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General Design of Firefighting - Sprinkler System(Description, spacing, flow rate, Pressure Requirements,Applications and Related Standards)

Parts of a Sprinkler

The components of a sprinkler head are: . Frame or casting, . Deflector. Fusible element or frangible bulb, . Pip Cap, . Pintle Screw. . Belleville

SpringSome Sprinklers utilize low zinc content brass to provide a more resilient frameor casting. This low zinc content protects the sprinkler from de zincification.The Bellville Spring seals the water way of the sprinkler. This metal to metalsealing mechanism allows the waterway to clear even when no pressure is onthe inlet of the - Sprinkler head

Sprinkler Components

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Laboratory Approvals

UL & c-UL (ULC) : NFPA & UL RequirementsFM : FM Requirements(NFPA : NFPA minimum)LPC :P LPC StandardVDS : VDS StandardNYC & LA : Specific CityapprovalsTypes of Sprinkler HeadsControl Mode Standard Response and Quick Response

Standard CoverageUprightPendent

Sidewall

Extended CoverageUprightPendentSidewall

Control Mode Special ApplicationLarge Drop SprinklerSuppression

ESFR upright and Pendent

ResidentialControl Mode SprinklersControl Mode Sprinklers are separated in the followingCategories:Standard Coverage - Standard ResponseStandard Coverage - Quick ResponseExtended Coverage Standard ResponseExtended Coverage Quick ResponseDry Barrel Standard Response/Quick ResponseStorage Standard/Quick Response

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Sprinkler Head Identification

The Model or SIN (Sprinkler Identification) Number is a number assignedto a sprinkler head. The number is stamped on the sprinkler deflector asa means of identifying the sprinkler

Sprinkler identifying

SIN Number

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SIN Number

Thermal Response RequirementsTEMPERATURE RATINGS FOR GLASS BULB HEADS

A - Standard Response Elements mm bulb

F F or F F F F( C) ( C) ( or C) ( C) ( C) ( C)Ordinary Intermediate High Extra High Ultra High Red Yellow Green Blue Mauve Black

Max Ceil Max Ceiling Max Ceiing Max Ceiing MaxCeiingTemp Temp Temp Temp TempF F F F F

( C) ( C) ( C) ( C) ( C)

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B - Fast Response Elements mm bulb

F F or F F( C) ( C) ( or C) ( C)

Ordinary Intermediate HighMax Ceiling Temp Max Ceiling Temp Max Ceiling Temp

F F F( C) ( C) ( C)Red Yellow Green Blue

K FactorsK factors are known as the coefficient of discharge. the larger the K factor innumber, the more water it can discharge at a given pressure. There are ( )current thread sizes used for sprinkler heads, , , and threads.

Do not just match the thread size when replacing a sprinkler head. Identifywhat orientation, K factor, and temperature prior to replacing a sprinkler.

Orifice Sizes - Effect of Larger K Factors Develop larger water droplets that penetrate the fire plume

Discharges same water density at lower pressures Lower starting pressures may save the designer a pipe size in theircalculations, which will lower the cost of the system installation.

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Calculating (K)

NOMINAL K FACTORS- NFPA and Factory MutualSprinkler K Factors are as follows

K of% . Thread. % . . % . % . %

Baseline. % . % . %

. %

. %

. %

. %

. %

. %

Sprinkler Sensitivity-Thermal Response Requirements

SPRINKLER SENSITIVITY

STANDARD RESPONSE : Min. Sec. Room Fire Test- Sec. Plunge Test

QUICK RESPONSE : Sec. Room Fire Test Sec. Plunge Test

RESIDENTIAL : Special Fire Test Sec. Plunge Plunge Oven

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Response Time Index - RTI RTI - measures the speed of response of the heat sensitive element Traditionally Fast Response sprinklers have a thermal element with an RTI of

(m/s) or less. ESFRs must have a thermal element with an RTI of m/s)or less

Standard Response Sprinklers have a thermal element with an RTI of(m/s) or more.Components:Strut m/s, Glass Bulb ( mm) - m/s, Fusible Link m/s, GlassBulb ( mm) - m/s, Glass Bulb ( . mm) - m/sHeat Fin - m/s

MINIMUM SPRINKLER FLOW

Q = Area x DensityQ = K x PP = (Q/K)K = Q/ PWere:Q = Water FlowK = Coefficient of dischargeP = Pressure

Sprinkler Spacing

-Determining Area/SprinklerA. Along branch lines:

. Determine distance between sprinklers (or to wall/obstruction)

. Choose largest - twice distance to wall or distance to next sprinkler.This dimension will be defined as S.

