What Do You Need To Know About Fire Sprinklers?

A fire sprinkler system is one of the most effective firefighting devices that is widely used both in residential and business zones. Although it’s often thought that fire sprinklers are triggered by small amount of smoke, that’s not the case in reality. These systems are actually activated by intense heat and one sprinkler head gets activated at a time. These are advanced firefighting devices that are designed in a way so that these can deal with fire using the minimum possible water. This helps save the users from any kind of costly water damage as well as fire damage.

What are the different types of fire sprinkler systems?

A fire sprinkler system is considered as an effective fire fighting system and there are two different types of sprinklers. Wet sprinkler systems are mostly used in commercial buildings. These are composed of sturdy pipes that are made of steel. The water in these pipes are kept under pressure and it gets instantly released when the sprinkler head gets triggered. These systems are quite reliable and simple to use and these have low maintenance system.

Another type of fire sprinkler system is dry sprinkler system. These types of sprinklers are filled with compressed air, instead of water. Once the head of the sprinkler opens, a valve gets opened and the compressed air gets released through the sprinkler head. Once the entire air is released, the pressure within the pipe gets changed and this allows the pipes to get filled with water. As it takes around a minute for the pipes to get filled with water, the dry sprinklers release a considerable amount of water that is highly pressurized. Although there are less chances of floods due to a leak in these systems, dry sprinklers are quite complicated and costly to maintain. These systems are usually used in unheated warehouses.

How does a fire sprinkler system work?

It’s of great importance to know the functioning process of a fire sprinkler system in order to make it run smoothly.

• When a fire occurs, the air around it gets heated and redirected towards the ceiling. The heat gets spread across the ceiling and meets the sprinkler heads. This triggers the sprinkler to turn on. 
• In order to get turned on, the head of a fire sprinkler must be able to detect a specific temperature. Usually, this temperature is around fifty seven to seventy four Celsius. 
• Sprinkler heads are equipped with glass cylinders that are filled with a glycerine liquid. When heated to the correct temperature, the glycerine liquid gets expanded. 
• After that the glass breaks when the sprinkler head is activated. 
• The head of the fire sprinkler is attached to a huge network of pipes that are placed either in the ceiling or behind the walls. After the sprinkler head is activated, the valve that remains connected to the pipes, opens up and releases the water in a downward direction. 
• Finally, the water spray extinguishes the fire and prevents it from getting spread in other parts of the building. 

This is how a fire sprinkler system works.

Original Post: https://nationalfirearmour.wordpress.com/2016/03/29/fire-sprinkler-system-what-do-you-need-to-know-about-it/

History of Fire Sprinklers Demostrated via Video

A fire sprinkler framework is a dynamic fire assurance strategy, comprising of a water supply framework, giving satisfactory weight and flowrate to a water dispersion channeling framework, onto which fire sprinkler systems are associated. Although generally just utilized as a part of processing plants and substantial business structures, frameworks for homes and little structures are presently accessible at a financially savvy price. Fire sprinkler frameworks are widely utilized around the world, with more than 40 million sprinkler heads fitted every year. In structures totally secured by fire sprinkler systems, more than 99% of fires were controlled by fire sprinklers alone.

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Steps to Maintain A Fire Hydrant System

A fire hydrant system is considered to be an efficient device when it comes to handle a fire, and hence, it’s important to keep a fire hydrant system in a sound condition, so that it can perform all the functions properly as and when needed. No matter whether you are responsible for keeping a business premise secure or you are in charge of the safety of an entire society, you must be careful enough about the maintenance of the fire hydrant systems. Do you see hydrants that are outdated and old and left in an inoperable condition? If yes, this is the high time to take care of these systems and maintain these properly. Not keeping the fire hydrants of your community in a sound condition may turn out to be fatal at times. Here are some important information that will help you maintain a fire hydrant system properly –

• Paint it properly – Hydrants that have been installed before2009, should be painted in such colours that will make these visible under adverse weather conditions and light. In case the hydrants have been installed after 2009, you need to follow the process of coating. Since 2010, the manufacturers of fire hydrants system started to coat these with a double polyurethane enamel paint. This is applied on the hydrants following a hydrostatic process as it ensures a durable and long lasting finish. This paint is quite hard and is resistant to light. In fact, these paints can’t be recoated. In order to recoat these, one needs to clean and sand the surface and remove the glossy appearance. 
• Check the functionality – In order to keep the fire hydrants in a functional condition, it’s important to check the flow of the system. Make sure you open and close the auxiliary gate valves of the hydrant at regular intervals. This will help provide a reliable source of water as and when needed. By checking the flow of water, you will also get an indication of the total amount of flow and pressure available in each of the hydrants. This information is extremely beneficial for the local fire authority and the water service planners. 

