Sprinkler Heads: There are various types of heads that can be used such as concealed pendents, exposed pendents, exposed side walls, concealed side walls. (picture on right shows examples)
Depending on the type of head installed, depends on how the head activates. For example a concealed pendent once commisioned is fitted with a cover plate, upon a fire the cover plate drops after reaching a certain temperature, this will then drop the deflector plate which then allows the soldered links to melt which then passes water through. Whereas an exposed head is fitted with a glass bulb which will break upon reaching the required temperature, this allows the water to then pass through.
Valve set/riser: Every sprinkler system will come fitted with a valve set (also commonly known as a resi riser) which is connected into the incoming water within a property. The function of the valve set within a sprinkler system is to provide control and monitoring of the system, it includes an isolation valve which controls the water supply, pressure gauge which monitors system pressure, flow switch which detects water flow to trigger an alarm and a test point which allows for system maintenance and testing. Any system except Category 1 will be electrically monitored with a switch that will signal if the isolation valve is not fully open.
CVPC Pipe: Here at Falcon Sprinklers we use CVPC Spears Flameguard Pipe. This is a highly resistant material to different damaging aspects such as corrosion, splitting, scaling and pitting. We use these pipes to connect the heads to the valve set/riser so the water can be released after activation by traveling effectively through the pipes. CPVC pipe can withstand high temperatures and create a char around the outside of the pipe upon activation to prevent further damage and also maintain the pipes/system which makes it great for use in sprinkler systems. We only use compatable solvent glue and fire stopping materials with this product.
Pump & Tank: Whilst not every system needs a pump & tank for the water supply, it is still an important companent within the systems. Pumps & Tanks are used on large developments or where a mains fed supply isn't adequate. Only pump sets suitable for sprinkler systems should be used and installed. Tanks are simply used to store the needed water for the sprinkler system, to which upon a sprinkler head activation due to a change in pressure the pump set powers up and distributes the water to where activation has occured. Most category 2+ sprinkler systems will require a pump & tank.
Priority Demand Valves: Priority demand valves (also known as PDV'S) is installed on both mains fed and pump and tank systems. It essentially is a valve fitted onto the incoming water and during a sprinkler activation the valve closes the water supply. PDV'S will active when the system goes off and it then shuts off the water to the rest of the house. There is usually a bypass that can be turned on so you can turn water onto the house if needed.
Flowatch Monitoring Unit: Priority demand valves (also known as PDV'S) is installed on both mains fed and pump and tank systems. It essentially is a valve fitted onto the incoming water and during a sprinkler activation the valve closes the water supply. PDV'S will active when the system goes off and it then shuts off the water to the rest of the house. There is usually a bypass that can be turned on so you can turn water onto the house if needed.