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Fire sprinkler
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Contents This article is about the device discharging the water. For the complete system, see fire
Featured content sprinkler system.
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A fire sprinkler or sprinkler head is the
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component of a fire sprinkler system that
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Wikipedia store discharges water when the effects of a fire
have been detected, such as when a

Interaction predetermined temperature has been
Help exceeded. Fire sprinklers are extensively
About Wikipedia used worldwide, with over 40 million
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sprinkler heads fitted each year. In
Recent changes
buildings protected by properly designed
Contact page
and maintained fire sprinklers, over 99%
A fire sprinkler mounted on a ceiling

Tools of fires were controlled by fire sprinklers
What links here alone.[1][2][3]
Related changes
Upload file Contents [hide]
Special pages 1 History
Permanent link 2 US regulations
Page information 2.1 Quick Response Sprinklers
Wikidata item
3 Operation
Cite this page
4 Types

In other projects
4.1 ESFR
5 See also
Wikimedia Commons
6 References

Print/export 7 External links

Download as PDF
Printable version
History [edit]

Languages
In 1812, British inventor Sir William Congreve patented a manual sprinkler system using
‫فارسی‬ perforated pipes along the ceiling.[4][5] When someone noticed a fire, a valve outside the
한국어
building could be opened to send water through the pipes.[6] It was not until a short time later
‫עברית‬
Magyar
that, as a result of a large furniture factory that repeatedly burned down, Hiram Stevens Maxim
Bahasa Melayu was consulted on how to prevent a recurrence and invented the first automatic fire sprinkler. It
Simple English would douse the areas that were on fire and report the fire to the fire station. Maxim was unable
ไทย to sell the idea elsewhere, though when the patent expired, the idea was
粵語 [7][8][clarification needed]

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used.
Edit links
Henry S. Parmalee of New Haven, Connecticut created and installed the first automatic fire
sprinkler system in 1874, using solder that melted in a fire to unplug holes in the otherwise
sealed water pipes.[9] He was the president of Mathusek Piano Works, and invented his
sprinkler system in response to exorbitantly high insurance rates. Parmalee patented his idea
and had great success with it in the U.S., calling his invention the "automatic fire
extinguisher".[10] He then traveled to Europe to demonstrate his method to stop a building fire
before total destruction.

Parmalee's invention did not get as much attention as he had planned, as most people could not
afford to install a sprinkler system. Once he realized this, he turned his efforts to educating
insurance companies about his system. He explained that the sprinkler system would reduce
the loss ratio, and thus save money for the insurance companies. He knew that he could never
succeed in obtaining contracts from the business owners to install his system unless he could
ensure for them a reasonable return in the form of reduced premiums.

In this connection, he was able to enlist the interest of two men, who both had connections in
the insurance industry. The first of was Major Hesketh, a cotton spinner in a large business in
Bolton who was also Chairman of the Bolton Cotton Trades Mutual Insurance Company. The
Directors of this Company and its Secretary, Peter Kevan, took an interest in Parmalee’s early
experiments. Hesketh got Parmalee his first order for sprinkler installations in the cotton
spinning mills of John Stones & Company, at Astley Bridge, Bolton. This was followed soon
afterwards by an order from the Alexandra Mills, owned by John Butler of the same town.

Although Parmalee got two sales through its efforts, the Bolton
Cotton Trades Mutual Insurance Company was not a very big
company outside of its local area. Parmalee needed a wider
influence. He found this influence in James North Lane, the
Manager of the Mutual Fire Insurance Corporation of
Manchester. This company was founded in 1870 by the Textile
Manufacturers' Associations of Lancashire and Yorkshire as a
protest against high insurance rates. They had a policy of
encouraging risk management and more particularly the use of
the most up-to-date and scientific apparatus for extinguishing
fires. Even though he put tremendous effort and time into
educating the masses on his sprinkler system, by 1883 only
about 10 factories were protected by the Parmalee sprinkler.

