ADVANCE FIRE FIGHTING

SPRINKLER SYSTEM
SPRINKLER SYSTEM
 The sprinkler system is an automatic fire
detecting, alarm and extinguishing system
which is constantly on guard to deal quickly &
effectively with the outbreak of fire that may
occur in accommodations and other spaces.
 This system consists of a pressure water

tank with water pipes leading to various

places in the compartments. These water
pipes consist of sprinkler head which comes
in operation when there is an outbreak of fire
.
WORKING
 The pressurized water tank is half filled with
fresh water through fresh water supply
connection. Compressed air is delivered from
the electrically operated compressor or from
the air bottle which raises the pressure to
predetermined level.
 The pressure in the tank is such that it would

be able to deliver pressure at highest

sprinkler head in the system and is not less
than 4.8 bars.
WORKING-2
 The sprinkler head consists of a quartzoid bulb
which bursts when the temperature increases
beyond the limit and the water starts flowing
from the sprinkler head. These quartzoid bulbs
are colour coded in red, yellow, green, blue
and violet. The rating of red bulb is 68 deg C,
yellow is 80 deg C and green is 93 deg C. blue
is 141 deg C, violet is 182 deg C.
 Each sprinkler head covers a deck area of 16
m2 and the flow of water in each one of them
should be at least5 liters/minute as per the
regulation of SOLAS.
WORKING-2
 When the sprinkler head bursts and comes
into operation, the non return valve in the
line opens and water starts flowing. Due to
this flow there is a drop of pressure in the
line and the alarm activates for the particular
section, indicating fire in the section.
 This system is also connected to sea water

pump which can supply water to the system

in case the water in the pressure tank is used
up.
SYSTEM DRAWING
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS OF
AUTOMATIC WATER SPRINKLER
SYSTEM ON SHIP
 Each sprinkler head must be capable of
delivering water at a rate of 5 L / m2 /
minute.
 Each sprinkler head is sufficient to cover the

area of about 16 square meters.

 One section is permitted to contain maximum

200 heads.
 The pressure at the highest sprinkler head in

the system is not less than 4.8 bar.

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS OF
AUTOMATIC WATER SPRINKLER
SYSTEM ON SHIP
 Sprinkler heads are spaced not more than 4
meter apart and 2 meter from the vertical
wall.
 There must be at least two powers source for

the sea water pump, alarm system and

FW pump.
 This system consists of independent sea

water pump with its own sea water suction.

 Section alarm can be tested individually by

test cock on each section.

PRINCIPLE OF SHATTERING
QUARTIZOID BULB
 Principleis ‘Boiling Liquid
Expanding Vapour Explosion’
(BLEVE). It is an explosion
caused by the rupture of a
vessel containing a
pressurized liquid above its
boiling point.
AUTOMATIC WORKING OF WATER
SPRINKLER
 Each sprinkler head is made up of
steel cage fitted with a water
deflector. A quartzite bulb, which
contains a highly expansible
liquid, is retained by the cage.
The upper end of the bulb presses
against a valve assembly which
incorporates a soft metal seal.
AUTOMATIC WORKING OF WATER
SPRINKLER-1
 When quartzoid bulbs are manufactured, a
small gas space is left inside the bulb so that,
if the bulb is subjected to heat, the liquid
expands and the gas space diminishes. This
will generate pressure inside the bulb and the
bulb will shatter once a predetermined
temperature is reached.
 Once the bulb shatters the valve assembly

falls permitting water to be discharged from

the head which strikes the deflector plate and
sprays over a considerable area.
QUARTZOID BULB
OPERATING TEMPERATURE
 Generally the operating
temperature range of quartzoid
bulbs is 68 °C to 93 °C but the
upper limit of temperature can be
increased. Quartzoid bulbs are
manufactured in different colours
which indicate the temperature
rating of the bulb.
OPERATING TEMPERATURE
 RATING COLOUR

 68 °C RED

 80 °C YELLOW

 93 °C GREEN

 141 °C BLUE

 182 °C VIOLET