Although this may not seem like a big deal, for the fire
protection community it is. With the 4S
system, a 3D map of an area, like to one to the right, can be generated showing the sprinkler
spray tracing it to determine where the water is and is not going. Determining how structures and obstruction
effect sprinkler spray is crucial in determining where occupants can and cannot
place things inside the building. The 4S
system allows designers to adjust the obstructions dimensions and sprinkler
distribution to see which configuration creates the best water distribution.
Like all new
technology, the 4S system is facing resistance
Before this new system, the only way to measure a sprinkler’s
properties was to spread buckets around the floor below the sprinkler head and
see how much water was collected and where.
In addition, code specifications for sprinklers only go as far as the
pressure in the pipe. As stated before,
the 4S system allows for a much more in depth look at sprinkler performance
making it able to update code requirements.
However, the codes in existence have been in existence since the mid
1900’s and have been written through empirical experimentation (like the bucket
method mentioned above). Stephen gives a
bit more insight into this situation.
As Stephen said, the professional engineers who would be
using this technology like it and this is why.
In the fire protection field, there are two main approaches when
performing a building analysis: prescriptive and performance based. A prescriptive based analysis is one that
follows the strict guidelines set forth by the Life Safety or building codes;
for each scenario there generally one solution that must be followed. In a performance based design, there is more
flexibility allowed. Instead of adhering
to strict guidelines, a designer has to meet objectives set by the codes. Performance based design is not meant to
replace prescriptive based design but rather to help designers create a safe
environment in challenging structures. The
4S system follows along similar lines as performance based design in that it
shows how a sprinkler will perform instead of just showing that it
performs. This greatly helps engineers
using performance based design because it allows them to test and actually see
how different types of sprinkler head will perform. This in turn will help them to choose the
sprinkler that is most suitable for the given situation.
The 4S system is also
helpful to sprinkler manufacturing companies
Most people might not know that there is a wide variety of
sprinklers whit a wide variety of specialties.
Certain sprinklers are designed to operate at higher water pressures,
while other are designed to run at low pressures. Some sprinklers are set of by a volatile liquid
expanding to a gas and breaking its glass enclosure while others are set off by
a metal or plastic plate melting. Even
the heads are different; each designed to direct the water to flow differently based
on its use. Not only will this help
engineers distinguish the differences between sprinkler heads, but as Stephen
explains, it will help manufacturers too.
This shows that the 4S system can also help the
marketability of different brands of sprinklers. The 4S system can determine which manufacture’s
sprinklers perform best in terms of spray distribution, droplet size, and other
factors and help give engineers and idea of not only what type of sprinkler to buy,
but also which brand. This shows that
the 4S system not only helps the technical end of fire protection, but it helps
to commercial aspect as well.
