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Back to Basics: Wet & Dry Sprinkler System | 2014-03-15

| phcppros
Monday, August 28, 2017 2:38 PM

Clipped from: https://www.phcppros.com/articles/1917-back-to-basics-wet-

dry-sprinkler-system
The fire protection industry continues to grow and evolve every day.
Engineers, designers and local authorities are confronted with new
challenges that involve unique applications and special hazard systems.
Some of these systems include deluge, preaction, foam or clean agent
suppression. Wet systems are, by far, the most common fire protection
systems installed; dry systems are the second most common. We often
overlook the basic design principles of these systems. In this article, I will go
back to the basics and review the equipment and operation of wet and dry
systems. NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems
provides the minimum requirements for the design and installation of
automatic fire sprinkler systems1 and will be referenced throughout the
article.

Wet systems

A wet system, as defined in NFPA 13, is a sprinkler system employing

automatic sprinklers attached to a piping system containing water and
connected to a water supply so that water discharges immediately from
sprinklers opened by the heat from a fire2. A wet system is used in areas
that can be maintained above 40° F (4° C). Providing immediate water
discharge onto a fire will help to control it quickly and will help prevent it
from spreading, which explains why a wet system is the most commonly
used.

A wet system is fairly simple, but there are some options to consider when
designing the equipment involved. We start to build the components that
make up a wet system at the point where the water supply enters the
building. The installation of the water supply and components such as
backflow preventers are based on local authority requirements and NFPA 24,
Standard for the Installation of Private Fire Service Mains and Their
Appurtenances.

The sprinkler riser is the bridge between the underground and interior
piping. This is the point where we supply the cross mains, feed mains and
branch piping that make up the wet system piping network. It is at the
sprinkler riser where we begin to make decisions on the components
needed. There are two typical types of wet system sprinkler risers to choose
from; a riser alarm check valve assembly or a ported check valve with a flow
indicator.

Riser check valve assembly

We use an alarm check valve on the riser to lock water pressure into the
system and prevent the water in the sprinkler piping from traveling back into
the water supply. Trim piping around the check valve is used to activate an
alarm, which can be a mechanical or electrical device, during a water flow
condition. The alarm check valve is equipped with an inlet, an outlet and
multiple tapped bosses.

Two of these bosses are for pressure gauges that show the supply side and
the system side water pressure. Two are located in the back of the valve for
a bypass line; this is for low flow conditions with less than one sprinkler and

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prevents the clapper from opening unnecessarily. The other two bosses are
for a main drain and an alarm line port. The main drain is located so that the
entire system above the alarm valve clapper can be drained. The alarm line
is connected to trim piping, continuing on to the alarm devices. When a
sprinkler operates, water flows through the check valve and pushes the
clapper open. Water then enters into the alarm line and will activate an
alarm pressure switch or a water motor gong, sending a signal that there is
water flowing in the system.

A retard chamber is an important option that can be added to the alarm line.
The biggest nuisance for any sprinkler system is a false water flow alarm. A
retard chamber provides a mechanical delay prior to an audible alarm, either
mechanical or electrical. It is used when there is variable pressure in the
water supply. If variable pressure or water surges are present, false alarms
may occur in the system.
The retard chamber is a one gallon tank that absorbs water surges prior to
reaching the alarms. As soon as water enters the retard chamber, it is
drained through a restricted orifice in the bottom. If there is a sprinkler flow
condition, the chamber will fill more quickly than it is drained, allowing the
water to fill the retard chamber and continue on to the alarm pressure
switch or water motor gong. Multiple retard chambers can be added to a
system with large water surges.

The water motor gong is a mechanical device typically installed on the

outside wall of the sprinkler riser room. This is a water-driven alarm with no
electrical connection, requiring someone to call local authorities if it is
ringing. Although this alarm is not used as often as it was in the past, some
local officials or end users may require that it be installed. If this alarm is
required, it is important to specify an alarm check valve.

