Fire Protection in Commercial Buildings 

APT Water supplies fire pump systems and fire pumps for sprinkler systems that reliably protect people and property from fires in commercial buildings. 

  

The APT Water fire pump package (Fire Protection Pump Sets and Fire Hydrant Pumps) was created to address the growing demand for specialised turnkey systems that are compliant with Australian Standard AS2941.2013. 

It doesn’t matter if your business premises have multiple levels or a single level. You need a sprinkler that can reach all points of the premises, especially multi-story buildings. You may not be aware that there are several types of fire sprinkler systems. Each has its own features and uses. APT Water can assist you in delivering the system your business requires. Reach out to one of our expert technicians today. 

  

Building Fire Pumps 

To ensure fire safety, it is important to consider the fact that buildings must be built up. The pumping capacity for fire departments is often limited to buildings with a height of 4500–5000 feet. This can cause property damage and loss of life in the event of a fire. 

 The purpose of a fire pump is to make sure that fire sprinklers are working properly. It does this by increasing firefighting capabilities by increasing pressure in the hydrant service, either when the mains supply is inadequate or when tank feeding is required. Higher buildings require more pressure to ensure water pressure remains at the right level to extinguish flames. 

  

Where Can You Find Fire Pumps? 

In systems that are not supplied by the municipal water system, fire water pumps can be found. These pumps are often used in buildings like apartment blocks, hotels, and hospitals. They can also be used in systems that need high terminal pressure from a fire sprinkler to supply large volumes of water, such as storage warehouses. They are also used in facilities that require a ground-level water storage tank for water supply. 

  

System Configurations  

Wet Pipe Sprinkler System  

Wet pipe sprinkler systems are the most popular type of sprinkler system, especially in commercial buildings. Wet pipe systems are the skimpiest and most reliable type. Wet pipe systems have water in the pipes all the time. This is since the sprinkler heads are always exposed to high temperatures. When the temperature reaches a certain point, the glass bulb or link that is holding back the water will break, and water will begin to spray out of all open sprinklers. Wet pipe systems also have quick response times, which is great for high-risk areas where fires spread quickly. 

Advantages 

• Wet pipes are very cost-effective and simple to set up, maintain, and fix. Pre-action systems and dry pipes are typically more expensive to install. 

• Wet pipe systems require minimal maintenance because they are reliable and easy to use. 

• Because there’s no air pressure that needs to be released before water can flow, wet pipe systems can quickly respond to a fire. 

• The speed at which water starts flowing out will make it easy to identify any damage to your system. 

Dry Pipe Spinner Systems 

Dry pipe systems operate in a similar way, but with one major difference. The fire sprinkler heads have a portion of their lines that are filled with air. The air pressure rises only when the activation temperature of individual heads exceeds that of the valve, which allows water to enter the system and activate all heads simultaneously. 

How Does the System Work?  

1. The water supply valve is closed. 
2. An air compressor or nitrogen tank introduces air pressure into the pipes. 
3. The alarm relay switch is activated by the air pressure (which can be used for alarm activation or pump activation). 
4. The valve is closed when the air pressure is high enough to keep it open. 
5. A sprinkler head activates when it is heated by fire. This causes a heat-sensitive link to be activated within the sprinkler head. The air in the line is ejected and then replaced by the water supply. 

Dry pipe systems are often used in unheated warehouses or other facilities where temperatures may drop below freezing. 

Dry pipe systems are designed to prevent freezing temperatures from occurring and reduce the likelihood of a frozen waterline bursting. Due to delays in water reaching the sprinkler head and the fire being doused, a system like this can be less effective at first. 

This type of fire suppression system can have a disadvantage in terms of cost and maintenance. 

Deluge Systems and Pre-Action Systems 

Deluge systems and pre-action systems are identical in that they are both activated by a fire alarm system. 

Deluge systems can be used in areas where there is concern about the fire spreading quickly. 

Deluge sprinklers, when activated, spray water from each sprinkler head simultaneously and do not require individual activation. 

The pre-action system is a combination of wet, dry, and deluge systems. Pre-action systems can also send out a trouble alarm in the event of problems without activating a sprinkler system. These fire sprinkler systems can also be set up to activate only when the temperature of the sprinkler head exceeds the predetermined limit. 

It is important that you consider the application when comparing deluge and pre-action fire suppression systems. Dry, pre-action, and deluge systems are used for applications that require extra hazard protection in cases where accidental discharge could cause damage to equipment or supplies. 

Foam Water and Water Spray Systems 

Water spray and foam water systems can be installed in areas where potentially hazardous materials and sensitive equipment are present. The foam water system helps suppress fires, while the spray water system sprays water in a specific pattern. These systems aren’t necessary for most commercial businesses. 

None of these fire sprinkler systems is adequate. 

  

Fire Water Tanks 

APT Water Fire Pumps can be used in conjunction with circular and square or rectangular galvanised steel panel liner tanks. These tanks are made and tested specifically for industrial firefighting. 

APT Water Fire Tanks are cost-effective, high-quality, and can be tailored to your needs. Allied Tanks can be configured in either a square or circular format, making them a flexible and complete tank solution. 

All Australian Standards, including AS2419 and AS2304 fire tanks, are met by our fire tanks. 

  

Advantages of APT Water’s Fire Protection Pumps 

In-House Manufacturing Facilities 

Package fire pump sets can be fully manufactured in-house, from the base to the pipework and switchboards. This allows for maximum control over quality, economy, and time constraints. 

System Flexibility 

APT Water can engineer a pumping solution for your specific application. APT Water can provide a pump set package that will fit any application, whether it is a custom-made pumping solution for a plant room or a code-compliant system drawing from a tank below ground. 

Complete Package 

 You can order systems that include a diesel engine, an electric motor, anti-vibration, and a fuel tank. From a single base, all can be interpiped or interwired. 

  

Fire Protection 

An essential part of any business’ fire protection program is a properly designed and installed fire alarm system. This can protect employees, customers, property, and other people from the destruction caused by fire. Fire sprinklers offer a basic level of protection that can help prevent your business from going under. To ensure your system works when you need it, however, regular testing and maintenance are essential. 

Based on the Australian Standard requirements, a fire sprinkler system with a wet pipe is the best choice to protect commercial buildings from fire. The wet pipe system is more efficient than other sprinklers. This is despite recent advancements in this area. The best solution for business premises is a combination of active and passive systems. However, this can vary depending on your business’ size and risk. We can help! Get in touch with us today! 

Our aim is to support customers from project conception through the construction defect liability period and beyond. We don’t just supply products; we work alongside our clients to ensure a smooth delivery and quality installation of our systems. We can provide the complete package of pumping solutions for your next commercial project; talk to our friendly team today.