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Deluge System Definition Working Applications and Advantages With PDF

A deluge system is a fixed fire protection system that uses a large number of open sprinklers connected to an unpressurized dry piping system. When activated by a detection system, the deluge valve opens and simultaneously releases water to all open sprinklers to control severe fires. It works quickly by flooding the entire protected area. Deluge systems are commonly used in hazards requiring high water discharge like storage of flammable liquids and chemicals. The piping must be designed to fully cover the area within 30 seconds of activation according to NFPA standards.

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738 views4 pages

Deluge System Definition Working Applications and Advantages With PDF

A deluge system is a fixed fire protection system that uses a large number of open sprinklers connected to an unpressurized dry piping system. When activated by a detection system, the deluge valve opens and simultaneously releases water to all open sprinklers to control severe fires. It works quickly by flooding the entire protected area. Deluge systems are commonly used in hazards requiring high water discharge like storage of flammable liquids and chemicals. The piping must be designed to fully cover the area within 30 seconds of activation according to NFPA standards.

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Siwa
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Deluge System: Definition, Working, Applications, and

Advantages (With PDF)


whatispiping.com/deluge-system/

Anup Kumar Dey January 24, 2021

What is a Deluge System?


A deluge system is a fixed fire protection system designed to protect against severe fuel
hazards. A large number of sprinklers simultaneously act to bring any undesirable fire
event under control. Consisting of unpressurized dry piping and open sprinkler heads, the
deluge system is directly connected to a water supply and upon activation, a deluge valve
releases the water to all the open sprinkler heads simultaneously. Deluge systems can
also release other fire-suppressing materials like dry powder, foam, chemicals, or inert
gases. Until the deluge valve is activated by an electric, pneumatic, hydraulic, or manual
release system, the system piping remains empty and dry but when activated, the deluge
system floods the area through pressurized water or other fire extinguishing material.

The main purposes behind using deluge systems are any one or combination of the
following :

Extinguishment of fire
Control of burning
Exposure protection
Prevention of fire

Working of a Deluge System

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As deluge systems are used in special hazard installations, they must work quickly to
protect the entire area. Fig. 1 shows a typical deluge system. A deluge system comprises
of three main components: deluge spray nozzles and lines, deluge valve set, and deluge
system water supply. The working of a deluge system consists of the following four steps:

A fire detection (Smoke/Heat/Ultraviolet/Infrared/Optical flame Detector) system


detects the fire and sends the signal to the fire alarm panel to activate the deluge
valve.
Immediately the deluge valve opens which is connected to a water supply.
Water flows into the piping system and starts discharging from all nozzles and open
sprinklers.
After use, the deluge valve can be easily reset to normal operating condition by
draining the water remaining inside the pipe and valve body.

Fig. 1: Typical Deluge System

Types of Deluge Systems


According to the method of release, Deluge systems are classified into three categories:

Pneumatic release deluge system


Hydraulic release deluge system
Electrical release deluge system

Applications of a Deluge System


Deluge systems are used in special hazard installations requiring a large quantity of water
to control a fast-developing fire. They provide high-velocity suppression. Typical
applications of deluge systems are found in:

Flammable liquid handling systems.


Flammable liquid storage, chemical storage areas.
Hydrocarbon processing plants.
Refineries/ Fuel Processing Plants.
Oil extraction plants.
Separation, distillation plants.

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Large aircraft hangars.
Transformers.
Crude tanks and vessels.
Power Plants.
Data Storage units.
Paint Shops.
Theatres.

Codes and Standards for a Deluge System


The governing codes and standards for a deluge system design and manufacturing are

NFPA 15: Standard for Water Spray Fixed Systems for Fire Protection
API RP 2030: Application of Fixed Water Spray Systems for Fire Protection in the
Petroleum and Petrochemical Industries.
ISO 6182: Fire Protection-Automatic Sprinkler System
NFPA 13: Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems
IP MODEL CODE P19, By Energy Institute – Fire Precautions at Petroleum
Refineries and Bulk Storage Installations.

Piping Requirements for Deluge System Design


As per NFPA, Requirements for piping arrangements are
Sch 40, Carbon Steel (Galvanized) Pipe for up to 8” sizes and
Sch 30, Carbon Steel (Galvanized) Pipe for 8” & above
Requirements for Piping Installation:
In the dry section of the pipe, a Suitable slope needs to be provided.
A low point drain at a suitable location is required.
Pipe Velocity criteria for deluge system: NFPA 15 allows up to 7.94 m/sec of
water velocity for the deluge downstream side. However, based on project piping
design philosophy velocity may be limited to 5 m/sec downstream of the deluge
valve and 3 m/sec upstream.
The deluge system should be designed in such a way that within 30 secs of
activation, the water spray fully covers the equipment in that region.
As per NFPA 15, the minimum Pipe Sizes for Deluge Systems is 1”.

Advantages of Deluge System


The major advantages of using deluge fire protection systems over other kind of systems
are:

They can easily control rapidly spreading fire.


Very quick response as all sprinklers are open.
Their operation can be made fully automatic.
Deluge system being a dry system, no risk of frozen pipes

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They can also be used in conjunction with foam concentrate for better controlling
certain types of fire.
Water disperses over a large area for efficient fire extinguishing.

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