Essentials of Firefighting (4th Edition)
Chapter 15-Sprinkler Systems
FF1 Test Review

What does AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER PROTECTION consist of?

  • series of sprinklers (sprinkler heads) arranged so that the system will automatically
  • distribute sufficient quantities of water directly to a fire to extinguish it or hold it in check until fire crews arrive

What are the 2 general TYPES of sprinkler coverage?

  • Complete Sprinkler System – protects entire building
  • Partial Sprinkler System – protects only certain areas such as high-hazard areas, exits, or places designated by code

What are the STANDARDS covering sprinkler systems?

  • NFPA 13 – covers installation of sprinklers
  • NFPA 13D – covers installation in residential homes, such as 1 & 2 family dwellings and manufactured homes

What does the NFPA standards on sprinklers cover?

  • spacing, piping sizes, method of hanging pipe, and all other details of installation

What is the DESIGN of a sprinkler system based on?

  • the assumption that only a portion of the sprinklers will operated during a fire

Where should sprinklers and sprinkler parts be LISTED?

  • with a nationally recognized testing laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratory or Factory Mutual

What are some reasons a sprinkler system may FAIL?

  • partially or completely closed main water control valve
  • interruption of municipal water supply
  • damaged or painted over sprinklers
  • frozen or broken pipes
  • excess debris or sediment in pipes
  • failure of a secondary water supply
  • tampering or vandalism

Why is LIFE SAFETY enhanced by sprinkler systems?

  • they discharge water directly on a fire while it is relatively small
  • because fire is extinguished or controlled during early growth stage, combustion products are limited

In what situations can sprinklers be EFFECTIVE?

  • preventing fire spread upwards in multi-story buildings
  • protecting lives of occupants in other parts of building

When are sprinklers alone NOT as EFFECTIVE?

  • When fires too small to activate sprinklers
  • When smoke generation reaches occupants before activating sprinklers
  • When sleeping, intoxicated, or handicapped persons occupy the fire building

What COMPONENTS are attached to the RISER (vertical piping)?

  • sprinkler valve, one-way check valve, fire department connection (FDC), alarm valve, and main drain

What is a FEED MAIN?

  • pipe connecting the riser to the cross mains

What does a CROSS MAIN do?

  • directly service a number of branch lines on which the sprinklers are installed
  • extend past the last branch and are capped to facilitate flushing

What happens to PIPING SIZE throughout the system?

  • pipe size decreases from the riser outward

How do sprinklers operate?

  • they discharge water after a release of a plug or cap that is activated by a heat-sensitive element
  • can be thought of as a fixed-spray nozzle operated by a thermal detector

How are sprinklers identified?

  • by the temperature at which they are designed to operate
  • either by color coding the sprinkler frame arm, by using different colored liquid in bulb sprinklers, or by stamping temperature into sprinkler

What are the 3 most common RELEASE MECHANISMS?

  • Fusible Link – frame screwed into sprinkler piping with 2 levers pressing against frame and a cap over orifice to hold back water.
  • Frangible Bulb – small bulb filled with liquid and an air bubble hold orifice shut, heat expands liquid until bulb shatters.
  • Chemical Pellet – a pellet of solder under compression within a small cylinder melts at a predetermined temperature allowing plunger to move down and release water

What is a QUICK-RESPONSE MECHANISM?

  • a specially designed fusible link sprinkler with a low tolerance to heat generated by a fire
  • a quick opening sprinkler was developed for life safety

How is the BREAKING TEMPERATURE regulated in frangible bulb sprinklers?

  • by the amount of liquid and the size of the bubble in the bulb
  • liquid is color coded to designate breaking temperature

What are the 3 basic POSITIONS for sprinklers?

  • Pendant – (MOST COMMON) extends down from underside of piping, sprays water downward into a deflector that breaks the stream into a hemispherical pattern
  • Upright – sits on top of piping, sprays water into a solid deflector that redirects water in a hemispherical pattern toward the floor
  • Sidewall – extends from the side of a pipe, used in small rooms where branch lines run along wall. Deflector creates a fan shape pattern of water

What are SPECIAL-PURPOSE sprinklers?

  • those used in specific applications because of unique characteristics (recessed, corrosive resistant, etc)

What items should be found in a STORAGE CABINET?

  • a MINIMUM of 6 (six) sprinklers and a sprinkler wrench
  • sprinklers should be changed by qualified representatives

What are CONTROL VALVES used for?

