Fire Sprinkler system | Firefighting lesson 6

Summary

This script offers a comprehensive overview of sprinkler systems, emphasizing the fire triangle's role in fire sustenance. It explains the necessity of heat, fuel, and oxygen for fire and delves into various firefighting systems, particularly sprinkler systems. The video outlines different sprinkler head types, their activation temperatures, and system classifications like wet, dry, pre-action, and deluge. It also covers sprinkler system design considerations, including pipe scheduling, water demand, and layout requirements, ensuring compliance with NFPA standards.

Takeaways

• 🔥 The fire triangle consists of three key components: heat, fuel, and oxygen, all of which are necessary for a fire to ignite and sustain.
• 💧 Sprinkler systems are part of automatic firefighting systems, designed to activate and fight fires without human intervention.
• 🚿 Sprinkler heads come in various types, including upright, pendant, sidewall, and concealed, each serving different purposes and spaces.
• 🔧 Wet pipe sprinkler systems always contain water, allowing for immediate discharge when activated, whereas dry pipe systems hold water behind a valve until triggered by heat.
• 💡 Pre-action systems and deluge systems are advanced types of sprinkler systems, with the latter being used for high-hazard areas where all sprinkler heads activate simultaneously.
• 🏗️ Firefighting systems in buildings typically include a large water storage tank, a pumping system, and a network of pipes connected to sprinklers or hydrants.
• 🔍 The temperature at which a sprinkler head activates is determined by its rating, identified by the color of the liquid in the bulb (for glass bulb sprinklers).
• 📏 The design and layout of sprinkler systems depend on factors like hazard classification, with specific spacing requirements for sprinkler heads according to NFPA 13 standards.
• 💦 The minimum water supply for pipe schedule systems is determined based on factors such as water flow rate, residual pressure, and system duration, ensuring adequate firefighting capability.
• 🔧 Floor control riser assemblies in buildings may include various components like auxiliary drain valves, pressure-reducing valves, and water flow switches, all critical for efficient and safe system operation.

Q & A

What is the fire triangle and why is it important?

The fire triangle is a scientific principle representing the three components needed to ignite and sustain a fire: heat, fuel, and oxygen. It is important for understanding how fires sustain themselves and is essential background information for using fire safety equipment.

What is a flash point in the context of fire safety?

A flash point is the lowest temperature at which a material can ignite. Different materials have different flash points, and understanding them is crucial for fire prevention and safety.

How does a fire blanket work in relation to the fire triangle?

A fire blanket works by removing the oxygen side of the fire triangle. It either removes or displaces oxygen, causing the fire to suffocate and thereby ceasing the combustion reaction.

What are the two types of firefighting systems mentioned in the script?

The two types of firefighting systems mentioned are manual and automatic. Manual systems require physical intervention, while automatic systems fight fires without human intervention.

What are the three basic parts of a sprinkler system?

The three basic parts of a sprinkler system are a large store of water in fire storage tanks, a specialized pumping system, and a network of pipes ending in either hydrants or sprinklers.

What are the four most common styles of sprinkler heads?

The four most common styles of sprinkler heads are the standard spray upright, standard spray pendant, sidewall sprinkler, and concealed sprinkler head.

What is the purpose of the heat-sensitive element in a sprinkler head?

The heat-sensitive element in a sprinkler head allows water to flow at a given temperature, activating the sprinkler when the temperature reaches a certain threshold.

What are the four main types of fire sprinkler systems?

The four main types of fire sprinkler systems are wet pipe, dry pipe, pre-action, and deluge systems.

How does a dry pipe system differ from a wet pipe system?

A dry pipe system is not constantly filled with water; instead, water is held behind a dry pipe valve. When a sprinkler head activates due to heat, air is released, causing a pressure drop that opens the valve and allows water to fill the system.

What is unique about the operation of a pre-action system?

A pre-action system does not admit water into the system's piping until a pre-action valve is opened, which is triggered by one or two events: sprinkler activation and detection device activation, depending on the type of pre-action system installed.

What is the purpose of a deluge system in fire protection?

A deluge system uses open sprinklers or nozzles and is activated by a detection system such as smoke detection. Once activated, water fills the system and flows from every open sprinkler head, providing immediate and extensive water coverage.