CHAPTER 3

COMPONENTS OF AN AUTOMATIC FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM

3.1 Components
Typically, a Fire Sprinkler Systems are made up from a series of components
including; pressure gauge, alarm gone, automatic air release valve, water tank, control
valve, sprinkler heads, main fire pumps and jockey pump. In addition to this there are
additional components that support this arrangement including a pressure switch and
flow switch.

3.2 Pressure Gauge

A pressure gauge as a mechanical device that is usually fitted to an automatic
fire sprinkler system. There are usually two gauges fitted to a system, one showing the
water supply pressure and the second showing the installation pressure.

Figure 3.1. Pressure Gauge

Source: [6]

The pressure gauge measures the water pressure within the automatic fire
sprinkler system. The water pressure is measured by two units, Bar and PSI. In figure,
the Bar unit is showed in red color and The PSI unit is showed in black color.
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The relation between Bar and PSI is

1 Bar = 14.51 PSI Equation 3.1

3.3 Alarm Gone or Water Flow Alarm

The Water Flow Sensor is located at the Fire Sprinkler Suppression Riser
Pipe. Water flow alarm is an alarm activated by a water flow, typically from a
sprinkler head. Some jurisdictions require a separate monitoring zone for water flow,
as water flow alarms are less likely to be activated accidentally.

Figure 3.2. Alarm Gone or Water Flow Alarm

Source: [7]

A flow alarm works by a pressure switch that indicates a pressure drop when a
sprinkler head (or test valve) opens, or an actual in-flow mechanism (a propeller or a
movable flap) that moves when water flows. Some early models (still in existence)
run water through an impeller that moves a clapper in a gong while water is flowing.

3.4 Automatic Air Release Valve

Air Release Valves, function to release air pockets that collect at each high
point of a full pressured pipeline. An air release valve can open against internal
pressure, because the internal lever mechanism multiplies the float force to be greater
than the internal pressure. This greater force opens the orifice whenever air pockets
collect in the valve. Air Release Valves are essential for pipeline efficiency and water
hammer protection within the pipe.
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Figure 3.3. Automatic Air Release Valve

Source: [8]

The automatic air release valve is useful for automatic fire sprinkler system.
When the water pressure is get more than required pressure within the riser pipe, the
water is released from the automatic air release valve. So, the riser pipe and pipe
joints are not occurring in broken condition.

3.5 Water Tank

Fire Sprinkler Water Storage Tanks are a robust option for any fire
suppression or sprinkler system. Built to NFPA Code 22 Standards, these steel
water tanks successfully keep a supply of water on hand for use during emergency
operations. Fire Protection Water Tanks have been successfully used around
commercial buildings, industrial facilities and other business locations.
All fire sprinkler tanks are made from robust carbon steel that offers low
maintenance and extended lifespans. Standard designs include above ground
horizontal or vertical tanks and below ground horizontal models. Each tank can
additionally include an exterior lining, interior lining or additional
fittings/requirements. Other great options for fire water storage are corrugated steel
and fiberglass tanks for fire protection.
The water storage tank can be split into two half-capacity tanks. This ensures
that there is always a water supply available to the sprinkler system, even when one
tank (or any of its equipment) is being serviced or maintained.

3.6 Control Valve

Control valves control the flow of water in an automatic fire sprinkler system.
Therefore, it is critical they remain open to allow water flow to the sprinklers.
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According to the NFPA, closed valves are the main cause of sprinkler system failure.
There will likely be several control valves located throughout your system that
separate the system into designated sections.

Figure 3.4. Control Valve

Source: [9]

The control valve for automatic fire sprinkler system, which is attached in
riser pipe and range pipe. When the fire extinguish is finished, the fire fighter is
closed the control valve which is situated in the range pipe. They do for that, this is
preventing for other damage caused by water.

3.7 Sprinkler Heads

The way fire sprinkler heads work is fairly simple: the glass bulb is filled with
a glycerin-based liquid which expands to break the bulb at a specified temperature.
Once that happens, the flow of water held back by the bulb flows out towards the
deflector which disperses it on to the fire [10].

3.7.1 Fire Sprinkler Heads Work

While there are numerous options when it comes to a fire sprinkler head, they
all perform the same basic function: containing and extinguishing fires. Additionally,
nearly all fire sprinklers are composed of the same components: a sealing assembly or
‘plug’, a temperature-sensitive glass bulb, a deflector, and a frame.
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Figure 3.5. Components of Fire Sprinkler Head

Source: [11]

Common wet fire sprinklers are available in two primary sizes: 1/2" and 3/4".
A 1/2" sprinkler is the most common for office buildings, hotels, and schools. 3/4", on
the other hand, are larger and used when extended coverage is necessary. For the
purpose of this article, we're only going to highlight 1/2" sprinklers but most
manufacturers also offer 3/4" variants.

