Experts in fire protection

Advantages

Sprinkler systems detect and report fires and automatically initiate the extinguishing process with water. The underlying principle of selective extinguishing makes them extremely efficient: In the event of a fire, only the sprinklers located in the immediate proximity of the fire will be activated. Immediate extinguishing action using water is taken, while the remaining sprinklers remain closed. Sprinkler systems provide reliable fire protection for buildings and industrial plants. For special fire risks, a film-forming foaming agent can be added to the extinguishing water to increase the extinguishing effect.

Classic sprinkler systems

  • People, property and the environment are protected, the loss of customers and market shares after a fire is avoided
  • The principle of selective extinguishing makes sprinkler systems extremely effective and ensures a careful use of the natural water resource
  • Sprinkler systems create architectural opportunities and facilitate operations, as in many cases they are a cost-effective alternative to additional fire walls.
  • The use of water in the event of a fire also reduces smoke and pollutants and protects the environment
  • Sprinkler systems are quickly ready for use again after a replacement.


Undercover Sprinkler

Sprinklers from the Minimax Undercover product range are the perfect solution when it comes to integrating a fire extinguishing system into a ceiling unobtrusively and harmoniously. They are exactly what is required when high aesthetic standards need to be met in prestigious settings such as luxury hotel rooms, museums, showrooms of department stores or offices.

Architects and clients with a keen eye for design invariably consider conventional sprinkler heads and traditional escutcheons that protrude from the ceiling to be unattractive and highly conspicuous. Virtually flush with the ceiling and available in a surface finish to match your interior design, the innovative Undercover-Sprinklers open up a whole host of new interior design opportunities. In addition, they continue to meet the official prerequisites for planning permission to be granted and for premium rebates on fire insurance to be guaranteed.


Preaction Sprinkler

If a sprinkler is damaged, for example during works on building facilities, water may leak, causing damage to the building or equipment. Particularly in areas with water-sensitive equipment, which can have very severe consequences for the organization, for example the failure of the IT system.

These special sprinklers can can be simply connected to the existing or planned sprinkler pipework, providing double safety against the unwanted release of the sprinkler system, while offering the same fire protection. Before sprinkling water is released, both sprinklers must always release a preaction sprinkler unit. The risk of water leakage and related damage through accidental damage to a sprinkler is therefore dramatically reduced.

Preaction sprinklers are installed in sprinkler systems with wet and dry pipework in exactly the same way as conventional sprinklers. A major difference however is that preaction sprinklers can be wired to a monitoring panel. The electrical elements of the preaction sprinklers serve solely for monitoring and fault display: their release is purely mechanical.

Design

1
Wet pipe system for frost-protected rooms
2
Wet pipe valve
3
Water pressure vessel
4
Dry pipe system for rooms subject to frost hazard
5
Fire pump
6
Pump suction tank
7
Dry pipe valve
8
Control cabinet
Construction of a sprinkler system
  1. Wet pipe system for frost-protected rooms
  2. Wet pipe valve
  3. Water pressure vessel
  4. Dry pipe system for rooms subject to frost hazard
  5. Fire pump
  6. Pump suction tank
  7. Dry pipe valve
  8. Control cabinet
Sprinkler system in the industry

Function

A sprinkler system consists of a pipe system with sprinklers, traversing all areas of the building that are to be protected. When the system is in operational readiness, a liquid-filled glass bulb seals the sprinkler. If the air temperature exceed a preset threshold value due to a fire, the expanding liquid bursts the glass bulb and activates the sprinkler. The extinguishing water hits the deflector which distributes it evenly across the fire source. Thus the fire as a rule can be extinguished with just a few sprinklers, and the damage is reduced to a minimum. At the same time, an alarm is sent to the in-house and external fire fighting services.

The ESS 5000 electronic control panel serves both as a control panel for electrically driven sprinkler pumps and as a monitoring panel. Depending on the version it can be used both for powering the sprinkler pump from just the mains and also with redundant power via an auxiliary power supply. Optionally the ESS 5000 can also be used for certain fire detection- and extinguishing control functions. 

Harmonised system

In this type of system, the piping network is completely filled with pressurized water. If the sprinkler bulbs burst, water pours out immediately.

Dry system

In areas exposed to frost or high temperatures, the sprinkler pipes are filled with compressed air. The extinguishing water is supplied as far as the dry alarm valve station. The pressure drop when the sprinklers open causes the dry alarm valve to open automatically, flooding the pipe network.

Pilot operated dry system

This combined fire detection and sprinkler system prevents water damage in the event of accidental damage to a sprinkler. Before the extinguishing water emerges, the fire detection system must also be actuated.

