Archive for March 2021
Fire Sprinkler System Design in New York: Things You Need to Know
Do you need a fire sprinkler system design in New York? The best protection against fire hazards comes from getting a suitable fire protection system according to your building or space. Fire sprinkler systems are among the most popular fire protection methods. Due to automation in advanced fire sprinkler systems, it is easy to douse and restrict the flames. It keeps the fire from spreading, which saves lives and prevents excessive fire damage to properties.
Potential fire risks keep increasing daily because of the persistent rise in the use of technology. Faulty wiring, excessive heat generation in computing machines, or even flammable products in an office or industry – all these pose a viable fire hazard. Therefore, they require the implementation of strict safety measures.
Below, we will discuss how fire sprinkler systems work.
How a Fire Sprinkler System Works
With an adequate distribution of sprinkler heads over the area, when heat or smoke sensors trigger the alarm, the fire sprinkler system activates. The glass bulb in a sprinkler head bursts due to heat exposure and water flows from the sprinkler heads.
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Water comes from a series of pipes that are fixed into the building. These pipes connect to a fire pump that maintains a standard pressure of water as sprinkler heads release water to douse the fires.
Further, control valves and drain systems provide a wider control over the fire sprinkler system. It becomes easy to detect if a valve is open or shut, which then leads to the rectification. These control valves and drains are in a “valve room” that is always under maintenance and thoroughly ready for fire emergencies.
Fire Sprinkler System Design in New York: Things to Remember
There are a few vital key points that will help you start designing a fire sprinkler system in New York or any other place in the US.
Purpose of Water Supply
Automatic fire sprinkler systems heavily rely on a consistent supply of water. The source of water supply for the sprinkler system is, therefore, of paramount importance. A municipal water supply is a feasible option to connect your fire sprinkler pipes too, for example, fire hydrants.
Other than the municipal water supply, you can rely on a few other sources to supply water to your fire sprinkler system. These other sources can be:
- Gravity Tanks
- Water Towers
- Underground Water Tanks
- Ponds, lakes, rivers, or even reservoirs
These static sources of water supply will require more pressure for water extraction (underground water tank). Therefore, they consume more power.
Rules and Regulations
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) of the US imposes certain rules and regulations. They affect various aspects of a fire sprinkler system. An example of the codes and rules of the NFPA is the NFPA13 rule. Under this rule, fire sprinkler system installation in a residential space must comply with specific guidelines. You can find a list of other standards and codes here.
Types of Fire Sprinkler Systems: Environment of the Building
The type of fire sprinkler system you choose for your building is essential as well. For example, if your building is in a warm climate or a heated place, the wet pipe system is the best. This system has water in the pipes all the time. Once the alarm rings, they release water to douse the fires.
For unheated buildings in colder regions, a dry pipe system is best. These pipes contain air or nitrogen in them. When the fire alarm rings, air releases from the pipe, and water begins flowing through the sprinkler heads. Since the pipes contain air, you don’t face problems with water freezing in the pipes.
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In places holding highly combustible materials, an effective fire sprinkler system is necessary. This system turns on all the sprinkler heads when a fire emergency occurs. This way, all the sprinkler heads release water, dousing the fire as quickly as possible to prevent excessive fire damage. It is essential for places with flammable material and processes.
Calculations
Before designing a fire sprinkler system, certain calculations are necessary. These calculations determine the water flow rate, the discharge rate, the coverage area of every sprinkler head, etc. It allows for an effective design of the fire sprinkler system in a building, enabling an operational fire safety system.
Fire Sprinkler System Design in New York: Consult A Design Professional
It is critical to get in touch with qualified engineers and architects of fire sprinkler systems if you are designing one for your building in New York. At F2M Fire & Drafting Designs Inc., we are certified professionals who can guide your fire sprinkler system design process from start to finish.
Call us at (718) 928-3009 for a free consultation & quote. You can also email us at info@f2mfadds.com.