Back in the U.S., Frederick Grinnell, who was manufacturing the

Parmalee sprinkler, designed the more effective Grinnell An 1897 Grinnell automatic
sprinkler. He increased sensitivity by removing the fusible joint sprinkler advertisement
from all contact with the water, and, by seating a valve in the
center of a flexible diaphragm, he relieved the low-fusing soldered joint of the strain of water
pressure. By this means, the valve seat was forced against the valve by the water pressure,
producing a self-closing action. The greater the water pressure, the tighter the valve. The
flexible diaphragm had a further and more important function. It caused the valve and its seat to

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move outwards simultaneously until the solder joint was completely severed. Grinnell got a
patent for his version of the sprinkler system.[11] He also took his invention to Europe, where it
was a much bigger success than the Parmalee version. Eventually, the Parmalee system was
withdrawn, opening the path for Grinnell and his invention.[12]

US regulations [edit]

Fire sprinkler application and installation guidelines, and overall fire sprinkler system design
guidelines are provided by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 13, (NFPA) 13D,
and (NFPA) 13R.

Certain states, including California, Pennsylvania and Illinois require sprinklers in at least some
new residential construction.[13]

Fire sprinklers can be automatic or open orifice. Automatic fire sprinklers use a fusible element
that activates at a predetermined temperature. The fusible element either melts or has a
frangible liquid-containing glass bulb that breaks, causing the water pressure in the fire
sprinkler piping to push a plug out of the sprinkler orifice, resulting in water spraying from the
orifice. The water stream strikes a deflector that forms the water into a spray pattern designed
in support of the goals of the sprinkler type (i.e., control or suppression). Modern sprinkler
heads are designed to direct spray downwards. Spray nozzles are available to provide spray in
various directions and patterns. The majority of automatic fire sprinklers operate individually in
a fire. Contrary to motion picture representation, the entire sprinkler system does not activate at
the same time, unless the system is a special deluge type.[14][15]

Open orifice sprinklers are only used in water spray systems or deluge sprinklers systems. They
are identical to the automatic sprinkler on which they are based, with the heat-sensitive
operating element removed.

Automatic fire sprinklers utilizing frangible bulbs follow a standardized color-coding convention
indicating their operating temperature. Activation temperatures correspond to the type of
hazard against which the sprinkler system protects. Residential occupancies are provided with
a special type of fast response sprinkler with the unique goal of life safety (a residential
sprinkler has a higher discharge pattern than that of a standard spray sprinkler and they also
have been specifically developed for discharging water higher on the walls in order to keep
ceiling gas temperatures lower).[16][17]

Quick Response Sprinklers [edit]

The NFPA #13 standard was revised in 1996 to require Quick Response Sprinklers in all
buildings with light hazard occupancy classification.

The 2002 edition of the NFPA #13 standard, section 3.6.1 defines quick response sprinklers as
having a response time index (RTI) of 50 (meter-seconds)1/2 or less. RTI is a measure of how
thermally responsive the heat-responsive element of the sprinkler is, measured as the time
needed to raise the temperature of the sprinkler bulb to 63% of the temperature of the hot air
stream times the square root of the velocity of the air stream.[18]

The term quick response refers to the listing of the entire sprinkler (including spacing, density

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and location) not just the fast responding releasing element. Many standard response
sprinklers, such as extended coverage ordinary hazard (ECOH) sprinklers, have fast
responding (low thermal mass elements) in order to pass their fire tests. Quick response
sprinklers are available with standard spray deflectors, but they are also available with
extended coverage deflectors.[19]

QUICK RESPONSE FIRE SPRINKLERS

Quick Response per Nominal Operating
Norbulb Response Time
NFPA 13 RTI < 50 Diameter in Time in
Model[20] Index (RTI) (ms)1/2
(ms)1/2 mm Seconds
Yes 2.5 N2.5 9 25
Yes 3 N3 11.5 33
Yes 3.3 N3.3 13.5 38
No 5 NF5 23 65
No 5 N5 32 90

Operation [edit]

Each closed-head sprinkler is held closed by either a

heat-sensitive glass bulb (see below) or a two-part
metal link held together with a fusible alloy such as
Wood's metal[21] and other alloys with similar
compositions.[22] The glass bulb or link applies
pressure to a pipe cap which acts as a plug which
prevents water from flowing until the ambient
temperature around the sprinkler reaches the design
activation temperature of the individual sprinkler.
Because each sprinkler activates independently when
the predetermined heat level is reached, the number of
sprinklers that operate is limited to only those near the
fire, thereby maximizing the available water pressure
over the point of fire origin.

