What Are ESFR Sprinklers for Australian Warehouses?
Aline Pumps is a top choice for contractors looking for fire pump systems and valves online. Our fire protection expertise extends to ESFR (early suppression fast response) sprinklers, predominately used for protecting high piled storage. Check out our guide to ESFR sprinklers to learn more about how they are used in warehouses nationwide.
Fast Fire Pump & Sprinkler Solutions for Warehouse Storage
Warehouse storage arrangements mainly include palletized, solid pile, shelf, bin box, and rack storage of materials. ESFR systems don’t require in-rack sprinklers, making it easier to use a range of storage configurations while still promoting fire safety. ESFR sprinklers help avert water discharge caused by the rupture of a sprinkler or pipe accidentally struck by the pallet load or equipment. An ESFR system makes it easier to rearrange storage racks without needing to reconfigure in-rack sprinkler piping, too.
Innovative ESFR Sprinkler & Fire Fighting Pump System
The ESFR sprinkler relies on three important factors: the sprinkler response (response time index), the actual delivered density (ADD) and the required delivered density (RDD). ADD is defined as the water flux delivered to the top surface of a burning rack-storage array after penetrating the fire plume. RDD is defined as the required water flux to be delivered at the top of the burning storage array to achieve suppression.
The ESFR sprinkler is based on the concept of early suppression, whereby the activation of the sprinkler occurs during the early stages of a fire while the RDD is minimal. During the early stages of the fire, the ADD will exceed the RDD and thus provide an adequate density to suppress the fire.
Where to Use ESFR Sprinklers & Fire Fighting Pumps
ESFR ceiling-mounted sprinklers can be used in warehouses in place of in-rack fire sprinkler systems, providing a higher level of protection. ESFR high output, high volume systems are located in ceiling spaces as the conventional fire sprinkler systems. These systems incorporate very large high volume, high pressure heads to provide the necessary protection without the need for in-rack sprinklers.
ESFR sprinkler systems can protect a variety of materials, from non-combustible to normal combustible products to high hazard commodities such as plastics. ESFR sprinklers are intended to operate differently than most other types of sprinklers without the use of additional in-rack sprinkler protection for rack storage structures.
Successful Fire Suppression With ESFR Sprinklers
While most other sprinklers are intended to control the growth of a fire, an ESFR sprinkler system is designed to suppress a fire. This doesn’t necessarily mean it will extinguish the fire, but rather it’s meant to knock the fire back down to its original point of origin. ESFR sprinklers accomplish this task by using large volumes of water, nearly 380 liters per minute per sprinkler. These systems need large water supplies and often require the installation of fire pumps.
However, ESFR cannot protect all types of rack storage, such as open-top containers. That’s because these containers retain water like a reservoir, so water won’t flow down into the lowest levels of the rack.
Even so, ESFR systems solve many of the more challenging problems in warehouse fire protection. It’s important to have a full understanding of the commodities and storage methods in a particular warehouse to ensure the correct type of ESFR and fire pump is used. Careful consideration must also be given to the long-term use and range of flexibility expected by the owner of the building.
Find the Right Water Pump for Sale in Australia
If you’re interested in ESFR systems and robust fire protection, Aline Pumps would be happy to help you. We have a wide selection of fire pumps, water storage tanks and valves online, we and can help you find the perfect water pump for sale to suit your job. Get in touch with Australia’s experts in fire protection systems and water storage tanks today.
