What Causes a Fire Sprinkler System to Activate?

4/21/2021 (Permalink)

Fire sprinklers are designed to prevent damage, but can cause water damage.

Things That Make Fire Sprinklers So Effective

Fire sprinkler systems are designed to aid in fire suppression for loss prevention. They work strategically, only activating in areas where they sense fire. Having one installed on your property means being prepared for an emergency. Property owners in Puyallup, WA should take precaution by:

• Installing fire prevention devices
• Establishing a fire emergency plan
• Creating a list of emergency contacts
  

Making sure your facility is protected is a priority, and often required by state regulations. Here are the things that make fire sprinklers so effective.

Heat Activation

The common misconception is that smoke triggers the system to set off all of the sprinklers. On the contrary, your fire sprinkler system is equipped with sensors that detect heat. Glycerin-filled bulbs that burst when they are heated above 135 degrees Fahrenheit. This minimizes the risk of activation due to smaller accidents that do not require the sprinkler system.

Individual Sprinkler Units

Fire sprinklers are designed to prevent damage, not cause it. Each sprinkler acts as an individual unit to prevent your entire building from becoming flooded in the event of a fire. When a sensor bursts due to heat, it will cause one sprinkler to go off. If the fire is not doused by one sprinkler, more will activate upon being heated.

What to Do in Case of Sprinkler Activation

In the case of activated fire sprinklers, the first step is to determine the cause. If there was a fire, make sure it was doused before shutting off the system. You can stop the flow of water by shutting off the entire system or stopping the water from individual sprinkler heads. Once the sprinklers are off, contact a fire damage restoration service to aid in fire sprinkler cleanup and property repair.
You can prevent severe damage by installing a fire sprinkler system in your commercial building. The added protection will give you security and peace of mind in case of a fire.