  • to turn OFF the water supply so that sprinklers may be replaced, maintenance can be performed, or operations can be interrupted
  • located between the water source and the sprinklers
  • usually located immediately under the sprinkler alarm valve, the dry-pipe or deluge valve, or outside the building near the sprinkler system it controls
  • ALWAYS return to the open position after maintenance is complete

What must be done to insure valves do not INADVERTENTLY close?

  • valves should be supervised or secured in the open position

What is an INDICATING CONTROL VALVE?

  • one that shows at a glance whether it is open or closed

What types of valves are found on the MAIN WATER CONTROL?

  • indicating and manually operated

What are the four common types of VALVES used in sprinkler systems?

  • OS&Y (Outside Screw and Yoke) – has a yoke on the outside with a threaded stem
  • Post Indicator Valve (PIV) – hollow metal post attached to the valve housing, the words OPEN and SHUT are printed at the opening
  • Wall Post Indicator Valve (WPIV) – PIV that extends through the wall with a target and valve operating nut on the outside of the building
  • Post Indicator Valve Assembly (PIVA) – does not use the words OPEN and SHUT, but has a sight area that is open when valve is open and closed when valve is closed

What are the OPERATING VALVES used in sprinkler systems?

  • alarm test valve, inspector’s test valve, and a main drain valve

What is the RETARD CHAMBER?

  • place that catches excess water from momentary water pressure surges

Where is the ALARM TEST VALVE located?

  • on a pipe that connects the supply side of the alarm check valve to the retard chamber
  • provided to stimulate the actuation of the system by allowing water to flow into the retard chamber and operate the water flow alarm devices

Where is the INSPECTOR’S VALVE located?

  • in a remote part of the sprinkler system
  • equipped with same size orifice as one sprinkler and is used to stimulate the activation of one sprinkler
  • should drain to the outside of the building

What is the PRIMARY PURPOSE of the MAIN DRAIN VALVE?

  • to simply drain water from the system for maintenance purposes
  • can also be used to check the system water supply

How are WATER FLOW ALARMS operated?

  • hydraulically or electrically by flowing water
  • alerts personnel of flowing water in the system
  • water from a branch of the system is fed into a water motor that drives a local alarm gong
  • can also be arranged to notify fire department as well as occupants

What must a MINIMUM WATER SUPPLY deliver?

  • to deliver the required volume of water to the highest sprinkler in the system at a residual pressure of 15 psi
  • minimum flow depends on hazard to be protected, its occupancy, and building contents

What is the water supply DESIGNED TO SUPPLY?

  • only a fraction of the sprinklers in the system

What happens if a LARGE FIRE or PIPE BREAK occurs?

  • system will need an outside source of water and pressure to effectively do its job

How is ADDITIONAL PRESSURE provided to a system?

  • a pumper connected to the Fire Department Connection (FDC) to boost flow

What do FIRE DEPARTMENT CONNECTIONS (FDC) consist of?

  • usually a siamese with at least two 2 1/2-inch female connections with a clapper valve or one large diameter connection that is connected to a clappered inlet
  • pumpers supplying FDC’s should have a capacity of AT LEAST 1,000 gpm
  • a minimum of two 2 1/2-inch or larger hoses should be attached to the FDC

What hydrants should pumpers use to BOOST FD CONNECTIONS?

  • Hydrants connected to a main other than the one supplying the sprinkler system

What does a CHECK VALVE do?

  • prevents water from system from entering FDC
  • prevent water coming into the FDC from entering sprinkler system directly

What is a BALL DRIP VALVE?

  • keeps the check valve dry and from freezing

What should FD SOP’s include for sprinklered buildings?

  • identify operating pressures for systems
  • types of occupancies
  • types of systems
  • extent of the systems

What are important factors when fighting fire in a sprinklered building?

  • early arriving pumper should attach to FDC
  • sprinkler pressure should be first priority
  • limit hoselines from same water supply as sprinkler system
  • system control valves must be open
  • sprinklers should not be closed until fire officer deems water is being wasted, producing heavy water damage, or hamper final extinguishment by FF’s
  • premature closure of control valve could result in increased intensity of the fire
  • a FF should be stationed at a closed control valve in case reopening because of a rekindle is necessary
  • pumpers should not disconnect from FDC until extinguishment and overhaul is complete
  • sprinklers systems should be restored to service before leaving premises
  • system maintenance should be performed by a representative of the occupant
  • for liability purposes, FF personnel should not service sprinklers

Why would it be necessary to STOP THE FLOW of a sprinkler?

  • residual water after the main valve is closed will continue to drain through an open sprinkler

How should the flow of water be STOPPED in a sprinkler?

  • by using wooden wedges or commercially made stoppers in between the orifice and deflector