5 Types of Fire Protection Sprinkler Systems

A fire protection sprinkler is a system installed in most home, residential or commercial, to lessen the damage of fire and eventually save lives. Sprinklers work in a way where it will discharge water when the effects of a fire have been detected such as when a [predetermined temperature has been reached.  Other than ensuring the safety of individuals during a fire, sprinkler systems will protect valuables from being consumed totally in a fire. Unlike fire detectors what will only alarm people of a current fire, fire sprinklers are proactive in a way that as soon as there is fire detected, it will alarm and spray water. Sometimes alarms and sprinklers work hand in hand.

People do have one misconception that a small smoke situation can simple set off the fire sprinkler but in reality, it has gauge before it sets off. Also, some people are afraid that if there is fire in one room, the whole system will set off causing water damage to the whole home, well in fact, sprinkler systems nowadays will only trigger where there is fire in a certain room, ensuring that the rest of the home is kept dry.

1. Wet Fire Sprinkler System

This type of fire system, as the name implies, is permanently charged with water, wherein water is immediately discharged from the sprinkler when it actuates. This type of fire sprinkler system is made for areas with adequate heating or normal conditions.

2. Dry Fire Sprinkler System

This type of system is made for areas where low temperatures could cause a wet pipe system to freeze and damage the valves. An example would be cold storages and freezers. These dry fire sprinkler systems are charged with compressed air and when the sprinkler heads actuate, the compressed air is then released until the water can flow through the pipes and eventually reach the cause of the fire.

3. Alternate Fire Sprinkler System

This type of fire sprinkler system has the qualities of both wet and dry fire sprinkler system. During the winter, it is charged with compressed air and during normal temperatures or seasons, it will be filled with water. This is perfect for areas with extreme weather conditions where temperatures get really low during the winter and temperatures get too high during the summer.

4. Tail End Fire Sprinkler System

A tail end water sprinkler system has a tail end pipe where a “wet system” is kept dry during the winter months.

5. Pre-Action Fire Sprinkler System

A pre-action sprinkler system is an electrical fire detection system that is installed along with a dry sprinkler system. It is water-filled in advance of a sprinkler operation. This is an appropriate fire sprinkler system for computer hubs.