3.7.2 Sprinkler Bulb Temperature Ratings

An Automatic Fire Sprinkler is a valve used to control the flow of water. It
operates as a valve by allowing the flow of water contained in a fire sprinkler system
when the heat sensitive element (glass bulb or fusible link) is operated. This is caused
when the fire sprinkler is exposed for a sufficient time to a temperature at or above the
temperature rating of the heat sensitive element.
The fusible link of an automatic fire sprinklers typically are color coded to
illustrate their predetermined operating temperature. The temperature rating
determines the ceiling temperature at which the sprinkler will activate.
The difference between quick response and standard response sprinkler heads
is in their activation design. Quick response sprinkler heads activate slightly more
quickly.
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Table 3.1. Temperature Rating with Color Classification

Physically, the only difference between a standard response fire sprinkler and
a quick response fire sprinkler is the size of the bulb standard response sprinklers have
a 5 mm glass bulb, while quick response fire sprinklers have a 3 mm glass bulb.

3.7.3 Pendent Sprinkler Head

The most common type of fire sprinkler head is the pendent. A pendent fire
sprinkler protrudes and hangs down from the ceiling, like a pendant necklace but
spelled differently.

Figure 3.6. Components of Pendent Sprinkler Head

Source: [12]
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Pendent fire sprinklers commonly require an escutcheon to cover the cutout in

the drywall or drop ceiling surrounding it. Once water is expelled onto a pendent fire
sprinkler's deflector, it sprays in a circular pattern providing the most coverage of any
fire sprinkler.

Figure 3.7. Water Discharge Pattern of Pendent Sprinkler Head

Source: [13]

The deflector is curved downward, which helps to direct the water out into a
cone pattern. Commercial pendent fire sprinklers are bet used in offices, hotels,
factories, etc.

3.7.4 Upright Sprinkler Head

Upright fire sprinklers are suited for areas that are difficult to access, like
around beams, ducts, and other ceiling obstructions, or in ceilings without a finish
(e.g., no drop ceiling or drywall).

Figure 3.8. Components of Upright Sprinkler Head

Source: [12]
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These sprinklers are commonly found in buildings with exposed ceilings, like
many chic restaurants or mechanical rooms. It may be useful to think of an upright
fire sprinkler like an upside down pendent fire sprinkler, only with a concave
deflector.

Figure 3.9. Water Discharge Pattern of Upright Sprinkler Head

Source: [13]

Upright fire sprinklers stand upright...imagine that! An upright sprinkler

sprays water upwards and the deflector, which is curved, deflects the water back
down to produce a hemispherical spray pattern.

3.7.5 Sidewall Sprinkler Head

They're designed to protect small rooms, hallways, and other areas where
sprinkler pipes are running up walls but not in the ceiling.

Figure 3.10. Components of Sidewall Sprinkler Head

Source: [12]
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They are designed to be installed on the wall, instead of in the ceiling, along or
under a beam. However, sidewall sprinklers perform the same basic functions as other
fire sprinklers.

Figure 3.11. Water Discharge Pattern of Sidewall Sprinkler Head

Source: [13]

It's probably easy to figure out where a sidewall fire sprinkler is meant to be
installed. They protrude through the wall and basically only have half of a deflector,
which sprays water in a half circle or crescent shape.

3.7.6 Concealed Sprinkler Head

Concealed fire sprinklers are somewhat like pendent fire sprinklers; however,
they're located within the ceiling and they're hidden by a cover plate. Once the cover
plate is installed, you can't see the concealed fire sprinkler at all.

Figure 3.12. Components of Concealed Sprinkler Head

Source: [12]
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The cover plate will fall off at a temperature about 20 degrees lower than the
fire sprinkler, allowing the deflector of the concealed sprinkler to drop and be exposed
to the heat from the fire.

Figure 3.13 Water Discharge Pattern of Concealed Sprinkler Head

Source: [13]

While the finish of the cover plate might concern you more than the finish of
the concealed fire sprinkler itself, these fire sprinklers are available in brass and are
available in quick response and standard response. The cover plates are available in
white, chrome, and black, with special colors available upon request.

