How does a wet pipe sprinkler system work?
Wet pipe systems are the most common fire sprinkler system. A wet pipe system is one in which water is constantly maintained within the sprinkler piping. When a sprinkler activates this water is immediately discharged onto the fire.
What are the components of a fire sprinkler system?
In addition to the water supply, piping, and sprinklers, these systems have other required components:
- Backflow Prevention Device.
- Control Valve.
- Main Drain.
- Auxiliary Drain.
- Fire Department Connection.
- Waterflow Alarm.
- System Air Vent.
What is the liquid in fire sprinklers?
The liquid within the ampule of the sprinkler head is a mixture of alcohol and water or glycerin and water. The % of each is changed to determine the activation temperature of the head. The color is from a dye and indicates the activation temperature.
How hard do you have to hit a sprinkler?
How is a fire sprinkler triggered? Fire Sprinklers can only be triggered by the heat of a fire once it reaches 150 degrees, or the force of an object striking the sprinkler. If you have a fire sprinkler in a residential kitchen, the heat from burning dinner is not enough to trigger it.
What triggers a building sprinkler system?
Fire sprinklers work because high heat triggers the sprinkler system. When a blaze ignites, the air directly above it heats rapidly. This hot air rises and spreads along the ceiling. When the liquid expands, it shatters its glass confines and the sprinkler head activates.
How do I turn off my sprinkler system?
Instead, they are triggered by heat. The air rising to the ceiling must reach a fire-specific temperature between 155 and 165 degrees to burst the glass bulb inside and send water flowing out of the sprinkler head. You can also relax knowing that, unlike in the movies, sprinkler heads activate one at a time.
Should my sprinkler valves be on or off?
Make sure the sprinkler valve is closed, unless it’s the valve farthest from the main water source. You’ll want to leave this valve open and remove the sprinkler nozzle to allow air to escape when you turn on the water.
Why are some sprinkler zones not working?
Although it sounds simple, if none of the zones are coming on, first check to make sure the main valve for the system is open. Failing zones may also be caused by an electrical problem, which can manifest as a problem with the timer, the valve, the solenoid, or the wire. Frequently, a bad connection may be responsible.