Sprinkler systems are used in commercial buildings like offices, malls, hotels, and warehouses according to building codes. They contain sprinklers and a piping system connected to a water source. There are different types of sprinkler systems including wet pipe systems which always have water in the pipes, dry pipe systems used in cold areas to prevent freezing, and deluge systems which activate based on alarms instead of heat sensors and stay open once triggered. Sprinkler systems are designed based on the building contents and are intended to control fires.

1. Sprinkler SystemsSprinkler Systems
Prepared by Dr. Julian Jolly, PhD (UK)Prepared by Dr. Julian Jolly, PhD (UK)
SIIRSM, UKSIIRSM, UK
TTT (NIOSH)TTT (NIOSH)
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2. SprinklersSprinklers
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3. Sprinkler ComponentsSprinkler Components
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4. Where Used?Where Used?
A requirement under the BuildingA requirement under the Building
Codes, Sprinkler Systems are used inCodes, Sprinkler Systems are used in
Commercial BuildingsCommercial Buildings (e.g. shopping(e.g. shopping
malls, offices),malls, offices), Hotels, Hospitals,Hotels, Hospitals,
Museums, Airports, Oil Refineries andMuseums, Airports, Oil Refineries and
Warehouses.Warehouses.
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5. Before InstallationBefore Installation
►Building contents are analyzed to determineBuilding contents are analyzed to determine
the level of hazard.the level of hazard.
►Design area and *Design area and *design densitydesign density areare
taken into account.taken into account.
** The design density is a measurementThe design density is a measurement
of how much water per square foot ofof how much water per square foot of
floor area should be applied to thefloor area should be applied to the
design area.design area.
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6. Types in UseTypes in Use
1.1.Wet Pipe SystemWet Pipe System
2.2.Dry Pipe SystemDry Pipe System
3.3.Deluge SystemDeluge System
4.4.Pre-Action SystemPre-Action System
5.5.Foam Water SystemFoam Water System
6.6.Water SprayWater Spray
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7. Wet Pipe SystemsWet Pipe Systems
►Simple and commonly used.Simple and commonly used.
►Piping is always filled with water.Piping is always filled with water.
►Automatic with a a heat sensitiveAutomatic with a a heat sensitive
element (fusible link).element (fusible link).
►Manufactured to react to a range ofManufactured to react to a range of
temperatures.temperatures.
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8. Dry Pipe SystemsDry Pipe Systems
►Only used in places where the ambientOnly used in places where the ambient
temperature may be cold enough to causetemperature may be cold enough to cause
freezing.freezing.
►Water is not present in the piping until it isWater is not present in the piping until it is
triggered to operate.triggered to operate.
►May not be very effective in the initial stagesMay not be very effective in the initial stages
of fire.of fire.
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9. Deluge SystemsDeluge Systems
►No heat sensitive element.No heat sensitive element.
►Dependent on alarm initiating device (e.g.Dependent on alarm initiating device (e.g.
smoke and heat detectors, optical flamesmoke and heat detectors, optical flame
detectors).detectors).
►Uses aUses a Deluge ValveDeluge Valve (mechanically(mechanically
latched valve/stays open once tripped).latched valve/stays open once tripped).
►The open sprinklers are suitable in placesThe open sprinklers are suitable in places
where rapid fire spread is a concernwhere rapid fire spread is a concern e.g.e.g.
Offshore Installation.Offshore Installation.
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10. Deluge System (outdoors)Deluge System (outdoors)
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11. Pre Action SystemsPre Action Systems
►Only used in specialized locationsOnly used in specialized locations (e.g.(e.g.
libraries, museums).libraries, museums).
►Basically 2 types i.e. single interlock (dry)Basically 2 types i.e. single interlock (dry)
and double interlock (deluge).and double interlock (deluge).
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12. Foam Water Sprinkler SystemsFoam Water Sprinkler Systems
►Special system used in places like aSpecial system used in places like a
refinery and airport hangars.refinery and airport hangars.
►Discharges a mixture of water and lowDischarges a mixture of water and low
expansion foam.expansion foam.
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13. Water SprayWater Spray
►Identical to a deluge system.Identical to a deluge system.
►Uses a special spray nozzleUses a special spray nozzle (spray(spray
pattern like oval and narrow jet )pattern like oval and narrow jet ) toto
cover a configured hazard areacover a configured hazard area
normally 3 dimensional.normally 3 dimensional.
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14. Question and Answer SessionQuestion and Answer Session
(15 minutes)(15 minutes)
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