These are the two most important tasks that you should perform in order to keep a fire hydrant in a sound condition. There are certain things that you should keep in mind while performing the flow test of a fire hydrant. Here are the things that you must do –

• First off, choose a safe and vast area where the water can flow directly. This is important as the water that flows out of a hydrant can damage the vegetation, landscapes, structures and the private properties of the area. 
• Establish a fixed schedule for testing the fire hydrants every year. 
• Open and close the valves of the hydrant to prevent water hammer. This can also cause breaks in the water mains.  

Since it’s quite costly to replace fire hydrants, it’s crucial to follow a proper maintenance system and follow the exact schedule of check-ups. This ensure proper functioning of these equipment, when needed most.

(Article Source: http://www.loopdesk.com/article/9729/how-can-you-maintain-a-fire-hydrant-system-properly )

Why And How To Maintain A Fire Sprinkler System?

If you are responsible for maintaining the safety and security of a premise, you must be aware of the fact that installing the right fire safety and fire fighting devices is one of the most important things to do. This is because fire is a disaster that can take place due to one’s negligence or for some other reasons, at any point of time. This is why it’s advisable to keep all the fire fighting equipment ready at place so that the fire can easily be dealt with. This also ensures that there is minimum possible casualties and damages. Fire sprinkler system is one of the most efficient devices that helps put out fire in different situations. This is why organizations prefer to install the right devices. However, only installing the fire fighting devices is not enough. You also have to ensure that the device is in a sound condition.

How to maintain a fire sprinkler system?

If you have already installed a fire sprinkler system, you must take all the necessary initiatives to maintain it properly. It’s important to maintain the system properly so that it functions in the best possible way when required most. In order to keep the system in a proper shape, you should follow certain tips. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), one should get a fire sprinkler system inspected at frequent intervals, preferably every three to four months. Apart from that, the device should be inspected whenever you remodel the premise to a great extent, in which the device is installed, or you change or add a water meter or a backflow preventer.

Apart from scheduling the inspection sessions at regular intervals, you should also follow certain steps. You should never paint the fire sprinkler heads or hang anything from these heads. You should also not stack anything close to the sprinkler heads. Generally, it’s advisable to keep the items at least 18 inches below the sprinkler heads. If you find any damage in the system, be sure to report it to the concerned professionals immediately. If you think the damage is major and can’t be handled on your own, make sure you consult an experienced professional who can provide you with the right solution.

Why should you maintain a fire sprinkler system?

There are many reasons why you should maintain a fire sprinkler system. Keeping your sprinkler system in a working condition ensures that you will be able to minimize the casualties to a great extent when a fire occurs. Moreover, homes, restaurants or office buildings that keep well maintained sprinkler systems, get to enjoy considerable insurance benefits. Most often they get a 5-10% discount on the basic insurance premium that they have to pay. Keeping the system in a good condition also enables you to enjoy complete peace of mind. It will save you from the stress of setting up an inspection just before the fire marshal comes for a visit. At the same time, this also allows you to find out the easy to fix and minor issues before they turn into major and expensive affairs. 

Through Inspection of A Fire Sprinkler System

There is no doubt regarding the fact that fire sprinkler systems are of extreme importance whenever it comes to handle a fire. Most importantly, a fire is a disaster that can occur at any place, any time. This is why it’s advisable to keep all the equipment ready so that you can easily handle an emergency situation. A fire sprinkler system is one of the most advanced fire fighting devices that help put out fire. If you have already installed a firefighting device at your place, you should ensure that it’s in a sound condition. This is important because if the device is not in a working condition, it won’t be effective when needed most.

