Fire Sprinkler System Types

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Questions and Answers

What type of fire is a wet chemical extinguisher designed for?

Class A fires

Class F fires (correct)

Ordinary combustible fires

Electrical fires

What is the operating principle of a wet chemical extinguisher?

Cooling the fuel

Dampening the flames and creating a film on the fuel (correct)

Smothering the fire

Starving the fire of oxygen

What is the primary advantage of a fire sprinkler system?

They are inexpensive

They are easy to install

They are aesthetically pleasing

They provide 24/7 protection (correct)

What type of sprinkler system is recommended for protection of unheated spaces and areas that are subject to freezing temperatures?

Dry pipe system Signup and view all the answers

At what temperature do fire sprinkler heads activate?

165 degrees Fahrenheit Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary advantage of a preaction system?

Fast detection and controlled protection Signup and view all the answers

What is the advantage of a fire sprinkler system in terms of water damage?

They minimize water damage by using less water than the fire department Signup and view all the answers

How many sprinkler heads typically activate in a fire?

One at a time Signup and view all the answers

What type of system is designed to provide automatic and simultaneous activation of all sprinkler heads?

Deluge system Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of home fires were controlled by fire sprinkler systems between 2015-2019?

97% Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a standpipe system?

To provide water for hose lines strategically placed in a building Signup and view all the answers

What is the frequency of inspection required for valves in a standpipe system?

Weekly Signup and view all the answers

What triggers the activation of a fire sprinkler head?

High heat Signup and view all the answers

What is the most frequently installed fire protection system?

Wet pipe system Signup and view all the answers

What is required for standpipe systems according to the NFPA?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

In which type of buildings are standpipe systems commonly found?

Large floor area buildings Signup and view all the answers

What type of standpipe system has pressurized water in its pipes at all times?

Automatic Wet Standpipe System Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of weekly inspections on preaction, dry, and deluge valves?

To test for sufficient air and water pressure levels Signup and view all the answers

Which type of standpipe system requires firefighters to supply water and pressure to the system to make it work?

Manual Wet Standpipe System Signup and view all the answers

What is unique about automatic dry standpipe systems?

They are filled with pressurized air Signup and view all the answers

Which type of standpipe system has mildly pressurized air in most of the piping?

Semiautomatic Dry Standpipe System Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a deluge valve in a standpipe system?

To supply water to the hose outlets Signup and view all the answers

What type of standpipe system is essentially a system composed of empty pipe?

Manual Dry Standpipe System Signup and view all the answers

Which type of standpipe system does not require firefighters to connect hoses to activate the system?

Automatic Wet Standpipe System Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Fire Sprinkler System Types

The most frequently installed fire protection system is the wet pipe sprinkler system.
Dry pipe systems are recommended for unheated spaces and areas subject to freezing temperatures.
Deluge systems are recommended when the nature of the risk requires automatic and simultaneous activation of all sprinkler heads.
Preaction systems are designed to provide controlled protection and allow fast detection, protecting against accidental discharge.

Standpipe Systems

A standpipe is a rigid, pre-piped water system built into multistory buildings, allowing firefighters to use water to extinguish a fire.
Standpipes provide water for hose lines strategically placed in a building.
Some older buildings solely have standpipe systems, while newer buildings have systems that supply the fire sprinkler and standpipe system.
Standpipe systems are commonly found in large floor area buildings, where a facility might be far away from an outside entrance or in a multistory building.

Standpipe System Maintenance

The NFPA requires regular inspections and maintenance to ensure the system doesn't have damages or leaks, control handles are secure, and the equipment is easily accessible and labeled properly.
All valves need weekly inspections, besides supervised or valves secured with locks.
Automatic standpipes require a monthly evaluation.
Gauges on preaction, dry, and deluge valves need weekly inspections to test for sufficient air and water pressure levels.

Standpipe System Types

Automatic wet standpipe systems have pressurized water in their pipes at all times, and water immediately flows from them when a hose outlet is opened.
Automatic dry standpipe systems supply water on demand when a valve is opened, but are filled with pressurized air instead of water.
Semiautomatic dry standpipe systems have mildly pressurized air in most of the piping, but have water in the lesser piping between the water supply and the deluge valve.
Manual wet standpipe systems are similar to automatic wet systems, but the water is not pressurized to fight fires by simply opening a valve.
Manual dry standpipe systems are essentially a system composed of empty pipe, requiring the fire department to arrive and supply both water and pressure.

Wet Chemical Fire Extinguisher

Wet chemical extinguishers are specifically designed for fires involving cooking oils and fats (Class F fires).
They are ideal for commercial and residential kitchens.
They are not suitable for other types of fires.
They work by releasing a fine spray that dampens the flames and creates a film that seals the surface and completely extinguishes the fire.

Fire Sprinkler Systems

Fire sprinkler systems are effective at controlling fires in 97% of home fires between 2015-2019.
They are a type of automatic extinguishing system (AES) that prevents fire growth and spread by releasing water through a series of sprinkler heads.
Water is released through the sprinkler heads once the surrounding air reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Sprinkler heads activate when exposed to high heat, not smoke, minimizing accidental discharge when there isn't a fire.
Individual sprinkler heads open one at a time, reducing water damage when extinguishing a fire.
Having a sprinkler system means your home or business is guarded 24/7, and they put out fires using far less water than the fire department would, minimizing water damage.

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Description

Learn about the different types of fire sprinkler systems, including wet pipe, dry pipe, and deluge systems, and their applications in fire protection.