Drenchers
Drenchers are a system of water heads that are used for the fire protection. In contrast to sprinklers which are found internally, drenchers are normally found on the exterior of a building to protect against a fire from a neighbouring building. They tend to be positioned on roofs and over windows and external openings.
Another difference between sprinklers and drenchers is that all nozzles in the drencher system are activated simultaneously, whereas individual nozzles in a sprinkler system open when activated.
A drencher system consists of the follows components:
- Water source.
- Pump unit.
- Distribution piping.
- Control fittings.
- Alarm device.
- Special nozzles or water head.
The water heads are like those of sprinklers and may be sealed or unsealed.
The three main types of drenchers are:
- Roof drenchers: Positioned on the roof ridge and throw a curtain of water upwards.
- Wall or curtain drenchers: Throw a curtain of water over openings or portions of a building most likely to admit fire.
- Window drenchers: Positioned horizontally level with the top of a window so as to protect the opening.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Business Sprinkler Alliance.
- Case study A for offices to show where automatic sprinklers have the greatest impact.
- Design benefits of automatic sprinkler systems granted under approved document B.
- External fire spread, Supplementary guidance to BR 187 incorporating probabilistic and time-based approaches.
- Fire detection and alarm system.
- Fire in buildings.
- Fire safety design.
- Making the case for sprinklers and dispelling myths.
- Sprinkler.
- Sprinkler head.
- The impact of automatic sprinklers on building design.
Featured articles and news
Strengthening industry collaboration in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Institute of Construction (HKIC) and The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) sign Memorandum of Understanding.
A detailed description fron the experts at Cornish Lime.
IHBC planning for growth with corporate plan development
Grow with the Institute by volunteering and CP25 consultation.
Connecting ambition and action for designers and specifiers.
Electrical skills gap deepens as apprenticeship starts fall despite surging demand says ECA.
Built environment bodies deepen joint action on EDI
B.E.Inclusive initiative agree next phase of joint equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) action plan.
Recognising culture as key to sustainable economic growth
Creative UK Provocation paper: Culture as Growth Infrastructure.
Futurebuild and UK Construction Week London Unite
Creating the UK’s Built Environment Super Event and over 25 other key partnerships.
Welsh and Scottish 2026 elections
Manifestos for the built environment for upcoming same May day elections.
Advancing BIM education with a competency framework
“We don’t need people who can just draw in 3D. We need people who can think in data.”
Guidance notes to prepare for April ERA changes
From the Electrical Contractors' Association Employee Relations team.
Significant changes to be seen from the new ERA in 2026 and 2027, starting on 6 April 2026.
First aid in the modern workplace with St John Ambulance.
Solar panels, pitched roofs and risk of fire spread
60% increase in solar panel fires prompts tests and installation warnings.
Modernising heat networks with Heat interface unit
Why HIUs hold the key to efficiency upgrades.
Comments