SPRINKLER SYSTEMS
Overview
Sprinkler systems are a vital aspect to any fire safety system and are 98% effective at suppressing fires. Contrary to most people’s beliefs, when a sprinkler system activates, only the sprinkler closest to the heat source will release water. When combined with a fire alarm system, your property will be covered by comprehensive life safety protection.
Associated Fire Protection provides design, installation, inspection, testing, and maintenance of all types of sprinkler systems while maintaining strict adherence to all National Fire Protection standards.
NFPA 13 is the standard for the installation of sprinkler systems. NFPA 25 is the standard for inspecting, testing, and maintaining water-based fire protection systems.
AFP installs, tests and maintains a variety of sprinkler systems.
Wet Sprinkler Systems
- These sprinkler systems are filled with pressurized water at all times and designed to protect areas where the temperature is above 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Upon activation, water is immediately discharged to suppress the fire and eliminate the heat source.
- Even though wet sprinkler systems are meant for areas that don’t freeze, sometimes systems can become inoperable due to their proximity to colder temperatures. In these cases, sometimes and anti-freeze solution is added to the sprinkler system to prevent damage to the pipes.
Dry Sprinkler Systems
- Dry sprinkler systems are designed to protect areas where the temperature can be below 40 degrees Fahrenheit and are filled with pressurized air.
- Upon activation, the air pressure immediately reduces and opens (or trips) a valve to allow water into the system which is then discharged to suppress the fire.
- Wet and dry sprinkler systems can be combined to provide comprehensive fire protection for your property. Associated Fire Protection personnel will advise you on the best system to protect your property.
Deluge Sprinkler Systems
- Deluge sprinkler systems are designed to quickly provide a large volume of water to protect an entire area and prevent a fire from spreading.
- When a fire detection device senses the presence of fire or extreme heat, a mechanical valve opens allowing water to fill the system and be released through all of the sprinklers.
- Deluge systems are primarily used to protect facilities that contain hazardous materials including flammable liquids, chemicals and explosives, power plants, or other facilities that would require large amounts of water to contain a fire.
Pre-Action Sprinkler Systems
- A pre-action system is most often used in areas where water damage from other suppression systems is a concern, including data centers, laboratories and libraries.
- Like deluge systems, sprinklers are attached to a fire detection device that will sense a fire or heat before opening a mechanical valve to release water.
- Once the valve is opened, pre-action systems work like wet sprinkler systems and only release water from the sprinkler closest to the fire or heat source.
Foam Sprinkler Systems
- A foam fire protection system should be used to protect buildings that contain flammable or combustible materials and other hazards that a normal water-based fire protection system could not suppress in the event of a fire.
- The foam sprinkler system suppresses the fire by separating the fuel from the air and in some cases, remove heat from the hazard.
- These systems typically inject a foam/water solution into a water-based wet or deluge system.
Antifreeze Loops
- Antifreeze loops are designed to protect areas of buildings or the outside of buildings that are subject to freezing.
- Without an anti-freeze solution mixed with water in the sprinkler pipes, the system is at risk of freezing and damage rendering the fire protection system inoperable.
- In an antifreeze loop a valve isolates the main part of the sprinkler system from the part containing the antifreeze. When a sprinkler is activated, the valve opens, allowing water into the antifreeze loop to suppress the fire.
Fire Pumps
- Fire pumps are either diesel or electric motors that increase water pressure from municipal water systems that cannot provide sufficient pressure to supply a sprinkler system.
- Fire pumps are commonly found in tall buildings or when there is a need for a higher level of pressure to supply large volumes of water. They are also needed when the water supply is from a ground level water storage tank.
- When the pressure in a fire sprinkler system drops below a certain level, the pump automatically kicks on to increase the pressure and supply enough water to suppress a fire.
- Fire pumps also come equipped with an additional small pump called a jockey pump, to maintain constant pressure on the sprinkler system when it is not actively suppressing a fire.
Inspection
- NFPA 25 is the standard for inspection, testing and maintenance of all water-based fire protection systems.
- Sprinkler systems must adhere to regular inspections on a monthly, quarterly, annual and five year basis.
- Each inspection addresses different aspects of the sprinkler system to ensure proper function and system reliability.
- Associated Fire Protection keeps track of when your sprinkler system is due for inspection and will call and/or send you an email when your inspection is due.
Repair
Our certified technicians are experienced and highly qualified to repair any problems your fire sprinkler system may encounter. Whether your system needs inspection, servicing, or maintenance, AFP will respond quickly to address the problem. We know that fire sprinkler systems are an integral part of maintaining life safety, and you can be assured that we are steadfastly committed to our client’s safety and protection.
Install
Our designers and technicians work alongside architects, building supervisors, business owners, and general contractors to ensure the proper fire sprinkler system is installed for your protection. We approach each project with the customer’s unique needs in mind and work to provide the best overall service. We conclude all of our work with thorough testing and training for all personnel who will interact with the fire sprinkler system on site. Our relationship with customers continues with maintaining the system as needed.
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