fixed installations sprinklers

1Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue Training Centre

FIXED INSTALLATIONSFIXED INSTALLATIONS

SPRINKLERSSPRINKLERS

COMPETENCE STATEMENT 376


AIMAIM

To enable a firefighter to make correct use of sprinklers To enable a firefighter to make correct use of sprinklers at an incidentat an incident

OBJECTIVESOBJECTIVES

1)1) Identify that sprinklers are installed in a buildingIdentify that sprinklers are installed in a building

2)2) Locate the main control valveLocate the main control valve

3)3) Confirm that the main control valve is openConfirm that the main control valve is open

4)4) Silence a sprinkler alarm gongSilence a sprinkler alarm gong

5)5) Interpret sprinkler gauges at the control valve groupInterpret sprinkler gauges at the control valve group

6)6) Drain a sprinkler systemDrain a sprinkler system

7)7) Distinguish between wet and dry sprinkler systemsDistinguish between wet and dry sprinkler systems


DOES THE BUILDING HAVE A DOES THE BUILDING HAVE A SPRINKLER?SPRINKLER?

Prior knowledge:-Prior knowledge:-

1)1) 7(2)(d) inspections 7(2)(d) inspections

2)2) F 202(a)’s and Risk CardsF 202(a)’s and Risk Cards

Indications on arrival:-Indications on arrival:-

3)3) Sound of sprinkler alarm goingSound of sprinkler alarm going

4)4) Large water tanks outside, or on top, of buildingLarge water tanks outside, or on top, of building

5)5) Exterior signs Exterior signs

6)6) Interior signsInterior signs

7)7) Sprinkler pipeworkSprinkler pipework

8)8) Sprinkler heads in ceilingsSprinkler heads in ceilings


LOCATING THE MAIN CONTROL VALVELOCATING THE MAIN CONTROL VALVE

1)1) Plan Plan shouldshould be provided for be provided for Fire ServiceFire Service

2)2) Usually located where the Usually located where the town main or alternative town main or alternative supply enters the buildingsupply enters the building

3)3) Close to an entry pointClose to an entry point

4)4) Largest valve in the groupLargest valve in the group

5)5) Secured in open positionSecured in open positionTown main stop valve

Alternative supply stop valve

Non return valves

Alarm


CONFIRM THE MAIN CONTROLVALVE IS OPEN

Alarm bell ringingAlarm bell ringing

Valve indicatorValve indicator

Leather strapLeather strap

TELL THE INCIDENT TELL THE INCIDENT COMMANDERCOMMANDER


SILENCING THE SPRINKLER ALARMSILENCING THE SPRINKLER ALARM

Alarm stop valve

Alarm valve

Events causing the Events causing the alarm bell to ringalarm bell to ring

a)a) Sprinkler head Sprinkler head openopen

b)b) Drain or test valve Drain or test valve openopen

c)c) Damage to the Damage to the installationinstallation

d)d) A rise in the supply A rise in the supply pressurepressure


INTERPRETING THE GAUGESINTERPRETING THE GAUGES

Installation Installation pressurepressuregaugegauge

Supply Supply pressure pressure gaugegauge

Town Town main main pressure pressure gaugegauge


DRAINING A SPRINKLER SYSTEM

Test and Test and drain pipedrain pipe

Test and Test and drain drain valvesvalves


WET AND DRY SYSTEMS

How can you tell the difference?How can you tell the difference?

1)1) Look at the environment in which the system is Look at the environment in which the system is installedinstalled

Pendant type

Dry upright type Ceiling flush type

2)2) Look at the type of sprinkler headsLook at the type of sprinkler heads

3)3) Look at the number of sprinkler headsLook at the number of sprinkler heads


FURTHER EXAMPLES OF UPRIGHTAND PENDANT SPRINKLERS

Common examples Common examples of upright sprinklersof upright sprinklers

Common examples Common examples of pendant sprinklersof pendant sprinklers


QUESTIONSQUESTIONS

1)1) What are the indications around a building which What are the indications around a building which would tell you that a sprinkler system would tell you that a sprinkler system maymay be be installed?installed?Sound of sprinkler alarm gong; Large water tanks outside, or on top of Sound of sprinkler alarm gong; Large water tanks outside, or on top of building; Exterior signs; Interior signs; Sprinkler pipework; Sprinkler building; Exterior signs; Interior signs; Sprinkler pipework; Sprinkler heads in ceilings.heads in ceilings.

2)2) Having located the main control valve Having located the main control valve roomroom how can how can you identify the main control valve itself?you identify the main control valve itself?It will be the big one between the alarm valve and the stop valves. May It will be the big one between the alarm valve and the stop valves. May be indicated by a sign. Should be locked open by means of a leather be indicated by a sign. Should be locked open by means of a leather strap.strap.


QUESTIONS cont’dQUESTIONS cont’d

3)3) What signs would indicate that the main control What signs would indicate that the main control valve is open?valve is open?Alarm bell ringing – Should indicate that the main control valve is Alarm bell ringing – Should indicate that the main control valve is open.open.

Valve indicator – There may be one built onto the valve.Valve indicator – There may be one built onto the valve.

Leather strap – (if it is in position) should tell you that the valve is Leather strap – (if it is in position) should tell you that the valve is open.open.

If the leather strap has been cut or is missing the valve may be closed.If the leather strap has been cut or is missing the valve may be closed.

4)4) Once you have confirmed that the valve is open or Once you have confirmed that the valve is open or closed what should you do?closed what should you do?Inform the incident commander and don’t do anything until he/she tells Inform the incident commander and don’t do anything until he/she tells you to.you to.


6)6) Which two events, causing the alarm bell to ring, will Which two events, causing the alarm bell to ring, will be identified by the firefighter in the main control be identified by the firefighter in the main control

room?room?The opening of a drain or test valve.The opening of a drain or test valve.

A rise in the supply pressure lifting the alarm valve and allowing water A rise in the supply pressure lifting the alarm valve and allowing water to pass.to pass.

5)5) What are the four events which could cause an alarm What are the four events which could cause an alarm bell to ring?bell to ring?1.1. The opening of a sprinkler head.The opening of a sprinkler head.

2.2. The opening of a drain or test valve.The opening of a drain or test valve.

3.3. Damage to any part of the installation which leads to an outflow of Damage to any part of the installation which leads to an outflow of water.water.

4.4. A rise in the supply pressure lifting the alarm valve and allowing A rise in the supply pressure lifting the alarm valve and allowing water to pass.water to pass.



7)7) Where would you expect to see dry pipe sprinkler Where would you expect to see dry pipe sprinkler systems installed?systems installed?

Dry pipe systems are normally installed in areas where the temperature Dry pipe systems are normally installed in areas where the temperature is close to freezing (e.g. dry stores) or where the temperature is is close to freezing (e.g. dry stores) or where the temperature is

maintained above 70 degrees C.maintained above 70 degrees C.

8)8) If you can see upright sprinkler heads would the If you can see upright sprinkler heads would the system be wet or dry?system be wet or dry?

If you can see upright sprinkler heads it is a dry system.If you can see upright sprinkler heads it is a dry system.

9)9) Once you have located the main control valve and Once you have located the main control valve and confirmed that it is open or closed what must you confirmed that it is open or closed what must you notnot do?do?

It is essential that it is not closed until the incident commander says It is essential that it is not closed until the incident commander says so.so.


fixed installations sprinklers

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