How a Fire Sprinkler System Works

12/28/2020 (Permalink)

Fire sprinkler system

If you have a fire sprinkler system at your business property in Buford, GA, you have hopefully never seen the system in action. However, it's a good idea to know how it functions.

Parts of a Sprinkler System

The typical sprinkler consists of:

• Pipes containing water under pressure
• Plug that holds back the water
• Glycerin-filled glass bulb holding the plug in place
• Deflector that sprays water around the fire area

A network of pipes runs between the individual sprinkler heads. The water is always in the piping, meaning the system is ready to initiate fire suppression when activated.

Conditions for Activation
If a fire starts, the air temperature above it will rise. When it reaches about 160 degrees Fahrenheit, the glycerin will expand and break the bulb, springing open the plug. Water leaves the pipe, and the deflector sprays it around the room. Because the glycerin responds only to temperature, smoke alone will not activate the fire sprinkler system. If the fire spreads, the hot air will activate other sprinklers, but only the ones triggered by the rise in temperature will go off.

Advantages of a Sprinkler System
What makes a sprinkler system so effective is that it works quickly. Before the fire department can arrive, the system has begun fire suppression. In many cases, the system will contain and possibly extinguish the fire. Your property may experience less damage than it would without the system. Fire sprinkler cleanup and professional restoration may also be easier. The fire may be better contained and extinguished with less water than a fire that had the chance to spread before firefighters arrive.

Common Sprinkler System Myths
In the movies, it seems that a small trigger sets off a room full of sprinklers. However, that's not the way a system works. It's activated by high heat, so candles and toasters will not set it off, and only the sprinklers above the heat will activate.
If you haven't installed a fire sprinkler system in your business, it's worth considering. In the event of a fire, a sprinkler system can give your business added protection.