CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction

Fire sprinklers utilize water by direct application onto flames and heat. This
action cools the combustion process and prevents ignition of adjacent combustibles.
Fire sprinklers are extensively used worldwide, with over 40 million sprinkler heads
fitted each year. In buildings protected by properly designed and maintained fire
sprinklers, over 99% of fires were controlled by fire sprinklers alone.
Sprinkler systems are essentially a series of water pipes which are supplied by
a reliable water supply. At selected intervals along these pipes are independent, heat
activated valves known as sprinkler heads. It is the sprinkler which is responsible for
water distribution onto the fire. Most sprinkler systems also include an alarm to alert
occupants and emergency forces when sprinkler activation (fire) occurs.
During the incipient fire stage, heat output is relatively low and unable to
cause sprinkler operation. As the fire intensity increases, however, the sprinkler's
sensing elements become exposed to elevated temperatures (typically in excess of
135-225°F/57-107°C) and they begin to deform. Assuming temperatures remain high,
as they would during an increasing fire, the element will fatigue after an approximate
30 second to 4 minute period. This will release the sprinkler's seals allowing water to
discharge onto the fire. In most situations less than 2 sprinklers are needed to suppress
the fire. In fast growing fire scenarios such as a flammable liquid spill, up to 12
sprinklers may be required for control. Additional actions may occur when sprinkler
activation happens. These include initiation of building and/or fire department alarms,
operation of supplemental water supply systems, shutdown of selected electrical and
mechanical equipment closing of fire doors and dampers, and suspension of
processes.
When fire fighters arrive they will verify that the system has contained the fire
and, when satisfied, shut off the water flow and restore services. It is at this point the
staff will normally be permitted to enter the damaged space and perform salvage
duties.
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1.2 System Block Diagram

Water sprinklers provide an automatic spray dedicated to the area of fire
outbreak. Sprinkler heads have temperature sensitive elements that respond
immediately to heat. When the fire sprinkler heads are ruptured, water will flow
through the pressure switch and flow switch within the pipe.
When the water flow through the pressure switch and flow switch, these
switches are sent the data to the control panel which is using the PLC (Programmable
Logic Controller). This control panel is controlled the fire pumps operation and
pressure pump operation.

Figure 1.1. Block Diagram of Automatic Fire Sprinkler System

The pressure pump function is to restore the water pressure in the pipe. Every
system has a normal leakage rate that will result in a pressure drop and jockey pump
will maintain the pressure in the system. This will prevent the main fire pump from
starting for minor leaks. The fire pump provides water flow at a higher pressure to the
sprinkler heads when the fire emergency case.

1.3 Aim and Objectives

The aim of the thesis is able the user to get the general concept of automatic
fire sprinkler system.
1. To limit and control the growth and expansion of fire in case of fire emergency
2. To install and analysis an automatic fire sprinkler system
3. To create design concepts behind automatic fire sprinkler systems
4. To integrate the fire-fighting system with PLC.
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1.4 Implementation Program

1. Study the basic concepts and overview theory of Automatic Fire Sprinkler
system
2. Study the PLC to control the fire pumps
3. Design implementation of Automatic Fire Sprinkler system
4. Learn sprinkler system components and how they are working in the case of
emergency fire.

1.5 Scope of Thesis

Using the PLC to control the fire pumps, this method reduces the human effort
and the system is more suitable for the automatic fire sprinkler system. Using the
pressure switch, we know the water pressure drop inside the riser pipe and branch
pipe and these switches are sent the data to the pump control panel using PLC. To
connect the flow switch and fire alarm panel, the flow switches are sent the data to the
fire alarm panel and the fire alarm panel to control the fire alarm system in the
building.
This thesis is organized by six chapters. Chapter one include introduction,
system block diagram, aims and objectives, scope of the thesis, implementation
program and outline of thesis. Chapter two contains a literature review on
fundamental of automatic fire sprinkler system. Chapter three describes detailed
operation of the system and analyze about the automatic fire sprinkler system
components used in this thesis. In Chapter four, hardware development including
design, test and results of the system is mentioned. In Chapter five, PLC program
simulation of the system using “WPL soft” software is expressed. The last chapter,
Chapter six, represents discussion and conclusion of the system and further extension
to modify this thesis is stated.