I'm Sandra Adams, a blogger and enthusiast of many eclectic targets, including pottery and industrial equipment and supplies. I've traced my family tree as far back as I can go and there is not one moment where my family hasn't been involved in manufacturing. My dad worked as a mechanic repairing industrial machinery and if it wasn't for me, he wouldn't have anyone to pass down his knowledge to. I've always wanted to know what my dad was up to, so I'd ask him what he did everyday. I've always been really curious and this has lead me to develop a really strong understanding of industrial equipment. My love for industrial equipment hasn't waned and now I feel like sharing this knowledge with others. I've created this blog for this exact purpose.
Over the years, fire prevention has branched out from fire alarms to carbon monoxide detectors and finally to fire sprinkler systems. Fire sprinkler systems from places like Desert Fire Extinguisher Co Inc come in different types depending on the type of building, or area of the building that you are trying to protect. This article will detail a few of the different types of fire sprinkler systems and where they are most commonly used.
Wet Systems
Wet fire sprinkler systems are what you probably think of when you think of a sprinkler system. This systems has piping that runs through the building that contains water. When the sprinkler goes off, the pressure inside the pipes lessens. This relieves the pressure on a valve at the beginning of the system, which in turn allows more water to flow in from the outside.
These systems are the most common systems found in buildings. They are the simplest to install into a building, and the simplest to keep maintained. Unless your building has special considerations, this is probably the best system for you.
Dry Systems
Dry fire sprinkler systems are very similar to wet, except for the fact that the pipes within the system are filled with air, not water. By not filling the pipes with water, the pipes do not run the risk of freezing and bursting. Due to the pipes being filled with water, the pressure valve that holds the water back has to be set at a higher pressure than if there was water on both sides. When the sprinklers are activated, the air rushed out of the sprinkler heads, releasing the pressure on the valve and allowing the water from the outside to fill the pipes and spray the water.
These systems are particularly useful when the building is in a colder area, or when a part of a building has a history of pipes freezing and bursting. For example, most attics should be manned with dry sprinkler systems.
Pre-action Systems
Pre-action fire sprinkler systems are systems that are put in place when the building owners want to ensure that there is no accidental set offs. This s most often because whatever they are storing in the building is precious and they don't want it to be damaged in the case that the system is set off. These systems are a hybrid of wet and dry, depending on the building's needs. The real strength of pre-action systems however, is in how it sets off the sprinklers. In wet or dry systems, only one sprinkler head has to be activated by heat to set off the system. In pre-action systems, two sprinkler heads need to be activated before the system will activate and allow water to flow. This prevents false alarms and damaged property
So, depending on your buildings needs you may have to employ one or more of these types of fire sprinkler systems.
Share30 June 2015
