Fire protection is of the upmost importance in commercial buildings in case of an emergency. One of the best preventative measure to take for the safety of your employees and your property is the installation of fire sprinkler systems. There are four main types of fire sprinkler systems to be aware of when choosing the right one for your commercial building with your fire safety company:
- Pre-Action Sprinklers – Pre-action fire sprinklers systems are filled with air when not in use and water flows through them when the smoke detector goes off. Two triggers are required to start the flow of water from them. Pre-action sprinklers are helpful, in that they can be set to prevent water from coming out of them should a mechanical failure or false alarm occur. The pre-action system is typically good for places where sprinklers are only necessary when an actual fire occurs, so that water damage is not as prevalent. These areas may include data
centers, libraries, or other places with high-value items.
- Wet Pipe Sprinklers – As their name suggests, wet pipe sprinklers are constantly filled with water. This allows them to quickly react should a fire occur. They are also the most commonly installed type of sprinkler in buildings. A high rise or multi-floor office building would be a typical commercial property where these are installed. This type of fire sprinkler system is known for being typically low maintenance and cost efficient.
- Dry Pipe Sprinklers – Similar to pre-action systems, dry pipe sprinklers use pressurized air in the pipes, which exit before the water. This can cause a bit of a delay before water is discharged, but is a good choice for buildings in colder areas so the pipes do not freeze in winter. They feature a fast opening tool that helps rid the pipe of air and increase the speed of the water flow.
- Deluge – Also similar to a pre-action system, the deluge sprinkler system required a smoke or heat detector as well. This system features open nozzles that may be use when a fire occurs. Deluge systems are good for buildings with hazardous chemicals or flammable liquids.
For more information on fire sprinkler systems and fire protection, contact the safety experts at A Total Solution, Inc. today!
