Residential Fire Sprinklers Information Pack -H2O Fire Sprinklers Ltd

7/28/2019 Residential Fire Sprinklers Information Pack -H2O Fire Sprinklers Ltd

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mailto:[email protected]://www.h2ofiresprinklers.co.uk/


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CONTENTS

1. Introduction

2. The benefits of fire sprinklers3. 5 Things that make up a residential fire sprinkler system

4. Sprinkler installations and their water supply needs

5. Design Standards and Codes

6. Sprinkler Heads

7. Scottish Determination on Concealed Heads8. Typical Domestic System Layout


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1. Introduction

This information pack is being distributed by H2O Fire Sprinklers Ltd in the hope that arch

property agents, home owners and anyone else that might require a brief overview of a D

Residential Fire Sprinkler System will find it informative and helpful in understanding what

system is, how they work and what is involved.

Some facts about sprinklers :

Fire sprinklers are used more than any other fixed fire protection system and there are ov

sprinklers fitted around the world each year.

Losses from fires in property adequately protected with fire sprinkler systems are estimate

those in unprotected buildings.

In property fully protected by a fire sprinkler system:

* 99% of fires were controlled by fire sprinklers alone

* 60% of fires were controlled by the spray from no more than four fire sprinkler heads

Source: European statistics over 10 year period


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1. Introduction (continued)

H2O Fire Sprinklers Ltd are fully qualified and trained to install and maintain Residential an

sprinkler systems to the current British Standard BS9251:2005.

We are active members of The Fire Protection Association (FPA) and The National Fire Prot

Association (NFPA) and The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

Unlike many other sprinkler companies H2O can provide not only the fire sprinkler system

service to customers including structural engineering reports, compliance and warrant su

building work required.

We supply all trades required at very competitive rates meaning far less complication, time

clients.

We offer free advice, inspection or any other fire sprinkler related information to anyone wregarding sprinklers. We can also offer a completely free no obligation quotation for any R

Domestic Fire Sprinkler System.

If you require any assistance please contact us on 0800 002 9803 or 07429 348 153, altern

[email protected]
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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2. Benefits of Fire Sprinklers

Automatic fire sprinkler systems have been in use for over 130 years. Sprinklers have, sinc

the publication of BS 5306 Pt. 2 in 1990, been recognised as providing a vital life safety

function in controlling the size of a fire to allow more time for escape of occupants. In the

the majority of existing sprinkler systems have been designed and installed to the

requirements of British Standard BS 5306 Part 2 and the LPC Rules for Automatic SprinklerInstallations. More recently systems have been introduced that are intended for the prote

of life in domestic and residential property, and which are designed to BS 9251. 2005.

An automatic fire sprinkler system is designed to:

Detect a fire within a protected building

Release water in the fire-affected area via the sprinkler heads, which contain heat sensit

elements designed to operate automatically at a pre-determined temperature [NB. Onlythose sprinklers in the vicinity of the fire operate]

Initiate a water flow-activated, audible, local alarm when a sprinkler head operates

Transmit a signal to an approved alarm-receiving centre when required.


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2. Benefits of Fire Sprinklers (continued)

Records show that by this means of providing detection, alarm and localised water

application, automatic fire sprinkler systems are very effective in preventing the developm

of major fires. In the UK no lives have been lost in fires in fully fire sprinkler protected bui

since the end of the Second World War.

In industrial and commercial automatic fire sprinkler systems about 60% of fires are contro

by four sprinkler heads or fewer. In domestic and residential sprinkler systems over 90% o

fires are controlled by the activation of just one sprinkler head.

The volume of water used by a properly designed, installed and maintained automatic fire

sprinkler system to control a fire will be significantly less than that used by the fire service

control and extinguish the same fire. In many cases this will be less than one tenth that whwould have been used by the fire service.

In environmental terms automatic fire sprinkler systems make a valuable contribution by:

Reducing the size and severity of fires

Using water in the most effective and economical way to control fire

Minimising the problems of contaminated firefighting water run-off.


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3. 5 Things that make up a residential fire sprinkler system.

Domestic and residential fire sprinkler systems generally consist of 5 things, these are

A) The design and hydraulic calculations (see typical domestic system layout)Our designers have 20+ years experience in the fire sprinkler industry and can work alo

and engineers to produce the required design.

