FIREFIGHTER I LESSON 15

SPRINKLER SYSTEM DESIGN AND OPERATION Series of sprinklers arranged to automatically distribute enough water to extinguish or check fire Series of sprinklers arranged to automatically distribute enough water to extinguish or check fire Water is supplied to sprinklers through a piping system Water is supplied to sprinklers through a piping system System’s sprinkler heads discharge water after a cap or plug is released by a heat-responsive element System’s sprinkler heads discharge water after a cap or plug is released by a heat-responsive element TS 15–1

SPRINKLER SYSTEM ADVANTAGES Most reliable Most reliable Most effective (control 96% of fires in sprinkler- protected buildings) Most effective (control 96% of fires in sprinkler- protected buildings) Less business interruption Less business interruption Less water damage Less water damage Enhance life safety Enhance life safety Reduce insurance costs Reduce insurance costs TS 15–2

SPRINKLER SYSTEM MAIN CONTROL VALVE Purpose Purpose — Cutting off the water supply to the system so that sprinklers can be replaced, maintenance performed, or operations interrupted Location Location — Immediately under the sprinkler alarm valve, the dry-pipe or deluge valve, or outside the building near the system connections Position after maintenance Position after maintenance — Open Type Type — Manual indicating valve TS 15–3

CAUSES OF SPRINKLER FAILURE Partially or completely closed main water control valve Partially or completely closed main water control valve Interruption to municipal water supply Interruption to municipal water supply Damaged or painted-over sprinklers Damaged or painted-over sprinklers Frozen or broken pipes Frozen or broken pipes Excess debris or sediment in pipes Excess debris or sediment in pipes Failure of a secondary water supply Failure of a secondary water supply Tampering and vandalism Tampering and vandalism TS 15–4

SITUATIONS IN WHICH SPRINKLERS ARE EFFECTIVE Preventing fire spread upwards in multiple- story buildings Preventing fire spread upwards in multiple- story buildings Protecting the lives of occupants in other parts of the building Protecting the lives of occupants in other parts of the building TS 15–5

SITUATIONS IN WHICH SPRINKLERS MAY NOT BE EFFECTIVE Fires too small to activate sprinkler system Fires too small to activate sprinkler system Smoke reaches occupants before sprinkler system activates Smoke reaches occupants before sprinkler system activates Sleeping, intoxicated, or handicapped persons occupy fire building Sleeping, intoxicated, or handicapped persons occupy fire building TS 15–6

WATER SUPPLY SOURCES Public Water System Fire Pumps from Private Storage Fire Department Connection (FDC) TS 15–7

PURPOSES OF A FIRE DEPARTMENT CONNECTION (FDC) Providing additional water and pressure to boost the existing system in the event of a large fire Providing additional water and pressure to boost the existing system in the event of a large fire Providing backup water and pressure should a pipe break Providing backup water and pressure should a pipe break TS 15–8

FDC COMPONENTS & DIMENSIONS Siamese with at least two 2½-inch (65 mm) female connections with a clapper valve, or Siamese with at least two 2½-inch (65 mm) female connections with a clapper valve, or One large-diameter connection connected to a clappered inlet One large-diameter connection connected to a clappered inlet TS 15–9

FDC CHECK VALVE Purpose Purpose — Preventing water flow back into FDC while allowing water from FDC to flow into system Water flow Water flow — Direction indicated by arrows on valve or appearance of valve casing Ball drip valve within Ball drip valve within — Keeping check valve and connection dry and operational in freezing weather TS 15–10

FDC HOSE SIZES & MINIMUM PUMP CAPACITY Hose sizes Hose sizes  Minimum of two 2½-inch (65 mm), or  One large-diameter Minimum pump capacity for a pumper supplying a sprinkler system Minimum pump capacity for a pumper supplying a sprinkler system — At least 1,000 gpm (4 000 L/min) TS 15–11

GUIDELINES FOR OPERATIONS AT PROTECTED PROPERTIES Connect to FDC (earliest arriving pumper) per pre-incident plan. Connect to FDC (earliest arriving pumper) per pre-incident plan. Check to ensure that sprinkler system control valves are open. Check to ensure that sprinkler system control valves are open. Do not close sprinkler control valves until ordered to do so by fire officer. Do not close sprinkler control valves until ordered to do so by fire officer. Station a firefighter with a portable radio at closed sprinkler control valve in case it needs to be reopened. Station a firefighter with a portable radio at closed sprinkler control valve in case it needs to be reopened. TS 15–12a

GUIDELINES FOR OPERATIONS AT PROTECTED PROPERTIES (cont.) Do not disconnect pumpers until after extinguish- ment has been determined by a thorough overhaul. Do not disconnect pumpers until after extinguish- ment has been determined by a thorough overhaul. Do not leave the premises until the sprinkler system has been restored to service by a qualified representative of the occupant. Do not leave the premises until the sprinkler system has been restored to service by a qualified representative of the occupant. TS 15–12b

HOW TO SUPPLY ADEQUATE WATER TO THE SYSTEM Limit use of direct hoselines from sprinkler system water supply system. Limit use of direct hoselines from sprinkler system water supply system. Establish a second water supply for hoselines if necessary. Establish a second water supply for hoselines if necessary. Observe sprinkler discharge in the area of fire, and maintain adequate pressure at pumper. Observe sprinkler discharge in the area of fire, and maintain adequate pressure at pumper. Improve discharge from the sprinklers as necessary by increasing pressure on system. Improve discharge from the sprinklers as necessary by increasing pressure on system. TS 15–13