Discover the main types of sprinkler systems used to protect premises, assets and lives.
Posted on
July 4, 2024
By
Fire sprinkler systems are an essential part of fire protection in buildings, providing a reliable and efficient way to control and extinguish fires. These systems are tailored to meet the specific needs of different environments and fire risks. In this blog, we'll explore the main types of fire sprinkler systems, their unique features, and their ideal applications.
How They Work
Wet pipe sprinkler systems are the most common and straightforward type of fire sprinkler system. These systems are constantly filled with water. When a fire occurs, the heat causes the sprinkler head(s) to activate, immediately releasing water to extinguish the fire.
Advantages
Simplicity: Fewer components mean lower installation and maintenance costs.
Reliability: Immediate water discharge ensures quick response to fire.
Low Maintenance: Minimal mechanical parts reduce the likelihood of malfunction.
Ideal Applications
Wet pipe systems are suitable for buildings where the temperature is maintained above freezing, such as:
Office buildings
Residential properties
Commercial spaces
How They Work
Dry pipe sprinkler systems are filled with air or nitrogen, which has been pressurised, instead of water. When a sprinkler head activates due to heat, the air is released, allowing water to flow into the pipes and out through the sprinkler heads.
Advantages
Freeze Protection: Ideal for environments where temperatures drop below freezing, preventing pipe bursts.
Delayed Discharge: Reduces the risk of water damage in case of accidental activation.
Ideal Applications
Dry pipe systems are commonly used in areas susceptible to freezing temperatures, such as:
Unheated warehouses
Parking garages
Outdoor loading docks
How They Work
Pre-action sprinkler systems require a two-step process to discharge water. First, a detection system (such as a smoke or heat detector) must identify a fire and send a signal to open a pre-action valve, allowing water to fill the pipes. Second, the sprinkler heads must be activated by heat to release the water.
Advantages
Double Safeguard: Reduces the risk of accidental water discharge.
Flexibility: Suitable for areas where accidental water damage must be minimised.
Ideal Applications
Pre-action systems are ideal for high-value or sensitive areas, including:
Datacenters
Museums and libraries
Archives and records storage
How They Work
Deluge sprinkler systems feature open sprinkler heads and dry pipes. When a fire detection system identifies a fire, it triggers the deluge valve, which releases a large volume of water through all sprinkler heads simultaneously.
Advantages
Rapid Response: Provides immediate and extensive water coverage.
High-Risk Environments: Effective in controlling rapidly spreading fires.
Ideal Applications
Deluge systems are suitable for high-hazard areas with flammable materials, such as:
Chemical plants
Aircraft hangars
Powerplants
How They Work
Foam water sprinkler systems mix foam concentrate with water, creating a foam solution that is discharged through the sprinkler heads. This foam smothers the fire, cutting off the oxygen supply and cooling the fire.
Advantages
Enhanced Fire Suppression: Effective on flammable liquid fires.
Vapour Suppression: Reduces the risk of re-ignition.
Ideal Applications
Foam water systems are typically used in areas with flammable liquid hazards, including:
Fuel storage facilities
Aircraft hangars
Chemical processing plants
How They Work
Water mist sprinkler systems produce fine water droplets, creating a mist that cools the fire and displaces oxygen. This system uses less water compared to traditional sprinkler systems, reducing water damage.
Advantages
Water Efficiency: Minimizes water usage and damage.
Effective Cooling: Fine mist rapidly cools the fire and surrounding area.
Ideal Applications
Water mist systems are ideal for spaces where water damage must be minimised, such as:
Telecommunication facilities
Museums and archives
Commercial kitchens
A crucial part of fire protection is choosing the right fire sprinkler system. Understanding the unique features and benefits of each type can help ensure the safety of buildings and their occupants. Whether it's the simplicity of wet pipe systems, the freeze protection of dry pipe systems, or the specialised capabilities of foam water and water mist systems, each type of sprinkler system plays a vital role in fire safety.
Call or use our "Request a Quote" button to speak to our fire protection professionals and we'll determine the best system for your specific needs and ensure your property is adequately protected against fire hazards.
