Drencher fire extinguishing system – what it is and how it works

Having the proper fire extinguishing system in place is essential for protecting our homes from fire hazards. A system that is becoming more and more popular is the drencher fire extinguishing system. However, what is it exactly and how does it function?

A type of sprinkler system called a drencher fire extinguishing system is intended to put out fires in residential, commercial, and industrial settings with speed and efficiency. In contrast to conventional sprinkler systems that shoot water from pipes above, drencher systems are mounted along walls or ceilings and shoot a strong stream of water to put out fires.

You might be wondering how it operates. Now picture your kitchen or garage catching fire. The drencher system activates in a matter of moments when sensors identify the heat and smoke. High-pressure water jets are let loose, covering the area burning with a water curtain. This quick action aids in containing the fire before it has an opportunity to spread.

The capacity of drencher systems to offer targeted firefighting capabilities is one of their main advantages. These systems maximize effectiveness by directing water directly onto the fire source while minimizing water damage to surrounding areas by carefully placing the nozzles.

Additionally, sophisticated fire detection technologies like heat sensors and smoke alarms are frequently integrated with drencher systems. Because of this integration, the system can be set to activate automatically when it notices fire symptoms, guaranteeing a prompt and proactive response even in the event that human intervention is not possible.

All things considered, the drencher fire extinguishing system provides a dependable and effective way to shield houses and other structures from the destructive power of fires. Having a strong ally in the battle against fire hazards gives you peace of mind thanks to its quick response times and focused firefighting strategy.

Principle of operation

Depending on how it is activated, all firefighting equipment is classified as autonomous, automatic, or manually operated.

The drainage fire-extinguishing system, which operates on an automatic principle, can currently be powered by an electric, cable, hydraulic, or pneumatic drive. Any locking device, including gate and valve valves, can be opened with them.

The following scheme forms the basis of the operation’s principle:

• If a fire occurs in the room, the air temperature or smoke level rises sharply;
• heat or smoke sensors are activated and transmit a danger signal to the control unit;
• A command is sent from the control system in automatic mode to activate the actuator that opens the water supply system;
• distribution pipeline is filled with water, if necessary, a pump is connected, which provides high pressure and accordingly increases the speed and volume of water supply to the standard 0.1 liters per second per square meter of surface;
• initially water is drawn from an existing tank, and after it is emptied directly from the water supply network.

An illustration of a drainage system schematic

The water curtain formation system functions in accordance with the same scheme, though the intensity of the water supply and the shape of the drains vary. Installed in doorways or hallways, water curtain structures serve as room separators.

In today"s modern world, ensuring the safety of our homes is paramount, especially when it comes to protecting against the devastating effects of fire. A drencher fire extinguishing system is a crucial component in this endeavor, designed to swiftly and effectively combat fires in residential and commercial settings. Unlike traditional fire extinguishers, which rely on manual operation, drencher systems automatically detect the presence of fire and release a deluge of water or other extinguishing agents to suppress the flames. These systems operate on a principle of rapid response, quickly flooding the area with the necessary material to extinguish the fire before it can spread further. By providing an automated and proactive approach to fire safety, drencher systems offer peace of mind to homeowners and building occupants, minimizing damage and potentially saving lives in the event of a fire emergency.

Principle of operation and design of a drainage fire extinguishing system

There are several approaches to address the problem of fire safety. Systems that are manually or automatically controlled are needed by different facilities. The drencher fire extinguishing system operates on a principle that responds immediately to fire incidents and considers both methods of equipment activation.

Design and construction of the fire extinguishing system drencher system

The network of pipelines that the water supply is connected to, along with sprinklers positioned all over the place, is used in the design of drainage systems to release foam or water to put out fires.

See also How to Respond in the Event of an Apartment Fire

Plan for installing sprinklers for drainage

The purpose of a structure determines the size of the sprinklers (drains). For example, special heads with a diameter of 10 to 16 mm are used to create a water curtain between rooms, while vane type drains with a diameter of 12 mm are meant for large-scale water impacts.

Different designs of dry pipes are highlighted, where water is supplied only upon manual or automatic activation. In explosive production facilities, sprinkler outlets are aimed upward and drainage devices are kept permanently filled with water. This ensures that the system is always ready to operate quickly.

The automatic fire extinguishing system’s activation mechanism determines both the rate of activation and the degree of protection against accidental activation. There is a differentiation between designs according to:

• valves of group action, for dry pipe systems,
• wedge gate valves,
• Valves operated by electrical wiring.