If you are wondering how to keep a fire extinguisher or a fire sprinkler in a sound condition, you should know that testing these devices at frequent intervals is the key to do that. Although it’s recommended to ask for the professional help when it comes to inspect a fire sprinkler system, you can also give it a try on your own. Here are the steps following which you can inspect a firefighting device –

Locate the main system control shut-off valve – When you begin to inspect a fire sprinkler system, you should locate the control shut-off valve of the main system right at the beginning. Usually this valve is the line of the domestic water supply.

Find out the main riser – Next, you need to find out the main riser of the sprinkler system. You can easily find this in one of the cabinets on the wall of the garage.

Inspect the main riser – Make sure you inspect the main riser thoroughly to ensure that there is a certain pressure of water. Remember that the pressure gauge should read something between 50 psi and 100 psi. If you see that the pressure is very low or there is no pressure at all, consider contacting a professional who has specialized knowledge in fire sprinkler repair.

Find out the test valve – Next you need to locate the test valve that is usually placed outside the rear wall of the house. Try to open the test valve in a way so that the water comes out slowly. Check when the alarm bell rings, and after that, turn off the valve. If the bell doesn’t ring even after the given time, check if there is any obstruction. If you can’t find any kind of obstruction, and the bell doesn’t ring, you should contact a licensed fire sprinkler repairing professional.

Inspect the interior – Finally, you should inspect all the sprinkler heads that are placed inside your home. Be sure to check if there are any items hanging from the sprinkler heads or any other signs of leakage. Also check if there is any damage to the sprinkler heads.  If you have installed concealed sprinkler heads, ensure that all the decorative plates are placed at the right location.

These are the five steps following which you can inspect a fire sprinkler system. It’s advisable to inspect these devices every six months.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/industrial-articles/how-to-inspect-a-fire-sprinkler-system-thoroughly-7361128.html

Basic Details To Know About A Fire Hydrant System

A fire is a very common disaster that can occur all of a sudden, at any given place, and the consequences of a disaster are quite obvious. This is why industry experts recommend to install proper fire protection systems at every premise. Installing the right firefighting device is of crucial importance as it helps save lots of lives and avoid damage to properties. In order to ensure maximum possible security for all the occupants, it’s essential to follow fire prevention programs and install the right firefighting device. A fire hydrant system is one of the most reliable and active measures to prevent fire. This device is also referred to as a connection point using which the firefighting professionals can use water supply.

The fire hydrant system is considered to be the backbone of an entire firefighting device. It’s basically a water distribution system that consists of suction piping, water tank, a distributed piping system and fire pumps. A thorough connectivity is established throughout the building with the help of a water distribution system. The entire system is interconnected through nozzles, hoses and hydrants. The main purpose of a fire hydrant system is to act as a source of water to any of the points, throughout the building. It should be readily available so that it can be instantly used as and when needed. This helps control a fire during emergency situations.

Whenever a fire breaks out, it’s essential to ensure fast response time as this is what helps prevent the major damages. A fire hydrant system helps do the same. Although every firefighting device is equipped with water supply, it might be limited at times. In situations like these, the fire hydrants must supply a vast amount of water so that major fires can be put out easily. Make sure the fire hydrant system functions optimally at all times as this is one of the major elements of the entire firefighting process.

There are both private and public fire hydrant systems. Fire hydrants that are placed on public land are referred to as public fire hydrant. Usually, the local respective governments are in charge of the maintenance of these devices. They have to arrange regular inspections and also keep the hydrants free from any kind of obstacles. Fire hydrants that are placed on private lands are considered as private fire hydrants. The respective landowner is responsible for taking care of these devices. Apart from these, there are fire safety companies in each country that are specialized in checking the fire hydrants.

If any user owns a fire hydrant privately, he can consider hiring a specialized fire safety expert to inspect the device at frequent intervals. However, even if you hire the professional help, it’s advisable to be aware of the procedures and steps that are usually followed in an inspection process. If you are wondering how frequently a fire hydrant should be inspected, you should be aware of the fact that the industry experts are of the opinion to get a fire hydrant checked at least twice a year.

(Article Credit: http://articles.pubarticles.com/how-to-know-important-details-about-fire-hydrant-system-1448361429,1587743.html)

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