When a sprinkler head has a glass bulb, that bulb typically contains a
glycerin-based liquid
. Once the air around the sprinkler reaches a certain temperature – often 155F or 200F (68C or 93C) – the liquid expands which causes the glass to break.
Can you put antifreeze in a sprinkler system?
As a result, new sprinkler systems are required to use listed antifreeze solutions. To date,
antifreeze solutions are not listed for such use
. Thus, NFPA has effectively banned the use of antifreeze solutions in new fire sprinkler systems.
What kind of liquid goes in a sprinkler system?
The liquid within the ampule of the sprinkler head is a
mixture of alcohol and water or glycerin and water
. The % of each is changed to determine the activation temperature of the head.
What liquid is in fire sprinkler heads?
Most sprinkler heads feature a glass bulb filled with
a glycerin-based liquid
. This liquid expands when it comes in contact with air heated to between 135 and 165 degrees. When the liquid expands, it shatters its glass confines and the sprinkler head activates.
Why is fire sprinkler water black?
By far the most common corrosion reaction found in fire sprinkler systems is
oxidation
. Oxygen trapped inside the system dissolves into water and reacts with the internal surface of the black or galvanized steel piping.
What is the red liquid in a sprinkler?
| Temperature Color of liquid alcohol inside bulb | °C °F | 227 260 440 500 Black |
|---|
How much should a sprinkler system cost?
Costs can vary from
$70 to $1,000+
. The cost varies from setting up less expensive manual irrigation systems for small yards to the custom design and installation of automatic irrigation systems with timers for built garden beds.
What happens when you burn ethylene glycol?
A coolant mix of water and ethylene glycol based anti-freeze in the presence of these high temperatures will
decompose the water out of solution
and the remaining ethylene glycol may undergo auto-ignition. The resulting fire may be similar to an alcohol fire, resulting in a blue flame.
How do you put antifreeze in a sprinkler system?
- Find out how much liquid you need to fill the antifreeze loop of your sprinkler system. …
- Mix with water the amount of antifreeze you need to make its freezing point below the coldest possible temperature in your area. …
- Locate the fill cup and drain valve for the antifreeze loop.
What is an antifreeze loop?
Antifreeze loops
protect areas in a building or outside a building that are prone to freezing
. A check valve isolates the anti-freeze loop from the rest of the fire sprinkler system. There is also a main drain and a fill cup to assist in the draining and refilling of the loop.
How sensitive are fire sprinklers?
Fire sprinkler systems are actually quite sophisticated, and are designed to be
heat sensitive
so that sprinklers only activate when the temperatures rise to fire-induced temps, usually somewhere between 155 to 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
What is the difference between upright and pendent sprinklers?
Standard spray, upright/pendent.
Upright sprinklers
are installed with deflectors above the sprinkler
, while pendent sprinklers have deflectors below the sprinklers. Common industry practice is to use upright sprinklers in areas without finished ceilings and pendent sprinklers in areas with finished ceilings.
What is the minimum distance between sprinkler heads?
The minimum distance a sprinkler can be installed below a ceiling is 1 inch. The maximum spacing between two sprinklers is determined by the rating on the sprinkler head (usually 15 feet, but there are other spacing distances, depending on the manufacturer). The minimum spacing between two sprinklers is
6 feet
.
Why is sprinkler water so dirty?
Slime-forming bacteria
(iron-related bacteria that generate white, beige, grey, or black slime) Sulfate-reducing bacteria (which may turn water black and are responsible for much of discolored water's smell in fire protection systems)
How long do fire sprinkler systems last?
Generally speaking, the life expectancy of a sprinkler system is
about 20 years
, on average. As for its components taken separately, good quality heads will last you anywhere between 10 to 15 years, while inexpensive ones will only be good for 2 or 3 years.
What does fire sprinkler water smell like?
There are many signs of Microbiologically Influences Corrosion (MIC) including pin hole leaks, fire sprinkler system water that is black in color and/or smells like
rotten eggs
, and water that stains the concrete with rust during flow tests.
