![]() ![]() The amount of steam generated in extinguishing a fire is the same whether it comes from a sprinkler head or a conventional hose line. Steam generated by a sprinkler-controlled fire can cause burns. It is also true that fires controlled by conventional hose lines also create a situation of incomplete combustion generating smoke and steam. When a sprinkler operates some products of combustion are driven toward the floor and some of the water is converted into steam. It is correct that between a fire starting and the time a sprinkler head operates there can be a build up of products of combustion including heat and smoke at ceiling level. A fire that is controlled by sprinklers will generate less smoke than fires in non-sprinklered buildings were an extended development period can occur due to the lack of early detection and control factors. Sprinkler operation is automatic and occurs in the early stages of fire development. Smoke generation is increased by sprinklers. Tests with sprinklers discharging onto electrical equipment have concluded that the induced currents even in 480 volt 3 phase power were relatively small and posed no appreciable shock hazard. This is not correct, where swithgear and other electrical equipment is installed statistics indicate that it is not necessary to take special precautions as it is more important to control the fire promptly. ![]() There is a widely held belief that water discharging from sprinklers onto electrical equipment is undesirable. There is an electrical shock hazard associated with electrical equipment and sprinklers. 65% of all sprinkler-controlled fires required the operation of only one head. ![]() They only operate when there is sufficient heat in the immediate vicinity. When a fire occurs in a building, all the sprinkler heads operate.Įach sprinkler head is a thermally operated detector and only reacts when the heat from a fire causes individual heads to open. Systems also incorporate a water flow alarm and direct connection to a monitoring agency gives notification of any accidental water flow. Less water damage will be sustained in a sprinkler protected building as the sprinkler detects the fire in its early stage and discharges an average of 75 litres a minute. Sprinklers will cause severe water damage during a fire or if they leak. They also safeguard against the loss of plant, machinery, equipment and building contents as well as protecting business by mitigating loss of continuity of operations and production.Ī great number of myths have been created in respect of sprinklers and firefighters are often asked questions related to the operation and effectiveness of systems. Sprinklers automatically detect an outbreak of fire in the early stages of development, give an alarm of fire to the occupants of the building, transmit a call of alarm, control the outbreak of fire until it can be fully extinguished and in many cases sprinklers extinguish the fire before the arrival of the fire service.Īutomatic sprinklers provide a significant level of protection for the occupants of a building and protection of the environment by minimising the effects that a major structural fire could have. S prinkler systems are by far the most widely used and most reliable automatic fire protection system in New Zealand and historical data indicates that sprinkler systems have a 99.5% record of reliability.
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