How Sprinklers Work

Sprinklers detect a fire in its early stages and will operate before the fire enrages and becomes life-threatening.

The system is heat-activated at a temperate of 57 degrees celsius (domestic property) when the concealed lid drops off.  At 65 – 70 degrees celsius, the glass bulb of the sprinkler head smashes, allowing the plug to drop and water to be released.

Water from the activated sprinkler will cool the atmosphere around the fire, which will reduce the rate of burning, the production of smoke and will protect the surround materials limiting fire spread. Research illustrates that the vast majority of fires controlled by a sprinkler system have involved just one sprinkler head activating.

The following information and original artwork were kindly provided by the Residential Sprinklers Association (RSA). More information about the RSA, residential sprinklers and accredited installers is available here.

diagram showing how sprinklers work with text and image

diagram showing how sprinklers work with text and image

National Sprinkler Organisations

There are a number of high-profile national organisations that are actively promoting the installation of sprinkler systems, which are listed below:

The National Fire Chiefs Council

The NFCC is committed to reducing the impact of fire on people, property, the environment and the economy. The NFCC firmly supports the wider installation and use of automatic fire suppression systems, which act as a preventative measure, so that people can evacuate the building in the event of a fire occurring. It will also reduce the risk to fire fighters who are called to deal with fires. Click here to visit the National Fire Chiefs Council website.

The British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association

The BAFSA primary objectives include providing authoritative information on the benefits of sprinkler systems and how sprinklers can play a significant role in saving life and property from the devastating effects of fire. To these ends, BAFSA works closely with the government, fire and rescue service, building control officers, insurers, architects and town planners. The association is dedicated to making sure that sprinkler systems are installed to the highest professional standards. BAFSA also has links with overseas bodies including the American Fire Sprinkler Association.

BAFSA is represented on a range of government sponsored bodies and participates in the decision-making processes in respect of fire safety legislation, codes of practice and technical standards. Click here to find out more about The British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association.

The National Fire Sprinkler Network

NFSN was founded 1998 and has become a formidable organisation in developing the application of fire sprinkler technology for the protection of people, property and the environment at home, at work, places of leisure and social activity. NFSN is a non-profit organisation and remains free from commercial interest. It works in partnership with a wide range of local, national and European governments and the fire and construction industries who share the ideals and objectives in making our communities safer from the threat of fire.

The Business Sprinkler Alliance

The BSA is a newly incorporated coalition working to achieve greater business resilience through enhanced protection against fire. Established in 2010, the BSA encourages greater business resilience by enhancing protection against fire through the increased acceptance and use of fire sprinklers in commercial and industrial premises.

The BSA aims to:

  • Reduce the number of deaths and severity of injuries from fire, including the risks to firefighters
  • Reduce the economic impact of fire by helping UK businesses save more than £10 billion by 2020
  • Reduce the societal impact of fire by preventing business disruption, closure and job losses
  • Reduce the environmental impact of fire and improve the sustainability performance of buildings
  • Achieve greater regulatory recognition of the efficacy of fire sprinklers in commercial and industrial premises

DFRS will work in co-ordination with all national organisations to highlight and promote automatic fire suppression systems and the benefits they possess. Particular attention will be given to the influencing legislative changes that will ensure the installation of domestic sprinkler systems to all new homes. Click here to find out more about The Business Sprinkler Alliance.

Local Government Association – Sprinklers Local Campaign Toolkit

The Local Government Association has an all-party working group looking into raising the awareness of sprinklers in domestic and residential premises. CFOA has been, and continues to advise one of the partners to this piece of work. Click here to view the Sprinklers Local Campaign Toolkit.

Residential Sprinklers Association

The Residential Sprinkler Association is a non-profit organisation which provides support to the Residential sector of the UK Fire Sprinkler Industry. Click here to find out more about the Residential Sprinklers Association.