INTRODUCTION TO AUTOMATIC SPRINKLERS:The enormous growth of businesses and industry in recent times resulted in increase in fire hazards and

the expected loss of property in turn necessities adequate protection against fire. The conventional fire protection systems like water pails, sand pipes and hose equipment are sometimes proved inadequate in case of delayed detection unit the advent of the automatic sprinklers. The forerunners of the automatic sprinkler were the perforated pipe and open sprinkler. These were installed in a number of mills during the period 1850 to 1880. The systems were not automatic; the discharge openings of the pipes often clogged with rust and foreign materials and water distribution was poor. Open sprinkles, an improvement over perforated pipes, consisted of metal bulb with numerous perforations attached to piping and intended to give improved water distribution. This system was only slightly better than the perforated one. The idea of Automatic Sprinkler Protection, in which heat from a fire opens one or more sprinklers and allows the water to flow, dates back to 1860. Its practical application begun in 1878 in USA when the Parmelee sprinkler was first installed. This sprinkler while very crude when compared with modern devices gave generally good results and proved conclusively that automatic sprinkler protection was both practical and valuable. The early automatic sprinkler is shown on Figure (1) because of the ongoing research and development work. Automatic sprinklers are becoming more and more practicable for protecting modern industrial, commercial and marginal practices and in the modern scenario large areas, high values or many people cannot be protected adequately without automatic fixed fire protection. The importance of Automatic sprinklers for prevention of large scale damage and catastrophe was amply proved during the terrorist attack on

the US Defense Headquarters, on 11th Sept. 2001. A report on the same by NFPA reads as follows:Fire sprinklers limit loss at the pentagon sept15, 2001- at a DoD press conference today on the Pentagon damage and renovation program, the project manager, Lee Evey, credited the buildings fire sprinklers with limiting the damage caused by the terrorist attack. He said, Fire sprinklers, interestingly, you know, there was a fire that raged through two, the innervated area. If you look at wedge once, except in those areas where it was clearly fueled by jet fuel, look the fire, when it tried to spread into other wedge one areas, was knocked down immediately by the fire sprinklers. There were virtually no spread whatsoever, so we saw a tremendous beneficial effect from that. DESIGN REQUIREMENTS:Automatic sprinklers are required to be designed to react at predetermined temperatures and to release and distribute a stream water automatically in specified patterns and quantities over designated areas either to extinguish it entirely or to prevent its spread The water can be supplied to sprinklers through a system of piping, generally suspended from the ceiling, with the sprinklers placed at intervals along pipes. The orifice of the fusible link Automatic Sprinkler is normally closed by a disk or cap held in place by a temperature sensitive releasing element. Figure (ii) shows in stop action sequence the operation of a typical fusible link, upright Automatic Sprinkler.

SYSTEM COMPONENTS:The basic components of a Sprinkler system are the Sprinklers, system piping, and a dependable water source. Most systems also require an alarm, system control valves, and means to test the equipment. Figure (iii) shows the arrangement of typical sprinkler system. The sprinkler is the spray nozzle which distributes water over a defined fire hazard are (typically 150-225 sq.ft) each sprinkler operates by actuation of its own temperature linkage. The typical sprinkler consists of a frame, thermal operated linkage, cap orifice and deflector, styles of each component may vary but the basic principles of each remain the same. FRAME:The frame provides the main structural component which holds the sprinkler together. The water supply pipe connects to the sprinkler at the base of the frame. The frame holds the thermal linkage and cap in place, and supports the deflector during discharge. Frame styles include standard and low profile, flush and connected mount. Some frames are designed for extended spray coverage beyond the range of normal sprinklers. Standard finishes include brass; chrome black and white, custom finishes are available for aesthetically sensitive spaces. Special coatings are available for areas subject to high corrosive effect. Selection of a specified frame style is dependent on the size and type of areas to be covered anticipated hazard, visual impact feature, and atmospheric conditions.

