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Understanding Sprinkler Systems: A Comprehensive Guide To Different Types Of Sprinklers

When it comes to fire safety, all commercial structures require adequate protection. Fire sprinkler systems are typically the most effective methods to protect your property and personnel from the dangers of fire outbreaks. However, due to the fact that each commercial building has distinct fire protection demands, it’s essential to install the type of fire sprinkler system that meets your specific needs and parameters.

Before we explore the different types of sprinkler systems that you can choose for your residential or commercial property, let’s go through some of the sprinkler system basics. Are you ready? Let’s jump into it.

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What Are Fire Sprinkler Systems?

A fire sprinkler system is an automatic abatement system that contains the spread and growth of fire outbreaks. It does so by activating the discharge of water through a network of sprinkler nozzles affixed to a distribution piping system. 

Once the surrounding temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit due to fire outbreaks, the sprinkler heads are activated to help in curbing the calamity. The active defence strategy of fire sprinkler systems protects the occupants and the firefighters in the event of a fire.

Generally, sprinkler systems have different operating mechanisms and applications. Therefore, it’s crucial to choose the best option that will meet your demands adequately. 

The sprinkler systems are used in warehouses, commercial office spaces and restaurant dining areas, commercial kitchens, industrial settings, and family homes. 

What are the Different Types of Sprinkler Systems?

The three commonest types of fire sprinkler systems include:

  1. Wet Fire Sprinkler System

While on the search for a fire sprinkler, you might have probably come across wet fire sprinklers. Wet sprinkler systems are the most popular fire protection systems on the market because they are easy to install and use.  

They operate with continuous water passage through the system’s conduits. When a fire is detected, the interior of the sprinkler head in the affected area bursts due to the heat, discharging water only from that sprinkler head. 

In contrast to dry sprinkler systems, not all sprinkler heads are activated simultaneously in a wet system, minimizing damage from false alarms and diverting water only to areas where a fire hazard exists.

This design reduces fire and water damage to other areas of your property. Ultimately, many commercial properties favour wet fire sprinkler systems due to their user-friendliness and straightforward activation mechanism.

  1. Dry Fire Sprinkler System

Pressurized air replaces water in the pipelines of the dry fire sprinklers, which are an alternative to the traditional wet system. In contrast to the wet system, the dry sprinkler only emits water when activated by sprinkler heads.

This feature is essential for unheated warehouses in colder regions, exterior parking lots, and other significant applications in which extremely low temperatures can cause pipes to freeze, despite the fact that it may delay fire response times.

Frequently, dry fire sprinkler systems include a quick-opening device to release pressurized air, increasing the water flow rapidly. The dry fire sprinkler system is generally ideal for applications where frozen pipes or other plumbing problems like burst pipes etc pose a more significant safety threat than the fire.

  1. Preaction Sprinkler System

The preaction sprinkler system combines the wet system’s flexibility with the dry system’s complexity to provide excellent safety for valuable assets in buildings such as libraries and museums. 

Like dry sprinkler systems, preaction fire sprinklers are air-filled. Furthermore, it requires the fire detection event, such as activating a smoke or heat sensor, to remain active. This additional detection phase minimizes water damage from a false alarm or mechanical failure.

Preaction fire sprinkler systems are available in two primary variants:

Single Interlock

Single interlock preaction systems look similar to dry fire sprinkler systems, but the fire detection episode is significantly different. Typically, the single interlock systems are activated by a smoke detector or fire alarm, resulting in a quicker response time than dry systems, which only get activated in response to heat or fire detection. It reduces the usual delay time that is seen with dry fire sprinklers.

Double Interlock

Like single interlocks, double-preaction systems use the preceding fire detection event. In addition, they require an automatic sprinkler system. Before water is discharged from the system, the smoke detector and the sprinklers must be triggered.

Generally, double interlock systems are beneficial in areas where sprinkler system activation can cause extensive property damage. In the event of a false alarm, mechanical failure, or natural calamity, such as a broken sprinkler head or a burst conduit, the system will not activate, protecting the building’s valuable property.

Fire sprinkler systems, under regular servicing and maintenance, save lives and property by rapidly extinguishing fires and preventing it from spreading to cause significant property damage or injuries. That’s why it is very important to seek professional advice in time.  

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Lyne Proulx
Lyne Proulxhttps://ottawamommyclub.ca/
Lyne Proulx is a Certified WEBB Bodywork Pet Practitioner, Certified Infant Massage Instructor (CIMI), Certified Professional Wedding Consultant, and an Event Planner. She loves all things Disney and is an avid teaholic and chocoholic. She coordinated the Annual Infant Information Day/Early Years Expo for the City of Ottawa for 8 years. She was the Queen B of the BConnected Conference, Canada's Digital Influencer and social media Conference in Ottawa and Toronto. She was also the co-chair of the Navan for Kraft Hockeyville 2009-2011 committee that organized five community events within 6 months, and helped Navan reach the top 10 finalists in Canada. In April 2011, she received the City of Ottawa Mayor's City Builder Award.

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