Ported check valve

Technology has allowed us to utilize electrical devices and fire alarm systems
to help provide the required alarm signal upon water flow. If we take
advantage of this technology, we can provide a sprinkler riser that is slightly
less complicated than a full riser check valve assembly. A ported check valve
will include the following: a check valve to lock pressure into the system,
pressure gauges above and below the check valve and a main drain
connection.

This check valve does not include a tapped boss for the alarm line. The
required alarm trim piping can be eliminated and a vane type water flow
switch installed in the piping, above the check valve. This is an electrical
switch with a plastic paddle installed through a hole in the pipe. When the
paddle is pushed forward by a water flow condition, it will create an electrical
alarm signal, which can be sent to a fire alarm panel or directly to an electric
bell.

As discussed, some water supplies may create surges and cause false
alarms. The water flow device includes a retard or delay setting built into the
switch, preventing the signal from being sent until the paddle is held
forward, by water flow, for a set length of time.

Both of these riser assemblies are acceptable configurations to NFPA 13. It is

important to review which type is required by the local authorities and which
may be the most cost effective.

Many engineer’s specifications include an alarm riser check valve, which may
not be necessary if a water motor gong is not used. A ported check valve
can provide the same principles but at less cost for both the equipment and

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installation. Engineers should review their specifications to make sure that

they are looking for the proper equipment necessary for each project.

Dry systems

A dry system, as defined in NFPA 13, is a sprinkler system employing

automatic sprinklers that are attached to a piping system containing air or
nitrogen under pressure, the release of which (as from the opening of a
sprinkler) permits water pressure to open a valve known as a dry pipe valve;
the water then flows into the piping system and out the opened sprinklers3.
A dry system is going to be considered for areas where the temperature
cannot be maintained above 40° F (4° C). It is important, however, to make
sure the dry pipe valve assembly and equipment is installed within a heated
environment. The dry pipe valve is a fairly simple concept, but, like the wet
riser, offers a few options to consider when specifying the equipment.

Dry pipe valve

The dry valve, installed at the sprinkler riser, creates the separation of the
air pressure in the piping network and the water supply. These valves
generally work on a differential principle. This means that, if a valve has a
6:1 differential, you can hold back 6 psi of water pressure with only 1 psi of
air pressure above the clapper. When a sprinkler operates, and the air
pressure is lowered, the water pressure below the valve will eventually
overcome the differential and push the clapper of the dry valve open. This
will allow the water supply to enter the piping network and be discharged
from the sprinklers that have operated.

This often brings the question from engineers, how much air pressure is
required to keep the dry valve in the set position? Using the 6:1 rule as an
example, simply take the water supply pressure, divide it by 6 and add 15 to
20 psi for a cushion. Multiple manufactured dry valves may have a variety of
differentials: It is important to review the manufacturer’s technical data,
which often provides the proper air supply requirements, based on your
water supply pressure.

When a sprinkler operates in a dry system there will be a delay in full water
flow, due to the travel time from the valve to the open sprinkler. NFPA 13
discusses requirements for maximum water delivery in dry systems based on
the total volume of piping4. Accessories called accelerators are available to
assist the speed of the valve operation. Accelerators can help redirect air
pressure in the system to lower the differential of the valve faster, which in
turn speeds the operation of the valve.

When putting a dry valve into service, you often need to open the face plate
of the valve and reset the clapper assembly inside. Newer valves can be
reset externally, eliminating the need to open the valve for any reason. After
the clapper is set and the face plate is replaced, you are ready to introduce
air into the system. Compressed air or nitrogen can be used to pressurize
the dry pipe system. Riser mounted compressors are often used on smaller
systems; however, tank mounted compressors with air maintenance devices
are suggested for most applications.

An air maintenance device helps to maintain the proper air pressure in the
piping and uses the supply within the tank to introduce more air to the
system in the event of a small loss. Another option to consider are dryers
installed on the air supply to remove any excess moisture in the piping. The
trim piping installed on the dry valve offers the necessary pressure gauges,
drains and pressure switches for water flow conditions.

Other details of these systems are specific to various manufacturers. I

suggest that you take the time to review the equipment and installation
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