Sprinkler Systems
Automatic sprinkler systems are widely used in fire protection and are suitable and effective in a wide variety of locations. Releasing the required amount of water in line with the risk in the first moments of the fire is vital and is far more effective in containing the fire in the minutes before the fire brigade are able to get to the scene. The measured amount of water released can limit the water damage to property.
The sprinkler system is activated through heat detection from a fire. The heat sensitive sprinkler head opens and releases a spray of water when it reaches a specific temperature. The most common sprinkler head in Britain is the glass bulb type. An alternative to this system is the soldered strut type where the solder melts at a specific temperature to release the water spray.
Sprinkler systems are tailored to suit the type of fire that is to be expected in the protected areas. Sometimes the system is designed to meet different demands in separate zones of the same building. Huge economies can be achieved by tailoring the systems in this way to reduce the size of pumps tanks and pipe work. Insurance companies offer attractive premium discounts against properly installed and regularly maintained sprinkler protection as they reduce losses dramatically.
The design of sprinkler systems need to comply with various British Standards and therefore should only be carried out by approved fire contractors.
Typical applications for sprinkler systems are:
- Warehouses
- Factories
- Schools
- Offices
- Domestic Dwellings
- Theaters/Cinemas
- Houses of multiple occupancy
- Ships and Marine Applications
- Atria buildings
- High rise building
- Shopping precincts
- Sports Centres
