Fire Sprinklers are individually heat-activated and connected to a network of water pipes. When the heat from a fire raises the sprinkler to its pre-set operating temperature (usually about 68°C) only that sprinkler head that is affected will operate, delivering water directly to the source of the heat.
What
about water damage?
Typically a sprinkler discharges 10 gallons/minute. A Fireman's
hose on the other hand discharges 200 gallons/minute plus. In general
a sprinkler will use between 1/100th and 1/1000th of the water used by
the Fire Brigade to extinguish a fire.
Why are Sprinklers so effective?
All fires start small. If detected and tackled early enough a fire can
be controlled and extinguished with very little water. Fire Sprinklers
operate automatically, even if you are not at home, releasing water directly
over the source of the fire and sounding the alarm.
How reliable are Sprinklers?
Records from Australia and New Zealand (where ALL fires must be reported)
between 1886 and 1996 show that sprinklers controlled 99.7% of all fires
where they were fitted.
Do Sprinklers go off accidentally?
Records in service show that sprinklers are very dependable. The chance
of a defective head is less than 16,000,000:1 - less than your chance
of winning the lottery! The chance of an accidental discharge is considerably
less.
Do's for your Sprinkler system!
your home -
don't let it happen
