Fire sprinklers and installers are components that are used to discharge water in order to extinguish detected flames, mostly in instance when a predetermined temperature is more than expected. Fire sprinklers and installers are greatly used all over the world with more than 50 million sprinkler heads fitted annually (Cote, 2003). Over 90 percent of the fires that occur in the world are managed with the help of fire sprinklers, reducing possible damage. The history of fire sprinklers dates back to the early 1800s. The evolution of sprinklers and installers has bettered the science of fire protection. Mainstream sprinklers and installers have evolved from the most primitive systems to the very advanced and effective ones that are currently used in the field of fire protection.
The Evolution of Fire Sprinklers
In the United States of America, fire sprinklers have been in existence since 1812-the year it was invented by Sir William Congreve. Sir William established a sprinkler system with the help of perforated pipes on the ceiling. This worked in such a way that, when individuals detected signs of fires, they could open a valve outside the building to allow water through the installed pipes ( Cova, 2005). Few years after the manual fire sprinkler was invented by Sir William, Hiram Stevens Maxim came up with an automatic fire sprinkler system. The automatic fire sprinklers would determine the places affected by fires and then would radio in fire stations with detailed information. The inventor of automatic fire sprinklers was unable to sell his ideas to other parts of the world. However, following the expiry of his patent, other people were able to further develop and popularize his idea of an automated sprinkler system (Bromann, 2001).
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The first automatic fire sprinkler was created and installed by Henry Parmalee in 1874 ,with the help of a solder which melted in fire to create holes in water pipes that were sealed. Parmelee came up with his sprinkler system to counter high insurance rates (Bromann, 2001). He later patented his idea of automatic fire sprinklers within the same year, consequent to which his idea enjoyed great economic success in the United States of America. He named his invention the "automatic fire extinguisher". To sell his idea to the world, he travelled to major parts of Europe to illustrate his method with the objective of stopping fires after only minimal destruction of valuable property. Automatic fire sprinklers were invented during the time of industrial revolution. During this time, manufacturing plants were huge and the property exposed to fire was of great value (Cote, 2003).
Fire sprinkler systems at the early stages, were made of uncharged pipes full of perforations. In 1881, Fredrick Grinnell patented the first sprinkler head and went ahead to establish a General Fire Extinguisher firm. Parmalee's invention did not get a lot of attention as he had expected it would in Europe. This was because most European residents could not afford the charges of installing his sprinkler system in their homes (Bromann, 2001). Immediately Parmalee realized that people were unable to afford his automatic fire sprinkler system, he turned to insurance companies and started educating them on the importance of his system. He made insurance companies more aware of how his system would lead to a reduction in the loss ratio hence saving them money. Parmalee was sure that his project would not succeed unless he assured the best possible returns on investment in the form of reduced insurance expenditures on destroyed buildings
Parmalee was fortunate enough to convince two men who had a great connection with major insurance companies. One of them was known as Major Hesketh and he developed a lot of interest in the works of Parmalee. He started supplying Hesketh and John Butler with the automatic fire sprinklers ( Cova, 2005). Between 1874 and 1883, Parmalee had made only two major sales which were not big enough. He redirected his efforts to a textile manufacturing company which had a policy that encouraged the use of the most up-to-date fire extinguishers and risk management services. His effort in educating insurance firms, in spite of its vibrancy, attracted only ten companies which got their buildings installed with the Parmalee Sprinkler system.
In the United States, effective Grinnell fire sprinklers were designed by Frederick Grinnell. He improved the effectiveness of fire sprinklers by eliminating the fusible joint to prevent the sprinklers from coming into contact with water and introduced a seating valve. He did this by forcing the valve against the valve seat which allowed for the building up of great water pressure, hence improving the effectiveness of fire sprinklers in putting off the fires (Cote, 2003). Grinnell also went ahead to patent his fire sprinkler system. To ensure that his invention was accepted all over the world, he took it to Europe where it attained more success than Parmalee, whose invention had preceded his. The introduction of Grinnell’s system rendered the Parmalee system technically obsolete in most parts of the world, allowing it a platform for further growth and development (Bromann, 2001).
Summary of Events
1812- The installation of the first fire sprinkler was done by Sir Williams
1852- The perforated systems were first installed within the textile industry in the United States of America ( Bryan, 1976).
1855- Sprinkler rules were established by John Wormald
1874- Parmalee invented automatic fire sprinkles with the aim of reducing insurance costs and assisting insurance firms to reduce their risk of incurring losses
1881- Frederick Grinnell invented the most effective automatic fire sprinklers, replacing those that had been established by Parmalee
1885- The rules of using automatic fire sprinkles were introduced by John Wormald
1896- NFPA was formed in the United States of America
1992- Grinnell introduced "glass bulb" sprinklers with the objective of preventing corrosion of pipes which was known to reduce the effectiveness of sprinklers during operation ( Cova, 2005).
1930- Code 13 of NFPA was introduced in the United States of America
1975- The year of formation of the British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association
1995- Marked the invention of water mist systems
2002- There was a formation of fire sprinkler networks in Europe with the aim of encouraging installation of more sprinklers in most parts of Europe
Fig: Automatic Fire Sprinkler. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Conclusion
Since their invention in 1812, fire sprinklers have evolved from manual sprinklers to more effective automatic ones. Special sprinklers have been designed and installed since then for many manufacturing companies within the United States and in most other parts across the world. Different engineers have designed different fire sprinklers to test the effectiveness of each in preventing fires. Sir Williams’ invention cannot go unnoticed and unacknowledged as it was important in the establishment of automatic sprinklers. Parmalee and Grinnell modified the manual designs to come up with automatic sprinklers that are now in extensive use all over the world. The first manual sprinkler was invented in 1812 by Sir Williams, modified in 1874 and 1881 by Parmalee and Grinnell respectively. The evolution process is ongoing as many engineers continue with reinvention in order to ensure that the most effective sprinklers are established to help in the management of fires as technology advances with time. The sprinklers and installers have evolved from the most primitive systems to the most developed and effective ones that are currently used in the field of fire protection.
References
Bromann, M. (2001). Design and layout of fire sprinkler systems . Lancaster, PA: Technomic Pub.
Bryan, J. L. (1976). Automatic sprinkler & standpipe systems (Vol. 1). National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
Cote, A. (2003). Operation of fire protection systems : a special edition of the Fire Protection Handbook . Quincy, Mass: National Fire Protection Association.
Cova, T. J. (2005). Public safety in the urban–wildland interface: should fire-prone communities have a maximum occupancy?. Natural Hazards Review , 6 (3), 99-108.
