Improving the Uniform Distribution of Water Flux Density in Sprinkler Spray by Adopting Various Installation Methods

Abstract

In a sprinkler system, the nonuniform water flux distribution resulting from the sprinkler head design, specifically due to the deflector and frame, impedes the primary extinguishing surface cooling effect of the sprinkler. In this study, the effects of the distance between heads, supplying flow rate, head installation direction, and head installation height on the uniformity of the water flux density distribution were investigated. Simulations were conducted using the water flux distribution reproduction method proposed in a previous study. As the distance between heads decreased, water was supplied to the bottom of the head, resulting in the improved uniformity of the water flux distribution. When the flow rate was corrected with the changes in the distance between the heads to maintain the average water flux density supplied to the floor, a uniform water flux distribution was observed even when the distance between heads was relatively large. In the case of head installation direction, the most uniform distribution was observed when the sprinkler heads were installed alternately at angles corresponding to 0° and 135°. As the installation height of the sprinkler heads increased, the difference between the maximum and minimum local water flux densities decreased, leading to a more uniform water flux density distribution.