The Future of Fire Sprinkler Systems

Fire sprinkler systems provide powerful protection from fire. They work automatically and immediately; before a fire spreads. Sprinklers put water right where it is needed, slowing or stopping the flames and poisonous smoke, so people can get out safely. Fire sprinkler systems have been saving lives and protecting property for more than 130 years. Over the past two decades, sprinklers have been specially adapted to simplify installation and use in homes. Today, you can find fire sprinklers in homes of every size and style. The past century has seen dramatic changes in the way in which people, property and the environment have been protected from fire, driven in major part by broader technological advances such as the introduction of microprocessors. (Rasbash, Ramachandran, Kandola, Watts 112)

From the earliest ionisation smoke detectors to the very latest multi-criteria fire protection devices, the ultimate goal has been to reflect the human being's ability to use different senses to make a rapid and accurate judgement on the presence or otherwise of a fire and react accordingly.

There have been significant technological advancements in the development of fire sprinkler systems since the 1970s. today's automatic, residential fire sprinklers are designed to react to a fire much faster than standard commercial systems. Key features of today's sprinklers include the following: (Kaplan. Watts 54)

Each fire sprinkler has a temperature-sensitive element that causes it (rather than the entire system) to activate when temperatures reach 135 degrees to 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sprinklers only operate in response to the heat of fire; they do not respond to smoke or vapors.

Because sprinklers operate individually, only the sprinkler(s) over the fire will activate. While they are primarily intended to control the fire long enough to allow occupants to escape, they often help reduce the extent of damage and property loss.

When a fire starts, the heat from the fire activates the sprinkler closest to the fire, limiting fire growth. In some instances sprinklers will actually put out the fire before fire fighters arrives. by limiting or stopping fire growth, further property damage, including that caused by streams of high-pressure water from fire department hoses, also is prevented.

Intelligent response

All fires have three elements in common, in that they produce CO, heat and smoke.

The proportions however will be different in each case, as will the time when each element is released. Similarly, a fire will almost certainly produce a changing light signature, primarily as a result of flame development. ...