Automatic Environmental Solutions products

A wet pipe system is the most common type of fire sprinkler system, in which the sprinkler pipes are constantly charged with water under pressure. 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. Wet-pipe systems should not be considered when ambient temperatures can fall below 4°C (40°F).

A dry pipe system is one in which pipes are filled with pressurised air or nitrogen, rather than water. The air pressure holds the Dry-pipe valve in a closed position. Located in a heated space, the dry-pipe valve prevents water from entering the pipe until a fire causes one or more sprinklers to operate. Once this happens, the air escapes and the dry pipe valve opens. Water then enters the pipe network flowing through the open sprinklers onto the fire. Dry pipe sprinkler systems provide automatic protection in locations where freezing is possible and are typically used in unheated warehouses, exposed loading docks and within commercial freezers.

Deluge (spray) systems, as the name implies, deliver large quantities of water over specific areas in a relatively short period of time. These systems are used to protect against rapidly growing and spreading fires, typically involving flammable liquids and solvents etc.

A pre-action sprinkler system consists of a sprinkler system and an electrical detection system with pressurised air in the sprinkler pipework and water held back by the pre-action control valve. In the event of the operation of the electrical detection system the pre-action valve operates and allows water into the sprinkler pipework.