What operates a glass bulb sprinkler?

A glass bulb sprinkler operates by the principle of heat breaking a glass bulb that contains a specially formulated liquid. When the temperature of the surrounding area rises due to a fire, the liquid inside the bulb expands. This expansion causes the glass to shatter, which, in turn, allows water to flow from the sprinkler head. This mechanism is designed to activate the sprinkler only when it is needed, ensuring that water is efficiently deployed to extinguish the fire.

The operation based on heat breaking the bulb is key because it allows for a fast response time to localized heat, making these systems effective for immediate fire suppression. The design ensures that the sprinklers activate independently, which helps in controlling the spread of the fire and minimizing damage.

Other methods of activation, such as pressure build-up, electrical sensors, or manual operation, do not apply to this type of sprinkler system and highlight the unique automatic nature of glass bulb sprinklers specifically.