MECH3430

Fire Protection
in Buildings
Dr. Benjamin P.L. Ho
Department of Mechanical Engineering
(contact: benjamin.ho@hku.hk)
Automatic Sprinkler System

2
 Contents
Automatic Sprinkler System
• General Overview
• The Sprinkler Head
• System Arrangement
• System Design using Pre-calculated Method
• Water supply and tank sizing
• Location and spacing of sprinklers
• Pipe sizing (for OH)
• Pump pressure and flow requirement
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General Overview

4
 What is a Sprinkler System
• An automatic sprinkler system is designed to
detect a fire and extinguish it with water in its
early stages or hold the fire in check so that
extinguishment can be completed by other means
(extracted from BS EN12845:2003)
• Sprinklers thus carry TWO functions
• DETECT the presence of a fire (acting like a heat detector)
• FIGHT / CONTROL the fire (by the use of water spray)

DETECT CONTROL
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Brief History of Sprinkler System Standards
and Implementation in HK
• First developed in US in 19th Century textile mills (open
sprinklers and manual operated)
• Fusible link – automatically operated
• Introduced to Hong Kong in 1973 in the Code of Practice
• Enforced the use of FOC Rules 1968 (rev. 1973) and the
supplementary high rise draft rules (1978)
[FOC – Fire Offices’ Committee]
• LPC took over the technical function of FOC for sprinkler
system
[LPC – Loss Prevention Council]
• The LPC Rules for Automatic Sprinkler Installations had first
been adopted locally with modifications via. FSD Circular
Letter No. 2/94 in August 2003.
The Rules include ‘BS5306:Part 2:1990’ and a set of
‘Technical Bulletins’.
6
Brief History of Sprinkler System Standards
and Implementation in HK
• Working Group of FSI announces adoption with local
modifications of LPC Rules for Automatic Sprinkler
Installations incorporating BS EN12845:2003 via. FSD Circular
Letter No. 3/06 and will be effective from 1 January 2007 (the
current one). The amendment to LPC Rules with Three Lists
namely:-
• Clauses not to be applied.
• Clauses to be replaced by modifications.
• Clauses to be taken as reference only.
• Further clarifications of the LPC Rules (for local Hong Kong
situation) were given in Circular Letter No. 3/2012 that include:
• Hazard group classification for High rise sprinkler systems
• Addition of Intermediate Booster Pump (a local practice)
• Further elaboration of sprinkler pump requirements
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What is in the Code?
• HKFSD CoP FSI: The required premises requiring
the installation of sprinkler systems shall include
nearly all buildings EXCEPT residential premises
and certain mechanical plant rooms where use of
water is inappropriate

• HKFSD CoP FSI: Section 5.24 Specification : such

systems shall be designed and installed in accordance with
the Loss Prevention Council Rules for Automatic Sprinkler
Installations incorporating BS EN12845 (with suitable
modification pertinent to Hong Kong); or other standards
acceptable to the Director of Fire Services.
• Use of US Standard NFPA 13 is allowed, e.g. Bank of China
Building was designed using NFPA 13.
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 Main Components of a Sprinkler System
and Sprinkler Installations
• A sprinkler system consists of a water supply (or
supplies) and one or more sprinkler installations
• one sprinkler system 
• ONE water supply / water source serving
• MULTIPLE pump sets for delivery of water to
• MULTIPLE number of sprinkler installations
• EACH installation consists of a set of installation
main control valves and a pipe array fitted with
sprinkler heads
• The sprinkler heads are fitted at specified locations at
the roof or ceiling, and where necessary between racks,
below shelves, and in ovens or stoves
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 Main Elements of a Sprinkler Installation
This diagram shows a partial piping 
arrangement for ONE sprinkler installation
(not one system).
ONE “Sprinkler Installation” begins with 
Range Pipe AN INSTALLATION ALARM VALVE

