The dry pipe sprinkler system is falling out of favor. It does provide the benefit that there is no water in the pipes until a sprinkler head is activated, and this can reduce condensation on the pipes. However, there is a risk that you will get water flow if a sprinkler head is accidentally damaged. This is probably not an issue in a chamber. If you are moving something tall enough that it could damage a sprinkler head, it is too big for the chamber.
A pre-action system is now being used in many applications. This system uses valves to keep the pipes dry. Smoke and heat sensors activate the valves, flooding the pipes. This system is preferred where there is either a moderate risk of damage to the sprinkler heads, or the consequences of a inadvertent activation would be extremely costly. My facility has a computer room with tall equipment and a limited space from the raised floor to the sprinkler heads and we use the pre-action system. Ted Eckert American Power Conversion/MGE http://www.apc.com/ The items contained in this e-mail reflect the personal opinions of the writer and are only provided for the assistance of the reader. The writer is not speaking in an official capacity for APC-MGE or Schneider Electric. The speaker does not represent APC-MGE's or Schneider Electric's official position on any matter. John Woodgate <[email protected] o.uk> To Sent by: [email protected] [email protected] cc Subject 01/18/2008 01:12 Re: Sprinkler Systems in Anechoic AM Chambers In message <[email protected]>, dated Thu, 17 Jan 2008, [email protected] writes: >I have a question regarding sprinkler systems in Anechoic chambers. Are >there any list members with an opinion on the matter? I have a chamber >I am installing and I am working with the fire safety group to >determine if we have to install sprinklers. Have any of you been able >to get away without installing sprinklers in your chambers? Any input >would be appreciated. Anywhere where sprinklers are installed above electronic equipment should use the 'dry-main' system, whereby there is compressed air, not water, in the system until a sprinkler its triggered and the air is released. There is then an evacuation delay until the water arrives. The reason is obvious - sprinkling the electronic equipment is dangerous to people. -- OOO - Own Opinions Only. Try www.jmwa.demon.co.uk and www.isce.org.uk For very important information, please turn over. John Woodgate, J M Woodgate and Associates, Rayleigh, Essex UK - This message is from the IEEE Product Safety Engineering Society emc-pstc discussion list. Website: http://www.ieee-pses.org/ To post a message to the list, send your e-mail to [email protected] Instructions: http://listserv.ieee.org/request/user-guide.html List rules: http://www.ieee-pses.org/listrules.html For help, send mail to the list administrators: Scott Douglas [email protected] Mike Cantwell [email protected] For policy questions, send mail to: Jim Bacher: [email protected] David Heald: [email protected] All emc-pstc postings are archived and searchable on the web at: http://www.ieeecommunities.org/emc-pstc - This message is from the IEEE Product Safety Engineering Society emc-pstc discussion list. Website: http://www.ieee-pses.org/ To post a message to the list, send your e-mail to [email protected] Instructions: http://listserv.ieee.org/request/user-guide.html List rules: http://www.ieee-pses.org/listrules.html For help, send mail to the list administrators: Scott Douglas [email protected] Mike Cantwell [email protected] For policy questions, send mail to: Jim Bacher: [email protected] David Heald: [email protected] All emc-pstc postings are archived and searchable on the web at: http://www.ieeecommunities.org/emc-pstc
