TABLE OF CONTENTS Sprinklers and other fire-protection systems are available in many different variations, each designed for specific fire-suppression situations. Systems using water can be customized in many ways, but all maintain the same basic components. If local water systems cannot provide sufficient volume and/or pressure, water tanks are often installed to provide adequate flow, delivering the required amounts of water by gravity, air, or pump pressure.
Systems capable of delivering oxygen-starving foams or powders are frequently used if these particular agents are more effective in suppressing fire. Halogenated agents, halon, developed to replace water as the agent to extinguish fires without damaging sensitive equipment, is used in many computer rooms or other areas that contain delicate and valuable documents, fabrics, and relics. And portable fire extinguishers of various capacities are used in localized situations to extinguish combustible material, solvent oil, and electrical fires.
Wet-pipe systems are the most common systems used in commercial and industrial construction.
Advantages Rapid response to fire control because the sprinkler pipes are always filled with water, relatively uncomplicated design, highly reliable.
Disadvantages Cannot be used where systems are to be installed in a building that is not heated and where ambient temperatures are at (or below) freezing, unless an anti-freeze solution is added to the water in the system.
Dry-pipe systems are used where fire protection is required to be installed in unheated spaces, where ambient temperatures will dip below the freezing mark. This...
