Fire sprinkler system

This article is about the complete fire protection system. For the device that actually discharges water, see Fire sprinkler.

A glass bulb type sprinkler head will spray water into the room if sufficient heat reaches the bulb and causes it to shatter. Sprinkler heads operate individually. Note the red liquid in the glass bulb.

A fire sprinkler system is an active fire protection method, consisting of a water supply system providing adequate pressure and flowrate to a water distribution piping system, to which fire sprinklers are connected. Although initially used only in factories and large commercial buildings, systems for homes and small buildings are now available at a cost-effective price.[1]

Fire sprinkler systems are extensively used worldwide, with over 40 million sprinkler heads fitted each year. Fire sprinkler systems are generally designed as a life saving system, but are not necessarily designed to protect the building. Of buildings completely protected by fire sprinkler systems, if a fire did initiate, it was controlled by the fire sprinklers alone in 96% of these cases.[2]

  1. ^ "Industrial Fire sprinklers". Fire Safety Advice Centre. Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  2. ^ Hall, John R. Jr. (June 2013). "US Experience with Sprinklers". NFPA. Archived from the original on 12 March 2016. Retrieved 15 March 2016.