The way drainage systems are designed, there is a backup water supply available to help put out a fire for an hour without the need for fire fighters, thanks to both the primary and backup water sources. This factor is especially crucial in rooms where there is a high risk of explosions.

Working principle

Depending on how it is activated, all firefighting apparatus is classified as autonomous, automatic, or manually operated.

Currently, the automatic principle of the drencher fire extinguishing system can be used with an electric, cable, hydraulic, or pneumatic actuator. Any locking device, including gate and valve valves, can be opened with them.

The following scheme forms the basis of the operation’s principle:

• When a fire occurs in the room, the air temperature rises sharply or the level of smoke increases;
• heat or smoke sensors are activated and transmit a danger signal to the control unit;
• From the control system in automatic mode comes a command that activates the actuator that opens the water supply system;
• distribution pipeline is filled with water, if necessary, a pump is connected, which provides high pressure and accordingly increases the speed and volume of water supply to the standard 0.1 liters per second per square meter of surface;
• water is initially drawn from an existing tank and, after emptying it, directly from the water mains.

An illustration of a drainage system schematic

The water curtain system operates on the same principle, though the water supply intensity and drain shape are different. Water curtain structures are erected to divide the spaces between doors and hallways.

How the drencher fire extinguishing system is organized and the rules of its calculation

An intricate network of automatic fire extinguishing systems is part of the dryer fire extinguishing system. In addition to putting out fires, sprinkler units are used to produce a "water curtain" that keeps flames from spreading to neighboring areas and objects. We will explain what a drencher fire extinguishing system is in this article, along with some important usage information.

What is a drencher fire extinguishing system and how it works?

Principle of operation

Drencher fire extinguishing is frequently used in establishments with a high risk of fire and explosion, such as:

• enterprises specializing in the production of household and industrial chemicals;
• wood processing and pulp mills;
• Paint and varnish production facilities;
• enterprises characterized by a constant negative temperature regime throughout the year.

The primary characteristic of the drencher fire extinguishing system is its operating principle, which involves dispersing the working material throughout the protected room.

The two water sources that the Drencher fire extinguishing system offers are used for the most aggressive emergency fire extinguishing within the first ten minutes of the signal being received, and for long-term fire extinguishing within an hour of the signal being received. The standard operating procedure for extinguishing fires specifies that the water flow rate should be between 0.1 and 0.3 liters per second per square meter.

A special inducement unit, which may be any of the following varieties, signals the presence of water:

• cable – when the temperature in the served room rises, the fusible lock starts to melt, which leads to the breaking of the cable and opening of the inducement pipe valve;
• electrical – when any of the preset characteristics deviates from the norm, the system signals the control unit of the pumping unit and activates the water supply;
• hydraulic – when exposed to high temperatures, the thermal lock opens, the pressure in the system drops and thus signals the occurrence of fire, after which the water supply is activated.

The pneumatic system operates on the same principle as the hydraulic system, with the exception that compressed gas is used as the working substance instead of water.

Therefore, the following idea underlies the operation of a drencher fire suppression system:

• after detection of the fire hearth, the detectors of the fire alarm system transmit an alarm signal to the control panel;
• the received signal is checked against the threshold value of temperature, its dynamic change or smoke level, which is set in the system;
• the system decides on activation and activates the pumping station or opens the outlet valve of the displacement gas container and the shut-off valve giving access to the supply piping and branch lines;
• The working substance is transported from a local autonomous source or a common water supply network into the pipeline through a damper tank;
• extinguishing agent is delivered through pipes to the drains and sprayed over the relevant zone.

Pros and cons

The following are advantages that experts see in automatic fire extinguishing systems based on drain sprayers:

• quick response after detection of a fire – standard units are activated by a smooth temperature rise to 70-75 degrees or a sudden increase of 10-15 degrees;
• fast filling of pipelines and active atomization of large volumes of water due to high capacity of pumps included in the unit (from 100 to 600 m3/hour);
• the possibility of controlling large volumes of premises – the design of the installation takes into account the possibility of delivering the required volume of water to the most remote point of the serviced object to extinguish the fire of the highest category of complexity allowed for this building;
• possibility to create fully automated installations with activation and termination of activity according to predetermined parameters – for example, according to the volume of extinguishing liquid used to eliminate the fire;
• reusability of the installation – after triggering the elements of the system do not require replacement or commissioning work after re-filling, (except for plastic fire alarm detectors, which may need to be replaced with undamaged);
• Possibility of converting water fire extinguishing drencher systems to the use of alternative working substances: gas, foam or combined mixtures.

