Module 18

Many dwellings now have at least one smoke alarm fitted. Unfortunately, they are often under-regarded, and about half of them do not work due to flat batteries! Fire sprinklers, on the other hand, provide a high level of protection both for life safety and property. Many people do not know that they can be installation in dwellings. Furthermore, many are misinformed about their cost, effectiveness and reliability. If you have the recommended number of smoke alarms, you increase your chances of surviving a fire by 47%. Sprinklers increase your chances to over 97%. The reason for this is that a sprinkler will act before a fire can grow large enough to spread smoke and toxic products of combustion such as carbon monoxide, and hydrogen cyanide, as well as the heat of the gases – these are the things that kill people in fires. In nearly every case, the activation of only one sprinkler is enough to control a fire!

The purpose of this study module is to give you to the skills and knowledge required for the design and installation of domestic and residential fire sprinkler systems and an understanding of the various techniques and standards that apply to the installation.

Module Contents

18.1 Introduction

18.2 Definition of terms

18.3 Types of domestic & residential sprinkler system

18.4 Pre-installation checks and site safety

18.5 Installation drawing

18.6 Piping within the heated envelope of the building

18.7 Piping outside the heated envelope of the building

18.8 Approved piping materials and jointing methods

18.9 Identification and marking of pipework

18.10 Sprinkler head types, temperature values, identification,

positioning and installation

18.11 Pre-commissioning checks

18.12 Testing and commissioning procedures

18.13 Completion of documentation & exceptions reporting

18.14 Hand-over to client/occupier

18.15 Service and maintenance

18.16 Hydraulic design

18.17 Standards and references

18.18 Do’s and don’ts of sprinkler installation

18.19 Summary multiple-choice questions