A fire sprinkler is an automatic fire extinguishing system designed to detect and quickly extinguish incipient fires in buildings and structures. They are an important element of fire safety and can significantly reduce possible losses from a fire.
Principle of operation
Fire sprinklers activate automatically when elevated temperatures are detected, indicating a possible fire. Each sprinkler is installed at a certain height below the ceiling and has a glass ampoule element or thermal head.
When the set temperature is exceeded, the material of the ampoule element expands or the thermal head opens, and the sprinkler begins to release water to the area below. When water hits a flame, it reduces its intensity and prevents the fire from spreading.
Types of Fire Sprinklers
There are several types of fire sprinklers, including:
- Wet sprinklers: contain water in pipes under constant pressure and respond immediately to a fire.
- Dry sprinklers: contain compressed air in pipes that is only displaced by water when activated.
- Pre-acting sprinklers: combine the properties of wet and dry sprinklers, making them suitable for areas with low temperatures.
Benefits of Fire Sprinklers
- Self-activation: sprinklers activate automatically when a fire is detected, allowing you to quickly combat the fire.
- Early fire detection: Sprinklers can prevent a fire from spreading before the fire department arrives.
- Fire containment: sprinklers are activated only in the fire area, minimizing water damage.
- Reliability: Fire sprinklers have a long service life and rarely fail.
