Fire Sprinkler Systems: How They Work

When fire sprinkler systems are installed in homes, the first thing that's done is to construct a network of pipes throughout the house's ceilings and walls. In most residential fire sprinkler systems, these pipes are filled with water at all times. In some commercial buildings especially, these pipes may be filled with compressed air and connected to a water main or storage tank with a valve. This is done to protect the pipes from bursting during sub-freezing weather in buildings that are not constantly heated.

Once the water pipes are in place, the sprinkler heads are connected to the pipes in the ceiling. Fire sprinkler systems are hooked up to water pipes in your ceiling and walls. The network of water pipes is either filled with water at all times, or hooked up to your water main or a storage tank via a water pump or valve.

Each sprinkler head connected to fire sprinkler systems are designed to go off individually.

Here's how it works:

Each sprinkler head contains either a glass bulb filled with heat-sensitive gases and liquids, or a series of seals that melt under extreme heat.

The moment a fire starts, a plume of hot gases rises toward the ceiling. This plume is hot enough to expand the gases and liquids in the glass bulb, or melt the fusible links within the sprinkler head-depending on design. Once that happens, a valve connecting to the network of pipes releases in the sprinkler head, causing it to eject a flow of water onto the fire. This lowers the fire's core temperature, extinguishing it before it gets out of hand.

Fire sprinkler systems are designed so that sprinkler heads go off individually, concentrating the water only in the areas where it's needed. Water damage is typically minimal in homes with fire sprinkler systems installed,as is fire damage.

• Fire Sprinkler System's Astonishing Life-Saving Record

• Every year, approximately 50 children are killed by fire in homes without  sprinkler systems

• Protection for children and handicapped persons

• Sprinkler Systems put out fires before they spread out of control

Remove the fuel:     Remove the oxygen:     Remove the heat:

If the fire's core temperature drops below a sustainable amount, it will go out. This

is how water usually puts out fire - it lowers the fire's internal temperature so that it

cannot maintain its heat.

Fire sprinkler systems dump enough water on a fire at its source, that it lowers the

fire's core temperature before the fire gets a chance to spread out of control.

Fire sprinkler systems also protect against death by smoke inhalation. Those caught

in a fire often die of smoke inhalation before the fire itself gets to them. Fire sprinkler

systems eject water on the smoke produced by a fire, weighing down the larger particles

in the smoke and making it thinner and less able to rise. This has saved thousands

of lives from death by smoke inhalation enabling people to escape the fire.

Fire Sprinkler Systems:

The Best Fire Protection Money Can Buy

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