The difference between a sprinkler and a drainer?

Sprinkler and drainage systems appear to be similar, but they differ significantly in a few key ways:

• Design features. A sprinkler contains a thermally controlled bulb or heat lock inside, which is subject to collapse when certain conditions occur. Thus, after a single actuation, sprinklers require replacement with new devices. Drenchers, on the other hand, are open irrigation heads that are manually or automatically actuated.
• Intended use. Drencher units are used to extinguish fire on the entire area of the protected object at once, sprinkler units react to changes in the environmental parameters of a certain area.
• Working conditions. Since the drencher units can be in an unfilled state with water, they can be used even on objects with a constant temperature below +5 degrees Celsius. Sprinkler systems, depending on the type, can also be used in quite severe conditions, but any water version of the installation, which implies constant filling of pipelines, can be used only at plus values of temperature.
• Speed of operation. Sprinklers have a slower response rate than drains due to the fact that it takes some time for the thermally controlled bulb or heat lock to break down.

What it looks like and its types

Experts differentiate between two types of drencher fire extinguishing systems: pouring systems and dry-pipe systems.

Flood systems are used in buildings that pose a high risk of explosion or fire, while dry pipe systems are used in less dangerous locations.

Additionally, drainage systems are divided into vane and socket systems based on the equipment’s design features.

Vane devices have an outlet opening diameter of 12 millimeters and are used in diaphragms; socket devices have diameters of 10, 12, and 16 millimeters and are used in water curtain devices.

Installation rules and calculation example

The amount of water needed to put out the flames determines how much of a drainage fire protection system needs to be installed. The components of the protected object determine how much water is present. Consequently, the standard norm of water volume is increased threefold in the presence of a large amount of rubber or cellulose.

When determining the cost of installing a drainage system in a typical room, the following guidelines must be followed:

• A single drencher can treat an area of 9 square meters;
• the distance between the drains – 3 meters, the distance between the drains and the wall – 1.5 meters;
• The volume of water used must be at least 0.5 liters per second per 1 square meter of the room;
• the speed of water flow through the supply pipes should be at least 3 meters per second, and the distribution main – at least 10 meters per second;
• installation is carried out on door, window and technological openings through which the flame can penetrate into the neighboring room;
• To create water curtains it is necessary to use socket-type drains with a drain hole diameter of 10, 12 or 16 millimeters, and for direct flame extinguishing it is necessary to use vane-type drains with a hole diameter of 12 millimeters.

Price

A drencher automatic fire extinguishing system is among the most economical choices since water is the most inexpensive fire extinguishing agent. The size of the protected object, its intended use, and a few other factors determine how much the installation will cost. It will therefore cost roughly 55,000 rubles to install the equipment on a 50 square meter plot. The cost of the fire extinguishing system may increase threefold if additional equipment (such as a pumping station) needs to be installed.

Normative documents

Norms governing the design, requirements for equipment, installation work, operation of drencher fire extinguishing systems:

• SP 485.1311500.2020 on design standards for fire extinguishing installations, including drencher systems.
• GOST R 50680-94 on requirements for water fire extinguishing systems, GOST R 50800-95 – foam extinguishing systems.
• GOST R 51043-2002 on requirements for sprinklers of water and foam fire extinguishing systems.
• GOST R 51052-2002 on requirements, test methods of control units of water and foam fire extinguishing systems.

Principle of operation of the drencher fire extinguishing unit.

The supply of fire extinguishing material in the protected room via sensor operation is the foundation for the drencher fire extinguishing system’s operation. Regardless of the burning area, the extinguishing agent supply is applied throughout the drainage protection area. This makes it possible to put out a fire more intensely, stop it from spreading, and, if needed, also realize that other objects are protected from the hazardous elements of fire.

A drencher extinguishing system’s component parts are:

Water source with extinguishing agent supply pumps

For the system to operate without interruption for at least sixty minutes, there should be two power sources. Additionally, a backup pump is installed, which will supply the extinguishing agent through the pipelines in the event that the primary pump malfunctions or fails.

Piping system.

Metal pipes are painted in colors that correspond to the direction in which water and foam are supplied. The method used to fill the pipelines with extinguishing agent is what makes drainage systems unique. Until the fire detection system is activated, the pipelines are typically left empty. The extinguishing agent is fed into the pipelines for extinguishment after tripping.

This feature keeps water from freezing in the pipelines during cold snaps. It also permits the installation of restrictors on sprinklers without stopping water flow, allowing water and foam to be supplied simultaneously throughout the protected area.

