Fire sprinklers are an essential part of any fire protection and safety system in any commercial property. You may already have them implemented in your building, but how sure are you when it comes to selecting the right type that is suitable for your hazard classification? There are four common types of fire sprinklers – deluge, dry pipe, pre-action, and wet pipe. Each of them differs in their suitability for various fires, how they can be activated, and the type of substance they use to extinguish the fire. Read on to learn which you should be using on your property.

Pre-Action

A pre-action sprinkler system is usually filled with pressurized air or nitrogen. It is ideal for places that require extra precaution for accidental system activations, such as server rooms, data farms, archive rooms, and museums that hold valuable resources and information. The system follows a two-step process – the first where a signal will be sent to be a pre-action valve once it detects a fire, which will fill the system with water. The next is where a fire sprinkler detects an increased temperature and immediately discharges water.

Deluge

The deluge fire sprinkler system is usually used by high-hazard industries and facilities that frequently handle highly flammable materials. This open-type sprinkle head can be triggered and will immediately discharge water. When it detects heat or smoke, the valve of the deluge sprinkler will open, and water flows out directly. This fast-action sprinkler does not contain any water or pressurized air. It is necessary for industrial factories, manufacturing facilities, aircraft hangars that require an immediate solution if the combustible material catches fire, as it will work efficiently to extinguish and control the spread of the flames.

Wet Pipe

Wet pipes are among the most common fire sprinkler systems due to their general versatility in most applications and industries. As these fire sprinklers are filled with water, they are ideal for areas such as office buildings, schools, shopping malls, and high-rise apartments, where they are usually above 40°F to prevent them from freezing and have more conventional fire hazards. During a fire breakout, the heat rising would activate and expand the fire element, causing it to shatter and subsequently discharge the water.

Dry Pipe

Instead of being filled with water, the dry pipe fire sprinklers are filled with pressurized air. Due to the air pressure present in the dry pipe valve, it prevents water from flowing out the system. In contrast to the wet pipes, when the dry pipe detects a surge in the surrounding temperature, it will activate the system and cause the air pressure to drop. This leads the dry pipe valve to open and let water from the connected pipe flow in the sprinkler system, subsequently discharging the water. Dry pipes are ideal for areas such as cold storage warehouses, garages, and attics, where they can plunge below freezing temperatures. As they are not filled with water, this would prevent incidences where pipes are frozen and are unable to work as a result.

Your Local Fire Sprinkler Expert from New Jersey

ASCO Fire is highly qualified and experienced in meeting all types of fire protection needs for all residential and commercial properties. Our professional team of experts specializes in engineering services that adhere to the fire code requirements, such as hazard analysis, hydraulic calculations, and fire plan review. We also offer value-added services such as testing, inspection, maintenance, and repair services for all types of fire protection systems and equipment to help prevent any fire incidents.