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F03-01-01
 Deluge Systems
A Deluge System is a sprinkler piping system employing
open sprinklers or nozzles, connected to a water supply
through a deluge valve which is closed when in set position.
There is no water in the sprinkler system pipe, and it is at
atmospheric pressure. A supplemental detection system is
provided throughout the same area as the sprinkler system.
The deluge valve is operated manually or automatically by
actuation of the detection and release systems. When the
deluge valve opens, water flows into the piping system and
discharges from all open sprinklers and/or nozzles in the
system.
In the foam-water deluge system, when the deluge valve
opens, water flows into the piping system. Foam concentrate
[protein, fluoroprotein, or aqueous film forming foam
(AFFF)] is injected into the water, and the resulting foam
solution through all sprinklers and spray nozzles
simultaneously generates and distributes foam.
Deluge systems, as the name implies, are intended to deliver
large quantities of water over a large area in a relatively short
period of time. Deluge systems are suitable for facilities that
contain combustible or flammable materials. In addition,
these systems are used for situations in which thermal
damage is likely to occur in a relatively short period of time.
Foam-water deluge systems are especially applicable in the
protection of most flammable liquid hazards.
Deluge Systems are used for the purpose of:
! Extinguishing fire in the protected area by discharging
suitable foam-solution densities, the use of selected
discharge devices, and by provision of adequate supplies of
air-water at sufficient pressures.
! Prevention of fire in the protected area by manual operation
of the deluge valve to discharge foam or water in case of
accumulation of hazardous materials from spills to afford
protection against ignition in such occupancies as garages,
aircraft hangars, petrochemical plants, paint and varnish
plants, or from other causes in the protected area.
! Control of fire to allow controlled burning of flammable
and combustible materials where extinguishment is not
practical. Exposure protection to reduce heat transfer to
neighboring high hazardous areas can be accomplished by
water spray or foam.
Water supplies for deluge systems shall be of flow capacity
and pressure capable of maintaining foam or water discharge
or both, at the design rate for the required period of discharge,
over the entire area. Since deluge systems produce a large
volume of water, a proper drainage system should be
provided in the protected area.
Inbal Deluge Valves are available for:
Local Resetting - Once the deluge valve operates, it is
latched in an open position and will not close even if the
releasing device closes. The deluge valve will close only if
Magisco Inbal Valves Ltd. 28 High St. Tettenhall, Wolverhampton WV6 8QT,United Kingdom.Tel: + 44-1902-561-111, Fax: + 44-1902-561-113, E- mail: inbal @ inbalvl.com
the Local Resetting procedure, applicable to the specific
Inbal Deluge Valve in use, is exercised.In the design of the
Local resetting Inbal Deluge Valve, priority was given to fast
and easy reset after testing or emergency operation.
Remote Resetting - The Inbal Deluge Valve can be remotely
reset. The remote resetting enables quick resetting from the
control panel or control room for areas which no longer need
to be fire extinguished or cooled. Thus, the water resources
are effectively used only in the areas which are still under
emergency conditions.
The Inbal Deluge Valve is designed to allow for a variety of
detection and release systems:
Hydraulic Actuation - A wet pilot line contains water under
pressure and functions as thermal detecting and releasing
device. A manual emergency valve can provide, besides
automatic actuation, remote and/or local manual operation.
Hydraulic actuation is the simplest and least expensive
release system.
Pneumatic Actuation - A dry pilot line contains air or gas
under pressure, functioning as a thermal detecting and a
releasing device. A manual emergency valve can provide,
besides automatic actuation, remote and/or local manual
operation. Installation and maintenance are usually more
costly than Hydraulic Actuation. To reduce operation time,
an optional accelerator may be considered. However, the
Inbal Pneumatic Actuators are designed for operation at a
minimal pressure drop of the dry pilot line, regardless of the
water line pressure level.
Electric Actuation - The electric detection system consists of
heat, smoke, flame, or radiative detectors and communicates
electrically with a control panel. The releasing device
normally consists of a solenoid valve, which could be of
power-to-open type (a back-up power source may be
considered), power-to-close type (solenoid is under power in
set position), or magnetic latch (impulse) type (self-
maintained position from the last control signal of a
millisecond duration). A remote manual electric operation
and local hydraulic manual operation are normally included.
Installation and maintenance are usually more costly than
hydraulic or pneumatic control.
Any combination of hydraulic, pneumatic, and/or electric
actuation arranged as non-interlocked or double interlocked
is available. One of the most popular in the industry is:
Pneu-Electric Actuation - A combination of pneumatic and
electric actuation designed as non-interlocked action. The
Inbal Deluge Valve will open either by operation of the dry
pilot line or the electric detection system.
A pressure control added feature is available on each of the
actuation types (see section F06).
Besides the types of deluge valves included in this book,
there are many other variations as well as customized deluge
valves to answer specific requirements for functional and
operational conditions.
March 2000 / F03-01-01-002