Sprinkler Systems Explained
A Fire-Fighter in Every Room, 24 Hours a Day

Sprinklers work on the basic understanding that the best way to control a fire is to put water on it - at the earliest possible moment!  Sprinkler systems do exactly that.  A sprinkler system consists of a network of sprinkler heads connected to water pipes. Each sprinkler head operates independently.  The activation of a sprinkler head is a simple process.

Each sprinkler head contains a glass bulb or a fusible link.  The bulb contains a liquid and a quantity of vapour.  The liquid expands under the influence of heat as do the fusible link heads.  When the temperature reaches a certain level, typically at 680c, it will expand the liquid and break the bulb or fusible link, which in turn releases water directly onto the seat of the fire. 

The hot gases from a fire will make the sprinkler operate.  A fire creates a narrow plume of hot air and gasses that rise to the ceiling and spread out.  These hot gasses activate the sprinkler head at the correct temperature.  Only the sprinkler over the fire opens.  The others remain closed.  The flow of water is small, usually 1/100th of that used by the fire brigade Pumps. 

At the point where the water enters the sprinkler system there is a valve.  This can be used to turn off the water for maintenance.  If a sprinkler opens and water flows through the valve it lets water into another pipe that causes a bell to ring, automatically setting off an alarm!

Sprinkler Heads:  You can choose between different types of sprinkler heads.  Conventional sprinklers will discharge some water onto the surface of the ceiling.  Upright and pendent spray sprinklers will discharge all the water downwards.  Sidewall sprinklers are used where it is not viable or desirable to install sprinklers in the ceiling.  You can also use an extended coverage version of the sidewall sprinkler with a fast response bulb for additional coverage.  The areas protected vary between 10m2 and 20m2. 

You have a choice of three different connection sizes which allow different levels of water output.  The water discharge level will either be 57, 80 or 115 litres per minute at a flow pressure of one bar.