam sprinkler system suppresses fire by separating the fuel from the air that allows it to burn. This process can be done in a few different ways: (1) Foam creates a blanket on the fuel surface to smother the fire, (2) Water and foam cool the fuel, or (3) The blanket of foam suppress the release of flammable vapors.

A Fire Pump may be necessary to ensure a fire sprinkler system is capable of distributing water throughout the entire building to successfully suppress a fire. A tank or reservoir may be needed to keep sufficient water on hand.