A multipurpose system also means that an anti-backflow prevention device is not needed since the water in the sprinkler system is not stagnate as in a “stand alone” system.
For the first time, a fire sprinkler system does not have to have a dedicated water supply. A multipurpose system (sometimes called “flow-through”) allows the sprinkler and the domestic plumbing to use the same water. This has opened the door for a “multipurpose” system with the domestic water (unheard of in 13 or 13R systems). Because of its light weight and ability to handle the pressure and heat, CPVC plastic has worked well, especially in 13R systems, and has become the standard.Ī 13D fire sprinkler system only has to operate at normal house water pressure. Necessary standards like this reduce the material options for the designer in 13 and 13R systems. While this effectively increases the efficiency of the sprinkler system by increasing the water pressure, it requires the sprinkler system to be piped out of material that can withstand water pressure at least twice what the normal plumbing system in your house would need. This means that a fire truck can pull up near the building and hook up a hose to the structure’s sprinkler system to pressurize it with the pump on the fire truck. Other sprinkler codes (NFPA13 – commercial and NFPA 13R- for apartments and condos) require that they have a fire department connection installed. This is a huge factor in simplifying the design. It requires only the standard operating water pressure of the domestic (regular household) plumbing system.
HOME FIRE SPRINKLER DESIGN CODE
The 13D code goes a long way in helping a designer make an almost maintenance free automatic fire sprinkler system. This is where purposeful design comes into play. It will only get the maintenance that the homeowner is willing to give it. None of these frills are involved with a 13D system (NFPA 13D is the standard for fire sprinklers used in single and two family homes). This is NOT the case with home fire sprinklers. These systems are designed with an understanding that they will be regularly maintained by trained professionals.
HOME FIRE SPRINKLER DESIGN PROFESSIONAL
Other fire sprinkler codes (NFPA13 – commercial buildings and NFPA 13R- for apartments and condos) both require at least one professional inspection every year and require a 24/7 electronic alarm that ensures valves are not being tampered with and a number of other items. However, reducing required maintenance should be a primary objective. Some maintenance must be done to live in a safe home. Why, because many of us will NOT DO THEM if left on our own. “Change your air filter on your HVAC system” “change your batteries in your smoke alarms” ”clean you rain gutters”, and countless other reminders are continually bombarding us. Homeowners do not always follow through on things that need to be done. One thing a house has to endure is its occupants. This article will discuss how a home fire sprinkler system can need only minimal maintenance and survive the nasty winter surprises through proper design and material choice. Second, it must be able to handle the cold stuff that Mother Nature can throw at it. First, it has to be tough enough to last through possible neglect from its owners. Before a fire sprinkler system in a house can help protect its occupants from a fire, it has to survive at least two difficult obstacles.