Benefits of fire sprinkler systems
Sprinklers save lives!
Sprinklers are the most effective fire safety device every invented. Look at the comparison with smoke alarms and no fire (sprinkler) protection at all. The National Fire Protection Association reports that people with smoke alarms fitted to their homes have a 47% better change of surviving a fire. Adding sprinklers along with smoke alarms increases your change of surviving a fire to over 97%.
The earliest warning of fire. The Fire Sprinkler system features both an internal and external alarm. This will warn occupants and the Fire& Rescue Service of the developing fire.
Sprinklers save property!
Domestic/residential sprinklers are designed to save life, but because they control fires so quickly, they also reduce property damage. Fire reports show that property damage is NINE times lower in sprinklered properties.
Some insurers offer reduced premiums for buildings protected by a Fire Sprinkler system.
Reduced heat and smoke damage, significantly less heat and smoke will be generated when the fire is extinguished at an early stage
Immediate notification and control of a developing fire - sprinkler systems respond at all times, including periods of no occupancy.
How an uncontrolled fire spreads
1. Smoke and toxic
gases rise from
the source of the fire.
They spread quickly
along the ceiling
and heat the air
in the room.
2. The current of hot 2
air forces a curtain of
deadly gases down
the walls, making
escape more
difficult. In a
few minutes
the air will
become so hot
that the entire
contents of the
room will ignite
spontaneously.
This is known
as flashover and
usually occurs
between 1,000 and
1,500 degrees.
How a sprinkler system puts the fire out
1. Even a small smoldering
fire acts like a heat engine
as it steadily increases
the air temperature
directly above it.
The hot air fans
out across the
ceiling, heating
up the nearest
sprinkler head.
2. As soon as the trigger
mechanism is heated
to the required
temperature, it
trips and the
water is released.
The immediate
cooling of the
heat source
usually prevents
other sprinkler
heads from
activating. Often,
one or two
sprinkler heads
are enough to
control a fire.
For Developers and Architects
Building Control Authorities are now recognising fire sprinklers as active fire protection and relaxation of some elements of Approved Document B are possible at the discretion of Building Control. |
