Fire sprinkler systems are a common sight these days. They are widely used by builders and vendors to protect the building from a fire accident. They work by putting out or slowing the spread of fire by drenching the entire area with water, this removes flammable and other fuel sources from supporting the fire.
On the other hand, water mist systems work by using exceptionally fine water sprays (i.e. water mist). The small water droplets allow the water mist to control, suppress, or extinguish fires by cooling both the flame and surrounding gases by evaporation while also displacing oxygen by evaporation. Both systems use water in different ways. The main difference is the size of the water droplets.
Understanding water mist systems
Water mist suppression systems have droplets with a diameter of fewer than 1,000 microns each. Released droplets are a fifth in size of the droplets released by the standard sprinkler system. This allows a water mist system to spray huge water surface area so it can lower temperatures.
Purpose of Mist
Micro Mist can easily absorb more heat per unit to cause flames’ temperature to drop down faster than larger water droplets found in traditional sprinkler systems. Water Mist also displaces the oxygen in the room so that the fire gets suffocated and eventually extinguished.
Types of mist sprinkler pressure systems
All water mist systems produce delicate sprays using water. These are available in the following types:
- Low-pressure system – 175 PSI or less
- Intermediate-pressure systems – 175 to 500 PSI
- High-pressure systems – exceeds 500 PSI
You can choose any of the above systems according to your unique needs.
The difference between water mist and fire sprinkler systems:
Water mist systems
- Water mist systems may have multiple or single orifices.
- Water mist sprinklers can also discharge additives, various gas agents, and air if desired.
- Water mist systems use fast water droplet vaporization, leading to air displacement, cooling, air/fuel vapor dilution and heat radiation reduction, and wetting of the fuel surface.
- Water droplets released are less than 1000 microns in almost 99% of the water mist system.
- Most water mist systems do less damage and are easier to clean up.
Fire sprinkler systems
- Sprinklers only have a single orifice.
- Fire sprinklers only discharge water or water with additives.
- Sprinkler systems can suppress fires primarily by wetting the fuel surface.
- Fire sprinkler systems usually have no limitation on droplet size
- Fire sprinkler systems do more damage to sensitive equipment and take a lot of time to clean up.
We’re here to help
If you are ready to install a premium water mist suppression system, then give us a call. IPH Mist Suppression will be your trusted fire protection partner. After the initial setup, we will also provide ongoing inspections and maintenance for years to come, making your house or facility safe to escape in the event of a fire.