Application 

Sprinkler systems are often used in new buildings, but can also be installed subsequently in existing protected areas, for example due to planned changes in use.

c
Shops

Protection zone

Sales floors frequently present a particular architectural challenge. It is not uncommon to have sales floors with elaborately designed entrance areas made of different materials, as well as with an extensive lighting system and in open construction. In addition, atria and open galleries enhance a sense of exclusivity. Characteristic for all sales outlets is regular exposure to the public and, accordingly, a high demand for human safety.

Risks

  • Large number of highly flammable goods
  • Short circuits on permanently running projectors
  • Defective lighting equipment
  • Arson

Fire Protection

Undercover sprinklers are especially suitable when a sprinkler system is used. They fit harmoniously and inconspicuously into a ceiling pattern. Thus there is no discrepancy between reliable fire protection and the demand for discerning aesthetics and furnishings for prestigious shops and sales floors. 

Offices
Offices

Protection zone

Offices, conference rooms and dining rooms are generally used by staff and guests. In addition, staff members may also retire to break rooms or smoking rooms and to kitchens during work. Corridors run through the entire building, serving as a main traffic route.

Risks

  • Defective electrical devices such as projectors and computers
  • Overheating of the lighting
  • Short circuits at vending machines

Fire Protection

Minifog EconAqua water mist extinguishing systems offer space- and water-saving protection and can be connected to an existing sprinkler system. In areas with higher ceilings, sprinkler systems provide reliable fire protection. 

Production and assembly halls
Production and assembly halls

Protection zone

Production and assembly halls are typically extensive multi-story buildings that offer the necessary space for machinery and systems. Such halls are often not structurally subdivided, and the individual areas are interconnected by fully-automated conveyor systems.

Risks

  • Technical defects, such as short circuits at production facilities
  • Highly flammable materials
  • Rapid spreading of fire due to open spaces and interconnecting conveyor systems

Fire Protection

Sprinkler systems are often the ideal solution for production and assembly areas. Their basic concept of selective extinguishing satisfies the applicable requirements. In case of activation, the water is not dispersed throughout the entire production and assembly hall.

Refrigerated storage
Refrigerated storage

Protection zone

Refrigerated storage is widespread especially in the food industry and in the related, downstream commercial operations. The goods and products are stored for purpose at temperatures of up to -40 °C. The necessary heat insulation often consists of non-flammable or flammable insulation materials with varying fire performance, often in the form of sandwich elements. Rack storage is predominant in refrigerated storage facilities

Risks

  • Dry air promotes the rapid spread of fire
  • Additional fire loads when using flammable insulation material
  • Extinguishing water without antifreeze additives will freeze over very quickly.

Fire Protection

Oxeo Prevent fire prevention systems are the ideal solution for refrigerated storage facilities, since the conditions for their use — no permanent presence of people in the storage facility, a well-sealed building shell and very low infiltration of fresh air caused by bringing in and removing goods — are also required to maintain the desired temperature level. Moreover, they offer perfect protection for the storage of foodstuff that is sensitive to smoke and temperatures. Oxeo Prevent fire prevention systems are mostly used in combination with HELIOS AMX5000 aspirating smoke detectors with a highly sensitive setting to ensure earliest fire detection. Heated aspirating outlets ensure their proper operation in refrigerated areas. Though Oxeo Prevent can only prevent a smoldering fire from turning into an open fire, the fire and the cause of fire would remain permanently undetected in the absence of an earliest fire detection system. Alternatively, sprinkler systems can be installed in such conditions — here ideally fitted with ESFR sprinklers. If there is a sufficiently spaced, frost-free intermediate area above the ceiling available, we recommend pendent Viking ESFR dry sprinklers. Combined with a Minimax PipeGuard Antifreeze system, sprinkler systems can be used in refrigerated storage facilities at a temperature of up to -40 °C.

Storage rooms

Protection zone

Storage rooms serve to store various materials. Storage frequently includes everyday office supplies, hygiene products or cleaning agents. Other storerooms may serve to store hand tools, computer equipment or retail goods. For food, storage in integrated cold store cells or -rooms may be required

Risks

  • Short circuits in wiring cabinets or cable lines
  • Carelessly discarded cigarette butts
  • High fire load due to concentration of stored goods in a confined space

Fire Protection

Sprinkler systems are often the first choice for logistics areas. Depending on the deployment conditions, sprinklers may be installed both under the ceiling and in the shelves. If the cold store cells are integrated into a storage room, they can be integrated in an existing sprinkler system by using dry sprinklers. Due to its design, the narrow hydrant cabinet from Minimax Mobile Services saves valuable storage space and is therefore ideally suited for use in logistics areas. 

Downloads

Preaction Sprinkler - Double safety for water sensitive areas
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Sprinklers - small precision components with outstanding performance
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Sprinkler systems
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Undercover sprinker pipe system - piping in concrete
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Undercover Sprinklers
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Zonecheck
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