3.8 Fire Pumps

A fire pump is a specialized water pump used in firefighting. While most
water pumps are designed to distribute water at a set or variable pressure, a fire pump
is part of a high-pressure system. The intense pressure maintained by a fire pump can
deliver water quickly over a wide area or in a high-pressure stream on a concentrated
area. Either method will aid fire containment. Fire pumps are part of building
sprinkler systems.

3.8.1 Main Fire Pump

A fire pump is a part of a fire sprinkler system's water supply and powered by
electric, diesel or steam. The pump intake is either connected to the public
underground water supply piping, or a static water source (e.g. water tank)
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Figure 3.14. Fire Pump

Source: [14]

Fire pumps are also essential parts of building fire sprinkler systems. When
the sprinkler system is activated by a heat or smoke detector, sprinklers set into the
walls or ceilings distribute water throughout the building. Again, high pressure is
required to ensure the entire building or area is saturated. The pump provides water
flow at a higher pressure to the sprinkler system risers and hose standpipes.
The fire pump starts when the pressure in the fire sprinkler system drops
below a threshold. The sprinkler system pressure drops significantly when one or
more fire sprinklers are exposed to heat above their design temperature, and opens,
releasing water. Alternately, other fire hoses reels or other firefighting connections are
opened, causing a pressure drop in the fire-fighting main.
Fire pumps are needed when the local municipal water system cannot provide
sufficient pressure to meet the hydraulic design requirements of the fire sprinkler
system. This usually occurs if the building is very tall, such as in high-rise buildings,
or in systems that require a relatively high terminal pressure at the fire sprinkler in
order to provide a large volume of water, such as in storage warehouses. Fire pumps
are also needed if fire protection water supply is provided from a ground level water
storage tank.
A smaller pump, called a jockey pump, is attached to the fire pump to
maintain this high pressure while the sprinkler system is operating.

3.8.2 Jockey Pump

A jockey pump, or a pressure-maintenance pump, is a small apparatus that
works together with a fire pump as part of a fire-protection sprinkler system. It is
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designed to keep the pressure in the system elevated to a specific level when the
system is not in use, so that the fire pump doesn't have to run all the time and the
system doesn't go off randomly. It can also help prevent the system from damage
when a fire happens and water rushes into the pipes.
Sprinkler systems consist of pipes with pressurized water in them and heads
that are designed to open when they reach a certain temperature. When the heads
open, the water pressure in the pipes drops, since water is flowing out of them. When
this happens, a large device called a fire pump starts to send more water through the
pipes so that the system can continue to put out the fire.

Figure 3.15. Jockey Pump

Source: [15]

The purpose of the jockey pump is to keep the water pressure in the pipes
within a specific range when there's not a fire, so that the sprinklers won't go off
randomly. Since pipes leak, over time, the water pressure inside them automatically
goes down. The jockey pump senses this, and then fills them back up to normal
pressure. If a fire happens and the pressure drops dramatically, the jockey pump won't
be able to keep up, and the drop in pressure will trigger the large fire pump to start
sending water.
Secondarily, this pump prevents sprinkler systems from being damaged when
the fire pump begins sending water. If a system does not have a jockey pump keeping
it pressurized, it may have a relatively low pressure. When the fire pump starts
sending highly pressurized water through the pipes, the sudden change in pressure can
damage or destroy the system.
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The type of motor used also depends largely on the size of the sprinkler
system. The two main choices for jockey pump motors are single-phase and three-
phase. Both work largely the same way, though single phase motors are typically used
for smaller, lower pressure systems since they're not as powerful. Controllers can also
be either single-phase or three-phase, and differ primarily in the complexity of their
assembly.

3.9 The PLC Controller

PLC is the short form of Programmable Logic Controller and is a
microprocessor based device. The term ’programmable logic controller’ is defined as
follows by EN 61131-1 (IEC 61131-1):
“A digitally operating electronic system, designed for use in an industrial
environment, which uses a programmable memory for the internal storage of user-
oriented instructions for implementing specific functions such as logic, sequencing,
timing, counting and arithmetic, to control, through digital or analogue inputs and
outputs, various types of machines or processes.”
It is a programmable memory for storing instructions to implement specific
functions such as:
• Logic
• Sequencing
• Timing
• Counting
• Interlocking to control machines and processors
• More advanced PLC can also perform arithmetic and data manipulations.

Figure 3.16. Different Brands of PLC

Source: [16]
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3.9.1 Advantage of using PLC

The following are the advantages of using a programmable logic controller.
• Programming the PLC is easier than wiring the relay control panel.
• The PLC can be reprogrammed. Conventional controls must be rewired and
are often scrapped instead.
• PLCs take less floor space than relay control panels.
• Maintenance of the PLC is easier, and reliability is greater.
• The PLC can be connected to the plant computer systems more easily than
relays can.

