An Analysis of Working Hours by Type of Sprinkler Head Used at Indoor Gymnasiums

This study aims to analyze working hours of sprinkler heads when a fire occurs at an indoor gymnasium while sprinkler heads are installed in division of standard response type, special response type, and earlier response type. The fire scenario was designed under the assumption that the fire started from overheating of a heater in the indoor gymnasium has transferred on to a couch to spread. The analysis on the operation time of the standard response type sprinkler head, the special response type sprinkler head and the early response sprinkler head was conducted. The result showed that, in case of fire in a gymnasium, the time for opening of the heat sensor due to the heat from the fire varies by the type of the sprinkler head. When a special response type sprinkler is installed, it worked below the assessment standards. When an early response sprinkler head is installed, it worked appropriately according to assessment standards. Based on the results, we found that sprinkler heads will work properly when installed according to design relevant to laws and regulations. This means that there is a limit in installation of sprinkler heads based on the existing law-based design as for indoor gymnasiums. Again, we conclude that if sprinkler heads are installed based on design made through laws and regulations, more time will be needed for operation, making it highly likely to fail to stop a fire at an earlier point of time.