Health and Safety

Automatic fire sprinklers provide the most effective protection against fire damage. If a fire starts in a sprinkler-protected building, the sprinkler heads immediately above the fire will operate by discharging water to control the fire.

The most common domestic fire sprinkler systems:

• use a glass bulb, heat-sensitive element
• activate at about 68^oC
• have a flat and wide spray pattern with small and medium droplet sizes
• have sprinkler heads that may be concealed, flush-mounted, side-wall or pendant type
• require a 20 mm diameter pipe connection.

If a fire develops, not all sprinkler heads will operate, but only those closest to the fire. (65% of fires are controlled by a single sprinkler head and 95% are controlled by five sprinkler heads or less).

When a sprinkler head is set off, the fire brigade is also called.

Installation and maintenance

The design and installation of a domestic sprinkler system must be carried out by a qualified practitioner, with independent inspection and certification.

Maintenance and testing should be in accordance with the relevant standards and in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

Update: 21 August 2024