Fire Sprinkler Systems

5/19/2018 Fire Sprinkler Systems

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Fire SprinklerFire SprinklerSystemsSystems

Prepared by Thomas BartschChief Fire Inspector (ret)

Former Chief of Department,


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! fre sprinkler systemis an ACTIVE"reprotection meas#re, consistin$ of a %aters#pply system, pro&idin$ ade'#ate press#reand o% of %ater thro#$h a distrib#tion

pipin$ system, onto %hich "re sprinlers areconnected,

Sprinler systems ha&e been aro#ndsince the late *++-s,

In *+./, 01S1 Pamelee patented the "rst

practical a#tomatic sprinler,

What is a SprinklerSystem


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Life Safety Considerations

No reported m#ltiple deaths in acompletely sprinled b#ildin$,

2ife Safety is enhanced,

Comb#stion prod#cts are limited, %ithe3tin$#ishment in the incipient sta$e,

Controls .4 of all "res %ith "&e orfe%er sprinlers acti&ated1


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The CodesThe Codes


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By code de"nition, there are T56cate$ories of "re s#ppression systems7

8e'#ired SystemsNon98e'#ired Systems

Required Systemsare those re'#ired to beinstalled, by code, d#e to life safety and:or

b#ildin$ contents,

Non-Required Systemsare installedsystems not re'#ired by the code,

The Codes


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It is #nla%f#l to occ#py any portion of ab#ildin$ #ntil the REQUIREDs#ppressionsystem has been tested and appro&ed,

5hen a REQUIREDsystem is o#t of ser&ice,

and %here re'#ired by code enforcement, theb#ildin$ shall e&ac#ated or an appro&ed Fire5atch shall be pro&ided, %hose only d#ty is to

patrol the premises and eep %atch for "res,

The Fire 5atch m#st ha&e means to notifythe FD1

The Codes


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Sprinkler DesignSprinkler Design


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There are two%ays to desi$n a sprinlersystem7

Pipe Schedle or !ydralically Calclated"

Pipe Schedle;pipe is si


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NFP! *= re'#ires hydra#lically desi$nedsystems to ha&e a sec#red si$n placed at the&al&e s#pplyin$ desi$ned area1 This in

addition to the >?eneral Information@ si$n,


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NFP! Standard *=, Standard or theInstallation o Sprinkler Systems, no%

re'#ires, on ne% systems, a permanentmared and sec#red !eneral InormationSi"n,

5hile si$n is helpf#l, it sho#ld not beconsidered a complete ha


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Sample of >?eneral Information Si$n@re'#ired by NFP! *= on ne% systems


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Types of SystemsTypes of Systems


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Types of Systems

There are fourmajortypes of sprinlersystems7

The Wet Pipesystem,

The Dry Pipesystem,

The Delgesystem and

The Pre#Actionsystem1


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Types of Systems

Wet pipe #########by far the mostcommon,

Dry#pipe #########where water freezing ispossible$

Delge ############for high hazard

applications,

Pre#Action #######where concerns overwater damage.


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Wet Pipe SprinklerWet Pipe Sprinkler


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Pipes are al%ays "lled %ith %ater1 0eatfrom "re opens a sprinler head,

As#ally only one or t%o heads open,

5ater o%s #ntil it is sh#t o,

The open sprinler head(s) is replaced andthe system is reset1

Wet Pipe Sprinkler


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!n openin$ sprinler head tri$$ers thesystem


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! one9%ay clapper pre&ents %ater from re9enterin$ the %ater s#pply,

?a#$es on both sides of the main &al&e,

re$ister press#re on the s#pply and systemsides,

! retard chamber pre&ents s#dden

press#re s#r$es %hich co#ld ca#se a falsealarm,

!n alarm #he#k $al$edetects %ater o%and acti&ates the alarm s stem,

Wet Pipe Sprinkler


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There is a control &al&e to sh#t o thesystem, normally an %&S&' (&(6#tside Stem andoe) or (6#tside Scre% and oe),

There is a main drain $al$e%hich drainsthe system for ser&ice,

!nd an Inspe#tors )est *al$e, #s#ally at theend of the system, #sed to sim#late o% froma sin$le head and to meas#re the systemresponse,

