Water Deluge System

A water deluge system (fig. 8-9) is used where there is an extra hazard, such as areas where flammable liquids or propellants are handled or stored, or where there is a possibility that a fire might grow faster than ordinary sprinkler systems can control. These systems are also often used in aircraft hangars where ceilings are unusually high and where drafts may deflect the direct rise of heat so that sprinklers directly over the fire would not open promptly but others, at some distance away, might open without having any effect on the fire.

In the water deluge system, all sprinklers connected to the piping network are open and the water supply is controlled by a water deluge

Figure 8-9.-Deluge system. 8-7

valve (fig. 8-10). The water deluge valve remains closed until a fire is detected by a heat-actuated device that in turn causes the valve to open. Heatactuated devices (H.A.D.) can be either mechanical or electrical in operation. They are discussed in further detail later in this chapter.

The deluge system has a time delay between detection of a fire and the discharge of water at the sprinkler heads. This delay is due to the time required to operate the valve and fill the piping network with water, similar to the dry pipe system. To reduce the delay, the deluge system may be preprimed by filling the piping network with water downstream from the deluge valve. To prevent water from escaping from the sprinklers, pre-prime plugs (fig. 8-11) are placed on the sprinklers. These plugs blow out of the sprinklers at approximately 20 psi water pressure.

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