4 Types of Fire Sprinkler Systems

Pre-action

Occupancies where water damage is not accepted by accidental

activation
filled with air and water is allowed to pass through when the smoke
alarm or detector goes of
has a series of pipes connected to regularly distributed fire sprinkler
heads, fed by a main riser
requires two triggers to start water flow. It helps greatly that the pre-
action fire sprinkler can be set to prevent water from spouting in case
of a false alarm or a mechanical failure.
The pre-action system is good for use in places where the sprinklers
are only necessary when there is an actual fire so other items in the
building do not get water damage from an accidental sprinkling.
Such buildings include libraries and data centers.
Dry Pipe

Occupancies with risks of temperature X < 0 degrees and X > 95

degrees C
Dry pipe sprinklers are similar to pre-action systems as they use
pressurized air in the pipe which exits before water escapes.
This causes a minute delay in water discharge but is ideal for buildings
with low temperatures so the pipes do not freeze.
These fire sprinkler systems have a fast opening tool to get rid of the
air and speed up the flow of water.
Warehouses located in the north are a good example of what buildings
should use dry pipe sprinklers
installed in areas where distribution pipes are subject to freezing
temperatures, such as unheated buildings and parking garages

Dry Pipe Valve

The dry pipe valve is located above the main system control valve and
must be installed in a heated area or enclosure to keep the water
below the valve from freezing. The purpose of the dry pipe valve is to
keep water from entering the pipes and potentially freezing.
The dry pipe valve has a one-way clapper that is partially covered with
water called the priming water, to seal the valve seat, and has an
intermediate chamber that connects the valve to the alarm line.
Wet Pipe

Occupancies with temperature 95 degrees C > X > 0 degrees C

Wet pipe fire sprinklers constantly have water in them
allows for a quick reaction to a fire and is the most common type of
sprinkler installed in buildings
for high-rise or office building with a few floors
cost efficient and low maintenance

Deluge

occupancies with rapid fire spread

are installed in high hazard operations, such as power generating stations,
aircraft hangers, petrochemical and munitions plants, and areas that store
items such as flammable liquids
also need a smoke or heat detector like the pre-action system
has open nozzles that can be used when a hazard is present
When flammable liquids are spread across a floor, deluge fire sprinklers
are good to have.
for buildings such as industrial parks and buildings with many tanks
have deluge fire sprinkler systems installed

Pre-action Fire Sprinkler Systems

installed in water sensitive environments such as computer rooms and

refrigerated warehouses
similar to a dry pipe system, except that air pressure may or may not be used
This design eliminates operational delays and water damage
valve will only open if an independent detection system installed in the same
area as the fire sprinkler system is activated, verifying a fire condition

Sprinkler Building Plan

Where the equipment is to be installed as an addition to an existing system,
enough of the existing system should be indicated on the plans to justify the
hydraulic calculations and to make all conditions clear.
Provide a legend on each plan indicating:
1. Symbols for all sprinklers used to include:
Make, type and model (upright, pendant, or side wall)
Temperature rating
K Factor
Size
 Sprinkler Identification Number (SIN)
Number of sprinklers by type on each riser per floor
Total number of sprinklers on each dry pipe system, preaction
system, combined dry pipe-preaction system, deluge system or any
other special system
2. Symbols for:
Type of pipe and schedule of wall thickness
Special pipe with limited application, such as flexible pipe
Kind and type of alarm bell, horn, or other audible alarm appliance
and location
Kind and type of all hangers (provide details)
Kind and types of all sway bracing (provide details)
Kind and types of all fittings (provide details)
Hydraulic Nodes clearly visible
Piping changes of elevations (up or down) and lengths
Flex piping locations (provide symbol in legend, and pressure loss)
Seismic joints and details (provide symbol in legend, and details)
and pressure loss for individual devices.

Sprinkler Head, Spacing and Location

Sprinkler Head Location
There are two main criteria for the location of sprinkler heads.
First, sprinklers must be located so they are within the hot-gas layer
that develops near the ceiling during a fire because activation
occurs when the sprinkler head reaches a certain temperature.
Second, they must be located so that the water that is discharged
from the sprinkler is not disrupted or afected by construction
elements such as beams, trusses, or soffits.

