Sprinkler System Working Principle

Each sprinkler is nothing but a faucet or tap as they call it in some countries a hole in the pipe through which water can escape into the building below.

Sprinkler system working principle.

Note the red liquid alcohol in the glass bulb. A sprinkler system is a network of pipes running through the ceiling of a building holding water under pressure. Principle of operation normally a wet pipe automatic fire sprinkler system is fully charged with water coming from a known reliable water supply. When a blaze ignites the air directly above it heats rapidly.

Not just any heat source will trigger a sprinkler system to activate. The sprinkler heads must detect a high enough temperature usually between 135 and 165 degrees fahrenheit 57 to 74 celsius. The installation is pressurised with the alarm valve secured in the open position. Principle of operation under normal conditions water discharged from an automatic sprinkler is restrained by a cap or valve.

A fire sprinkler system is an active fire protection method consisting of a water supply system providing adequate pressure and flowrate to a water distribution piping system onto which fire sprinklers are connected. The cap valve are held tightly against the orifice by a system of levers and links or other releasing devices pressing down on the cap and anchored firmly by struts on the sprinkler. Fire sprinklers work because high heat triggers the sprinkler system.