Sprinkler
Head
Distribution Pipe

Riser
serving Tee-off
multiple at each
floors Installation floor
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Alarm Valve
 Types of Sprinkler System
There are different variations to a sprinkler system to suit the
various needs of different types or different functions of
building constructions (Section 11, BS EN 12845:2003)
• Wet System
• Water inside pipeline and under pressure at all times
• Most widely installed type in non-frozen normal conditions.
• Dry System
• Alternative Wet and Dry pipe System
• Pre-action System
• Type A
• Type B
• Re-cycling
• Deluge System
• Drencher System 11
 Dry System
• Pipeline contains compressed air or inert gas under
pressure (instead of water) and actuation of a sprinkler will
release the air pressure
• The drop in pressure releases a dry alarm valve, and allows
water to enter the pipework
• Use in places where the system pipework may be subjected
to freezing temperatures at any time of the year, or where
the temperature conditions are artificially maintained close
to or below freezing point such as cold stores, fur store etc.

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 Alternative Wet and Dry System

• During the “Winter” period, the system pipework is

normally charged with compressed air, and the system at
the upstream side of the valve with water under
pressure.

• During the “Summer” period the dry pipe valve is de-

commissioned and the whole system pipework is charged
with water under pressure, operating as a standard wet pipe
system.

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 Pre-action Installation – Type A
• Originally a DRY system
• Activation of the release system (use of detectors or
pilot sprinklers) will cause the Deluge valve to trip
open
• Water will enter the closed sprinkler piping (becoming a
WET system BEFORE sprinkler actuation)
• When (if) a sprinkler operates, water will discharge from the
actuated sprinkler immediately similar to a WET system.
• The system will NOT be activated by the operation of
the sprinklers (to prevent accidental damage of the
sprinklers and release water)
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 Pre-action Installation – Type B
• Originally a DRY system
• Activation either by
• the automatic fire detection system; OR
• the operation of the sprinklers
• Independently of the response of the detectors a
pressure drop in the pipework causes the opening
of the alarm valve

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 Pre-action Installation – Re-cycling
• The only sprinkler system that can turn off automatically
• Ideal for cases when additional water flow after a fire
incident will cause water damage to the properties
• Mechanism of system is like single interlock but
incorporate with a special design heat detector.
• The detection system is linked to the sprinkler system Pre-
Action valve, causing it to ‘trip’ and flood the sprinkler
system pipework with water before a sprinkler head has
opened. Discharge of water can only occur, however, when
the sprinkler head operates
• If the fire scene is cooled down the heat detector will
trip the control system and close the deluge valve (Re-
cycling).
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17
• Recycling type heat 
detector

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 Deluge System
• This system uses ‘OPEN type sprinklers’ (i.e.
sprinkler heads with open nozzles).
• When heat from a fire activates the fire detecting
device (e.g. pilot sprinkler), the deluge valve
opens and water flows to and is discharged from
ALL open sprinklers on the piping system, thus
deluging the protected area.
• This is common for sub-stations where the oil-
filled transformers are surrounded by open
sprinklers. Once a fire is detected, ALL sprinklers
will discharge water in all 3 dimensions of the
transformer.
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20
 Drencher System
• A system of open sprayers or nozzles, controlled by a
quick opening Deluge Valve which is activated by a
system of heat or smoke detectors.
• The major difference between water spray of a deluge
system and a drencher system is the spray pattern. Water
spray is in conical shape but the drencher nozzle provide
a flat curtain water pattern.
• It is used for separating compartments and also for cooling
of window curb.
• Drencher systems are required in refuges floors to
prevent smoke and heat from entering the floor
from the outside during fire.
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Drencher
Nozzle
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The Sprinkler Head

