Fire is no joke and can never be taken for granted. A fire emergency situation can occur anytime causing damage to life and property. Our country endures a hellish fire season and the 2019-2020 wildfire season was the worst of all. There are ample reasons for fire in Australia. Climatic conditions, dry lightning, lit cigarette butts, electrical faults and many more contribute to these fires. Fire can happen anywhere and at any time but you can reduce the damage to life and property with the correct protection systems. Fire Sprinkler Systems are one of the best fire protection products and here is a guide to fire sprinkler systems in Australia.
What is a Fire Sprinkler System?
A fire sprinkler system is a fire suppression system which is common in both industrial and commercial buildings. This fire protection system is installed not only to suppress but also combat fires with water. A fire sprinkler system works automatically. It gets activated when there is an increase in temperature. This happens through the temperature gauge that constantly monitors the average temperatures. Whenever there is an increase in temperature the sprinklers get activated and water is released. This water drowns the surrounding fires. The simple design of fire sprinkler system makes it one of the most effective fire safety tools. The sprinkler system is attached to the water pump and piping system. The piping system is installed into the ceiling of the building which is not visible to the naked eye while the water-spraying fixture is visible from inside the room.
Australian Standards
The Australian Standard to be followed for the fire sprinkler system is AS 2118.4:2012 – Automatic fire sprinkler systems Sprinkler protection for accommodation buildings not exceeding four storeys in height. According to Australian Standard as 2118 here are some requirements that need to be met for the safety, security, design and installation of a fire sprinkler system.
Reliable Water Supply
One of the most significant parts of a sprinkler system is water supply. If sufficient water is not supplied from a reliable source, then fires at the initial stage would not be combated resulting in it’s spread and defeated the sole purpose of having a sprinkler system.
Control Valves
Control Valves control the flow of water in the fire situation.
Pumps
Having a sufficient water source is not enough, it is important to have pumps which are designed to take water from the source to the sprinkler head in the correct working order. Good working order provides sufficient pressure to move the water ahead to the sprinkler head.
Pipework
You need to have strong pipework for your fire sprinkler system. A corroded, blocked or leaking pipe is a big no-no. Pumps with insufficient pressure and damaged pipes can stop the water flow effectively getting to the sprinkler head and combating the fire.
Sprinkler heads
Sprinkler heads should be unblocked and responsive in case of fire. Regular corrosion check must be carried out.
At Victorian Fire Protection, Today several fact sheets have been prepared for maintaining the fire sprinkler system. Failing to adhere to these rules can result in penalties depending upon the state the fire has occurred. At Victorian Fire Protection, we provide you with high-quality fire safety and protection equipment including fire sprinkler systems. You can view the details on our fire sprinkler by clicking 1300 974 877 or visit at www.vfp.com.au for further information.