B) Water Supply (see sprinkler installations and there water supply needs)

C) PipeA network of pipes is used to connect the water supply to the many sprinkler heads in

CPVC pipe in all of our residential and domestic systems.CPVC is an engineered thermoplastic piping material that has been used successfully for m

wide range of applications, including fire sprinkler systems.

It does not support fire, and will only char when subjected to flame. In fire conditions, it p

and it has a twenty year proven track record for this application. As may be expected, the

tested and approved by UL, FM and LPCB, as well as being accepted by all leading insurers

product has also been tested and is listed by WRAS for use with fire sprinkler systems onl


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3. 5 Things that make up a fire sprinkler system.(continued)

D) Sprinkler Heads (see sprinkler heads)

E) AlarmsBS 9251:2005 states that an audible alarm that can be heard clearly from any locatio

should be connected to the system. It also states and audible and visual alarm should b

outside the property.

We supply and fit a fire zone panel in each of our systems, the panel has 2 zones. Zone 1 i

switch on the pipe at the start of the system and also to the internal and external sounde

is activated when water starts flowing through the pipe indicating that a head has opene

to the pump set and the fire panels internal sounder, the panels internal built in sounder a

pump control board senses a fault. The fault can be a power failure or a pressure loss in

of which should be investigated immediately.


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4. Sprinkler installations and their water supply needs

Automatic fire sprinkler systems are designed to apply water at various rates depending o

the risk being protected. To obtain the design flow of water from the sprinkler heads, wate

supply requirements are calculated for the pressure and flow to the system in accordance

with the relevant standards or guidelines being employed.

Reliable water supplies are essential, the most common forms being:

Direct connection to a water suppliers main

A stored and pumped water supply

Large storage cisterns, with sufficient capacity to supply design flow for the specified tim

Small cisterns, with reduced capacity and dependent on the inflow from a water service

pipe to make up the design capacity

A gravity supply from a storage cistern A pressurised vessel

Acceptable recycled water, e.g. rainwater recovery systems.

The water supply capacities, pressures and flow requirements vary, according to the

classification of the fire hazard.


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4. Sprinkler installations and their water supply needs (continued)

Domestic and residential occupancies include dwellings, residential care facilities, houses

multiple occupancy (HMOs), hostels and the like, and may be protected by automatic fire

sprinkler systems directly supplied with mains water and designed in accordance with the

relevant standards and guidelines.

To determine whether the required water pressure and the flow continue to be available,

regular maintenance is needed to ensure that performance tests are carried out in

accordance with the appropriate standard.

It should be noted that mains water supplies may be interrupted or modified for

maintenance work, because of a failure in the supply system or other events beyond the

water supplier's control. Designers should bear such possibilities in mind when specifyingautomatic fire sprinkler systems.

It is essential that automatic fire sprinkler systems are properly maintained to ensure corr

operation when required. If this necessitates shutting off the system for any length of time

alternative precautions need to be instituted as required by the relevant standards or

guidelines.


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Typical flow rates for different types of sprinkler systems

Type of property/

Hazard

Min operating pressure

at head

bar

Typical design flow

L/min

Design max no. of heads

operating

Domestic dwelling 0.5 60 2

Residential 0.5 60 4

Light Hazard 0.7 94 4

Ordinary Hazard 1.0 375 6

Ordinary Hazard II 1.4 725 12

Ordinary Hazard III 1.7 1100 18

Ordinary Hazard IIIS 2.0 1800 30

Domestic and Residential installations are defined in BS 9251:2005.

Ordinary Hazard I etc is defined by BS 5306 Part 2 and LPC Rules for Automatic

Sprinkler Installations.