However, there are some exceptions. The pipelines are partially filled with water to shorten the time it takes to supply the extinguishing agent needed to put out a fire in the event of a potential explosion, constant plus temperature, or rapid fire spread.

Control system.

Its purpose is to create control signals among the fire extinguishing system’s component parts so that extinguishing agents can be delivered to the protected areas. Additionally, for alerting the object’s staff as well as the fire and rescue services to the presence of a fire.

Primary fire factor sensors.

First of all, a manual start/extinguishment mechanism for the drencher system is required. Incentives also come in four varieties:

1. Electric. In conjunction with the fire alarm system, the suppression system responds to smoke, fire, and temperature detectors. This creates the impulse for the valves to open and the pumps to start working to supply the extinguishing agent.
2. Cable. It is used on objects of constant temperature above 0 0C. A rope with thermal locks is stretched in the protected room, after exposure to temperature, the thermal lock actuates the rope, which opens the gate valve for water and foam supply.
3. Hydraulic. A thermal lock is installed on a certain number of pipelines filled with extinguishing liquid. When the thermal lock is activated, the system pressure drops and pumps are activated to deliver the extinguishing agent to the protected room over the entire defined area.
4. Pneumatic. Part of the pipelines, in the protected room, from the thermal lock to the valve are filled with gas. When the thermal lock is triggered, the gas pressure drops, which leads to the opening of the valve with the subsequent start of pumps and extinguishing the fire in the area of the room.

Drenchers or sprinklers (atomizers).

A single drencher fire extinguishing sprinkler is intended to cover a 9 m2 area. The distance between the drains themselves and the wall should be 3 meters and 1.5 meters, respectively, for the best extinguishing and protection.

Two types of drains can be distinguished based on how they are constructed:

1. Vane, used in the diaphragm (the diameter of the outlet opening is 12 mm);
2. Socket, used to create a water curtain (the diameter of the inlet can be 10 mm, 12 mm, 16 mm).

Features and differences of drencher systems

Automated fire extinguishing systems for ditchers

The sprinklers in automatic fire extinguishing systems are not thermally locked, in contrast to sprinkler systems. As a result, there is no extinguishing agent in the pipeline, and the fire extinguishing procedure begins when the shut-off valve is opened, preventing access to the central reservoir. Extinguishing a fire can be done manually or in response to a fire alarm. Automatic fire extinguishing drencher systems are directly linked to the alarm and fire alarm control system in smart home systems. Following the discovery of a fire, the command can be confirmed via the central panel, over the phone, or instantly upon detection of the fire.

Triggering and principle of operation

Principle of the drencher system’s operation

1. Detection of the fire is made by sensors (smoke, combustion or temperature) alarm and fire alarm system, after which the alarm signal is transmitted to the security desk, mobile communication and control device to the homeowner and the central controller of the fire extinguishing system;
2. The signal is checked against the threshold values stored in the controller"s memory. In some systems with addressable detectors, it is possible to set different values for different rooms of the house, depending on their purpose:

1. For kitchens, they limit the level of smoke,
2. For bathroom temperature levels, etc.п. These individual settings are important to reduce the probability of false alarms;

1. From a cylinder of displacement gas;
2. From the network of pipelines;

Crucial! The water is sprayed over the entire installation area of the fire extinguishing system, which is one of the primary distinctions from a sprinkler system.

Main technical characteristics and advantages

The following benefits come with automatic drencher fire extinguishing installations:

• Quick response to the occurrence of fire origin, which can be determined by several parameters:

• Flame detector or infrared heat sensor signal. Usually, for residential premises in a smart home system, it is provided for triggering when the temperature reaches the limit of 65-75°C or its sudden, sharp increase of 15-20°C.
• For kitchens, it is advisable to use several fire detection methods (temperature, smoke, presence of open flames) in combination;

Advantages of drencher systems

The following benefits are associated with automatic fire suppression systems that utilize drencher sprayers:

Quick response of triggering after detection of the fire source. Standard installations are activated by an infrared heat detector or flame detector signal when the temperature exceeds a threshold value of 70-75°C or when the temperature in the local detection zone rises by 10-15°C in an abrupt manner.

Depending on the settings, the smoke detector may react when there is a lot of dust in the production area. As a result, it’s wise to use a variety of sensors in the fire alarm system and configure the alarm to sound in response to a group.