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 Sprinkler Head
• The sprinkler head is the most important
component of a sprinkler system, it is a sensing
element and at the same time an extinguishing
element
• It is composed of a thermal sensing element and a
water deflection plate
• The sensing element is designed to be actuated at
a predetermined temperature
• The pre-determined temperature is governed by the
environmental conditions
• Water will discharge from the orifice to strike the
deflection plate with high velocity
• The water jet will be scattered into a spray of droplets
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 Sprinkler Head
• When water hits on the deflector plate, it will
break into droplets to form a water spray
• All these depends on the water pressure and the
flow rate
• Sprinklers can be classified according to the
following criteria:-
1. Releasing mechanism
2. Discharge pattern
3. Mounting Method
4. Nominal Temperature
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 Sprinkler Type (1) –
Release Mechanism
• Fusible element sprinklers : A
fusible element sprinkler is opened
under the influence of heat by the
melting of a metal alloy.
• Various combinations of levers,
struts, and links or other soldered
members are used to reduce the
force acting upon the solder.
• This permits the sprinkler to be held
closed with the smallest practical
amount of metal and solder,
minimize the time of operation by
reducing the mass of fusible metal
to be heated.
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• Glass bulb sprinklers : A
glass bulb sprinkler is
opened under the influence
of heat by the destruction
of the glass bulb through
pressure resulting from the
expansion of the fluid
enclosed therein.
• An air bubble is included in
the bulb for controlling the
operating temperature of
the sprinkler.
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 Sprinkler Type (2) –
Water Discharge Pattern
• Conventional sprinklers :
• The conventional sprinkler has a spherical water distribution directed
towards the ground and the ceiling over a definite protection area.
• It is designed to be installed with the deflector either upright or pendent. A
conventional sprinkler shall discharge from 40-60% of the total water
flow initially in a downward direction.
• The water droplets possessing more downward penetration power against
rising gas and provide more cooling effect on surface of fuel.
• Spray sprinklers :
• The spray sprinkler has a parabolic water distribution directed towards
the ground over a definite protection area.
• A spray sprinkler shall discharge from 80-100% of the total water flow
downward direction.
• The water droplets possessing less downward penetration power against
rising gas and provide more cooling effect on hot smoke/gases at ceiling.28
 Sprinkler Type (2) –
Water Discharge Pattern
• Sidewall sprinklers :
• The sidewall sprinkler has one-side (half-parabolic) water
distribution directed towards the adjacent wall and the ground
over a definite protection.
• According to LPC Rules, for ordinary hazard, standard sidewall
sprinkler may cover a room up to 3.7m wide and up to 3.7m
long subject to the coverage area not more than 9m2.
• Extended coverage sidewall sprinklers :
• A type of sidewall sprinkler which has an extended coverage
area larger than a “standard” sidewall.
• A single extended coverage sidewall sprinkler may be capable
to cover area up to 37m2, and with a spacing up to 8.5m 29

between sprinkler along wall.

 Spray Pattern

• Watch a video to see the actual spray patterns using

spray and conventional type sprinklers 30
Sidewall Pattern

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 Sprinkler Type (3) –
Mounting Position
• Upright sprinklers : installed with the deflector plate above
the sprinkler nozzle. They are designed to give the
specified distribution when the jet of water is directed
upwards against the deflector.
• Pendent sprinklers : are designed to give the specified
distribution when the jet of water is directed downwards
against deflector.
• Horizontal sprinklers (sidewall only) : are designed to give
the specified distribution when a jet of water is directed
horizontally against the deflector.
• Dry upright sprinklers : are installed in upright position on
special rise pipes and kept free from water.

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 Sprinkler Type (3) –
Mounting Position
• Dry pendent sprinklers : are installed in pendent position on
special rise pipes and kept free from water.
• Ceiling or flush pattern sprinklers : part of which of sprinkler
may be mounted above the lower plane of the ceiling : the
heating element being completely below the lower ceiling
surface.
• Recessed sprinklers : a sprinkler in which all or part of the body
is mounted within a recessed housing, with the heat sensitive
element above the plane of sprinkler.
• Concealed sprinklers: a sprinkler fully recessed into the ceiling
with an additional cover plate attached to the sprinkler body
with fusible elements so that the cover plate reacts to the fire
first and drop away to allow the sprinkler itself to react to the
thermal condition.
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Spray Pendent

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Spray Upright

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Conventional Universal (Upright /
Pendent)

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Spray Concealed

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Concealed
Sprinkler

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Spray Sidewall

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 Special Sprinkler Type
• Early Suppression Fast Response (ESFR)
These sprinklers are used in storage
applications. It is a suppression mode
sprinkler, meaning that the sprinkler is
designed to extinguish the fire by its
water spray. (All other sprinklers used in
storage are control mode sprinklers).
ESFR sprinklers have special design
parameters put forth by FM and NFPA.

