Nothing, it's just water. In rare cases an anti-freeze agent may be added.
A sprinkler bell valve in a fire protection system controls the flow of water to sprinkler heads. It opens when the system detects a fire, allowing water to flow and extinguish the fire.
Ordinary water is used in most fire sprinkler systems. Most fire sprinkler systems are connected directly to the same water you get from the fire hydrant, which is also often the source for drinking water as well.
fire sprinkler
A sprinkler loop is a piping system used in irrigation and fire sprinkler systems that allows water to flow through a series of connected pipes and sprinkler heads. It ensures even distribution of water across a designated area, optimizing coverage and performance. In fire protection systems, sprinkler loops help manage water pressure and flow, ensuring that all areas receive adequate coverage in case of a fire. Proper design and installation of sprinkler loops are crucial for effective water delivery and system efficiency.
Ordinary water is used in most fire sprinkler systems. Most fire sprinkler systems are connected directly to the same water you get from the fire hydrant, which is also often the source for drinking water as well.
An irrigation sprinkler is a device that applies water to plants, mimicking the effect of rain, as it is done in lawn, garden and agricultural irrigation. A fire sprinkler is a device that discharges water when the effects of a fire have been detected, such as when a predetermined temperature has been reached.
Over 40 million fire sprinkler heads are fitted each year. A fire sprinkler is a component of a fire sprinkler system that discharges water onto fires in the area once the effects of a fire have been detected, such as excessive increase in temperature.
The fundamental aspects of a fire sprinkler system include the detection of heat, activation of water flow, and effective distribution of water to suppress or extinguish fire. Key components include sprinkler heads, which release water when activated; a network of pipes that deliver the water; and a water supply, which can be from a municipal source or a dedicated storage tank. Additionally, fire sprinkler systems are designed to operate automatically, ensuring rapid response to fire incidents while minimizing water damage. Regular maintenance and inspections are crucial for ensuring their reliability and effectiveness.
Fire department connections are actually used in fire sprinkler systems.When any fire occurs water is discharged from the sprinkler heads that have fused, and are discharging water to supress and extinguish the fire. The fire department connection is used by the fire department to add to the water supply to the sprinklers and/or charge the interior hydrant connection withn the building (if any).
In a deluge system the water comes out of all sprinkler heads at once, compared with most fire sprinkler systems in which each sprinkler head has its own heat-sensitive trigger. There are major design differences in how much water you need for a deluge system and what safety interlocks are built into the system to prevent accidental water damage.
Fire sprinklers have two major components that operate in response to a fire: the fire sprinkler heads which are connected via a series of pipes to a fire pumps. Water pressure is kept in the head by a series of valves in the pump. and is kept in the heads by little vials of colored liquid. During a fire, the liquid inside the sprinkler heads heats up and starts to expand, eventually causing the vial to burst. Water that was kept in the pipes pours out of the sprinkler heads. The water pouring out of the sprinkler heads causes the pressure in the fire pump to drop. In response, the pump kicks on and pumps more water from the municipal water supply to keep the sprinkler flowing. NOTE: this is how "wet pipe" fire sprinklers, the most common types of fire sprinklers, work. Other sprinklers (dry pipe, deluge and pre-action) are slightly different.
I'm guessing it's because wax melts with heat i.e. fire and so allows a path for water to exit the sprinkler and put out the fire.