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Why is water used as an extinguishing agent?
Water has a higher specific heat than most common substances, and this is one of the reasons it is such an effective extinguishing agent. Smaller water droplets have larger surface area to mass of water, which means each droplet has more surface to absorb heat energy while having less water to heat up.
How do sprinkler systems work in a fire?
Fire sprinklers work because high heat triggers the sprinkler system. When a blaze ignites, the air directly above it heats rapidly. This hot air rises and spreads along the ceiling. When the liquid expands, it shatters its glass confines and the sprinkler head activates.
Do sprinklers prevent fires?
When fires break out in sprinklered buildings, the sprinkler system operates 91 percent of the time. In these cases, the sprinklers are effective at putting out the blaze 96 percent of the time. This amounts to a total success rate of 87 percent.
Why are sprinkler systems important?
A sprinkler system is designed to control or extinguish fires in the early stages. This makes it easier and safer for building occupants to exit the building, and for firefighters to extinguish any fire that remains. Sprinklers reduce the loss due to fire.
What is the purpose of a sprinkler system?
sprinkler system, in fire control, a means of protecting a building against fire by causing an automatic discharge of water, usually from pipes near the ceiling.
What is water extinguishing agent?
The reason water is such an effective extinguishing agent is because of its low cost, effectiveness and general availability. The physical properties of water mean that it is an effective combatant of all three sides of the fire triangle. These sides are the independent entities of oxygen, heat and fuel.
What do lawn sprinklers do?
An irrigation sprinkler (also known as a water sprinkler or simply a sprinkler) is a device used to irrigate agricultural crops, lawns, landscapes, golf courses, and other areas. They are also used for cooling and for the control of airborne dust.
How do sprinklers save lives?
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) research shows that sprinklers reduce the rate of civilian fire deaths by 87% and injuries by 27%, and they can lower “the risk of property loss by 70%.”
Do we need sprinklers?
Since the California law was instituted in 2011, builders have installed fire sprinklers in more than 70,000 homes. These laws require that you install a sprinkler system in every new construction.