• Dry sprinkler : A sprinkler secured in an

extension nipple that has a seal at the inlet
end to prevent water from entering the Dry pipe
nipple until the sprinkler operates. extension

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Special Sprinkler Type
• Institutional Sprinkler : Sprinkler design for
use in correctional, detention and metal
health care facilities. They incorporates a
lock ring to prevent removal of sprinkler.
• Corrosion-Resistant sprinkler : A sprinkler
fabricated with corrosion-resistant material,
or with special coating or plating, to be
used in an atmosphere that would normally
corrode sprinklers.
• Extended coverage sidewall sprinklers : A
type of sidewall sprinkler which has an
extended coverage area larger than a
“standard” sidewall. A single extended
coverage sidewall sprinkler may be capable
to cover area up to 37m2, and with a
spacing up to 8.5m between sprinkler along
wall.
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 Performance of Sprinkler System
during a Fire
• Most sprinkler systems were designed for fire control (for
the purpose of controlling the fire size but may NOT
extinguish the fire), except a few recently developed
systems, such as ESFR and residential sprinkler systems
are designed for fire suppression.
• Regardless the fire control or fire suppression mode,
performance of sprinkler system can be explained in the
following criteria. However, they are more in research
based studies instead of applying them during the design of
sprinkler systems.
• Time for sprinkler activation (Thermal response)
• Interaction of sprinkler water spray with the fire. This is about the
Required Discharge Density (RDD) and the Actual Discharge
Density (ADD) of sprinkler water spray to control / suppress a fire.
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Sprinkler Nominal Temperature
Nominal Temperature oC Colour

57 orange
68 red
79 yellow
93 green
141 blue
182 mauve
227 black
260 black
343 black

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 Sprinkler head

Kitchen use Normal use

• Glass bulb (common in HK) or fusible link

• Actuates at different temperature
(68oC – red glass bulbs commonly used)

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System Arrangements

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 Basic Design Information
• From HKFSD (government) : the current policy for
enforcing sprinklers rules (circular letters) and LPC
updated amendments
• From the Client : Insurance policy, attitude of expense,
allowance for future building modification, management matter.
• From the Architect : preferential location of tank and pumps,
installation alarm valve, fire control panel, headroom clearances
and the aesthetic requirement
• From the structural engineer : the structural system (waffle, flat
slabs, ribbed beams) and the structural opening size allowance
• From the Water Authority : the pressure and the connection pipe
size of the incoming city mains, the feeding arrangement (single
or double end feed) for the reliability of water supply.
46
Schematic for Low Rise Building
(highest and lowest sprinkler < 45m)

Installation Valve

Installation Valves

Water supply
47
• Schematic for High Rise
Sprinkler System
Definition for High Rise System :
Sprinkler system in which the
highest sprinkler is more than 45m
above the lowest sprinkler or
above the sprinkler pumps,
whichever is the lower.

For every installation, the

height difference between
the highest and lowest
sprinkler on an installation
(connected to a single
installation valve set) shall
not exceed 45m)

48
• Other System
Arrangements
• Gravity System
(with tank at
high level) +
Booster pumps
(high
installation)
• Gravity System
ONLY
(low installation)

49
 Installation Control Valve Set
• Each installation shall have a control valve set
• Alarm valve is a non-return valve
• Water alarm gong - water flow will activate the water alarm gong
• Pressure gauges – ‘C’ gauge indicates the pressure on the downstream side of the
valve and ‘B’ gauge indicates the upstream pressure of the control valve set.
• A by-pass arrangement is proposed for zoned installations
• Connection to Proofing Pipe for testing purpose.
• All the valves open/close statuses are monitored.

