Deluge Sprinkler Systems

In the deluge sprinkler system, the pipes are filled with non-pressurized air and the sprinkler heads are always open. Water is supplied to the pipes only when the system is activated by a fire alarm or smoke detector or by a manual draw station that signals the deluge valve to open, allowing water to flow freely to the sprinkler groups. However, unlike the dry pipe system, which activates the sprinklers directly above the hazard only, the deluge system opens all sprinkler nozzles.

Deluge sprinkler systems are typically used in hazardous environments where fires can spread very quickly or where valuable equipment surrounding a fire must be cooled. These systems are designed for use in a variety of special hazard applications. Many types of nozzles may be required to provide a properly designed special hazardous fire protection system.

Turning a set of nozzles into an effective fire system, designing a modern spray system requires, skill, experience and attention to detail and is much more than just connecting a few nozzles.

A number of variables need to be considered when designing the system:

• Place of piping,
• Distance of the sprinkler head from target
• Current water pressure,
• The effects of wind/air current,
• Ambient temperature,
• Concentration, burning rate of chemicals,
• The corrosiveness of the environment

Deluge sprinkler systems should only be designed by experienced professionals who fully understand the equipment’s limitations as well as its capabilities.