Types of Sprinkler Systems for Commercial Properties

Commercial fire sprinkler systems save lives in a variety of commercial settings. Whether it’s a retail store or a warehouse, your commercial building should be equipped with a comprehensive sprinkler system to protect your property, and the people within it. 

But what are the different types of sprinkler systems for commercial properties? Understanding the different kinds of commercial sprinkler systems helps you to understand why they’re so vital. 

What are sprinkler systems for commercial properties?

Sprinkler systems are an effective form of combatting fires in commercial buildings. Their installation is crucial in preventing the spread of fire, stopping smaller incidents from turning into major ones. 

Sprinkler systems for commercial buildings need to be built in a unique and specialised way in order to adequately prevent fire risk. This is because commercial buildings usually house a number of flammable materials, causing fire to spread especially quickly. 

There are a few different types of fire sprinkler systems for commercial buildings.

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The different types of sprinkler systems for commercial properties 

Here are the different types of sprinkler systems, and what is unique about them:

• Wet Pipe Sprinkler Systems – The most common type of sprinkler system, wet pipe sprinklers are always filled with water, so that when a fire activates the system, water immediately flows out.
  
  They’re very reliable and are most suitable for areas where freezing is unlikely to occur, such as offices and schools. 

• Dry Pipe Sprinkler Systems – For environments where freezing is more likely to occur, dry pipes are full of pressurised air or nitrogen which is released when the sprinkler head is triggered by fire.
  
  This drop in pressure allows water to begin flowing into the pipes and discharge from the sprinkler head. This does cause a slight delay in activation, which can be an issue, but this is the only way to fully prevent pipes from freezing. 

• Pre-action Sprinkler Systems – These sprinkler systems contain elements of both wet pipe and dry pipe sprinkler systems. They usually are filled with pressurised air instead of water, and they’re usually used in areas where water could cause major damage, such as in libraries or server rooms.
  
  To activate, there is a two-step process, during which detectors sense the fire, opening a pre-action valve which lets water flow into pipes. After this, each individual sprinkler head needs to be triggered by heat or fire to release this water. This adds more protection against accidental activation, to protect the environments that require it. 
  

Legal requirements for commercial fire sprinkler systems

Commercial fire sprinkler systems must meet BS EN 12845 safety standards. This includes regulations for design, installation and testing which ensure that any commercial building is adequately protected against fire risks. 

These safety standards offer even more protection than standard BS 9251 regulations, designed specifically for bigger commercial buildings. This includes bigger pumps and water tanks, to match the larger size of the commercial building. 

Following these standards closely means we can ensure both safety and legal compliance, something which we take very seriously. 

Get in touch with us for commercial fire sprinkler design and installation. 

Which commercial buildings need sprinkler systems?

There are a few different types of commercial buildings which will need commercial sprinkler systems:

• Retail stores and shopping centers 
• Entertainment venues
• Warehouses
• Office buildings
• Supermarkets
• Factories

Any commercial building with at least 20,000 square meters of floor space is legally required to have a sprinkler system installed for safety reasons. 

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Commercial sprinkler system installation

As established sprinkler system designers, installers and maintainers across a variety of industries, we have an extensive project portfolio which shows we’re highly experienced and specialised. We’ve installed fire sprinkler systems in a range of commercial buildings, working closely with building planners and owners to create bespoke systems for maximum safety.

Commercial buildings have specific legal requirements which we know how to follow closely during design and installation, as well as maintaining systems to ensure they continue working effectively in the long term.