Interactive Experience

The Science of Fire Sprinklers

Cooking is among the top causes of fire. Nearby fuels such as oven mitts, plastic or wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains can all catch on fire.

The heating element in the toaster transfers thermal energy to the toast and the area immediately surrounding the toaster.

The space heater transfers thermal energy to the room, the heat will continue to circulate from the warmer heater to cooler areas of the room until the entire room is the same temperature.

Click on different heat sources around the apartment to see how they affect the liquid in the bulb of a fire sprinkler.

STOVE LOADED

TOASTER LOADED

HEATER LOADED

Check out more sprinkler myths busted

CANDLE

SMOKE ALARM

ZOOM IN SPRINKLER

What is a Sprinkler Head?

Click on hotspots around the sprinkler head for more information on the components that keep you safe in your home.

Sealing Assembly (plug)

The plug holds back the water within the sprinkler. When the bulb breaks, it releases the plug, and allows the water to flow.

Frame

The fire sprinkler frame is the metal housing for the sprinkler components and its connection to the sprinkler pipe.

Temperature-sensitive bulb

Each fire sprinkler has a heat-sensitive ‘trigger’ – usually a glass bulb or fusible metal link. Predictable properties like rate of thermal expansion and melting point of the temperature-sensitive piece can be used to break and release the seal at different temperatures.

Deflector

The deflector spreads water out over the space, and is designed to provide specific distribution and coverage based on the environment.