S12 SPRINKLER COMPREHENSIVE EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS GUARANTEE A+
✔✔Pumper Connections for Fire Department Use - ✔✔Fire Department connections
must always be accessible. Each connection shall be fitted with a lower check valve.
The lower check valve prevents the backflow of the private water supply into the Fire
Department connection. The figure below shows the main features of a Fire Department
connection.
✔✔Fire Pumps - ✔✔used as a main water supply source for sprinkler systems. They
may also be used in combination with gravity tanks to supply sprinkler system. Fire
pumps are designed to take the water from a supply source and then discharge the
water into the fire protection system under pressure. The amount of pressure with which
the water is discharged from the pump is called the total head. The total head is
measured in pounds per square inch (psi). The higher the psi rating of the pump the
greater the
✔✔Waterflow Alarm Valves - ✔✔The basic design of most water-flow alarm valves is
that of a check valve which lifts from its seat when water flows into a sprinkler system.
This alarm then starts an audible signal to alert the occupants in the building that the
sprinkler system has been activated.
✔✔Vane type waterflow - ✔✔Switches have a paddle inserted inside the main supply
piping perpendicular to the direction of flow. Upon waterflow, the paddle switch
transmits an alarm. Vane type waterflow switches cannot be installed to monitor
waterflow in dry pipe sprinkler systems.
✔✔Alarm Retarding Devices - ✔✔An alarm check valve that is exposed to changing
water supply pressure needs an alarm retarding device. This is required to prevent false
alarms when the check valve clapper is lifted from its seat by a temporary pressure
surge. Vane type water flow switches sensitivity can also be adjusted to changing water
pressures.
✔✔The Centrifugal Pump - ✔✔The centrifugal fire pump is the standard pump currently
used in fire protection systems. This is the preferred pump because it is reliable,
compact, requires low maintenance, and it can be powered by a variety of drivers
including: electric motors, internal combustion engines, and steam turbines
✔✔The Vertical Turbine Pump - ✔✔A vertical turbine pump is really a modified
centrifugal pump that has the capability to draw water from streams, ponds, wells etc.
Unlike the standard centrifugal pump, the vertical turbine pump does not need the
suction supply to be under pressure for it to operate. Instead it draws the water into the
pump by suction. The water is drawn into the pump. When it reaches the rotating
impellers the water pressure is increased and then forcefully discharged into the fire
protection system.
, ✔✔Pump Activation - ✔✔A fire pump can be started automatically or manually. The
pump can be started automatically by an electric controller or an engine controller.
These controllers activate the pump when there is a drop of water pressure or water
flow in the fire protection system. The controllers are adjusted so that a minor drop in
water pressure or minor increase in water flow due to a small leak will not activate the
pumps. The controllers for the fire pumps are expensive; require extensive maintenance
and periodic testing. Where electric motor drive is used, a standby power generator is
sometimes required. If an engine controller is used the appropriate fuel storage tanks
should be filled and checked regularly.
✔✔Pressure Maintenance Pumps (Jockey Pumps) - ✔✔Pressure maintenance pumps,
Some times referred to as jockey, or makeup pumps, are often found on sprinkler
systems. These pumps are designed to automatically operate when there is a slight
drop in pressure due to the leakage in the system or a pressure surge. The jockey
pump restores the pressure in the fire protection system to the desired level. When the
drop of pressure in the system greater than the capacity of the jockey pump the fire
pump is activated.
✔✔Booster pumps/special service pumps - ✔✔Booster pumps are sometimes used in
sprinkler systems. They small pumps with limited power are usually located in the
basement or taking suction from gravity tanks. The booster pump is used when the
water pressure available at the highest sprinkler head does not quite meet the needs of
the sprinkler system. This small pump increases the water pressure in the sprinkler
system until it reaches acceptable levels. The booster pump should not be confused
with the fire pump or the jockey pump.
✔✔Sprinkler system piping - ✔✔Branch lines are directly connected to sprinkler heads.
Cross mains or loop mains are directly connected to branch lines. Feed mains are
directly connected to cross mains or loop mains. Risers are able to supply feed mains or
cross mains directly.
✔✔rti - ✔✔response time index
✔✔full flow test - ✔✔performed every 5 years:
1. open main valve to let debris escape, then close
2. system air a nd water pressrue recorded.
3. relieve pressure by opening inspector test valve (use stopwatch)
4. at dry pipe valve note aire pressure which valve trips an note time
5. at inspectors test note time that water flows steadily.