Sources:
- https://sprinklerage.com/fire-sprinkler-design/
- https://www.qrfs.com/blog/374-the-elements-of-fire-sprinkler-system-design/#water
- https://www.nfpa.org/Codes-and-Standards/All-Codes-and-Standards/List-of-Codes-and-Standards
- https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education
- https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Overview_of_automatic_sprinkler_system_design_and_operation
- https://blog.societyinsurance.com/7-tips-ensure-building-sprinkler-system-will-protect/
Fire Sprinkler System Design
Fire sprinkler systems serve a great purpose of preventing fire damage in commercial buildings and households. Different types of fire sprinkler system design are available, each of which has varying working techniques. Choosing the best fire sprinkler system means designing a system of fire suppression that suits your needs and covers every angle of safety in terms of fire hazards and building code.
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The potential benefits of installing and maintaining a fire sprinkler design are various; some are below.
- Safety from physical injuries
- Corporate security
- Security of property from fire damages
- Confident workers in fire hazardous places
- A good reputation in terms of responsibilities as a landlord and industrial or commercial building owner
However, designing a fire sprinkler system might not be easy. Therefore, you can contact F2M Fire & Drafting Designs INC. through our website to benefit from quality services of fire system designs. Here are a few things to keep in mind when designing a fire sprinkler system.
Main Types of Fire Sprinkler Systems
Dry Pipe
This type of fire system operates slowly and needs thorough maintenance. For spaces such as warehouses, garages, and any other unheated places or spaces, “dry pipe” fire systems are the best. They have compressed air inside the pipes. Using numerous supply systems such as nitrogen bottles, electronic air compressors, this system lets out the air upon activation. This leads to a pressurized release of water, which extinguishes the fire.
Wet Pipe
Easy to install and maintain, this system of fire sprinklers contains water in the pipes at all times. Contrary to popular belief, water release can be simultaneous. This is the most common type of fire system in heated spaces.
Deluge
This type of fire sprinkler system has applications like places containing highly combustible and flammable components. These spaces may serve storage or operational purposes. With all sprinkler heads open at all times, a signal from an individual device such as a heat sensor or a smoke sensor triggers the release of water.
Fire Sprinkler System Design: Water Supply
Fire sprinkler systems heavily rely on the quality and quantity of water supply. Water is the main component for extinguishing and restricting the spread of fire. NFPA requires you to have an automatic water supply in the fire sprinkler system.
This ensures an uninterrupted supply of water and with no human interference. The need for professional engineers and designers is paramount. The sources for water supply can vary and include reservoirs, pools, water towers, ponds, or gravity tanks. Each type of water supply requires proper calculations pertaining to the capacity and the flow. These calculations determine how much water can flow from the source and the pressure it can generate.
Thus, it helps to accurately select and place pipes to ensure a safe and operable fire sprinkler system design. Calculations relate to flow test, for which the formula is as such:
Q=29.83 x C x d2 x
The foundation of fire sprinkler design lies in the water supply. Thus, a careful analysis of this factor is a must.
Buildings that Require Fire Sprinkler Systems
The next step in designing a fire sprinkler system is to know the building type. Whether it is a commercial, industrial, or residential building will help to determine the best fire sprinkler design.
The designers of the fire sprinkler system will cooperate alongside engineers and architects to draft out a fire sprinkler design. The final blueprint will be in accordance with NFPA rules and codes. The most common type of NFPA standard in use for designing a fire sprinkler system is the NFPA13.
Other Factors
Occupancy hazard is another factor. This helps measure the level of hazards that potentially exist. The amount of energy capable of releasing in the case of fires determines how much water is needed. This makes it easier to design the fire system. The products and components present in the building are subject to the term “occupancy hazard.”
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Further, the area of design also matters. The level and positioning of the building can make it difficult to supply water to all sprinkler heads at once. Therefore, considering the worst-case scenario helps in identifying any potential hindrances that can occur in the operation of the fire sprinkler system.
Call F2M For Your Fire Sprinkler System Design
At F2M Fire & Drafting Designs Inc., we are expert fire sprinkler system designers with over 20 years of experience in the NYC and tri-state area. Visit our website to learn more about our services and see some of our past projects.
F2M Fire & Drafting Designs Inc.
1231 Lafayette Ave, Fl 2
Bronx, New York, 10474
(718) 928-3009
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