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51
52
Proofing Pipe For
Testing Purpose

53
Water Alarm Gong

54
Pumping Arrangement: Single/Multistage Pump
• The sprinkler system is mostly a wet system, and water is pressurized in
the pipes.
• There are three pumps in a set for a sprinkler installation:
• Duty Pump (to run during system activation)
• Standby Pump (= 100% duty pump rating)
• Jockey Pump (to maintain the water pressure when system is not running)
• Jockey pump is used to replenish minor water loss, to avoid starting the
duty or standby pump unnecessarily (it is used to compensate the pressure
reduction due to water leakage in pipe work and to maintain the pressure
in the pipework accordingly)
• The pumps are operated automatically by the pressure switch assembly.
• Pressure rating to start the pump:-
• 0.95P to start jockey pump and P to stop jockey pump.
• Not less than 0.8P (usually set at 0.85P) to start duty pump.
• Not less than 0.6P to start standby pump.
(P is the pressure at the closed valve location.) (Clause 10.7.5.2)
• For duty and standby pumps, once it has started, it shall continue to run
until stopped manually.
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Sprinkler Pump Set (Duty / Standby)

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57
 Pressure Switch Assembly
BSEN 10.7.5.1:
Two pressure switches
shall be provided to Duty Stand-by
start each pump set.
They shall be
connected in series
such that operating the
contacts of either
switch will start with
normally closed
contacts.
BSEN Annex D.3.7:
Audible devices and
amber visual indicate
that the static pressure Duty
in any truck main
supplying the system Stand-by Jockey
has fallen 0.5 bar or
more below the 0.5bar alarm**
normal static pressure.
58
 Zone Subsidiary Stop Valves
(for zoned installations)
Each zone shall be independently
controlled by a single zone
subsidiary stop valve, installed in a
readily accessible position at the
floor level of the zone it controls.

59
 System Zoning

60
LPC Annex F FSD C.L. 3/06
Zoning for Life Safety Installation

LPC Annex F FSD C.L. 3/06

Per Zone
(Subsidiary
valve)

61
Water Flow Alarm Switch (Flow Switch)
• Installed to detect water flow into
each zone immediately downstream
of each zone subsidiary stop valve
• Indicate the operation of each zone
by means of a water flow alarm
switch capable of detecting a flow
equal to or greater than that from
any single sprinkler.
• Once the duty pump is activated,
flow alarm switch will be actuated
by the flow across it.
• Signal will be sent to the FS control
panel and building alarm in the
building will be sounded.
• If the system is connected to FSD
communication center by (direct
link telephone line), the fire signal
will be transferred to FSD 62
automatically
 System Design using
Pre-calculated Method

63
 Design Hazard
• Sprinkler system design starts
off with the choice of premise
according to Annex A of LPC
rules
(Page 132-134)
• This will define what HAZARD
it is for a particular premise
• For example
• Schools / Office
(Light to Ordinary Hazard)
• Restaurants (OH1)
• Car Parks (OH2)
• Department Store (OH3)
• Cinema (OH4)

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 Design Hazard
The design hazard can be classified as :
• Light hazard - LH
• Ordinary Hazard – OH
subdivided into Group 1, 2, 3 and 4
• High Hazard
subdivided into
High Hazard Process – HHP Group 1,2,3,4
High Hazard Storage – HHS Category I, II, III, IV
• (refer to Clause 6)

65
 Light Hazard

Can only be applied to occupancies with low fire loads

and with no compartment greater than 126m2 with a fire
resistance of at least 30 minutes.
* Since the compartment is seldom less than 126m2, LH
is very seldom in use.

66
67
Note:
Annex E:
High rise sprinkler systems
shall comply with the
requirements of OH3
protection.
What is the meaning of a
highrise system?
Height difference between
the highest and lowest
sprinkler exceeding 45m.
(this is not the same as 60m
as stated in FH/HR system)

