- Pipes are always filled with water. Heat from fire opens a sprinkler head.
- Usually only one or two heads open
- Water flows until it is shut off
- The open sprinkler head(s) is replaced and the system is reset
- A one-way clapper prevents water from re-entering the water supply
- Gauges on both sides of the main valve, register pressure on the supply and system sides.
- A retard chamber prevents sudden pressure surges which could cause a false alarm
- There is a control valve to shut off the system, normally an O.S.& Y.
- There is a main drain valve which drains the system for service
- And an Inspectors Test Valve, usually at the end of the system, used to simulate flow from a single head and to measure the system response
- Restoration of the System, Liability Issues:
- Some occupancies have required systems for life safety, i.e., public assembly, hotels and high-rises