The answer to today’s pressing question:

How Do Sprinklers Work To Save Lives?

Each sprinkler has its own individual heat sensitive element whose only job is to detect a fixed temperature of approximately 68°C/155°F. These heat elements are not affected by smoke, but by heat only. As the temperature reaches a fixed temperature of approximately 68°C/155°F the sprinkler element is activated. The element used in this sprinkler, for example is a glass bulb filled with a fluid consisting of a non-toxic proprietary glycerin solution.

As the fluid is heated it expands and shatters the glass bulb enclosure. Sprinklers are extremely reliable and do not activate without heat and only the sprinkler closest to the fire will operate, thus the phrase “One-At-A-Time Activation”.

Q: How do fire sprinklers work?

A: The water in UCSD’s sprinkler system pipes is constantly under pressure. At each sprinkler head, the water is held back by a little plug. When sufficient heat reaches a sprinkler head, depending on the type of mechanism used, one of the following occurs:

* The special solder that holds the sprinkler head together melts
OR
* The fluid in a glass vial in the sprinkler head expands enough to break the glass

In either case, the plug is released and the water begins to flow. Water will continue flowing until the system is mechanically turned off by an emergency responder.

The only remaining question is how hot does the flame of a cigarette lighter get?

Addendum the First: If any sprinklers in this building go off unexpectedly, I know nothing about it.