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Fire Sprinkler Operation

A fire sprinkler system consists of a water supply with one or more installations. Each installation includes a control valve and a pipe array fitted with sprinkler heads. Sprinklers are designed to activate at specific temperatures and are available in a variety of temperature ratings, from 57 to 93 degrees Celcius, depending upon the risk.

A glass bulb head comprises a body, seal, glass bulb and deflector. The glass bulb is the heat sensitive element. The heat from a fire causes the liquid in the bulb to expand and, when it reaches the pre-determined temperature it will shatter, releasing the seal valve and allowing a water to be distributed by the deflector in a controlled pattern onto the seat of the fire.

The flow of water initiates a fire alarm and alerts the local fire service.the sprinkler heads are individually activated by heat, so only the sprinklers in the immediate vicinity of the fire will operate.

Fire Sprinkler Systems have an outstanding performance record. Fire statistics from around the world show that sprinkler systems have successfully suppressed more than 99% of fires in sprinkler protected premises, with almost 50% of these fires having been controlled by one or two sprinkler heads. Fire Sprinkler Systems have an outstanding performance record. Fire statistics from around the world show that sprinkler systems have successfully suppressed more than 99% of fires in sprinkler protected premises, with almost 50% of these fires having been controlled by one or two sprinkler heads.

Due to the fact that a sprinkler system detects a fire in its earliest stages and only the sprinkler heads in the vicinity operate water damage is minimized. Firemen often use 10,000 times more water from hoses to do the same job as a sprinkler.The early detected fire also has less time to cause smoke damage. The sprinklers aid in nullifying the effects of smoke by washing out larger particles, reducing the smoke density and toxicity. In addition, the water cools the smoke making it less harmful to people. The likelihood of an accidental discharge from a sprinkler system is very remote. Statistics compiled over several years show the chances of this actually happening are as few as 1 in 500,000 per year of service. The chances of a sprinkler system going off accidentally due to a manufacturing fault were found to be as little as 1 in 14,000,000 per year of service.