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Sprinkler water supply options Notes

1

Mains supply

2 Mains supply with a priority

demand valve

3 Mains supply with a booster

pump

4 Tank and pump supply

Flow MWS x 85% > DR + 25/50 lpm

Pressure MWS x 85% > DR

Flow MWS x 85% > DR

Pressure MWS x 85% > DR

Flow MWS x 85% > DR

Pressure Less than MWS x 85% > DR

The minimum rate

(residential) will ha

peak domestic dem

above 25 or 50 lpm

The priority deman

requirements on o

A booster pump ca

circumstances to b

plenty of flow but i

Can be used in all situations

MWS Measured water supply the measured flow and pressure of the water supplying the premises

DR Design requirements: The pressure and flow requirements of the sprinkler system from the designers hydraulic calculations

> Is greater than

Note 1 A booster pump may be suitable where a large diameter water main has sufficient flow but

insufficient pressure. It must be remembered that you will be unable to ascertain whether the booster pump

has increased pressure to: MWS x 85% > DR until the supply is measured with booster pump in situ


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5. Design Standards and Codes

Standards and codes of practice from the UK, Europe and the USA

BS 9251:2005 - Sprinkler systems for residential and domestic occupancies - Code of prac

DD 251:2000 - Draft standard for residential and domestic sprinklers. Superseded by BS 9

DD 252:2001 - Draft standard for components for residential sprinkler systems - Specifica

methods for residential sprinklers

BS EN 12259-1:1999 - Fixed firefighting systems. Components for sprinkler and water spr

BS EN 12845:2004 - Fixed firefighting systems. Automatic sprinkler systems.

Design, installation and maintenance - buildings and industrial plant


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5. Design Standards and Codes (continued)

Standards and codes of practice from the UK, Europe and the USA

BS 5306-2:1990 - Fire extinguishing installations and equipment on premises. Specificatio

systems in buildings and industrial plant. This has now been withdrawn and is superseded

Approved Document B - ADB - Guidance on Fire Safety associated with Building Regulatio

NFPA 13 - American standard for the installation of sprinkler systems

NFPA 13D - American standard for the installation of sprinkler systems in one and two fam

and manufactured homes

NFPA 13R - American standard for the installation of sprinkler systems in residential occu

and including 4 stories in height

BS 1710:1984 - Specification for identification of pipelines and services


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6. Sprinkler Heads

Type of Operation -

Fusible Link Glass Bulb Glass Bulb

Quick response


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6. Sprinkler Heads (continued)

Type of Head -

UPRIGHT PENDANT RECESSED CONCEALED CONC

SIDEWALL SIDEWALL


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7. Scottish determination on Concealed heads

The following is a summary of a Ministerial view which has been issued under Section 12 o

(Scotland) Act 2003. The intention is to promote consistency of compliance with the build

Scotland. It should be recognised that the following view is project specific and has been a

view is not legally binding and ultimately if a warrant is refused by a verifier, the right of ap

Sheriff Court.

Functional Standard(s)

Standard 2.15 Automatic life safety fire suppression systems

Every building must be designedand constructedin such a way that in the event of an out

within the building, fire and smoke will be inhibited from spreading through the building b

an automatic life safety fire suppression system

Technical ContextIn this case, the applicant and verifier cited the guidance issued by Scottish Ministers cont

Domestic Technical Handbook [Clause 2.15.2]. The relevant guidance given in this clause s

Components of the system should be as specified and tested in accordance with DD 252: 2

heads should be quick response type with a response time index (RTI) of 50 (m.s)1/2 and a

factor (c) of not more than 1 (m/s)2. Concealed or recessed pattern sprinkler heads should

the approval of the verifier.


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7. Scottish determination on Concealed heads (continued)

View of Scottish Ministers

The intention of this part of clause 2.15.2 is that the thermal sensitivities of the sprinklers

detect the fire and operate at an early stage. Standard 2.15 of the Technical Handbooks ai

and smoke will be inhibited from spreading through the building by the operation of an au

fire suppression system. There is no doubt that the effective use of concealed sprinkler hethe spread of fire and smoke through the building.

Having carefully considered all the information submitted in this case, it is the view of Sc

that the proposals do meet the requirements of Standard 2.15 subject to the following:

The temperature rating of the sprinkler head should be 68 0C in accordance with clause

9251: 2005;

The drawings show the use of concealed sprinkler heads. There is a risk that these couldsome future time by redecoration. Therefore it would be prudent for the verifier to consid

continuing requirement to ensure that they retain the capacity to operate effectively throu

the building.


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8. Typical Domestic Layout


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8. Typical Domestic Layout (continued)


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8. Typical Domestic Layout (continued)

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Residential Fire Sprinklers Information Pack -H2O Fire Sprinklers Ltd