Sprinkler Fire Suppression Systems

Our company designs, installs and provides maintenance for all types of automatic sprinkler systems. Fortified by our experience and consolidated operating method, we are able to optimise system design and installation, guaranteeing maximum safety, compliance with technical standards and a high quality/price ratio, with great advantages for the client.

Sprinkler systems have been used for centuries, being a valuable tool in fighting fires and are thus also the most utilised and disseminated.

The purpose of traditional sprinkler systems is to automatically intervene upon a fire breaking out, putting out the flames with water before they have the chance to grow or to contain the flames so they may be extinguished by other means.

COMPONENTS OF A SPRINKLER SYSTEM

The system is generally characterised by the following main components:

• Water supply (accumulation tank, aqueducts, pressurised tank, etcetera) of a capacity proportional to the risk;
• Pumping unit (if necessary);
• Collector and distribution network;
• Dispensing nozzles, positioned on the ceiling and in intermediate positions along any shelving to guarantee uniform coverage, divided into three types according to the positioning: pendent, upright or sidewall.

The nozzles or heads – the actual “sprinklers” – are independent of each other and are typically kept closed by a thermosensitive component that, according to the design requirements, can have a activation temperature that varies even by a few tenths of a degree centigrade. In the event of a fire, only the sprinklers present in the affected area are activated by the heat, whilst an optical-acoustic alarm signals the activation of the system. 

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

Advantages

• The sprinkler system is a well-tested technology, known and guaranteed to minimise the risk of fire;
• Water is an inexpensive and broadly available resource;
• Localised intervention since only the sprinklers closest to the outbreak are activated, meaning reduced operation costs;
• No risk to human health.

Disadvantages

• Extensive wetting damage can occur, especially to electronic components;
• They have a rather high initial cost due to the water reserve and pumping unit.

TYPES OF SPRINKLER SYSTEM

There are different types of Sprinkler systems. The most common are: wet, dry, pre-action or deluge. Still, there are specific systems for particular applications such as: ESFR (Early Suppression, Fast Response), Large Drop Residential, Extended Coverage, etcetera.

• Wet sprinkler systems: the pipes are constantly filled with pressurised water. If a fire breaks out, the heat produced causes the sprinkler nozzles to open directly above the affected area and immediately begin releasing water. However, these systems have a significant functional limit, being environmental temperatures below 4° C, which would cause the water to freeze, making it necessary to adopt certain precautionary measures;
• Dry sprinkler systems: the pipes are filled with pressurised air. If the sprinkler nozzles are opened, the escaping air will activate a “dry valve” that results in the pipes being filled with water. These systems have the advantage of being able to be installed even in cold environments (as opposed to wet systems) but the disadvantage is having a delay in the delivery of water to the affected area of up to 60–90 seconds, depending on the risk class;
• Pre-action sprinkler systems (pre-alarm): the pipes are filled with air just like they are in dry systems but the difference is that the opening of the control valve is governed by a separate fire-detection system. This system is also called “double consent” due to requiring both the breakage of the thermosensitive device and the involvement of the smoke detection system. The advantage of such systems is a reduction in the accidental dispensing of water, hence they are commonly used in areas where wetting would cause considerable damage (libraries, spaces containing art). The disadvantage of this particular solution is that the increased complexity of the system leads to an increase in costs;
• Deluge sprinkler systems: here, the nozzles have no thermosensitive device, hence they are constantly open. The water is supplied through the intervention of a separate fire detection system that activates the deluge valve, discharging the water from all nozzles at the same time. These systems are used where rapid spread of flames are expected, such as in fuel depots, hangars, and so on;
• ESFR (Early Suppression, Fast Response) Sprinkler Systems: unlike traditional types, this particular type of system is equipped with nozzles with a very short response time (less than 30 seconds compared to 3–4 minutes for standard nozzles) that thus ensure prompt intervention upon breakout and ensure immediate suppression. For the use of these systems, it is important to have an adequate Fire Safety Management System. These are mainly used for high-stacking storage areas as they allow maximum stacking heights of up to 12.2 metres, without the need for intermediate nozzles between any shelving.
• CMSA (Control Mode Specific Application) Sprinkler Systems: these are particular systems capable of delivering large quantities of water to control the fire or to limit its growth. These are used in depots and High Hazard (HH) areas, such as with flammable liquids and gases, tires, etcetera.

The sprinkler systems mostly using water as the extinguishing agent are often linked to pump units and, through specific systems, to the water distribution network or, for greater security, to containment tanks (or water reserves), also created by our company in respect of national and international standards of reference. Sprinkler systems can also be combined with detection systems (fire and/or gas) and to optical-acoustic alarm systems to ensure the total safety of the areas, goods and personnel to be protected. Ultimately, like all types of fire-fighting and detection systems, maintenance and assistance for these system types are also included in our exclusive Service packages.