Sprinkler systems

Must be fitted to passenger ships carrying less than 36 passengers in the

accommodation spacesand other areas considered necessary be the
administration. For pasenger ships carrying greater than 36 passengers it must
be fitted to accommodation spaces, corridors, stairwells and to control stations
( the latter may be served by an alternative system to prevent damage). The
system must be of an approved type. See below for full requirements.
Generally takes the form of a wet pipe (line continuosly flooded) on to which
are connected a number of sprinkler head. These heads consist of a valve held
shut by a high expansion fluid filled quartzoid bulb.A small air space is
incorporated.

When a fire occurs in an adjacent area to this bulb the fluid

expands until the air space is filled, increasing internal pressure causes the
bulb to fracture. The size of the air gap determines the temperature at which
this failure occurs. The valve plug falls out and a jet of water exits , striking the
spray generator where it is then distributed evenly over the surrounding area.
In acting this way only the area of the fire is deluged and damage is
minimised.
 Water is supplied from an air pressurised water tank ( thus the
system functions without electrical power), this water is fresh water to
minimise damage. The tank is half filled with water and the rest is compressed
air at pressure sufficient to ensure that all the water is delivered to the highest
sprinkler at sprinkler head working pressure. Once this source of water is
exhausted, falling main pressure is detected by a pressure switch. This
activates a sea water supply pump. A valve is fitted on the system to allow
proper testing of this function. After sea water has entered the system proper
flushing with fresh water is required to prevent corrosion

A shore connection may be connected to the system to allow

function during dry-dock

High Pressure Water spray system

A similar but essentially different system exists for the supply of water under
pressure to dry pipes onto which sprinkler heads are fitted. These sprinkler
heads do not have the bulb and valve arrangement. Instead when an area is to
be served a relevant isolation valves is opened. The fundamental difference
between this and the sprinkler system is that human intervention is required,
whereas the sprinkler system is required to be fully automated. Commonly a
cross connection vai a non-return valve exists able to deliver to the water from
the high pressure spray system to the sprinkler system
 When an isolation valve is opened pressure in the line falls and the
sea water pump is started. The air vessel is there to prevent cycling of the
pump due to slight water leakage. The fresh water pump is there for flushing
and initial filling of wet pipe only.

Regulations
Taken from SOLAS 1974 Regualtion II/2A
Regulation 12 Automatic sprinkler, fire detection and fire alarm systems
1.1 Any required automatic sprinkler, fire detection and fire alarm
system shall be capable of immediate operation at all times and no
action by the crew shall be necessary to set it in operation. It shall be
of the wet pipe type but small exposed sections may be of the dry
pipe type where in the opinion of the Administration this is a
necessary precaution. Any parts of the system which may be
subjected to freezing temperatures in service shall be suitably
protected against freezing. It shall be kept charged at the necessary
pressure and shall have provision for a continuous supply of water
as required in this regulation.
1.2 Each section of sprinklers shall include means for giving a visual
and audible alarm signal automatically at one or more indicating
units whenever any sprinkler comes into operation. Such alarm
systems shall be such as to indicate if any fault occurs in the
system. Such units shall indicate in which section served by the
system fire has occurred and shall be centralized on the navigation
bridge and in addition, visible and audible alarms from the unit shall
be located in a position other than on the navigation bridge, so as to
ensure that the indication of fire is immediately received by the crew.

2.1 Sprinklers shall be grouped into separate sections, each of which

shall contain not more than 200 sprinklers. In passenger ships any
section of sprinklers shall not serve more than two decks and shall
not be situated in more than one main vertical zone. However, the
Administration may permit such a section of sprinklers to serve more
than two decks or be situated in more than one main vertical zone, if
it is satisfied that the protection of the ship against fire will not
thereby be reduced.

2.2 Each section of sprinklers shall be capable of being isolated by

one stop valve only. The stop valve in each section shall be readily
accessible and its location shall be clearly and permanently
indicated. Means shall be provided to prevent the operation of the
stop valves by any unauthorized person.

2.3 A gauge indicating the pressure in the system shall be provided

at each section stop valve and at a central station.

2.4 The sprinklers shall be resistant to corrosion by marine

atmosphere. In accommodation and service spaces the sprinklers
shall come into operation within the temperature range from 68АC to
79АC, except that in locations such as drying rooms, where high
ambient temperatures might be expected, the operating temperature
may be increased by not more than 30АC above the maximum
deckhead temperature.

2.5 A list or plan shall be displayed at each indicating unit showing

the spaces covered and the location of the zone in respect of each
section. Suitable instructions for testing and maintenance shall be
available.