Wet Pipe Sprinkler


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Typical %et pipe sprinkler&al&e

Clapper Val&e


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Restoration of the System, LiabilityIssues;

Some occ#pancies ha&e re'ired

systems for life safety, i1e1, p#blic assembly,hotels and hi$h9rises,

Does yo#r FD allo% restoration of the

systemIf Not, then re'#ire a FI8 5!TC0 or

V!CA!T T0 BAI2DIN?E11

Wet Pipe Sprinkler


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If yo#r S6P allo%s restoration7

after the "re is completely #nder control,

the closest sectional %ater control &al&esho#ld be closed,

the main control &al&e sho#ld not be

closed #nless there are no sectional &al&es,

Wet Pipe Sprinkler


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Restoration of the System;

sh#t do%n any %ater so#rce s#pplyin$ thesystem,

the sprinler head(s) are replaced %ith anidentical one from the spares in the sprinlercontrol room,

re9open any closed control &al&es,

open the Inspectors Test Val&e to ens#re

%ater is o%in$ to the topmost sprinler1

Wet Pipe Sprinkler


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Wet Pipe Sprinkler System


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Dry Pipe SprinklerDry Pipe Sprinkler


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Dry pipes systems are #sed in #nheatedb#ildin$s, b#t the &al&e room m#st beheated,

Dry pipe systems are more dic#lt todesi$n than %et pipe systems and are

Dry Pipe Sprinkler


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Pipes are not "lled %ith %ater (b#t %ithpress#ri


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5ater "lls the pipes and e3its thro#$h anopen sprinler head(s),

5ater o%s #ntil sh#t o,

6pen sprinler head is replaced,

System is reset,

Dry Pipe Sprinkler


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Pipes in protected space are "lled %ithair or inert $as7 an openin$ sprinler head,tri$$ers the system by releasin$ the air or$as, %hich allo%s %ater to o% into thepipes and then o#t thro#$h the open

sprinler head,


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! dry pipe $al$eeeps press#ri


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Typical Dry Pipe Val&e


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The !hausterdetects decrease in air

press#re and helps bleed o air,

Dry Pipe Sprinkler


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The"cceleratordetects decrease in airpress#re and pipes air press#re belo% theclapper &al&e, to speed #p it-s openin$,

Dry Pipe Sprinkler


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TypicalDryPipeSprinkler set

p


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resettin$ is not #s#ally performed by FDpersonnel,

notify the property o%ners that thesystem has acti&ated,

the system has to be drained and the dry

pipe &al&e has to be reset, this is acomple3 proced#re,

in mild %eather, the system can stay in a

%et condition1

Dry Pipe Sprinkler


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Delge SystemDelge System


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Delge Sprinkler

Pipes are not "lled %ith %ater (or $as),

!ll sprinler heads are pre9opened,

! si$nal from a detection de&icemechanically opens a %ater &al&e,%ater "lls the pipes and o%s from all

heads,%ater o%s #ntil sh#t o,system is reset1


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Primarily installed in special ha


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Pipes in protected area are empty7 adetector si$nal tri$$ers the system, allo%in$%ater:foam to enter pipes and o% from allsprinler heads (%hich are already open),


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Delge System


the del#$e clapper &al&e m#st beman#ally reset %ith the latchin$

mechanism in place,

the detection system is re9acti&ated,

beca#se of these proced#res, it is notrecommended for the FD to restore thesystem, lea&e it to the professionals1


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Pre#Action SystemPre#Action System

Pre Action Sprinkler


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Pipes are not "lled %ith %ater,

!ll sprinler heads are of the standard type(they are closed),

! detection de&ice opens a %ater &al&e,

5ater "lls the pipes,

5ater only o%s from a sprinler head i it isopened by heat from a "re,

5ater o%s #ntil sh#t o and system isreset1

Pre#Action Sprinkler

i S i kl


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Ased primarily to protect property %here

%ater co#ld se&erely dama$e facilities ore'#ipment, (historical items)

Similar to dry9pipe and del#$e system7

closed pipin$,little or no air:$as press#re,%ater does not o% to the sprinlerheads #ntil detector acti&ates,%ater on "re after sprinler head f#ses,

