Sprinkler System Design

Sprinkler System Design
Sprinkler
Design Standards for Sprinkler Systems

ASEC use the following industry standards for sprinkler installations:

  • British & EN Standards (BS5306, BS EN 12845)
  • Loss Prevention Council Rules (LPC Rules)
  • National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
  • FM Global Standards
  • Residential & Domestic Sprinkler Systems (BS 9251)

ASEC offer a full range of design and inspection services for sprinkler systems. Typical services are shown below.

  • Consultation: Initial consideration as to the suitability or appropriateness of any proposed sprinkler system and the subsequent identification of the most economical design solution for your sprinkler protection requirements.
    This service is always possible and design improvements can be made or efficiency savings achieved, at most stages of a project, whether it be a mandatory (code driven requirement), or as a result of an insurance recommendation. Usually the earlier we are involved the greater the potential saving.
  • On-Site Survey: Full site surveys are performed for installations, alterations or enhancements to existing sprinkler installations or for new build projects.
  • Design: Concept, performance based and detailed design services are available including all aspects of any system including resilience, tankage, supply issues, coverage, adequacy (ie fire size, hazard class etc.), room and contents, pipe routing, configurations, specification, contracting, procurement and sourcing type issues etc.
  • Plan Review: Full review of sprinkler plans and hydraulic calculations for insurance approval or conformity to local standards. A review of the technical and economical issues are incorporated as standard.
  • Hydraulic Calculations: Hydraulic calculations ensure the system will provide adequate protection for the hazard. Full hydraulic calculations are performed using industry standard software, to ensure the most economical sprinkler systems are designed for each particular type of system.
  • CAD Design: All designs are produced using industry standard CAD software. 
Types of Sprinkler Systems

The following describes the most common types of sprinkler system.

  • Wet Pipe: Since water is always present in the pipes supplying the sprinkler heads, these types of sprinkler system are quick to react upon the operation of a sprinkler head in a fire scenario. These are the most common systems and are used in buildings where there is no risk of freezing. Wet systems are required for multi-storey or high-rise buildings and for life safety systems for UK standards.
  • Dry pipe: The pipes are filled with air under pressure at all times and the water is held back by the control valve outside of the protected area. Should a sprinkler head open in a fire scenario, the drop in air pressure opens the valve and water flows into the pipework and onto the fire. Dry pipe systems are used where wet or alternate systems cannot be used.
  • Alternate: Alternate systems have the pipes full of water for the summer period, then subsequently drained down and filled with air for the winter. This is typically for buildings that are not heated, e.g. underground car parks.
  • Pre-action: Like dry pipe systems the pipes are filled with air but water is only let into the pipes when the detector operates (e.g. smoke detectors). Pre-action systems are used where it is not acceptable to have a sprinkler activate unless there is a real threat of fire, i.e. for high value stock or irreplaceable items, for example, archive material, libraries and computer backup systems.
  • Deluge and recycling: These are sprinkler systems only used in special cases for industrial risks. They are most commonly used for protecting tank farms where all the sprinkler heads/nozzles operate simultaneously. Foam is often introduced in to the system. 

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