The bulb breaks as a result of the thermal expansion of

the liquid inside the bulb.[23] The time it takes before a Standard spray sprinkler head with a
bulb breaks is dependent on the temperature. Below blue bulb indicating a high release
the design temperature, it does not break, and above temperature

the design temperature, it breaks, taking less time to

break as temperature increases above the design
threshold. The response time is expressed as a
response time index (RTI), which typically has values
between 35 and 250 m½s½, where a low value
indicates a fast response.[24] Under standard testing
procedures (135 °C air at a velocity of 2.5 m/s), a

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68 °C sprinkler bulb will break within 7 to 33 seconds,

depending on the RTI.[25] The RTI can also be
specified in imperial units, where 1 ft½s½ is equivalent The liquid in the glass bulb is color
to 0.55
m½s½. The sensitivity of a sprinkler can be coded to its show temperature rating.
negatively affected if the thermal element has been
painted.

Maximum Color Code

Temperature Temperature Liquid Alcohol in Glass
Ceiling (with Fusible
Rating Classification Bulb Color
Temperature Link)
135-170 °F / Uncolored or Orange (135 °F / 57 °C)
100 °F / 38 °C Ordinary
57-77 °C Black or Red (155 °F / 68 °C)
Yellow (175 °F / 79 °C)
175-225 °F /
150 °F / 66 °C Intermediate White or Green (200 °F /
79-107 °C
93 °C)
250-300 °F /
225 °F / 107 °C High Blue Blue
121-149 °C
325-375 °F /
300 °F / 149 °C Extra High Red Purple
163-191 °C
400-475 °F / Very Extra
375 °F / 191 °C Green Black
204-246 °C High
500-575 °F /
475 °F / 246 °C Ultra High Orange Black
260-302 °C
650 °F /
625 °F / 329 °C Ultra High Orange Black
343 °C

From Table 6.2.5.1 NFPA13 2007 Edition indicates the maximum ceiling temperature, nominal
operating temperature of the sprinkler, color of the bulb or link and the temperature
classification.

Types [edit]

There are several types of sprinklers:[26]

Quick response
Standard response
CMSA (control mode specific application)
Residential

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ESFR (early suppression fast response)

ESFR [edit]

ESFR (early suppression fast response) refers to both a concept and a type of sprinkler. "The
concept is that fast response of sprinklers can produce an advantage in a fire if the response is
accompanied by an effective discharge density — that is, a sprinkler spray capable of fighting
its way down through the fire plume in sufficient quantities to suppress the burning fuel
package."[27] The sprinkler that was developed for this concept was created for use in high rack
storage.

ESFR sprinkler heads were developed in the 1980s to take advantage of the latest fast-
response fire sprinkler technology to provide fire suppression of specific high-challenge fire
hazards. Prior to the introduction of these sprinklers, protection systems were designed to
control fires until the arrival of the fire department.

See also [edit]

Active fire protection

Technology portal
Automatic fire suppression
Building code
Fire Safety Evaluation System
Hydraulic calculation
K-factor (fire protection)
Piping
Tyco International
Victaulic

References [edit]