68
69
 Design Criteria

Area of Operation : The maximum area, over which it is assumed, for design
purposes, that sprinklers will operate in a fire.
Design Density : The minimum density of discharge, in mm/min of water, for
which a sprinkler installation is designed, determined from the discharge of a70
specified group of sprinklers, in L/min, divided by the area covered, in m2.
Summary of Sprinkler System Design
Parameters
LH OH1 OH2 OH3 OH4 HHP
Assumed Nos. of sprinklers in 4 6 12 18 30 48
operation
Maximum coverage per 21 12 12 12 12 6-9
sprinklers (m2)
Area of operation (m2) 84 72 144 216 360 260-
375
Required minimum density of 2.25 5 5 5 5 7.5-30
discharge (mm/min)
Required period of operation 30 60 60 60 60 90
(min)
Design flow (low) through 375 725 1100 1800
installation test valve (L/min)
Design flow (high) through 225 540 1000 1350 2100
installation test valve (L/min)
71
Main Elements and Terms of
Sprinkler System

72
 Sprinkler System Design Method
• Two Approaches
• Pre-calculated Method
• Full Hydraulic Calculation
• More of the designs adopt the Pre-Calculated Method
as most of the tedious pump and pipe sizing work are
already prepared in the LPC Rules
• A Pre-calculated Method has to do some hydraulic
calculations anyway
• Some hazards and pipework arrangements require a
Full Hydraulic Calculation to be done
• High hazard
• Use of extended sidewall sprinklers
73
 Pre-calculated –
Water Supply and Tank Sizing

74
Water supply and Storage – Pre-calculated
• BSEN12845, Clause 9
• Water storage of sufficient capacity to feed the system
• The arrangement of booster pump drawing water from a town main (direct town
main connection) is not permitted by Water Authority in Hong Kong although
this is allowed in BSEN12845.
• Sprinkler tank is not permitted to be used for other system in Hong Kong
although combined water supply is allowed in BSEN12845.
• For improvised sprinkler installation for old buildings, water supply may be
allowed to drawn from the existing fire services tank in some special cases.
• The tank size for pre-calculated method will be determined by:-
• Hazard Class of the premises; and,
• The height difference between the highest sprinkler to the lowest sprinkler for
an installation; and,
• Water connection method by WSD (single end feed or double end feed) for
suction tank directly supplied by town main; and,
• The incorporation of a Direct Link to Chubb Communication Centre.
• Time of operation : 30 mins for LH, 60 mins for OH and 90 mins for HHP. 75
Acceptable superior water supply
in Hong Kong :

(1) Single ended feed suction

tank Full tank capacity

(2) Both end supplies suction

tank Reduced tank capacity

(3) Gravity tank/Storage tank 

Full tank capacity

76
Full Tank Capacity for LH and OH

(Full Tank Size)

77
Typical Water Supply Arrangement in HK
• Both/Double End Feed – subject to reduce tank capacity.
• Single End Feed – subject to full tank capacity. (connect to Chubb Alarm
Fire Transmission System (Direct Link) reduced size to 2/3 according to
HK requirement)

Feed from one end Feed from one end

78
Further Required Condition
for Reduced Capacity Tank

79
Reduced Capacity Tank –
Pre-calculated system

80

LPC FSD Circular Letter 3/2006

 Example : OH3, 45m highest to lowest sprinkler
Water Supply Tank **Min. infill/ refill rate
(m3) (L/min)
(i) Single end feed 185 185,000L / 24hr
supply to suction tank = 128 L/min
(ii) (i) + direct link (reduced to 2/3) 124 124,000L / 24hr = 86 L/min
(iii) Gravity/storage tank 185 185,000L / 6hr* = 514 L/min
refilled by transfer pump**
(iv) (iii) + direct link (reduced to 2/3) 124 124,000L / 6hr* = 343 L/min

(v) Double end feed 75 (185,000 – 75,000)L / 60min

supply to suction tank (FSD CL) = 1833L/min (infill during fire)

(vi) (v) + direct link (reduced to 2/3) 75 (185,000 – 75,000)L / 60min

(no advantage in this case) (FSD CL) = 1833L/min (infill during fire)
* The water source shall be capable of refilling the tank in no more
than 24 hour or 75 L/min whichever is larger. However, the tank shall
be refilled in six hours if transfer pump is required for refilling (refer
to CoP FSI). 81
Sprinkler Extent in Concealed Space

Enhancement of
Sprinkler
Protection in
Concealed Space

LPC FSD C.L. 3/06

87
• Take OH3 as example
• From Table 3 (see slide #70), design flow :
• 5mm/min x 216m2= 1080L/min
• The storage tank :
• 1080L/min x 60min (for OH) = 65m3
• But, the full holding capacity requirement is 135 to 185m3
• Table 9 (see slide#77)

WHY???

