The Automatic Sprinkler Systems within a building is a key mechanical component of the site's Life Safety Equipment.
The sprinkler systems are intended to actively provide a means to suppress or extinguish a fire in an emergency situation, or at the very least inhibit the spread of fire from one area to another while the Fire Department is on its way to the site.
There are four types of sprinkler systems to suit differing protection requirements:
In general terms, Sprinkler Systems consist of Heads (which open to allow the water to reach the fire), a piping delivery network to carry the water to the Sprinkler Heads and an Alarm Check Valve intended to separate municipal water supply from the piping delivery network. In most buildings, the Sprinkler Systems are integrated with the building fire alarm system such that activation of a switch connected to the Sprinkler System (Flow Switch, Low Pressure Switch, and Tamper Switch) will also initiate the alarm, alert and notification aspects of the fire alarm system in the emergency situation.