Allows for a more tenable atmosphere
Benefits of automatic sprinklers
Ferrous metal, Copper, Galvanized steel and plastic
Types of piping for sprinklers
Ferrous metal
Most common piping material
Water supply main
Piping that connects sprinkler system to the main water supply
System Riser
Vertical piping that extends upward from the water supply to feed the cross or feed mains. Typically has a control valve or a PIV along with a drain, pressure gauge, and a water flow alarm
Sprig
Pipe that rises vertically and supplies a single sprinkler
Riser
Any vertical supply piping in the system
Feed main
Pipe that supplies water to each of the cross mains
Cross main
Pipe that feeds the branch lines
Branch lines
Pipes that contain the individual sprinkler devices and include grid lines on gridded systems
Outside stem and yoke valve
Gate valves that have a yoke on the outside with a threaded stem that controls the opening and closing of the gate by turning a hand wheel
Post indicator valve
Used to control underground sprinkler valves and consists of a hollow metal post attached to the valve housing and mounted on the stem is a moveable target with the words OPEN or SHUT visible through the window
Butterfly valve
Type of control valve that uses a disc in the waterway which rotates ninety degrees across the cross section of the pipe to control flow. The position is indicated by a pointer which points either to the word OPEN or CLOSED
Check valves
Used to limit the flow of water to one direction to prevent recirculation
Flow valve
Regulates the flow pressure of a fluid
Inspector valve
Used to cause the water to flow through the system for an inspection test. The valve may be located near a riser for convenience or a remote location within the sprinkler system
fusible link
A solder link with a low, precisely established melting point where the link is connected to a cap that restrains the water at the orifice
Frangible bulbs
Contain a liquid that expands when heated which breaks the bulb and allows for the flow of water
Class 1 standpipe system
Primarily used for fire suppression personnel trained in handling large lines. Has 2.5 inch hose connections that may be equipped with a reducer that allows for a 1.5 inch coupling
Class 2 standpipe system
Used by building occupants who are trained in it's use or by fire department personnel. Equipped with 1.5 inch hose and nozzle
Class 3 standpipe system
Has both class 1 and 2 components
FDC
Allows the fire department to pump into the standpipe system
Upright
Designed to deflect the spray of water downward in a hemispherical pattern
Pendant
Used where it is impractical or unsightly to use sprinklers in an upright position such as a below a suspended ceiling. The deflector on this type of sprinkler breaks the pattern of water into a circular pattern of small water droplets and directs the wat
Sidewall
Placed on the side of the wall at the side of a room or space. Popular for corridors, offices, hotel rooms and residential occupancies.
Concealed Sprinkler
Hidden by a removable decorative color that releases when exposed to a specific level of heat
Recessed
Installed in recessed housing within the ceiling of a compartment or space ; all or part of the sprinkler other than the threaded shank is mounted in the housing
Flush
Mounted in a ceiling with the body of the sprinkler, including the threaded shank, above the plane of the ceiling
In-rack
Typically used in storage facilities and have a protective disk.
Large drop
Designed to produce large drops of water to enable the spray to penetrate strong updrafts created by elevated fire conditions.
Dry pendant
Used in either dry or wet systems where the protected area may freeze.
Residential
Used in residential occupancies. These are fast response sprinklers that have a special low mass fusible link or bulb.
Water spray nozzle
Discharges water in a specific pattern to protect a three dimensional hazard such as an electrical transformer or flammable liquid or gas tank. Must be installed in specific rotation.
Attic
Designed to protect sloped attic spaces. Their unique discharge patterns are designed to produce a narrow but long pattern.
Water mist
Turns water into a very fine mist, which depletes oxygen and blocks radiant heat.
Wet pipe system
Contains water under pressure in the piping at all times
Dry pipe system
Air or nitrogen under pressure is used to replace the water within the pipes in areas that are subject to freezing
Deluge system
Designed to quickly supply a large volume of water to the area. Used to protect extra hazardous occupancies such as aircraft hangars
Pre action system
Used when it is especially important that the inadvertent release of water be minimized, even if the sprinkler accidentally breaks. Used to protect computer rooms or document storage areas
Residential facilites
Designed to enhance the survivability of individuals who are in the room of origin for one or two family dwellings
Storage Facility systems
Have a particular set of fire risk issues
Class 1
Generally noncombustible and stored on wooden pallets in ordinary packaging. Commodities can be packaged in corrugated cardboard or stretch-wrapped as a unit load
Class 2
Noncombustible commodities but packaged in wooden crates or multilayered cardboard cartons
Class 3
Combustible materials such as wood, paper, or certain plastics, regardless of packaging
Class 4
Class 1,2 and 3 products that contain limited amounts of group A plastics. Plastics produce more heat per unit of weight than ordinary combustibles. Divided into 3 groups based not their heat per unit of weight
Automatic wet
Contains water at all times. The water supply is capable of meeting the system demand automatically.
Automatic dry
Contains air under pressure to supervise the integrity of the piping.
Semiautomatic dry
Standpipe system that is attached to a water supply that is capable of supplying the system demand at all times. It requires activation of a control device to provide water at hose connections.
Manual dry
This system does not have a permanent water supply. It is designed to have water only through the FDC
Manual wet
There is no permanent water supply for this system, and water must be provided by the fire department. It is maintained full of water for the purpose of detecting leaks.
Early suppression fast response sprinklers
Typically react 5 to 10 times faster than traditional sprinklers and are larger than conventional sprinklers
Pressure reducing valve
Used for managing excessive pressure and uses a spring mechanism that compensates for variations in pressure. Generally are field adjustable.
Wet chemical extinguishing system
Best suited for application in commercial cooking hoods, plenums ducts and associated cooking appliances. The nature of the chemical is that it reacts with animal or vegetable fats to form a soapy foam through a process called saponification. The fires ar
Dry chemical system
Used where rapid fire extinguishment is required and where reignition of the burning material is unlikely. Used to protect flammable and combustible liquid storage rooms, dip tanks, paint spray booths, older commercial cooking areas or kitchens, exhaust d
Clean agent systems
Extinguishing system that leaves little or no residue. Typical applications include computer rooms and telecommunications facilities.