After doing several researches into automatic fire suppression systems my
attitude towards sprinkler systems changed. I have always been a great
supporter of automatic fire suppressions systems, mainly focused at
sprinklers. However nowadays a lot more attention goes to fire prevention
and automatic systems at possible fire sources. In general there is a very
slight chance that a fire will start spontaneously within an exhibition room
other than inside electronic equipment such as PC's, audiovisual equipment,
lighting systems and the like. There are fire suppression systems available
originating from the space industry that can extinguish a fire within
electronic equipment as soon as the fire starts. This goes as well for
heating systems, central PC server rooms, electronic switchboards etc. 

Look for additional information at:

http://fire.nist.gov/bfrlpubs/fire02/art101.html

If you want to discuss this non-sprinkler concept, please feel free to
contact me off list.

Ton Cremers

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> -----Original Message-----
> From: Museum discussion list 
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Timothy McShane
> Sent: 28 January 2005 19:23
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Fires suppression
> 
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> Tim McShane, Assistant--Cultural History Medicine Hat Museum 
> and Art Gallery
> 1302 Bomford Crescent S.W.
> Medicine Hat, AB   T1A 5E6
> (403) 502-8587
> [log in to unmask]
> 
> >>> [log in to unmask] 01/28/05 10:38 AM >>>
> My understanding from previous discussions is that dry-pipe 
> systems are preferred? 
> 
> That was my understanding as well, until we solicited some 
> expert advice from a heritage building design consultant.  
> His opinion was that, unless you're able to go with a very 
> expensive system that will flood the dry pipes with 
> oxygen-excluding gas (nitrogen is one option), residual water 
> in the pipes from annual tests of the system (required where 
> we are--may not be where you're located, but still a good 
> idea!) in contact with air will rust-out your pipes 
> prematurely.  There's also the effect of the "water hammer" 
> hitting the sprinkler heads each time the system is flooded 
> for testing--this will also be a factor in premature wear.  
> Finally, rust in the pipes will dirty the water that will 
> come out of the system in the event of a fire--this will be 
> much worse for your collection than clean(er) water from a 
> wet-pipe system.
> 
> Other factors in favour of the wet-pipe system was delivery 
> time in the event of fire--no waiting for the pipes to flood 
> before water can be released.  We also had it pointed out to 
> us that water-damaged artefacts can often be conserved and 
> restored--burned ones are permanently damaged/destroyed.
> 
> I was also interested in the new gas systems that have come 
> out lately--our consultant was cautious of them, as they 
> hadn't been around long enough to prove their worth, or their 
> hazard to people.  It's been almost two years now since we 
> made our decision, so the gas systems may be considered more 
> reliable now--I don't know.  At any rate, they're sure to be 
> more expensive to install and maintain than a water system.
> 
> Given all the above info, we were advised to go with the 
> single-stage wet pipe system.  That's what we got.
> 
> Cheers,
> 
> 
> 
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