Combined sprinkler and heating systems

[Fire Monkey]

Hello all,

Has any one come across or heard of a combined sprinkler and heating system (either new or historic). I would presume that water expanding from heating would cause issues with the heads. I have seem a patent application (America) dated 1918 but can't find any thing else on this.  I ask because some one has suggested that a particular building has one and I would like to know if this has been done elsewhere. If such a system did exist what would be the mechanical risks and things to look out for in relation to a fire risk assessment and general cyclical maintenance.

Thanks,

FM

[JT]

Is this what you're referring to?

https://www.ifsecglobal.com/fire-suppression-innovation-douses-fires-radiator-water/

[Fishy]

Is this what you're referring to?

https://www.ifsecglobal.com/fire-suppression-innovation-douses-fires-radiator-water/

I'm all for innovation, but that marketing spiel sounds like cobblers of the highest order, to me!!!

[Mr. P]

Wonder if their tests used 'just water'? Most people have an inhibitor in their wet radiator systems. Not having done any research on chemical properties etc. of inhibitor additives- it could make a difference. The link info above compares the system to fire detectors i.e. needing no maintenance. That is getting away from the fact you would still want to be awoken or made aware there is fire...

[John Webb]

I'd like to see the results of the tests carried out at my former haunt (BRE) - but my guess is that the fire has to be close to the radiator to be detected and work the element. Bearing in mind radiators are typically placed under or close to windows and are at a low level, I wonder how long they would take to operate with a fire on the opposite side of the room before the high-level gases broke the glass and vented before the radiator got warm enough to be set off.
I think I'd prefer a proper domestic system........

[Owain]

Wonder if their tests used 'just water'? Most people have an inhibitor in their wet radiator systems.

Without inhibitor, corrosion in heating systems means the air in the water starts separating into ... oxygen and ... hydrogen.

If you've ever bled a radiator and held a match to the escaping gas you'll know whether you've got corrosion.

[wee brian]

I think the OP is talking about using the heating distribution pipes for sprinklers rather than the rather dubious system using radiators.

I've seen domestic systems using the cold water distribution. but you get some issues with dead legs (legionella etc).

Using the heating distribution does sound iffy

[Fishy]

The easier, cheaper and more straightforward we can make effective domestic water-based fire suppression systems, the more people will install them and the more lives will be saved.  You'll save more lives having a 75% reliable system in 1000 properties than a 95% reliable system in 10!  Battery-powered smoke alarms taught us that lesson.

This is not an endorsement of bolting a sprinkler head on a domestic radiator, by the way!

[Fire Monkey]

Hi JT,

No I was thinking of a traditional sprinkler head system but this is interesting. Heads need to be located in certain locations for them to be truly affective - I am not convinced that a radiator system would be able to extinguish a fire in the centre of a large room with the radiators located around the perimeter and wonder how affective this is if the vent is facing a wall or furniture. I have no idea what the costs for this are are but having seen the tender for a complete sprinkler system in a large residential home for the elderly I can only hope it is considerably cheaper. I would have to see proven real life fire stopping capability rather than lab tests before I would accept this as an alternative to a traditional system for sleeping accommodation for the vulnerable. The video link is not clear is this devise is suitable for life or building protection.

FM

[AnthonyB]

Pricing (& other info) http://www.blueradllp.co.uk/product/blueproof/

[Fishy]

If a consumer wanted to purchase and fit it because it offered some comfort then that's entirely up to them - it might provide some unquantifiable level of fire risk reduction benefit, though probably not in life safety terms as if the fire's large enough to heat up a radiator then it's going to be large enough to be an immediate threat to life to anyone in its vicinity.  

Personally speaking, as a fire professional and based upon what I've seen on the website I could never recommend it, nor would I factor it in to any risk assessment or design solution whether it was life safety or property protection that was the issue.  

In my opinion you'd get more benefit for your ?59-00 by purchasing a fitting a few additional smoke alarms.

[Phoenix]

Pricing (& other info) http://www.blueradllp.co.uk/product/blueproof/

A complete waste of money.  Useless.  Scandalous.

In my opinion you'd get more benefit for your ?59-00 by purchasing and fitting a few additional smoke alarms.

Hear hear