Fire Sprinkler System

The process of installing a fire sprinkler system involves designing the layout, selecting appropriate sprinklers, piping, and water supply, followed by installation, connection to a control panel, and testing to ensure proper functionality and compliance with safety standards. Read more

INTRODUCTION:  Automatic sprinkler systems and fire alarms have long been used together to protect building inhabitants and improve fire prevention. A fire alarm system is defined by the International Fire Code (IFC) as a system or portion of a combination system consisting of components and circuits arranged to monitor and annunciate the status of fire alarm or supervisory signal-initiating devices and to initiate the appropriate response to the signals. Alarm starting devices and supervisory devices are among the parts that a fire alarm system keeps an eye on. If a monitored alarm device detects a probable fire condition, the fire alarm control panel (FACP) will detect a signal and initiate the proper reaction. If the building has an occupant alerting system, the horn/strobes or voice evacuation system will activate.. Read more

Introduction: Fire pumps are crucial components in fire sprinkler systems, providing water flow and pressure to fire sprinklers and standpipes. They are essential for controlling fire spread and preventing flashovers, and are often installed in larger buildings with extensive fire areas. Fire pumps are the costliest and most complicated single piece of equipment in a system, making up the difference between water supply and system demand. They are designed, tested, and listed for fire protection, propelling water through pipes to boost pressure and flow. Centrifugal pumps, a common type, use an impeller to accelerate water into and out of the pump housing.

Pump size is measured in three ways: suction-side (inlet) diameter, discharge-side (outlet) diameter, and impeller diameter. A bigger impeller means more flow and pressure. The hydraulic design of a water-based system is about supply and demand, and if the water supply doesn’t meet system demand, a fire pump may be necessary. System designers evaluate different pumps based on their performance and given water pressure to size them correctly. This delicate balancing act is only one essential component of complex water-based system design. Read more

INTRODUCTION:  NFPA 13 requires that when retrofitting a backflow preventer into an existing sprinkler system, a thorough hydraulic analysis must be performed. This analysis includes revised hydraulic calculations, new fire flow data, and any modifications to the existing system to accommodate the additional friction loss due to the new backflow preventer. NFPA 14 does not require supervisory air on manual dry standpipes, but the technical committee is looking to address this issue in the 2023 edition of NFPA 14. NFPA 14 is proposing new requirements for supervisory air on all manual dry standpipe. This is a unanimous decision from the technical committee and if passed ballot, the next edition of NFPA 14 will require all manual dry standpipe to be supervised with air. Read more