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Wet Pipe Sprinkler Systems
The Wet System is an
installation where the sprinkler pipes are constantly charged
with water under pressure. It is the simplest and most widely
used system, and because the water can be available immediately
a sprinkler operates, it is the speediest system to come into
action.
For this reason it is only suitable for use where there is no
danger of frost, i.e. in climates where freezing never occurs or
in buildings which are constantly heated during cold periods.
Being equalled only by the pre-action system in this respect.
The layout of the controlling valves of a typical wet system is
shown and it includes the alarm valve, the combined drain and
test valve, test valve, pressure gauges and alarm motor
isolating valve, strainer, alarm motor and gong.
This type of system is the easiest to design and install and the
simplest to maintain. Wet-pipe systems contain water under
pressure at all times and utilize a series of closed sprinklers.
When a fire occurs and produces a sufficient amount of heat to
activate one or more sprinklers, beacuse an automatic water
supply is mandated, water immediately discharges from the open
sprinklers.
A Wet-pipe system should be the first choice of designers and
installers because they are more inherently reliable and less
costly to maintain. However, wet-pipe systems should not be
considered when temperatures to which the system could be
exposed fall below 4°C (40°F). Refer to the animation above for
a description of how a Wet-pipe system operates..
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