AUTOMATIC WATER

SPRINKLER SYSTEM
Prepared By- Jaya Surya R
INTRODUCTION:
The automatic water sprinkler system is an automatic fire detecting, alarm
and extinguishing system which can deal quickly and effectively with any
outbreak of fire that may occur in accommodation or other spaces on ships.

CONSTRUCTION & WORKING:

The system consists of several sections comprising a number of sprinkler
heads mounted on the pipes.

Number of sprinkler heads per section to be not more than 200. Each section
has an alarm system.
The entire system is initially charged with fresh water at a pressure of about 8
bar by a tank (tank is half filled with fresh water), maintained under pressure
by compressed air.

It is also connected to an independent sea water pump with its own sea water
suction.

Each sprinkler head has a quartzoid bulb which retains a diaphragm seal in the
outlet of the water pipe.

When the sprinkler head comes into operation, the non return alarm valve for
the section opens and water flows to the sprinkler head.
Thus the pressure drop at the release of the water causes an alarm to sound on
the bridge and indicates on the board, the zone in which the ruptured sprinkler
heads are situated.

The sprinkler heads are spaced not more than 4 meters apart and 2 meter
from any bulkhead or part of the ship’s side which forms a boundary of the
protected space.

Stop valves ‘A’ and ‘B’ are locked open and if either of these valves are
inadvertently closed, a switch will be operated that brings the alarms into
operation.