Fire sprinkler systems provide peace of mind, knowing your building is protected 24 hours a day. When a fire ignites, the heat rises and activates one sprinkler head at a time to wet the flames below while minimising water damage.
Installed in ceilings or side walls, the fire sprinkler system consists of a water supply, a water distribution piping system and sprinkler heads. The sprinkler head releases water automatically when a fire is detected, though it is not triggered by smoke. It controls or extinguishes the fire, so is both a fire detection and suppression system.
If a fire sprinkler head is damaged, malfunctions or has been activated because of a fire, it needs replacing as soon as possible so you do not leave your building unprotected.
A fire sprinkler head must be replaced by a trained and qualified person only, it cannot be done by simply watching a video as this does not make you qualified. If you are reading this to learn how to replace fire sprinkler heads, you need to hire a professional.
Here is why you should let a professional replace your fire sprinkler head:
- You could unintentionally violate building codes.
- You might attempt to install the incorrect replacement sprinkler head, which could result in it not functioning correctly and prevent fire safety.
- You could damage the new sprinkler head during installation, causing leaks and other headaches.
Myths about sprinklers
Myth 1 - In a fire, every sprinkler head will activate, flooding my property.
Individual sprinkler heads are heat sensitive and will only start when the room temperature reaches a certain point, usually 68 degrees celsius. Water is only released where there is fire. In 60% of cases, fires are controlled by the spray from four sprinklers or fewer.
Myth 2 - Sprinklers are too expensive to install.
In new buildings, the costs of installing sprinklers, considered over the life span of the building will work out economically - roughly equivalent to carpeting the same building.
The Local Government Association has worked out the cost of sprinklers in specific types of buildings:
125-150 pupil primary school - total costs approximately £105,000, equivalent to £10-15 per m2
Typical 3/4 bed house - total costs approximately £3000-£3500, equivalent to 1-2% of build costs
High rise flats - total costs approximately 1.5-1.9% of build costs, equivalent to £18-25 per m2
Myth 3 - Sprinklers are ugly and affect the design of a building.
Sprinklers actually allow design freedoms, if considered when a building is being built. They may allow larger rooms and a reduction in partitioning or allow adaptation of layouts to better meet the occupier’s needs. Sprinklers can be recessed or flush-mounted and are unobtrusive. The cover plates conceal the sprinkler to provide aesthetic benefits.
Myth 4 - Sprinklers are unreliable.
Worldwide records show that only 1 in 16 million sprinklers installed per year will result in failure. Sprinklers is an effective way to prevent fires spreading.
Myth 5 - Sprinklers only work on fires that can be put out with water.
Sprinklers can now be foam enhanced to control flammable liquid, chemical and petrol fires.
The FPA offers a wide range of sprinkler services to ensure that sprinkler systems work correctly.
Please be aware that considerable efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained within this article at the time of publication, however any legislative (or other) changes that come into effect after this may render the information out of date until it is reviewed and updated as part of the FPA’s content review cycle.