6. test terminated when clean water flows (shit valve)
compare to past tests
ANSWERS GUARANTEE A+
✔✔Pumper Connections for Fire Department Use - ✔✔Fire Department connections
must always be accessible. Each connection shall be fitted with a lower check valve.
The lower check valve prevents the backflow of the private water supply into the Fire
Department connection. The figure below shows the main features of a Fire Department
connection.
✔✔Fire Pumps - ✔✔used as a main water supply source for sprinkler systems. They
may also be used in combination with gravity tanks to supply sprinkler system. Fire
pumps are designed to take the water from a supply source and then discharge the
water into the fire protection system under pressure. The amount of pressure with which
the water is discharged from the pump is called the total head. The total head is
measured in pounds per square inch (psi). The higher the psi rating of the pump the
greater the
✔✔Waterflow Alarm Valves - ✔✔The basic design of most water-flow alarm valves is
that of a check valve which lifts from its seat when water flows into a sprinkler system.
This alarm then starts an audible signal to alert the occupants in the building that the
sprinkler system has been activated.
✔✔Vane type waterflow - ✔✔Switches have a paddle inserted inside the main supply
piping perpendicular to the direction of flow. Upon waterflow, the paddle switch
transmits an alarm. Vane type waterflow switches cannot be installed to monitor
waterflow in dry pipe sprinkler systems.
✔✔Alarm Retarding Devices - ✔✔An alarm check valve that is exposed to changing
water supply pressure needs an alarm retarding device. This is required to prevent false
alarms when the check valve clapper is lifted from its seat by a temporary pressure
surge. Vane type water flow switches sensitivity can also be adjusted to changing water
pressures.
✔✔The Centrifugal Pump - ✔✔The centrifugal fire pump is the standard pump currently
used in fire protection systems. This is the preferred pump because it is reliable,
compact, requires low maintenance, and it can be powered by a variety of drivers
including: electric motors, internal combustion engines, and steam turbines
✔✔The Vertical Turbine Pump - ✔✔A vertical turbine pump is really a modified
centrifugal pump that has the capability to draw water from streams, ponds, wells etc.
Unlike the standard centrifugal pump, the vertical turbine pump does not need the
suction supply to be under pressure for it to operate. Instead it draws the water into the
pump by suction. The water is drawn into the pump. When it reaches the rotating
impellers the water pressure is increased and then forcefully discharged into the fire
protection system.
, ✔✔Pump Activation - ✔✔A fire pump can be started automatically or manually. The
pump can be started automatically by an electric controller or an engine controller.
These controllers activate the pump when there is a drop of water pressure or water
flow in the fire protection system. The controllers are adjusted so that a minor drop in
water pressure or minor increase in water flow due to a small leak will not activate the
pumps. The controllers for the fire pumps are expensive; require extensive maintenance
and periodic testing. Where electric motor drive is used, a standby power generator is
sometimes required. If an engine controller is used the appropriate fuel storage tanks
should be filled and checked regularly.
✔✔Pressure Maintenance Pumps (Jockey Pumps) - ✔✔Pressure maintenance pumps,
Some times referred to as jockey, or makeup pumps, are often found on sprinkler
systems. These pumps are designed to automatically operate when there is a slight
drop in pressure due to the leakage in the system or a pressure surge. The jockey
pump restores the pressure in the fire protection system to the desired level. When the
drop of pressure in the system greater than the capacity of the jockey pump the fire
pump is activated.
✔✔Booster pumps/special service pumps - ✔✔Booster pumps are sometimes used in
sprinkler systems. They small pumps with limited power are usually located in the
basement or taking suction from gravity tanks. The booster pump is used when the
water pressure available at the highest sprinkler head does not quite meet the needs of
the sprinkler system. This small pump increases the water pressure in the sprinkler
system until it reaches acceptable levels. The booster pump should not be confused
with the fire pump or the jockey pump.
✔✔Sprinkler system piping - ✔✔Branch lines are directly connected to sprinkler heads.
Cross mains or loop mains are directly connected to branch lines. Feed mains are
directly connected to cross mains or loop mains. Risers are able to supply feed mains or
cross mains directly.
✔✔rti - ✔✔response time index
✔✔full flow test - ✔✔performed every 5 years:
1. open main valve to let debris escape, then close
2. system air a nd water pressrue recorded.
3. relieve pressure by opening inspector test valve (use stopwatch)
4. at dry pipe valve note aire pressure which valve trips an note time
5. at inspectors test note time that water flows steadily.
6. test terminated when clean water flows (shit valve)
compare to past tests