The diagram at left shows the water

distribution for standard pendant and
upright sprinkler fixtures. It is useful to
understand how objects within this
distribution area can alter the throw
and disrupt the ability of the sprinkler
to extinguish a fire.
This is a general depiction of sprinkler
throw and should not be used to
determine sprinkler spacing. Refer to
the manufacturer data for specific
throw data. Please note, that the
throw of a sprinkler should not be used
for sprinkler spacing - local codes
determine spacing requirements.
Sprinkler Head Spacing
OCCUPANCY HAZARD SQUARE FOOT PER MAX. SPACING
HEAD BETWEEN SPRINKLER
HEADS
15 ft
Light Hazard 130-200 SF per head
(Office, Educational, (based on obstructions
Religious, Institutional, and flow calcs)
Hospitals, Restaurants,
Clubs, Theaters, etc.)
Ordinary Hazard 130 SF per head 15 ft
(Mills, Manufacturing,
Processing, Machine
Shops, Repair Garages,
Post Offices, Bakeries,
Wood Machining and
Assembly, Auto Parking,
etc.)
Extra Hazard 90-130 SF per head 12 ft
(Plastic Processing, (based on obstructions
Chemical Spraying, Metal and flow calcs)
Extruding, Printing,
Varnishing, Painting, etc.)

Maximum Distance from Wall

half (1/2) of the maximum distance between sprinkler heads

Minimum Distance Between Sprinklers

typically 6'-0".

Distance from Ceiling

minimum 1", maximum 12" for unobstructed construction. The
minimum 1" is typical; however, concealed, recessed, and flush
sprinklers may be mounted less than 1" from the ceiling and shall be
installed based on their listing.

Extended Coverage Sprinkler Heads

In some circumstances, standard distribution sprinkler heads will not provide
enough coverage. In these cases, extended coverage sprinkler heads can be
installed to increase the spacing between heads. Extended coverage sprinklers
have a water distribution radius of a little over 10 feet, so they can be spaced
approximately 20 feet apart.
NFPA 72
Initiation of the alarm signal - occur within 90 seconds of waterflow at the
alarm-initiating device when flow occurs that is equal to or greater than that
from a single sprinkler of the smallest orifice size installed in the system
of-normal signal - when the pressure increases or decreases by 70 kPa (10
psi)
there must be a switch added to the system
number of supervisory devices permitted to be connected to a single
initiating device not exceeding 20
Alarm signals initiated by manual fire alarm boxes, automatic fire detectors,
waterflow from the automatic sprinkler system, or actuation of other fire
suppression system(s) or equipment shall be treated as fire alarms.

NFPA 5000
In high-rise buildings, a sprinkler control valve and a waterflow device shall
be provided for each floor.

Pressure Switches
In a dry pipe sprinkler system, the alarm pressure switch is installed on the
alarm line trim of the dry pipe, deluge, and pre-action valves. No delay is
required since pressure surges from the water supply are not an issue in
these types of systems.
In a wet pipe sprinkler system, an alarm pressure switch is typically installed
on top of the retard chamber into a one half inch tapped outlet. A time delay
is not needed when using a pressure switch because the retard chamber will
divert waterflowing through the alarm line during pressure surges from the
city water supply. A drip valve allows water to drain from the chamber.
Alarm pressure switches are pre-set to alarm at 4 to 8 PSI on rising pressure.
The pressure setting can be field adjusted to obtain a specific pressure alarm
response between 4 and 20 PSI.

Explosion Proof Detectors

typically installed in special applications that house high hazard operations.
Examples include pulp and paper mills, distilleries, aircraft hangers,
munitions plants, petrochemical factories, petroleum tank farms, and other
areas that store flammable liquids and materials
enclosed in rugged housings to prevent any internal spark
Alarm Bells
Sizes 6 inch, 8 inch, 10 inch
Indoor alarm bells mount directly to a four inch square electrical box.
Outdoor alarm bells must be used with a weatherproof back box.