THERMAL LINKAGE:The thermal linkage is the component which controls water release. Under normal conditions the linkage holds the cap in place and prevents water flow however, as the link is exposed to heat it weakens and releases the cap. Common linkage styles include soldered metal levers, frangible glass bulbs, and solder pellets. Each link style is equally dependable. As mentioned previously, the common operating temperature is usually between 135-225F/57-107C. higher temperature sprinklers, however, may be utilized when excessive ambient temperatures exist, i.e. mechanical plant rooms. Upon the desired operating temperature, an approximate 30 seconds to 4 minute time lag will follow. This lag is the time required for linkage fatigue and is largely controlled by the link materials and mass. Standard responding sprinklers operate closer to the 3-4 minute mark while quick response (QR) sprinklers operate in significantly shorter periods. Selection of a sprinkler response characteristic is dependant upon the existing risk, acceptable loss level and desired response action. In museum applications the advantage of quick response sprinklers becomes apparent. The faster a sprinkler reacts to a fire, the sooner the suppression activity is initiated and the lower potential damage level,. This is particularly beneficial in high value or life safety applications where the earliest possible extinguishment is a fire protection goal. It is important to understand that response time is independent of response temperature. A quicker responding sprinkler will not activate at a lower temperature that a comparable standard head. CAP:The cap provides the water tight seal which is located over the sprinkler orifice. This component is held in place the thermal linkage. Operation of the linkage caused the cap to fall from position and permit

water flow. Caps are constructed solely of metal or metal with a Teflon disk. ORIFICE:The machined opening at the base of the sprinkler frame is the orifice. If is from this opening which extinguishing water flows. Most orifice openings are inch diameter with bores available residential applications and larger openings for higher hazards. DEFLECTOR:The deflector is mounted on the frame opposite the orifice. The purpose of this component is to break up the water stream discharging from the office into a more efficient extinguishing pattern .Deflector styles determine how the sprinkler is mounted, by the angle of their lines. Common sprinkler mounting styles are upright (mounted above the pipes) pendent (mounted below the pipes) and sidewall sprinklers which discharge water in a lateral position from a wall. The sprinkler must be mounted as designed water in a lateral position from wall. The sprinkler must be mounted as designed to ensure proper action. Selection of a particular style of often dependent upon physical building constraints.

OTHER MAJOR SPRINKLER SYSTEM COMPONENTS INCLUDE: CONTROL VALVES:A sprinkler system must be capable of shutting down after the fire has been controlled, and for periodic maintenance and modification. Control valves provide this function. In the simplest system a single shutoff valve may be located at the point where the water supply enters the building. in larger buildings, the sprinkler system may consist of multiple zones with a control valves should be located in readily identified locations to assist responding emergency personnel. ALARMS: Alarms alert building occupants and emergency forces when a sprinkler water flow occurs. The simple alarms are water driven gongs supplied by the sprinkler system. Electrical flow and pressure switches, connected to a building fire alarm system are more common in large building, Alarm are also provided to alert building management when a sprinkler valve is closed. DRAIN AND TEST CONNECTIONS: Most sprinkler systems have provisions to drain pipes during system maintenance. Drains should be properly installed to remove all water from the sprinkler system, and prevent water from leakage onto protected spaces, when piping service is necessary, it is advisable to install drains at a remote location from the supply, thereby permitting effective system flushing to remove debts. Test connections are usually provided to stimulate the flow of a sprinkler flow, thereby verifying the working condition of alarms. Test connections should be operated every 6 months.

SPECIALTY VALVES:Dry-pipe and pre-action sprinkler systems require complex, special control valves that are designed to hold water from the system piping until needed. These control valves also include air pressure maintenance equipment and emergency operation/release systems. FIRE HOSE CONNECTIONS:Fire fighters will often supplement sprinkler system with houses. Fire fighting tasks are enhanced by installing hose connections to sprinkler system piping. The additional water demand imposed by these hoses must be factored into the overall sprinkler design in order to prevent adverse system performance. OPERATING PRINCIPLES OF AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEM:There are three basic types of sprinkler systems: wet pipe, dry pipe and pre-action. Each has unique applicability depending on a variety of conditions such as potential fire severity, anticipated fire growth rates, content water sensitivity, ambient conditions and desired response. Wet pipe systems are those in which water is constantly maintained within the sprinkler piping. When sprinkler activates, this water is immediately discharged into the fire. A dry pipe sprinkler system is one in which pipes are filled with pressurized air or nitrogen, rather than water. This air holds a remote valve known as a dry pipe valve, in closed position. The dry pipe valve prevents water from entering the pipe until a fire causes one or more sprinklers to operate. The pre-action sprinkler system employs the basic concept of a dry pipe system in that water is not contained with the pipes. The water is held from piping by an electrically operated valve known as a pre-action valve which can be controlled independently.