Fire sprinkler systems are an essential part of fire protection in buildings, providing a reliable and efficient way to control and extinguish fires. These systems are tailored to meet the specific needs of different environments and fire risks. In this blog, we'll explore the main types of fire sprinkler systems, their unique features, and their ideal applications.
How They Work
Wet pipe sprinkler systems are the most common and straightforward type of fire sprinkler system. These systems are constantly filled with water. When a fire occurs, the heat causes the sprinkler head(s) to activate, immediately releasing water to extinguish the fire.
Advantages
Simplicity: Fewer components mean lower installation and maintenance costs.
Reliability: Immediate water discharge ensures quick response to fire.
Low Maintenance: Minimal mechanical parts reduce the likelihood of malfunction.
Ideal Applications
Wet pipe systems are suitable for buildings where the temperature is maintained above freezing, such as:
Office buildings
Residential properties
Commercial spaces
How They Work
Dry pipe sprinkler systems are filled with air or nitrogen, which has been pressurised, instead of water. When a sprinkler head activates due to heat, the air is released, allowing water to flow into the pipes and out through the sprinkler heads.
Advantages
Freeze Protection: Ideal for environments where temperatures drop below freezing, preventing pipe bursts.
Delayed Discharge: Reduces the risk of water damage in case of accidental activation.
Ideal Applications
Dry pipe systems are commonly used in areas susceptible to freezing temperatures, such as:
Unheated warehouses
Parking garages
Outdoor loading docks
How They Work
Pre-action sprinkler systems require a two-step process to discharge water. First, a detection system (such as a smoke or heat detector) must identify a fire and send a signal to open a pre-action valve, allowing water to fill the pipes. Second, the sprinkler heads must be activated by heat to release the water.
Advantages
Double Safeguard: Reduces the risk of accidental water discharge.
Flexibility: Suitable for areas where accidental water damage must be minimised.
Ideal Applications
Pre-action systems are ideal for high-value or sensitive areas, including:
Datacenters
Museums and libraries
Archives and records storage
How They Work
Deluge sprinkler systems feature open sprinkler heads and dry pipes. When a fire detection system identifies a fire, it triggers the deluge valve, which releases a large volume of water through all sprinkler heads simultaneously.
Advantages
Rapid Response: Provides immediate and extensive water coverage.
High-Risk Environments: Effective in controlling rapidly spreading fires.
Ideal Applications
Deluge systems are suitable for high-hazard areas with flammable materials, such as:
Chemical plants
Aircraft hangars
Powerplants
How They Work
Foam water sprinkler systems mix foam concentrate with water, creating a foam solution that is discharged through the sprinkler heads. This foam smothers the fire, cutting off the oxygen supply and cooling the fire.
Advantages
Enhanced Fire Suppression: Effective on flammable liquid fires.
Vapour Suppression: Reduces the risk of re-ignition.
Ideal Applications
Foam water systems are typically used in areas with flammable liquid hazards, including:
Fuel storage facilities
Aircraft hangars
Chemical processing plants
How They Work
Water mist sprinkler systems produce fine water droplets, creating a mist that cools the fire and displaces oxygen. This system uses less water compared to traditional sprinkler systems, reducing water damage.
Advantages
Water Efficiency: Minimizes water usage and damage.
Effective Cooling: Fine mist rapidly cools the fire and surrounding area.
Ideal Applications
Water mist systems are ideal for spaces where water damage must be minimised, such as:
Telecommunication facilities
Museums and archives
Commercial kitchens
A crucial part of fire protection is choosing the right fire sprinkler system. Understanding the unique features and benefits of each type can help ensure the safety of buildings and their occupants. Whether it's the simplicity of wet pipe systems, the freeze protection of dry pipe systems, or the specialised capabilities of foam water and water mist systems, each type of sprinkler system plays a vital role in fire safety.
Call or use our "Request a Quote" button to speak to our fire protection professionals and we'll determine the best system for your specific needs and ensure your property is adequately protected against fire hazards.
.png)
.png)
.png)
.svg){kind=icon}
