Testing agencies that conduct reliability testing of automatic sprinkler systems often consider new technologies and their performance in field-use environments to assess the need for revisions to product requirements or installation standards. Through continuous testing and technological innovation, measures are taken to improve the performance requirements of sprinkler system products. Throughout the world, various standards organizations have published different product standards for sprinkler heads. For example, ISO’s recently published international standards ISO 6182-1 and ISO 6182-10
SO2 Corrosion Chamber | Sulfur Dioxide Corrosion Test ChamberTo address these issues, UL published several revisions to the Sprinkler Standard in 2001. The revisions adopted to improve the operational performance of water seal assemblies are summarized in the table below. Subsequent to the implementation of these revisions, UL hands-on testing of field-installed sprinklers resulted in a wealth of data that determined the need for these additional requirements.
It is imperative to update the requirements of safety standards in a timely manner, so as to make the standards meet the problem and achieve the goal of maintaining safety. When the UL Sprinkler Standard first incorporated the requirements described in Figures 1 and 2, the entire fire protection community realized the importance of applying these requirements. For decades, automatic sprinkler systems have been effective in protecting property and life, and overall, fire sprinkler systems remain at a high level of effectiveness. Through continuous promotion, the use of sprinkler systems as a protective tool will make our world a safer living harbour.
| Types and Methods of Routine Testing of Automatic Sprinkler Systems: | Inspection and Testing Equipment of Automatic Sprinkler Systems: |
| Leak-Proof And Crack-Proof Test | |
| Assessment Test for The Ability Of Sprinklers to Control or Suppress A Fire | |
| General Corrosion Testing of Samples Exposed to Salt Spray, Hydrogen Sulfide, And Carbon Dioxide-Sulfur Dioxide. | https://www.wewontech.com/so2-corrosion-chamber/ |
| Stress Corrosion Testing of Copper Alloys and Stainless Steel Components | |
| Samples Exposed To +93°C (200°F), 98% Relative Humidity (Environmental Resistance Test) | https://www.wewontech.com/environmental-chamber/ |
| Vibration Resistance｜Impact Resistance｜Rough Use | |
| High Temperature Exposure Test for Each Temperature Class | https://www.wewontech.com/laboratory-oven/ |
| ISO 6182-1 | Fire Protection – Automatic Sprinkler Systems – Part 1: Requirements and Test Methods for Sprinklers |
| ISO 6182-2 | Fire Protection – Automatic Sprinkler Systems – Part 2: Requirements and Test Methods For Wet Alarm Valves, Retard Chambers and Water Motor Alarms |
| ISO 6182-3 | Fire Protection – Automatic Sprinkler Systems – Part 3: Requirements and Test Methods for Dry Pipe Valves |
| ISO 6182-4 | Fire Protection – Automatic Sprinkler Systems – Part 4: Requirements and Test Methods for Quick Opening Devices |
| ISO 6182-5 | Fire Protection – Automatic Sprinkler Systems – Part 5: Requirements and Test Methods for Deluge Valves |
| ISO 6182-6 | Fire Protection – Automatic Sprinkler Systems – Part 6: Requirements and Test Methods for Check Valves |
| ISO 6182-7 | Fire Protection – Automatic Sprinkler Systems – Part 7: Requirements and Test Methods for Early Suppression Fast Response (ESFR) Sprinklers |
| ISO 6182-8 | Fire Protection – Automatic Sprinkler Systems – Part 8: Requirements and Test Methods for Pre-Action Dry Alarm Valves |
| ISO 6182-9 | Fire Protection – Automatic Sprinkler System – Part 9: Requirements and Test Methods for Water Mist Nozzles |
| ISO 6182-10 | Fire Protection – Automatic Sprinkler Systems – Part 10: Requirements and Test Methods for Domestic Sprinklers |
| ISO 6182-11 | Fire Protection – Automatic Sprinkler Systems – Part 11: Requirements and Test Methods for Pipe Hangers |
| ISO 6182-12 | Fire Protection – Automatic Sprinkler Systems – Part 12: Requirements and Test Methods for Grooved-End Components for Steel Pipe Systems |
| ISO 6182-13 | Fire Protection – Automatic Sprinkler Systems – Part 13: Requirements and Test Methods for Extended-Coverage Sprinklers |
| ISO 6182-14 | Fire Protection – Automatic Nozzle Systems – Part 14: Requirements and Test Methods for Water Spray Nozzles |
| ISO 6182-16 | Fire Protection – Automatic Sprinkler Systems – Part 16: Requirements and Test Methods for Fire Pump Relief Valves |
| ISO 6182-17 | Fire Protection – Automatic Sprinkler Systems – Part 17: Requirements and Test Methods for Pressure Reducing Valves |
Tensile Tester Machine for Earloop Mask Tensile Strength TestAccording to reports from owners, sprinkler contractors, competent jurisdictions, and other relevant entities, two key areas for enhancing sprinkler performance have been identified in the early 2000s, while UL Tested on countless samples in numerous installation locations and further enhanced in both areas. These revisions include new structural and performance standards related to the release of water seal assemblies and the prevention of premature (accidental) actuation of sprinklers｜TCVN 6305-1
Before the early 1960s, water sprinkler leak prevention was mainly achieved by metal seals, a common practice being the use of copper gaskets. Currently, conical springs with Teflon (PTFE) membrane gaskets are the most common way to prevent leaks in sprinklers. Figure 1 shows the schematic diagram of the water seal structure that has been commonly used for many years. Since the late 1990s, UL has conducted operational testing of a large number of sprinklers with О-ring seals through field sampling.
In most installation locations, all samples operated as expected, while in others, all samples were subjected to elevated operating pressures. According to the actual test results of sprinkler heads in different installation positions, the UL test of this sprinkler head shows that a large number of sprinkler heads using dynamic О-type seals must increase the inlet pressure of the sprinkler head to release the water seal before the water seal can be released. Allow it to be sprayed with water. In fact, in some cases the О-ring will not release even with 6.8 bar (100 psig) of pressure applied to the inlet.
Since the О-ring can be applied to both dry and wet sprinkler heads, most dry sprinkler heads produced from 1970 to the early 2000s use the О-ring. Except for a few cases, automatic sprinklers usually use dry sprinklers in severe environmental conditions, especially in variable environments with temperature, humidity and corrosion, such as simple garages, parking lots, loading docks, outdoor tents and walkways. After numerous operational tests of О-ring dry sprinkler heads, the results show that approximately 50% of the sprinkler heads will affect their normal operation due to the water seal assembly not releasing in the expected way｜Page Source: https://china.ul.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2015/08/UL-News-Issue-54_SCN-v10.pdf
Based on analysis of samples of actual installed dry and wet sprinkler heads, a wide range of unidentified materials and chemicals may remain at the sprinkler inlet, including various oils, surfactants, and water Handle associated chemicals and pipe sealing compounds, hard water deposits, sand, dust, etc. These materials and chemicals may accelerate the corrosion process and affect proper operation of the sprinkler’s operating components.
According to the above analysis, UL has summarized four key factors that affect the normal operation of automatic sprinkler systems:
● Corrosion and other debris are deposited in the gaps between the running parts.
● О-type material transfer (adhesion) to the snap-fit sealing surface.
● Dezincification
● Corrosion and deposits caused by micro-leakage through the О-ring to the dry side.