Sectional fire protection systems and methods for the protection of an attic space are provided. A fluid control thermal detection device is located above a ceiling base within a spherical radial distance proximate a peak region of the attic space. An open fluid distribution device is disposed between the roof deck and the ceiling base and connected to the fluid control thermal detection device for receipt of firefighting fluid from the fluid control thermal detection device.

A method to model a complex system of pipes. The model takes into account the physical processes in a tree-type piping system and provides for an accurate modeling of a real world tree-type piping system. In a preferred embodiment, a computer program is provided for analyzing models of dry pipe systems. The computer program includes a user interface and a computational engine. The user interface allows a model of a dry pipe system to be defined and the computational engine determines a liquid flow time through the model of the dry pipe system. The computational engine provides a verification of the liquid flow time in a model of a referential dry pipe system within 20% of an actual liquid flow time in the referential dry pipe system.

A method to model a complex system of pipes. The model takes into account the physical processes in a tree-type piping system and provides for an accurate modeling of a real world tree-type piping system. In a preferred embodiment, a computer program is provided for analyzing models of dry pipe systems. The computer program includes a user interface and a computational engine. The user interface allows a model of a dry pipe system to be defined and the computational engine determines a liquid flow time through the model of the dry pipe system. The computational engine provides a verification of the liquid flow time in a model of a referential dry pipe system within 20% of an actual liquid flow time in the referential dry pipe system.

A wet pipe fire protection sprinkler system and method of operating a wet pipe fire sprinkler system includes providing a sprinkler system having a pipe network, a source of water for the pipe network, at least one sprinkler head connected with the pipe network and a drain valve for draining the pipe network. An inert gas source, such as a nitrogen gas source, is connected with the pipe network. Inert gas is supplied from the inert gas source to the pipe network. Water is supplied to the pipe network thereby substantially filling the pipe network with water and compressing the inert gas in the pipe network.

A wet pipe fire protection sprinkler system and method of operating a wet pipe fire sprinkler system includes providing a sprinkler system having a pipe network, a source of water for the pipe network, at least one sprinkler head connected with the pipe network and a drain valve for draining the pipe network. An inert gas source, such as a nitrogen gas source, is connected with the pipe network. Inert gas is supplied from the inert gas source to the pipe network. Water is supplied to the pipe network thereby substantially filling the pipe network with water and compressing the inert gas in the pipe network.

A firefighting installation includes a network of vacuum sprinklers. The installation incorporates a trip device that triggers the application of water to the network of sprinkler. The trip device includes: a master actuator sensitive to pressure present in the sprinkler network and capable of moving a yoke from a first to a second position; a lock for locking a member of the actuator in position; and a transmission member transmitting between the yoke and the locking means. The master actuator includes a membrane able to move between a first position corresponding to the sprinkler network being under vacuum and a second position corresponding to the sprinkler network being subject to atmospheric pressure, the first and second positions of the membrane corresponding to the first and second positions of the yoke.

A firefighting installation includes a network of vacuum sprinklers. The installation incorporates a trip device that triggers the application of water to the network of sprinkler. The trip device includes: a master actuator sensitive to pressure present in the sprinkler network and capable of moving a yoke from a first to a second position; a lock for locking a member of the actuator in position; and a transmission member transmitting between the yoke and the locking means. The master actuator includes a membrane able to move between a first position corresponding to the sprinkler network being under vacuum and a second position corresponding to the sprinkler network being subject to atmospheric pressure, the first and second positions of the membrane corresponding to the first and second positions of the yoke.

A pilot actuator for controlling the operation of a control valve. The control valve can be part of a dry-type fire suppression sprinkler system in which the sprinkler piping network is filled with pressurized gas such as, for example, air, nitrogen, or another gas. The pilot actuator is a differential valve that actuates the control valve when the gas pressure in the sprinkler piping network is at or below a value for tripping or actuating the pilot valve to the open position. The pilot actuator has a ratio of a change in a trip pressure set point to a change in an inlet pressure that is in a range of 0.007 to 0.045.

A pilot actuator for controlling the operation of a control valve. The control valve can be part of a dry-type fire suppression sprinkler system in which the sprinkler piping network is filled with pressurized gas such as, for example, air, nitrogen, or another gas. The pilot actuator is a differential valve that actuates the control valve when the gas pressure in the sprinkler piping network is at or below a value for tripping or actuating the pilot valve to the open position. The pilot actuator has a ratio of a change in a trip pressure set point to a change in an inlet pressure that is in a range of 0.007 to 0.045.

A sprinkler accelerator system includes an accelerator and at least one orifice. The accelerator is coupled with at least one pipe coupled with at least one sprinkler, and vents gas from the at least one pipe when the at least one sprinkler opens. The at least one orifice controls a rate of change of pressure in the at least one pipe to control operation of a flow control valve coupled with the accelerator.