What happens when a fire detection device activates a deluge system?

When a fire detection device activates a deluge system, the appropriate action involves a control valve opening, allowing water to flow into the system. Deluge systems are specifically designed for environments where rapid fire spread is possible, such as in industrial settings or facilities housing flammable materials. When a detection device, like a heat or smoke detector, senses a fire, it signals the system to open the control valve.

This activation results in water being discharged through all open sprinkler heads simultaneously, which is a characteristic feature of deluge systems. The immediate implication of this is that it creates a full deluge of water to manage a potential fire more effectively. While water will indeed flood the area, the emphasis on the control valve opening is crucial because it is the initial action that triggers the entire process.

In contrast to other types of fire suppression systems, such as conventional or pre-action systems, which may not release water unless specifically activated at each head, deluge systems are designed for immediate response across the entire area by utilizing this control valve mechanism.