B. Between branch lines:. Determine distance to adjacent branch line (or to wall//obstruction).. Choose largest - twice distance to wall or distance to adjacent line.

This dimension will be defined as L.

Area/Sprinkler = S L

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Extended Coverage or ResidentialMust use one of the listed coverage areasThe actual area protected per sprinkler must fit within the listed designcoverage area

Example:ft x ft ( . m X m) room

Use ft X ft ( . X . )m

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Determining design area

. Determining Size- standardUse NFPA Chart

. Determining Size - Extended CoverageMust use Greater of Coverage of five sprinklers or area required byoccupancy

Example :Light Hazard w/ x Sprinklers sf x sprinklers = sfLH = sfUse sf

Example :Light Hazard w/ x Sprinklers sf x sprinklers = sfLH = sfUse sf

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. Determining Size - Quick Response Sprinklers

When using Quick ResponseYou can reduce the design area based on ceiling height

(Remember: NFPA limits the minimum size to sf= m)

Design Calculations

Calculating Flow (Q) at sprinkler End HeadQ = Area x DensityExample: . density with sf coverage per sprinkler

. x = gpm minimum at sprinkler end head

Calculating Pressure (P) at the sprinkler End HeadP = (Q K)Q = Flow at sprinkler end headK = K Factor of Sprinkler

Example:Q = gpm

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K = .So ( . ) = . psi Minimum

Calculating (K) - Orifice SizesOrifice Sizes are Represented by a K FactorThe K Factor is derived by the following formula:

K = . CDBasically, the larger the K value the larger the orifice.

Starting Pressure Comparison for Different Orifice SprinklersK Factor Flow Rate Starting Pressur

. gpm . psi

. gpm . psi

. gpm . psi( . gpm) (min psi)

K Factor Flow Rate Starting Pressur. gpm . psi

( . gpm) (min psi)

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. gpm per sq. ft x sq. ft. = gpm

Standard Coverage Sprinklers Pendent or Upright

Minimum operating pressure is psi. Flow rate per sprinkler is determined by

area x density or minimum pressure multiplied by square root of minimumpressure (which ever is greater)

Pendent

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Upright

Standard Spray Sprinkler Spacing (Area of Coverage)Light Hazard (as defined by NFPA ) : sq. ft.max Ordinary Hazard (as defined by NFPA ) : sq. ft.Max Extra Hazard (as defined by NFPA ) : sq. ft. max(Note: areas given for hydraulically calculated systems)

Classification of OccupanciesUpright and pendent spray sprinklers shall be permitted in all occupancy

hazard classifications and building construction types.

. * Classification of Occupancies.. . Occupancy classifications for this standard shall relate to sprinkler

design, installation, and water supply requirements only.. . Occupancy classifications shall not be intended to be a general

classification of occupancy hazards.

. * Light Hazard Occupancies.Light hazard occupancies shall be defined as occupancies or portions of other

occupancies where the quantity and/or combustibility of contents is low andfires with relatively low rates of heat release are expected.EXAMPLES: Churches, Clubs, Hospitals, Museums, Offices,Restaurant Seating Areas

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NFPA limits maximum area of coverage for Light Hazard tosq. ft. per sprinkler

O O O

ft( . m)

O ft( . m) O O

Density prescribed for Light Hazard is . gpm per sq. ft.Minimum flow rate for sprinklers spaced sq. ft. isDetermined by area x densityQ = . gpm per sq. ft. x sq. ft. = . gpm

. . * Ordinary Hazard (Group ).Ordinary hazard (Group ) occupancies shall be defined as occupancies orportions of other occupancies where combustibility is low, quantity ofcombustibles is moderate,stockpiles of combustibles do not exceed - , and fires with moderate rates of

heat release are expected.Examples: Restaurant Service Areas, Bakeries, Automobile Parking andShowrooms, Laundries

. . * Ordinary Hazard (Group ). Ordinary hazard (Group )occupancies shall be defined as occupancies or portions of other occupancieswhere the quantity and combustibility of contents are moderate to high,stockpiles do not exceed , and fires with moderate to high rates of heatrelease are expected.Examples: Dry Cleaners, Horse Stables, Machine Shops, LibraryStack Rooms, Mercantile, Confectionary Products, Casino area.

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NFPA limits maximum area of coverage for Ordinary Hazardto sq. ft. per sprinkler

O O O

ft( . m)

O ft( . m) O O

Density prescribed for Ordinary Hazard is . gpmper sq. ft.