• The design flow is only based on the worst case with the minimum
discharge density. In other parts of the system, the flow rate will be
much higher.
• The nominal flow appears at the most favorable location at the
lowest sprinkler level.
• In pre-calculated method, this has been taking into account. 82
Location and Spacing of
Sprinkler (OH)

83
Location and Spacing of Sprinkler

84
85
 Minimum Distance
• Sprinkler shall not be installed at intervals of less
than 2m except for :-
• Using baffles
• Intermediate sprinkler

• Sprinkler shall be installed NOT LOWER than

0.3m below the underside of combustible ceilings
or 0.45m below non-combustible ceilings.

86
 Pipe Sizing for
Pre-Calculated Method
(Ordinary Hazard)

88
Main Elements and Terms of Sprinkler
System

89
 Pre-calculated Method
• The Range Pipe and minor Distribution Pipe sizes are
determined in accordance with a schedule of sizes related to the
number of sprinklers and their feed method.
• The sizes of the Distribution and Main Distribution Pipes are
determined by simple hydraulic calculation to either keep with
a predetermined maximum hydraulic loss, or determine the
minimum operating pressure capability of the water supply.
• Systems for most hazards may be sized using this method
except for deluge and intermediate rack systems. Each hazard
has associated with a set of pipe sizing tables for range and
distribution pipe sizes, back as far as the “design” point beyond
which the sizes are determined hydraulically.
• The number of sprinklers which can be fed from the range pipes
will vary according to the style of the range pipes.

90
Determination of
Design Point Two end-side

???

91
All Other Ranges
Last Range
Range Pipe :
Pipe feeding sprinklers
either directly or via.
arm pipes (pipe less
than 0.3m long, other
than the last section of a
range pipe, feeding a
single sprinkler).

Distribution Pipe :
Pipe feeding either a
range pipe directly or a
single sprinkler on a
non-terminal range pipe
more than 300mm long.

92
Ordinary Hazard – Pre-calculated
Range Pipe

93
 Pre-calculated
Distribution Pipe Sizing

94
PRE-CALCULATED
DISTRIBUTION PIPE SIZING
Clause 13.3.4.2
Low rise system:
The maximum friction loss
between the highest design
point and the main control
valve set shall not exceed 0.5
bar at a flow rate of
1000L/min.
High rise system:
The maximum friction
loss between the highest
design point in an
installation and the zone
subsidiary stop valve at
the same floor level shall
not exceed 0.5 bar at
flow rate of 1000L/min. 95
Pump – Pressure and Flow
Requirement

96
 Sprinkler Pump
• BSEN 12845, Clause 10
• The pump should preferable be of the “back pull out” type.
• Pumps should be housed in a compartment having fire resistance
according to CoP and used for no other purpose other than fire
protection.
• Table 16 laid out the characteristic of pump requirement for pre-
calculated system.
• Jockey pump is used to replenish for minor losses
• Multi-stage multi-outlet pumps will be commonly applied for
sprinkler system for multi-zone installation, advantage of using
multi-outlet pump:
• Utilization of less space, as floor space in high rise buildings is very
expensive.
• One of the big advantages is that as the fire in a building is not likely to
originate in all three zones, simultaneously, water under pressure at full
flow is automatically diverted into the zone where the fire has occurred
97
Pressure and Flow Requirement

The pressure loss due to friction and static head between the water
supply and each control valve set shall be calculated separately. 98
Pump Performance Characteristic
This is the old Table 16 that has become obsolete after FSD CL 3/2012

99
 Pump Performance Characteristic
(with Highrise Sprinkler Design)
• FSD Circular Letter 3/2012 amended Table
TB210.T5 to suit local practice

100
101
Addition of Intermediate Booster Pump
• FSD Circular Letter 3/2012 amended Table
TB210.T5 to suit local practice

102