CLASSIFICATION OF SPRINKLERS ON THE BASIS OF OPERATING ELEMENTS:FUSIBLE SPRINKLERS:A common fusible type automatic sprinkler operates upon the fusing of a metal alloy of predetermined melting point. Various combinations of levers struts and links or other soldered members are used to reduce the force acting upon the solder so that the sprinkler will be held closed with the smallest practical amount of metal and solder in the soldered parts. This minimizes the time of operation by reducing the mass of fusible metal to be heated. A fusible sprinkler of link and lever design is shown in Figure (iv). A fusible sprinkler featuring solder under compression is shown in Figure (v). The solders used with automatic sprinklers are alloys of optimum fusibility composed principally of tin, lead, cadmium and bismuth and they have sharply defined melting points. FRANGIBLE SPRINKLERS:A second type of operating element utilizes a frangible bulb. The small bulb of special glass contains a liquid, which does not completely fill the bulb, leaving a small air bubble entrapped in it. As the liquid is expanded by heat, the bubble is compressed and finally absorbed by liquid. As soon as the bubble disappears the pressure rises rapidly and the bulb shatters, releasing the valve cap. The exact operating temperature is regulated by adjusting the amount of liquid and the size of the bubble when the bulb is sealed. Figure (v) shows a frangible sprinkler. OTHER SPRINKLERS:Other types of thermo sensitive operating elements may be employed to provide automatic discharge, such as bimetallic discs, controlled volumes of wax or chemical pellets.

SPRINKLER DYNAMICS:Figure (VI) shows how the closing force exists in the link and lever type automatic sprinkler. The mechanical pressure normally exerted on the top of the cap or valve is many times that developed by the water pressure below, so that the possibility of leakage even from water hammer or exceptionally high water pressure is practically eliminated. The mechanical pressure is produced is three degrees:First by the toggle effect of the two levers Second by the mechanism of the link parts Third by the load in the solder between the link parts. The last force resisted by the solder is made relatively low because solder of the composition needed give the desired operating temperature is subjected to cold flow under high stress. The sprinkler frame or other parts possess a degree of elasticity to provide energy for producing a positive, sharp release of the operating parts. DEFLECTOR DESIGN:Attached to the frame of the sprinkler is deflector or distributor against which the stream of water directed and converted into a spray designed to cover or protect a certain area. Figure (vii) shows the schematic representation of automatic sprinkler assembly. The amount of water discharged depends upon the flowing water pressure and the size of the sprinkler orifice. A flowing pressure of 7 psi is generally considered a minimum for proper action. At this pressure a sprinkler having a nominal inch orifice will discharge 15 gpm. At the same 7 psi pressure a nominal 17/32 inch orifice sprinkler will discharge 21 gpm. In order to have even the minimum flowing pressure at sprinklers that are remote from the point of water supply, especially when a number of sprinklers are operating simultaneously, water supply pressures in the range of 50 to 100 psi are

customarily provided. Hydraulically calculated systems are designed around the normally available water supply volume and pressure. TEMPERATURE RATINGS OF AUTOMATIC SPRINKLERS:Automatic sprinklers have various temperature ratings that are based on standardized tests in which a sprinkler is immersed in a liquid and the temperature of the liquid raised very slowly until the sprinkler operates. The temperature rating of all solder type automatic sprinklers it stamped upon the soldered link. For other types of thermo sensitive elements, the temperature rating is stamped upon some one of the releasing parts. The recommended maximum room temperature is generally closer to the operating temperature for the frangible bulb that for soldered fusible element sprinklers. This is because solder begins to lose its strength somewhat below its actual melting point. Premature operation of a solder sprinkler usually depends on the extent to which the normal room temperature is exceeded, the duration of the excessive temperature, and the load on the operating parts of the sprinkler. The general rule of not using sprinklers of ordinary (135 to 165 degrees F) temperature rating where temperatures exceed 100 deg. F is necessary to provide margin of safety. Sprinklers of ordinary temperature rating can be used inside buildings and other places where they are not subject to direct sun rays, except in monitors and in blind attics without ventilation, under metal or tile roof near or above heat sources, or in confined spaces where normal temperatures may be exceeded. When there is doubt as to maximum temperatures at sprinkler locations, maximum reading thermometers should be used and the temperature determined under conditions which would show the highest readings to be expected. Automatic sprinklers may require a longer time period to operate when exposed to a slowly developing fire as opposed to the high heat

