Fire Research Station

This paper describes the engineering approach adopted at the Fire Research Station to investi-gate sprinkler behaviour using ramp tests. Comparisons are drawn between the parameters derived using two basic methods, i.e., ramp and plunge tests, for evaluating sprinkler sensitivity. The use of the ramp test for deriving characteristic sprinkler parameters and for broad classifica-tions is illustrated. Additionally, evidence is presented that the proportion of heat loss by conduc-tion from a sprinkler element may vary over the range of 6 heating rates typically employed in the rate of rise test. This fact alone may justify the precautionary need to perform a limited number of rate of rise tests to confirm a sprinkler’s capacity to function correctly in reasonably unfavourable yet realistic conditions. The work is aimed primarily to meet the needs of the sprink-ler industry