Frequently Asked Questions
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Why are sprinklers important for life safety?
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How can we be sure sprinklers will work in a fire?
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What about water damage?
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What about smoke?
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What is the life safety record for sprinklers?
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Aren’t sprinklers unsightly?
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Don’t all the heads go off at once? I’m sure I’ve seen this happening on tv!
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Surely sprinklers create more water damage than the fire and rescue service?
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If sprinklers false alarm, won’t they create a lot of damage?
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How do sprinkler heads work?
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I want to install sprinklers in a new building but I have been advised that the water supply from the local mains is inadequate. Can I still install a sprinkler system?
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What standards do I need to comply with when designing or installing sprinkler systems?
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Does the installation of sprinklers permit ‘tradeoffs’ in respect of requirements regarding escape routes and passive fire protection measures?
How do sprinkler heads work?
A sprinkler head is a temperature-controlled valve that opens, to release a spray of water, when the heat-sensitive element reaches a specific temperature. Most sprinkler heads produced today are of the ‘glass bulb type’. The bulb is filled with a liquid and a small bubble of vapour. As heat is applied to the bulb area, the liquid expands compressing the vapour, when the vapour is fully compressed; the expanding liquid then fractures the bulb. This allows the release of the water from the supply pipework. The discharged water then strikes the deflector that controls the water distribution pattern. Sprinkler heads with an operating temperature range from 57°C to 141°C are commonly available to suit specific applications.