3.9.2 Selection of the PLC

A PLC comprises of three primary sections:
• The Central processing unit (CPU)
• The Input/output system
• System power supply
• The CPU is the PLC’s foundational component, upon which all of the
system’s capabilities are based.
• It is responsible for coordinating and controlling all system activities.
The detail factors for choosing the PLC are:
1. Number of inputs and outputs
2. Types of software languages
3. Types of operator interface
4. Mathematical calculations
5. Analog input and output
6. Communication with other PLCs and computers
7. Ease of maintenance
8. Ease of programming [5]

3.9.3 Overviews of Simatic S7-1500

Different central processing units (CPU types) are available for multiple
performance classes. A wide range of signal modules for input and output as well as
technology modules for special technological functions, such as counting, and
centralized and decentralized communication modules are available to serve as
interfaces to the machine or plant. The SIMATIC S7-1500 is approved for protection
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class IP20 and designed for installation in a control cabinet. The fig 3.2 shows a S7-
1500 series PLC design.

Figure 3.17. Simatic PLC S7-1500

Source: [17]

The Simatic S7-1500 series are famous for its convincing functionalities. They
are-
1. High performance (probably the fastest controller worldwide)
2. Integrated system diagnostics (fast failure detection and correction)
3. Functional design (easy handling and installation)
4. Security integrated (reliable protection of investments and expertise)
5. Safely integrated (fail-safe control for all functions)
6. Technology integrated (optimally prepared for all technological tasks)
7. Engineering in the TIA Portal (efficient engineering in the TIA Portal) [18].

3.10 Pressure Switch

The pressure switch is an electro-mechanical device that monitors a fire
sprinkler system for a fall in water pressure.
Pressure switches are installed in main distribution pipe to detect pressure
changes. If there is small pressure drop caused by water leakage, pressure switch will
start jockey pump to restore pressure.
If pressure drops quickly because sprinkler head ruptures, pressure switch will
start main fire pump to supply water to system. If main pump fails to start, then other
pump will activate.
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Figure 3.18. Pressure Switch

Source: [19]

3.11 Flow Switch

The flow switch is an electro-mechanical device that monitors the flow of
water through a section of pipe within an automatic fire sprinkler system. Flow
switches are often fitted with a mechanical delay (up to six minutes) preventing small
or minor water flow fluctuations from signaling an alarm. And this component is sent
the data to the pump control panel.

Figure 3.19. Flow Switch

Source: [20]

The function of a water flow switch is to detect water flow in the sprinkler
system, usually during a fire event, to signal a local electrical fire alarm, or fire alarm
panel to activate the alarm devices in the building.

Figure 3.20. Flow Switch in Normal Condition

Source: [21]
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Figure 3.21. Flow Switch in Water Flow Condition

Source: [21]

3.12 Pipe Selection

Pipework for fire sprinkler protection systems is designed to distribute the fire
suppression media, typically water, into the different building areas. Planning and
installation standards for stationary fire sprinkler systems specify the system design
and components required.
The pipe material must be protected against corrosion and specific materials
are typically preferred for specific installation types. Following pipe materials are
used and they must be produced in compliance to typically a DIN standard.
1. Ductile cast iron
2. Black steel pipes
3. Galvanized steel pipe
4. Pressure pipes made of polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride
5. Stainless steel pipe
Pipes must be installed for easy repairs and not to be embedded in ceilings or
concrete floors. They must be protected against mechanical damage and non-
galvanized steel pipes must be painted – normally in a red color.

3.12.1 Mechanical Pipes Joint

A pipe joint is a key component to any successful plumbing system, and it can
be used nearly anywhere to help withstand the pressure of each pipe. Mechanical
joints are metal rings that are bolted into place and fitted rubber sealing. When
galvanized pipe comes into play, the male and female ends of pipe are threaded
together to form a bond.
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Figure 3.22. Mechanical Pipe Joint

Source: [22]

Mechanical pipe joints must typically be approved by a 3rd party approval

body. Flexible joints also called compensators/expansion joints are used to absorb
pressure shocks or minor relative movements between two pipes – but shall not be
used in case of misalignment between pipes.

3.12.2 Pipe Support

Pipe supports have to be fixed direct to building and may not be used to
support any other installation.

Figure 3.23. Pipe Support

Source: [23]