Minimum flow rate for sprinklers spaced sq. ft. isDetermined by area x densityQ = . gpm per sq. ft. x sq. ft. = . gpm

Density prescribed for Ordinary Hazard is . gpmper sq. ft.

Minimum flow rate for sprinklers spaced sq. ft. isDetermined by area x density = QQ = . gpm per sq. ft. x sq. ft. = gpm

. . * Extra Hazard (Group ).Extra hazard (Group ) occupancies shall be defined as:occupancies or portions of other occupancies where the quantity andcombustibility of contents are very high and dust, lint, or other materials arepresent, introducing the probability of rapidly developing fires with high rates of

heat release but with little or no combustible or flammable liquids.Examples: Combustible Hydraulic Fluid Use Areas, Metal Extruding, Saw Mills,Upholstering with Plastic Foams, Rubber Reclaiming

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. . * Extra Hazard (Group ).Extra hazard (Group ) occupancies shall be defined asoccupancies or portions of other occupancies with moderate to substantialamounts of flammable or combustible liquids or occupancies where shieldingof combustibles is extensive.Examples: Flammable Liquids Spraying, Open Oil Quenching,

Plastics Processing, Solvent Cleaning, Varnish and Paint Dipping

NFPA limits maximum area of coverage for ExtraHazard to sq. ft. per sprinkler

O O O

ft( . m)

O ft( . m) O O

Standard Coverage Sprinklers

Density prescribed for Extra Hazard is . gpm per sq. ft.Minimum flow rate for sprinklers spaced sq. ft. is Determined by area xdensity = QQ = . gpm per sq. ft. x sq. ft. = gpm

Density prescribed for Extra Hazard is . gpm per sq. ft.Minimum flow rate for sprinklers spaced sq. ft. is Determined by area xdensity = QQ = . gpm per sq. ft. x sq. ft. = gpm

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Standard Coverage Sprinklers Sidewall

Standard Spray Sprinkler Spacing (Area of Coverage) Light Hazard (asdefined by NFPA ) : sq. ft. max ( , sq. m)

Ordinary Hazard (as defined by NFPA ) : sq. ft. max(Note: Must be listed for Ordinary Hazard) ( , sq. m)

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SIDEWALL SPRINKLER DISTRIBUTION

Must meet Average Distribution Requirements over the ft( , m ) area between two sprinklers spaced ft. ( , m) apart for standard/ ( mm) orifice sprinklers: . gpm/ft ( . L/s/m ) or . gpm/ft

( . L/s/m ) for large orifice sprinklers / ( mm) : And still provide

. % against wall in which sprinklers are installed, for both / and L/O.

Density prescribed for Light Hazard is . gpm per sq. ft.

^ ^ ^SidewallSprinklers

ft( . m) Sp/Sp ft( . m) Sp/Sp

ft ( . m) Sp/WMaximum Distance

Minimum flow rate for sprinklers spaced sq. ft. isDetermined by area x density = QQ = . gpm per sq. ft. x sq. ft. = . gpm

Density prescribed for Ordinary Hazard Group is . gpmper sq. ft.

^ ^ ^SidewallSprinklers

ft( . m)Sp/Sp ft( . m)Sp/Sp

ft ( . m)Sp/W

Maximum Distance

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Minimum flow rate for sprinklers spaced sq. ft. isDetermined by area x density = QQ = . gpm per sq. ft. x sq. ft. = gpm

Density prescribed for Ordinary Hazard Group is . gpmper sq. ft.

Minimum flow rate for sprinklers spaced sq. ft. isDetermined by area x density = QQ = . gpm per sq. ft. x sq. ft. = gpm

Extended Coverage Sprinklers ECLH Sprinkler MinimumDesignHave maximum coverage areas of sq. ft. as mandated by NFPA .Spacing is in increments of - intervals, example: x , x , x ,

x , and x

ECLH Sprinkler Minimum Design

Model M ECLH-ELO Pendent VK type

Spacing Area of Light Hazard Minimum * % Fewer

Coverage Density water flow Sprinklers

x ft . gpm/sq ft. . gpm %

x ft . gpm/sq ft. . gpm %

x ft . gpm/sq ft. gpm %

*Based on a sq. ft. coverage area for standard coverage upright andpendent

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EC(extended coverage) Sidewall vs. Standard EC has larger protection areas EC has flatter distribution Require greater separation from obstructions Need to be designed and installed per listing

Extended Coverage Sidewall Spacing Per NFPA : Unobstructed, flat Max. area of coverage = ft (Lt. & Ord.) Light Hazard max. between sprinklers Ordinary Hazard max. between sprinklers