3 Sprinklers shall be placed in an overhead position and spaced in a

suitable pattern to maintain an average application rate of not less
than 5 l/m2/min over the nominal area covered by the sprinklers.
However, the Administration may permit the use of sprinklers
providing such an alternative amount of water suitably distributed as
has been shown to the satisfaction of the Administration to be not
less effective.

4.1 A pressure tank having a volume equal to at least twice that of

the charge of water specified in this subparagraph shall be provided.
The tank shall contain a standing charge of fresh water, equivalent to
the amount of water which would be discharged in one minute by the
pump referred to in paragraph 5.2, and the arrangements shall
provide for maintaining an air pressure in the tank such as to ensure
that where the standing charge of fresh water in the tank has been
used the pressure will be not less than the working pressure of the
sprinkler, plus the pressure exerted by a head of water measured
from the bottom of the tank to the highest sprinkler in the system.
Suitable means of replenishing the air under pressure and of
replenishing the fresh water charge in the tank shall be provided. A
glass gauge shall be provided to indicate the correct level of the
water in the tank.

4.2 Means shall be provided to prevent the passage of seawater into

the tank.

5.1 An independent power pump shall be provided solely for the

purpose of continuing automatically the discharge of water from the
sprinklers. The pump shall be brought into action automatically by
the pressure drop in the system before the standing fresh water
charge in the pressure tank is completely exhausted.

5.2 The pump and the piping system shall be capable of maintaining
the necessary pressure at the level of the highest sprinkler to ensure
a continuous output of water sufficient for the simultaneous
coverage of a minimum area of 280 m2 at the application rate
specified in paragraph 3.

5.3 The pump shall have fitted on the delivery side a test valve with a
short open-ended discharge pipe. The effective area through the
valve and pipe shall be adequate to permit the release of the required
pump output while maintaining the pressure in the system specified
in paragraph 4.1.

5.4 The sea inlet to the pump shall wherever possible be in the space
containing the pump and shall be so arranged that when the ship is
afloat it will not be necessary to shut off the supply of seawater to
the pump for any purpose other than the inspection or repair of the
pump.

6 The sprinkler pump and tank shall be situated in a position

reasonably remote from any machinery space of category A and
shall not be situated in any space required to be protected by the
sprinkler system.

7.1 In passenger ships there shall be not less than two sources of
power supply for the seawater pump and automatic alarm and
detection system. Where the sources of power for the pump are
electrical, these shall be a main generator and an emergency source
of power. One supply for the pump shall be taken from the main
switchboard, and one from the emergency switchboard by separate
feeders reserved solely for that purpose. The feeders shall be so
arranged as to avoid galleys, machinery spaces and other enclosed
spaces of high fire risk except in so far as it is necessary to reach the
appropriate switchboards, and shall be run to an automatic change-
over switch situated near the sprinkler pump. This switch shall
permit the supply of power from the main switchboard so long as a
supply is available therefrom, and be so designed that upon failure of
that supply it will automatically change over to the supply from the
emergency switchboard. The switches on the main switchboard and
the emergency switchboard shall be clearly labelled and normally
kept closed. No other switch shall be permitted in the feeders
concerned. One of the sources of power supply for the alarm and
detection system shall be an emergency source. Where one of the
sources of power for the pump is an internal combustion engine it
shall, in addition to complying with the provisions of paragraph 6, be
so situated that a fire in any protected space will not affect the air
supply to the machinery.

7.2 In cargo ships there shall not be less than two sources of power
supply for the seawater pump and automatic alarm and detection
system. If the pump is electrically driven it shall be connected to the
main source of electrical power, which shall be capable of being
supplied by at least two generators. The feeders shall be so arranged
as to avoid galleys, machinery spaces and other enclosed spaces of
high fire risk except in so far as it is necessary to reach the
appropriate switchboards. One of the sources of power supply for
the alarm and detection system shall be an emergency source.
Where one of the sources of power for the pump is an internal
combustion engine it shall, in addition to complying with the
provisions of paragraph 6, be so situated that a fire in any protected
space will not affect the air supply to the machinery.

8 The sprinkler system shall have a connection from the ship's fire
main by way of a lockable screw-down non-return valve at the
connection which will prevent a backflow from the sprinkler system
to the fire main.

9.1 A test valve shall be provided for testing the automatic alarm for
each section of sprinklers by a discharge of water equivalent to the
operation of one sprinkler. The test valve for each section shall be
situated near the stop valve for that section.

9.2 Means shall be provided for testing the automatic operation of

the pump on reduction of pressure in the system.

9.3 Switches shall be provided at one of the indicating positions

referred to in paragraph 1.2 which will enable the alarm and the
indicators for each section of sprinklers to be tested.

10 Spare sprinkler heads shall be provided for each section of

sprinklers to the satisfaction of the Administration.