Dry pipe sprinkler systems use air-filled pipes so that water only enters when a fire occurs. They contain a dry pipe valve that holds back water until the air pressure drops due to heat from a fire, causing the valve to release water into the pipes and sprinkler heads to douse the fire. Various types of sprinkler heads like upright, pendent, and sidewall are used depending on the building construction and placement, and produce different water distribution patterns. Sprinkler systems also include components like check valves, retard chambers, and water motor gongs to control water flow and sound alarms.

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5. Dry pipe Sprinkler systems

6. Dry pipe Sprinkler systems
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Once this happens, the air
escapes and the dry pipe
valve releases.
Water then enters the
pipe, flowing through open
sprinklers onto the fire.

7. Dry pipe Sprinkler systems
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Check Valve
Dry pipe Valve
A check valve, clack valve, non-
return valve or one-way valve is a
valve that normally allows fluid (liquid
or gas) to flow through it in only one
direction.
Check valves are two-port valves,
meaning they have two openings in the
body, one for fluid to enter and the
other for fluid to leave.
There are various types of check
valves used in a wide variety of
applications.

8. Dry pipe Sprinkler Systems - Pipework &
sprinkler heads

10. A fire sprinkler or sprinkler head is the
component of a fire sprinkler system that
discharges water when the effects of a fire
have been detected, such as when a
predetermined temperature has been
exceeded.

11. Sprinkler Pendant
Description
The FA003U/FA004U Standard/Quick
Response Upright and
FA005P/FA006P Standard/Quick
Response Pendent Sprinklers (Ref.
Figure A) are automatic sprinklers of
the frangible bulb type. They are
“standard/quick response – standard
orifice spray sprinkler” intended for
use in fire sprinkler systems designed
in accordance with the standard
installation rules recognized by the
applicable Listing or Approval
agency (e.g., UL Listing is based on
NFPA 13 requirements). The Upright,
Pendent Sprinklers all produce a
hemispherical water distribution
pattern below the deflector.
Sprinkler Upright
Description
The FA003U/FA004U
Standard/Quick Response Upright
and FA005P/FA006P
Standard/Quick Response Pendent
Sprinklers (Ref. Figure A) are
automatic sprinklers of the
frangible bulb type. They are
“standard/quick response –
standard orifice spray sprinkler”
intended for use in fire sprinkler
systems designed in accordance
with the standard installation rules
recognized by the applicable
Listing or Approval agency (e.g., UL
Listing is based on NFPA 13
requirements). The Upright, Pendent
Sprinklers all produce a
hemispherical water distribution
pattern below the deflector.

12. Sprinkler systems – Sprinkler heads
Sprinkler Sidewall
Description
Horizontal sidewall sprinklers are
generally used in lieu of pendent
and upright sprinklers because of
building construction or installation
economy considerations. They are
designed for installation along a
wall or the side of a beam and just
beneath a smooth ceiling.
Installed with their center line of
waterway horizontal, these
sprinklers produce a quarter-
spherical water discharge pattern
that is predominately directed
downward and outward from the
deflector; however, a portion of
the spray is also directed towards
the back wall.

13. Sprinkler systems
Maximum Ceiling
Temperature
Temperature Rating
Temperature
Classification
Color Code (with
Fusible Link)
Liquid Alcohol in Glass
Bulb Color
100 °F / 38 °C 135-170 °F / 57-77 °C Ordinary Uncolored or Black
Orange (135 °F / 57 °C)
or Red (155 °F / 68 °C)
150 °F / 66 °C 175-225 °F / 79-107 °C Intermediate White
Yellow (175 °F / 79 °C)
or Green (200 °F /
93 °C)
225 °F / 107 °C 250-300 °F / 121-149 °C High Blue Blue
300 °F / 149 °C 325-375 °F / 163-191 °C Extra High Red Purple
375 °F / 191 °C 400-475 °F / 204-246 °C Very Extra High Green Black
475 °F / 246 °C 500-575 °F / 260-302 °C Ultra High Orange Black
625 °F / 329 °C 650 °F / 343 °C Ultra High Orange Black
From Table 6.2.5.1 NFPA13 2007 Edition indicates the maximum ceiling temperature, nominal
operating temperature of the sprinkler, color of the bulb or link and the temperature
classification.

19. Retard Chamber
Description
Retarding Chamber is used with Alarm
Valve Trim when variable pressure is
anticipated in the system. It is holding
tank to prevent sounding of Sprinkler
Alarm during water pressure surge, but
will permit the sound on sustained flow.
The retard chamber is connected from
alarm valve, alarm port through
restriction nozzle. The retard chamber is
part of UL Listed Alarm Valve Trim. The
retard chamber is made of stainless steel
material.

20. Water Motor Gong
Description
FG Sprinkler Alarm is a hydraulically driven mechanical
bell.
When the sprinkler system operates, the sprinkler alarm
sends a continuous ringing bell signal in order to alert all
personnel of a possible fire episode.
The impeller and drive shaft are energy efficient, made
from light weight non-metallic material and do not require
any external lubrication.
The gong, protection cover and motor housing are made
of corrosion resistant aluminium alloy.

21. Left: A water motor powered fire alarm: 1949 British
buildings protected by sprinkler systems always
have outside alarm bells activated by small Pelton
turbines. When the sprinklers begin to discharge
onto a fire, the main flow of water lifts a valve that
sends a small amount of water to the alarm turbine.
This has the great merit that it does not rely on a
supply of electricity to operate the gong. It is also
immune from frost as the pipe to the alarm is kept
empty of water until the system is activated.
A bypass valve allows the alarm to be periodically
tested.
From Manual of Firemanship Part 4, p103. Her
Majesty's Stationary Office, 1949
Left: A water motor powered fire alarm: 2008 Alarm
bells activated by small turbines are very much still
with us. This picture was taken on the afternoon of
the 5th of July, 2008, on the inside of one of the
outside walls of the John Lewis department store,
on Oxford St, London.
You can learn more on the Angus Fire website here
(external link)

29. Pre-Action Sprinkler system
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=KLmConh-clk
Deluge Fire Sprinkler System
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=ZDwRlcFl2Qo

38. Fire Sprinkler System