1. ^ "Domestic and Residential Fire Sprinkler Information" . Archived from the original on 25
March 2014. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
2. ^ "Fire Sprinklers" . Fire Sprinklers Scotland. Archived from the original on 15 July 2018.
Retrieved 6 February 2013.
3. ^ "Industrial Fire sprinklers" . Fire Safety Advice Centre. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
4. ^ "Sprinklers" (PDF). Greater Manchester Fire Service Museum. Retrieved December 21,
2019.
5. ^ Wonning, Paul R. (2019). Short History of Fire Fighting: The Story of the Fire Fighter and Fire
House . Mossy Feet Books. p. 64.
6. ^ Dana 1919, p. 12
7. ^ Chinn, George M. (1951), The Machine Gun, I, Bureau of Ordinance, page 127.
8. ^ US 141-72 , Maxim, Hiram S., "Improvement in Fire Extinguishers", issued July 22,
1873[dead link]
9. ^ U.S. Patent 154,076
10. ^ Dana 1919, pp. 16–21
11. ^ U.S. Patent 248,828
12. ^ Dana, Gorham (1919), Automatic Sprinkler Protection (second ed.), John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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Fire sprinkler - Wikipedia

13. ^ Wotapka, Dawn (December 22, 2010). "Builders Smokin' Mad Over New Sprinkler Rules" .
The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
14. ^ Norman, John (2005). Fire Officer's Handbook of Tactics (3d ed.). PennWell Books. p. 111.
ISBN 1-59370-061-X.
15. ^ Smith, Michael (March 20, 2019). "History of modern fire sprinkler systems, and how they
prevent fire?" . GPFSupply.com. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
16. ^ "Quick response" (PDF). Minnesota Department of Public Safety. June 2006. Retrieved
December 21, 2019.
17. ^ Yao, Cheng (1997). "Overview of Sprinkler Technology Research" (PDF). Proceedings of
the Fifth International Symposium. International Association for Fire Safety Science: 107.
Retrieved December 21, 2019.
18. ^ Martorano, Scott. "Automatic Sprinkler Thermal Sensitivity: Clarifying the Terms Fast
Response and Quick Response" (PDF). Viking Group. Archived from the original (PDF) on
July 10, 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
19. ^ Asplund, David L. (July 9, 2007). "The Evolution of Modern Automatic Fire Sprinklers"
(PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-05. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
20. ^ "Glass Bulb RTI" . norbulb.de. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved
2015-11-24.
21. ^ metal Wood's metal definition at Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Retrieved May 17, 2008
22. ^ Low Melting Point Bismuth Based Alloys Archived October 12, 2012, at the Wayback
Machine. Alchemy Castings product information.
23. ^ Sprinkler bulb specifications Archived 2010-08-28 at the Wayback Machine, Day Impex
Ltd.
24. ^ SFPE (NZ) Technical Paper 95 – 3: Sprinkler response time indices Archived 2008-09-29
at the Wayback Machine. Society of Fire Protection Engineers, New Zealand Chapter.
25. ^ "JOB Thermo Bulbs Product Range" . job-bulbs.com.
26. ^ Multer, Thomas L. (1 September 2009). "Sprinkler Protection of Storage Facilities Goes
Green" . BNP Media. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
27. ^ O’Connor, Brian (November 1, 2018). "Back to basics: Sprinkler types & systems" . NFPA
Journal. Retrieved December 21, 2019.

External links [edit]

Baker Jr., Weston (May 10, 2012). "The Whys Wikimedia Commons has
Behind FM Global Data Sheets 2-0 and 8-9" . Fire media related to Fire
sprinkler.
Protection Engineering (2). Archived from the
original on June 5, 2014. Retrieved
December 21, 2019.
Kung, HC (January 1, 2011). "A Historical Perspective on the Evolution of Storage Sprinkler
Design" . Fire Protection Engineering (1). Archived from the original on June 12, 2014.
Retrieved December 21, 2019.

v·t·e Fire protection

General Active fire protection · Passive fire protection

Manual Fire blanket · Fire bucket · Fire extinguisher

Condensed aerosol fire suppression ·

Fire suppression
Fire sprinkler system
(Fire sprinkler) ·

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Fire sprinkler - Wikipedia

Automatic

Gaseous fire suppression ·

Watermist fire suppression

Detection Flame detector · Heat detector · Smoke detector

Drill · Fire alarm system

(Call box · Control panel ·
Notification

Notification appliance · Pull station/call point) · Smoke detector

Awards Arthur B. Guise Medal · Harry C. Bigglestone Award

Category · Commons

Categories: Firefighting equipment Fire suppression Active fire protection

American inventions

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