Most sprinkler heads feature a glass bulb filled with a glycerin-based liquid. This liquid expands when it comes in contact with air heated to between 135 and 165 degrees. When the liquid expands, it shatters its glass confines and the sprinkler head activates.
2) Fire Sprinklers Douse the Fire
Each sprinkler head is attached to a pipe that connects to a reliable water source outside the building. When heat activates a sprinkler head, a valve opens, allowing pressurized water from the pipe system to flow out. It’s important for water in a fire sprinkler system to be pressurized. This allows the water to spray outward in an arc to more thoroughly douse the fire and prevent it from reigniting.
Foam Sprinkler Systems spray a mixture of water and foam which blocks oxygen and smothers the fire. This type of system is often used with high-hazard occupancies including workplaces with flammable liquid handling and storage or aircraft hangars.
3) Fire Sprinklers Minimize Water Damage
In movies, sprinkler systems are represented in a distorted way, leading many people to understand that all the sprinklers in a system are tied together and when one is triggered, all are activated. If this were the case, putting out a fire would simply be trading fire damage for water damage, and it’s not how fire sprinklers work.
Fortunately, sprinkler heads function individually. Most of the time, fires can be completely extinguished after just one or two sprinklers activate. This allows water damage to be confined to the small area where the fire started. Plus, since fire sprinklers douse fires with about six times less water than a fire hose, their quick action is actually less damaging to your property than a visit from the fire department.
Because a sprinkler system is designed to control or extinguish fires in the early stages, it is easier and safer for building occupants to exit the building and for firefighters to extinguish any fire that remains. Sprinklers are effective in avoiding the loss of both life and property due to fire.
Cost of sprinkler systems
As stated above, the architect of a new building would incorporate all fire safety features in its design. When pricing systems, it is advisable to obtain 3 quotes. The Canadian Automatic Sprinkler Association (CASA) provides a list of all contractors in the industry.
The cost of a fire sprinkler system depends on numerous variables. Some of the factors to take into consideration could include:
- whether water entry is supplied to the building
- water supply size of incoming service needed, i.e. 1” 1½”, 2”, up to 6 inches
- age and condition of building
- whether asbestos is in place
- location, i.e. in or out of town
- whether building is occupied, i.e. necessitating work at night or on weekends
In summary
When a fire is contained successfully, with the help of a fully operational sprinkler system, you can significantly minimize property damage and prevent severe injury or even death.