Designing performance-based sprinkler systems : east vs. west

Abstract

Several criteria should be evaluated before designing a sprinkler system into a Performance-based design (PBD) to make it more effective in case of fire situations. A sprinkler system serves the detection and suppression functions and contains a thermal sensing element that operates at a predetermined temperatures. The effectiveness of sprinkler system depends on fire size at the time the sprinkler is activated, the characteristics of the sprinkler system, the geometry of the protected space, and the extent to which the fuel the fuel is shielded. The minimum distance between any sprinkler system in ceiling protection should be about 2 m, to prevent the first operating sprinkler from wetting. The sprinkler head shall be as close to the ceiling as practical to enable the hot gases to effectively operate the sprinkler head.