Fire Safety and Prevention - Different Types of Sprinkler Systems

A fire is a devastating and traumatic experience.air is released, it permits water pressure to open
It can begin with a small spark and eventuallya valve known as the dry pipe valve and water
ignite into bigger flames. Even if the firesubsequently flows into the piping system and out
department is only a few minutes away from theof the opened sprinklers. This type of sprinkler
property in danger of bursting into a blaze, a firesystem can be installed in areas where freezing
can still spread with such an astounding speed. Antemperatures might be expected.
approved and well maintained sprinkler systemThe deluge sprinkler system uses open sprinklers
should be able to slow down the progress of aattached to a piping system with a water supply.
fire until the proper authorities arrive. High riseA valve is opened by the operation of a detection
buildings typically have fire sprinkler systems andsystem which is installed in the same place as the
automatic fire extinguisher installed which is ablesprinklers. When the valve opens, water flows
to keep a fire to a minimum.into the piping system and discharges from all
A fire sprinkler system is an active fire protectionsprinklers. Large quantities of water are discharge
measure which provides adequate pressure andfrom this system to control fast-developing fires.
flow rate to a water supply and distributingThe last type of sprinkler system is much like the
system. This system is required to be installed indeluge system except that the sprinklers are
buildings and business establishments to reduceclosed. The pre-action valve is typically closed and
the risk of property damage and destruction. It isis operated by a separate detection system. If
intended to suppress or control the fire once itthe fire detector id activated, it will open the
has erupted. There are four types of sprinklerpre-action valve. At this point water will enter the
system namely the wet pipe, dry pipe, pre-actionsystem piping but will not flow out of the
and the deluge sprinkler system.sprinklers unless heat activates the operating
The wet pipe sprinkler system employs automaticelement in specific sprinklers.
sprinkler heads to a piping system which containsWhen properly installed together with an
water. It is connected to a water supply so thatautomatic fire extinguisher, fire sprinklers can help
the water will be discharged immediately whensave lives. Because these systems react quickly,
the sprinklers are opened by heat from a fire.it is able to significantly decrease flames, smoke
On the other hand, the dry pipe sprinkler utilizesand heat produced by a fire. This fire protection
automatic sprinklers attached to a pipe containingdevice will reduce the chances of dying in a fire
air or nitrogen under pressure. When nitrogen oremergency.