Frequently Asked Questions
How do sprinklers operate?
Fire Sprinklers are invidually heat-activated and connected to a network of water pipes. When the heat from a fire raises the sprinkler to its operating temperature (usually 68oC or 155 deg F), only that sprinkler activates delivering water directly to the source of the heat.
Why are sprinklers so effective?
All fires start samll and, if detected and tackled early enough, can be controlled with very little water. The latest sprinkler systems use a special type of fast response fire sprinkler, which responds very quickly to a fire and is completely automatic in operation. The system can therefore tackle a fire at a very early stage, even if no one is around, releasing water directly over the source of the fire and sounding an alarm.
How reliable are sprinklers?
Records from Australia and New Zealand (where all fire must be reported) between 1886 and 1986 show that sprinklers controlled 99.7% of all fires where they were fitted.
Do Sprinklers go off accidently?
No! Records in service show that sprinklers are very dependable. The chance of a defective head is less than 1:16,000,000 - less than your chance of winning the Lottery! The chance of an accidental discharge is considerably less.
Won't they all go off together?
No! Each sprinkler reacts individually to a fire so only the sprinkler nearest the fire will open. If that is not sufficent to control the fire then the next neaest will open, and so on. In over 95% of cases one sprinkler operates and this is enough to control or extinguish the fire.
What about water damage?
Typically a sprinkler discharges 60L/min. A fireman's hose on the other hand discharges 1000+L/min. In general a sprinkler system will use between 1/100th and 1/1000th of the water used by the Fire Brigade. Even then, most things that get wet can be retored - but a pile of ashes is beyond hope.
ARC Fire Sprinklers Ltd
Domestic and Residential Fire Sprinkler Specialists.
