What is a Fire Suppression System?

A fire suppression system, most commonly called fire sprinkler system, is an active fire protection method of combating fire, consisting of a water supply system, providing adequate pressure and flowrate to a water distribution piping system, onto which fire sprinklers are connected.

The most common types of fire suppression system known are water based, but there are also foam and gas options.  Where water is held pressurised inside the pipework reticulation and released when the sprinkler head is activated by the heat of the fire. Once the water inside the pipework drops to a certain established pressure, the sprinkler system monitor will send a signal to the local building fire alarm panel and triggers the evacuation sounders. The sprinkler system also has a hydraulic gong system in case there is a power failure in the building or an interfacing problem with the fire alarm system, this way the building evacuation can still proceed, and people can leave the premises safely.

There are multiple types of fire suppression systems, and as mentioned some use water and some don’t, each one is designed to suppress a fire based on different building layouts, storage and building elements and to also correctly operate in the environment they are installed at (i.e. freezing temperature).

New Zealand has different fire suppression performance standards available for compliance with the NZ Building Code. NZS4541:2020 is the most common NZ Performance Standard for commercial buildings, and the NZS4517:2010 used for domestic fire sprinkler systems which is a typical solution for compliance with local Council firefighting requirements for houses located in rural and/or remote areas where there is no water supply available on the street.

Our Most recent Fire Suppression Installations are:

  • Countdown Richmond
  • Kmart Blenheim
  • Summerset Richmond
  • NZ King Salmon
  • Greengables Resthome
  • Oceanview Apartments
  • Malthouse Apartments
  • Talley’s Blenheim Mussel Factory Upgrade

FFP Nelson Marlborough Fire is here to help you with your project and to guide you through the process of installing, altering, testing and servicing a fire sprinkler system. Contact our team to know more about how we can help.

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