T#rns into a %et system, b#t allo%s

personnel to chec:"$ht "re before head f#ses,



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Pipes in protected area are empty7 adetector si$nal tri$$ers the system, allo%in$%ater to enter pipes and o% into pipin$net%or7 heat from a "re may then open a

sprinler head7 accidental dama$e to a

P A i S i kl


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the del#$e clapper &al&e m#st beman#ally reset %ith the latchin$ mechanism

in place,

the detection system, %ith s#per&isory

feat#res is re9acti&ated,

beca#se of these proced#res, it is notrecommended for the FD to restore the

system, lea&e it to the professionals1



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Sprinkler !eadsSprinkler !eads

Sprinkler !eads


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Sprinkler !eadsSprinler heads are the ey components of

the system,

0eads m#st be s#itable in desi$n,performance, application and temperat#re

for type of property it is protectin$,

Standard heads are mared %ith SS#(standard sprinler #pri$ht)or SS$(standard sprinlerpendent)on the deector,

Side %all heads may be pendent, #pri$ht,or hori


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Sprinkler !eadsfrangible bulb

fusible link

The typical sprinler head is acti&ated byheat (temperat#re),

opens %hen a tri$$erin$ action occ#rs,a fran$ible b#lb breas (color indicatestemperat#re settin$),a f#sible lin melts,%ater o%s %hen head is opened,%ater is man#ally sh#t o,once acti&ated, head m#st be replace,


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Sprinkler !eads

%ypes(

Apri$htPendantSide%all

8ecessed heads


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Sprinkler !ead Temperatre )atings$Sprinkler !ead Temperatre )atings$Classi*cations and Color CodingClassi*cations and Color Coding

Temperat#re 8atin$Temperat#reClassi"cation

Color Codin$ ?lass B#lb Colors

F C

*=H9*. H.9.. 6rdinaryAncolored or Blac

6ran$e or 8ed

*.H9H .J9*.Intermediate 5hite ello% or ?reen

H9= **9*/J0i$h Bl#e Bl#e

=H9=.H *K=9*J*3tra 0i$h 8ed P#rple

/9/.H /9/KVery 3tra 0i$h ?reen Blac

H9H.H H9=Altra 0i$h 6ran$e Blac

KH =/=Altra 0i$h 6ran$e Blac

S i kl ! d P t


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Sprinkler !ead Parts

d S i kl d


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Fsed Sprinkler !ead


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Frangi+le ,l+ !ead


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frangi+le+l+


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fsi+lelink


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Chemical pellet


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S i kl ! d


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Sprinkler !eads

Storage Ca+inet(

e3tra headssprinler %rench

Cabinets hold a minim#m of si3 sprinlers

and sprinler %rench in accordance %ithNFP!L*=1

2ess than = heads min K spares= M *, heads min * spares

ore than * heads min / spares


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Control Val&esControl Val&es

Control


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ControlVal&es

6SO Val&ePost Indicator Val&e (PIV)Post Indicator Val&e !ssembly(PIV!)

6peratin$ Val&es OS&Y securedin openposition by

chain & lock


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6#tside Scre% and oe(6SO) Val&e

Post IndicatorVal&e (PIV)

Monitored


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5all Post Indicator

Val&e (5PIV)

Post IndicatorVal&e !ssembly

(PIV!)

Water-o% Alarms


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Water-o% Alarms

0ydra#lic or lectrical7

%arn of %ater mo&ement insystem,hydra#lic alarm so#nds local,electrical alarm so#nds local and

"re alarm system1


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Fire DepartmentFire Department

ConnectionConnection

Fire Department


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Fire DepartmentConnection .FDC/

Connection #s#ally by9passes control &al&e7system can be #sed re$ardless ofposition control &al&e is in1

2ocation;sho#ld be one located near mainentrance of b#ildin$,

others may be located at &ario#slocations aro#nd b#ildin$,for #se by additional companies,%hen system is di&ided into


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allo%s FD to p#mp supplemental%ater,shall be &isible and reco$ni


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What it looks like

Fi D t t


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Safety consideration;