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release of a rapidly developing fire. They are designed to operate quickly enough to control fire and prevent its spread. The speed of operation depends on physical properties of the thermo sensitive mechanism of the sprinkler. The time involved to operate depends, among other factors, upon the shape, size and mass of the thermo sensitive mechanism, and the temperature differential between the surrounding atmosphere and the operating temperature of the sprinkler. MYTHS AND FACTS ABOUT AUTOMATIC SPRINKLERS:Automatic sprinkler systems have enjoyed an enviable record of protecting life and property for over 100 years. Yet, there are still common misunderstandings about the operation and effectiveness of automation fire sprinkler systems which are given below:Myth:Water damage from a sprinkler system will be more extensive than fire damage Fact:Water damage from a home sprinkler system will be much less severe than the damage caused by water from fire fighting hose lines or smoke and fire damage if the fire goes unabated. Quick response sprinklers release 8-24 gallons of water per minute compared to 50-125 gallons per minute released by a fire hose. Myth:When a fire occurs, every sprinkler head goes off. Fact:Sprinkler heads are individually activated by fire. Residential fires are usually controlled with one sprinkler head. 90% of all fires are controlled with six or fewer heads and a study conducted in Australia and

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New Zealand covering 82 years of automatic sprinkler use found that 82% of the fires which occurred were controlled by two or fewer sprinklers. Myth:A smoke detector provides enough protection. Fact:Smoke detectors save lives by providing a warning system but can do nothing to extinguish a growing fire or to protect those physically unable to escape on their own, such as the elderly or small children. Too often, battery operated smoke detectors fail to function because the batteries are dead or have been removed. As the percent of homes in America that were protected with smoke detectors increased from zero to more than 70%, then number of fire deaths in homes did not significantly decrease. Myth:Sprinklers are designed to protect property, but are not effective for life safety. Fact:Sprinklers provide a high level of safety. Statistics demonstrates that there has never been any multiple loss of life in a fully sprinkled building. Property losses are 85% less in residence with fire sprinklers compared to those without sprinklers. The combination of automatic sprinklers and early warning systems in all buildings and residences could reduce overall injuries, loss of life and property damage by at least 50%.

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Myth:Sprinkler systems look bad and will harm the buildings appearance. Fact:This concern has usually resulted from someone who has observed a less than ideal appearing system, and admittedly there are some poorly designed systems out there. Sprinkler systems can be designed and installed with almost no aesthetic impact.

Figure provides an example of a well installed sprinkler in an architecturally sensitive space. (Note, the sprinkler is in one of the plaster ceiling rosettes.)

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CONCLUSION: Automatic sprinklers often represent the most important fire protection option for most heritage applications. The successful application of sprinklers is dependent upon careful design and installation of high quality components by capable engineers and contractors. A properly selected, designed and installed system will offer unexcelled reliability. Sprinkler system components should be selected for compliance with the institutions objectives. There success is dependent upon selection of proper suppression and detection components and managements commitment to properly maintain systems. Most system failures are the result of improper system maintenance.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY 1. Fire Protection Handbook, Fifteenth Edition National Fire Protection Association Quincy, Massachusetts. 2. NFPA 13, Standard for the installation of Sprinkler System. 3. NFPA 13A, recommended practice for care and maintenance of sprinkler systems. 4. National Fire Sprinkler Association INC (nfsa) Site: www.nfsa.org. 5. British Automatic Sprinkler Association (basa) Site: www.basa.org

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