Sprinkler
Fireline can design, furnish and install all types of fire sprinkler systems including wet pipe systems, pre-action systems and deluge systems as well as standpipe systems and fire pumps.
- Wet Pipe Sprinkler Systems – The most common type of sprinkler system. A sprinkler system employing automatic sprinklers attached to a piping system containing water. This piping system is connected to a water supply so that water discharges immediately from sprinklers opened by heat from a fire.
- Dry Pipe Sprinkler Systems – A sprinkler system employing automatic sprinklers that are attached to a piping system containing air or nitrogen under pressure. The release of the air or nitrogen permits the water pressure to open a dry pipe valve, allowing the water to then flow into the piping system and out through the opened sprinklers.
- Pre-Action Systems – A sprinkler system employing closed sprinklers attached to a piping system that is connected to a water supply through a valve that is opened by the operation of a fire detection system installed in the same areas as the sprinklers. When this valve opens, water flows into the piping system and discharges out through the open sprinklers.
- Deluge Sprinkler System – A sprinkler system employing open sprinklers attached to a piping system that is connected to a water supply through a valve that is opened by the operation of a fire detection system installed in the same areas as the sprinklers. When this valve opens, water flows into the piping system and discharges from all sprinklers attached thereto.
How Much Do Sprinkler Installations Cost?
There are several things you need to consider when researching new sprinkler installations:
- How large is your building?
- How old is your building?
- Do you plan expansion of your building?
- Is your building part of a campus style development?
First, look at the basic components of a sprinkler system. The system consists of an alarm valve, check valve, water control valve, fire department connection, water motor gong, inspectors test connection and a piping network connected to automatic sprinklers. It may also be required to have water flow switches connected to an alarm panel having the capability to sound a local alarm and transmit signals to call the fire department.
One of the largest expenses in a sprinkler system is the installation for the piping network. For new buildings under construction this cost is a much lower percentage of the total system price but for retrofits there is the potential for higher costs. This is because the piping network must be installed around existing building features such as HVAC equipment and ductwork, electrical equipment, drywall, telecommunications equipment and drywall.
A more complex system requires more complex equipment. For example, an inadequate water supply will require the installation of a fire pump. Fire pumps can be an expensive addition but absolutely necessary in the absence of a sufficient water supply. Dry or pre action systems, used to protect areas of high value or mission critical activities, will also increase the cost due to more complicated and extensive equipment.
Size and age of the building are also factors when estimating cost. Larger buildings require more equipment (piping, sprinkler heads, etc.) Older buildings present difficult sprinkler installation challenges due to obsolete design and construction methods. Another factor is the future use and expansion of your building. Planning for this can save money (and future headaches!) by installing adequate infrastructure in the beginning of a project.
Definitions reproduced from National Fire Protection Association Standards 13 and 16 © NFPA (2010).