Do not p#t yo#r hands in the FDC toclear debris o#t, beca#se it may ha&ethe presence of;

broen $lass,sharp metal,#sed dr#$ needles,e&en a bee-s nest


Fire Department


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Dic#lties may be enco#ntered %ith theFDC7

These dic#lties may incl#de;missin$ or ti$ht caps,defecti&e or incompatible threads,debris st#ed into the connection,female s%i&els o#t9of9ro#nd,fro


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Cans, bottles, balls, metalsand dr#$ needles ha&ebeen sho&ed into FDC-s1

Don-t #se yo#r hands toclean it o#t


If the FDC is not#sable, notify the ICthat %ater can not bes#pplied to the system1

Fire Department


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Some 8emedies7 ro1en swi$els2 dee#ti$e #lapper0

a spare male cap sho#ld be carried in thee&ent it becomes necessary to cap one sideof the FDC to pre&ent an o#to% of %aterd#e to a malf#nctionin$ clapper &al&e,connectin$ a second line is another

sol#tion,tap the s%i&els %ith a spanner %rench toloosen paint, dirt, etc1,t%ist the s#pply hose / to H left t#rns,

insert and t#rn to the ri$ht,


Fire Department


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any FDC-s are e'#ipped %ith eithermetallic or plastic &andal proof caps,

these caps are #s#ally attached %ithscre% eyes placed o&er the pin l#$s on thefemale s%i&el,

both metal and plastic caps are remo&edby striin$ the center of the cap %ith a tool,caps can also be remo&ed by pryin$ oneof the scre% eyes o the pin l#$1


Fire Department


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Some FD-s #se sec#ritycaps, respondin$m#t#al aid

departments, withoutthe key, %ill not be ableto remo&e the capEE11

Qno3 re$istered FD ssho#ld re'#est e3traeys for their m#t#alaid departments,

KNOX

KEY



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Sprinkler SystemSprinkler SystemFailresFailres

Sprinkler System Failres


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There are threeprincipal ca#ses of#nsatisfactory sprinler performance7

*1 ! closed &al&e in the %ater s#pply,

1 Inade'#ate %ater s#pply deli&ery,=1 6cc#pancy chan$es ne$atin$ the

system desi$n1

Pre9plannin$, inspections, propermaintenance and testin$ sho#ld correct theseproblems1



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6ne of the leadin$ ca#ses of sprinlersystem ineecti&eness occ#rs %hen stora$econtents or con"$#rations chan$e and thesystem is not altered to match the ne%ha


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FD 0perationsFD 0perations

FD 0perations


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5e connect to the FDC in case of

ins#cient %ater s#pply or many headsopened ta3in$ the system,

Apon arri&al, stretch a s#pply line to the

FDC, b#t don-t char$e it #ntil con"rmed%orin$ "re,

5hene&er possible, a#$ment the system

%ith t%o dierent p#mpers,

Char$e the line, start p#mp press#re at *H

psi #nless system is posted for a dierent

FD 0perations

FD 0perations


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If hose lines are #sed for "re"$htin$, %aterfor the system sho#ld be taen from so#rcesthat do not red#ce sprinler protection,

Verify %ater is o%in$ from the system, ifnot, chec if control &al&es are open, ha&e aFF %ith a radio positioned at the &al&e,

If present, sh#t the system do%n by #sin$ asectional or oor control &al&es instead of themain control &al&e,

FD 0perations

FD 0perations


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If system is connected to a potable %aters#pply, a&oid draftin$ from open %ater so#rces#nless baco% protection is installed,

Anless ta$$ed /losed or Repair, anycontrol &al&es not open, sho#ld be reported tothe "re in&esti$ators oce,

FD 0perations

Smmary


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Ne&er sh#t the system do%n to impro&e&isibility,

Don-t sh#t the system do%n #ntil "re has

been e3tin$#ished,

Notify the IC if %ater can not be s#pplied tothe system d#e to defecti&e FDC,

2astly, a properly desi$ned, installed,maintained and FD a#$mented system cans#pply %ater directly to the "re in a more

eecti&e manner than man#al "re

Smmary


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Thank 1oThank 1o

2estions32estions3

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Fire Sprinkler Systems