Triggering mechanism

The sensors or locks that respond to variations in the room temperature, heating, or smoke provide the signal to operate the equipment. To activate the system, data can be transmitted in a variety of ways:

• a fusible sensor heats up, destroys and breaks the cable closed to it, as a result the valve on the pipeline opens;
• the thermal lock opens when heated, causing the system to depressurize (hydraulic principle);
• when heated, the gas in the lock changes its properties and opens the lock (pneumatic principle);
• electrical signaling devices conduct a signal when normal operating conditions are violated.

The apparatus is activated automatically. Some systems are activated in manual mode after verifying the received signals regarding a fire hazardous situation because of the increased risk of incorrect triggering.

Positive qualities

The speed at which drainage systems operate is thought to be their primary advantage over alternative systems. The fire extinguishing liquid is able to rapidly extinguish the fire because the spray nozzles lack thermal locks, which causes the liquid to arrive at the scene instantly. However these are not the only benefits of these kinds of systems; additional benefits include:

1. 1. Transmission pipelines are very quickly filled with water, which is then actively sprayed over the area of fire. This is made possible by pumps generating a water head of 100 to 600 cubic meters per hour. They can be switched off manually after the end of operation.
2. 2.
   If the system was originally designed to work with water, it can easily be converted to use other substances, such as gas, foam, or combination products. Only the central unit of the system needs to be changed. The cost of this retrofit is low.
3. 3. Even very large premises can be monitored and emergency situations can be responded to quickly with the help of a drainage system. For this purpose, the diameter of the pipes is calculated in advance and the nozzles are positioned so that water can be delivered even to the most remote areas of the building.
4. 4. The installation can be used many times without changing anything in its configuration, since it does not include disposable elements that require replacement or repair. The only thing that can be damaged during a fire is the fire alarm detectors made of plastic.
5. 5. These systems can be programmed to turn on and off fully automatically. At the same time, there is usually a calculation of extinguishing liquid: 100-200 cubic meters of water will be enough to extinguish fires of any degree of complexity, if there is nothing explosive in the building.

The best way to get the most out of a drencher fire suppression system is to use a variety of sensors and set the alarm to activate them all at once. By doing this, false alarms—which are common in rooms with natural smoke—will be eliminated.

Differences between a sprinkler and a drainage system

Sprinkler and drencher systems are the two primary types of fire suppression systems. Even though at first glance the differences between the two might not seem noteworthy, they do exist:

1. 1. Activation method. Drencher has open-type heads and therefore operates immediately after manual activation or an automatic signal to start the fire. The sprinkler is equipped with a thermal lock that is destroyed by heat. After one use, this lock needs to be replaced as it breaks permanently.
2. 2. Speed of operation. This value is due to design features. Drencher systems can be activated as soon as half a second after the start of a fire. It takes some time for the heat lock to melt, so the sprinkler is triggered a little later. But not all situations require an immediate response, so both of these installations find their own area of application.
3. 3. Working conditions. Drench fire extinguishing can be used in facilities with temperatures below +5 degrees Celsius. Sprinkler systems are capable of operating at extreme temperatures, but water systems are used only in rooms with a positive temperature regime.
4. 4. Purpose. Drencher systems are best used to extinguish a fire over the entire area of a room, while sprinkler systems are best used to extinguish a fire only in a certain limited area.

You must weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each system in order to select the optimal one for the given circumstance.

Feature	Description
Function	A drencher fire extinguishing system is designed to rapidly extinguish fires by releasing a large volume of water or other extinguishing agent over a wide area.
Operation	When a fire is detected, the system activates, triggering sprinkler heads or nozzles to release the extinguishing agent. The water flow typically covers the entire protected area, effectively suppressing the fire.

Any home would benefit from having a drencher fire extinguishing system because it provides an additional line of defense against the destructive power of flames. In contrast to conventional fire extinguishers that necessitate manual handling, drencher systems function automatically, initiating as soon as they identify the existence of fire.

In order to quickly put out the fires and stop them from spreading, these systems release a torrent of water or chemicals that resist fire. In addition to protecting your family’s safety, this quick reaction may be essential in reducing damage to your house and possessions.

The ability of drencher systems to offer comprehensive coverage, effectively protecting large portions of your home from fire, is one of its main advantages. A properly installed drencher system can guarantee that every area of your home is protected from the risk of fire, whether it be the living room, kitchen, or attic.

Additionally, drencher systems are easy to maintain and operate because they are built with dependability and simplicity in mind. You can be sure that your drencher system will be ready to go whenever it’s needed with routine maintenance and inspections, providing you peace of mind that your house is always safe.

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