A fire can actually destroy a building in just a few hours, and examples of its devastation can be found regularly in the news. When a fire occurs, it is important not only to identify it, but also to localize and then extinguish it. This task is best handled by automatic fire sprinkler systems.
Depending on the extinguishing agent, there are four types of sprinkler systems: wet, dry, deluge, pre-action. The most common sprinkler system is wet, also the wet sprinkler system is the most reliable because of simplicity of the system with operating components such as sprinkler heads and alarm valve. The second most common sprinkler type is dry sprinkler systems. The dry sprinkler systems are utilized where ambient temperature can be cold enough to freeze the water in the wet sprinkler system. Deluge systems are systems where all sprinkler heads are open. Pre-action sprinkler systems are designed for locations where accidental activation is unwanted, such as in museums with rare art works, manuscripts, or books; and data centers.
Improper maintenance or lack of maintenance is one of the leading causes of fire sprinkler system failures. If not properly maintained, these systems can freeze, burst, cause water damage, and fail to function in the event of a fire. That’s why it’s so important to ensure your fire sprinkler system is always ready, functional and has been properly inspected, tested, and maintained by a qualified contractor in accordance with the Fire Code, which references NFPA standards.