Types of Fire Sprinkler Systems

Having a fire sprinkler system is one of the most effective ways to protect your property from fire. Generally, people think of fire sprinklers as being used in large industrial buildings, but now they are being put in homes. Many new-construction homes come with fire sprinkler systems. There are several different types of sprinkler systems that you can choose from. The type of system that you choose will depend on whether the system is being installed in a residential or business application and what type of materials are expected to be within the protected area. For instance, a storage facility that stores highly flammable liquids will need a different system than a home.

Deluge Sprinkler Systems

• The deluge fire sprinkler system is the one that most people are familiar with. This is a system of sprinklers spread throughout the building and attached to a system of pipes that are connected to a water supply. When a fire is detected, the valves open and water is fed to all sprinklers at one time, dousing the fire before it has a chance to do damage. These systems use electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic detection and valve-opening systems.

Foam Water Sprinkler Systems

• The foam water sprinkler system is quite a bit like the deluge system. Water lines are connected to sprinklers and a detection and valve-opening system. The difference is that the system also has a foam-injection system. When a fire is detected, the water valves and the foam-injection valves open, the foam is injected into the water and the mixture is spread over the protected area. The foam does a better job of smothering the flames than water alone. This type of system is mainly used in storage buildings where many different flammable materials are stored.

Pre-Action Sprinkler Systems

• The pre-action sprinkler system is a deluge system that has been modified for use in areas where high-value items can be damaged by accidental release of water. With a deluge system, water is always in the pipes, so if a pipe bursts or a sprinkler head malfunctions, they can leak or drip water. With a pre-action system, the water lines to the sprinklers are dry. When fire is detected, the system opens a valve that allows water into the pipes and run to the sprinklers, but the sprinklers do not activate until the heat in the area reaches a pre-set temperature.