Mobile Sprinkler Training Unit
A portable training unit designed by the Greenacres City, Fla., Fire Department is used to train fire service and industry personnel throughout Florida in sprinkler systems operation.
Wet and dry pipe sprinkler systems are mounted on the mobile facility, a 7 X 10-foot trailer, which also contains smoke and heat detectors, pull stations and annunciator panels.
Wach portable sprinkler system is totally functional and, with the exception of head spacing and branch lines, is built and installed to National Fire Protection Association specifications.
The trailer’s simulated street main, to which both systems are connected, is fed through a 2 1/2-inch hose from either a pumper or hydrant.
The street main feeds the set sprinkler system through a 4-inch line connected to the outside stem and yoke (OS&Y) valve and alarm valve. The wet system is equipped with flow and tamper alarm switches, water gong, and an alarm panel connected to an electric bell and manual pull station. A flow switch is attached to the wet system’s riser, which then divides into two 4-inch cross mains containing four sprinkler heads.
The dry system’s riser, fed through a 3-inch line connected to the simulated street main, extends through the OS&Y valve and the dry valve. The dry system branches into two 3-inch mains with four sprinkler heads. A standard accelerator, air pressure switch, water gong and auxiliary drain with drum drip are also installed.
An inspector’s test valve and an extendable branch line are located at the end of both systems. The extendable branch line can be used to test the sprinkler heads under various pressures, and can give a graphic demonstration of the sprinkler’s applicability and capability.
Since all sprinkler heads can be activated, trainees get hands-on experience in shutting down individual heads with sprinkler tongs and wedges, replacing heads and resetting systems.
