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Design and Evaluate Fire Sprinkler Mechanism Employing Shape Memory Alloy Technology Through Simulation
Subject area: Science,Engineering and Technology · Area of research: Fire Protection, Engineering
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV9I12-1718753
Abstract
A fire sprinkler system has to detect fire and actuate the sprinklers to discharge water automatically to put out the fire as soon as possible. Currently, when a fusible bulb fire sprinkler is exposed to fire, it opens and discharges water automatically but it is not able to stop the discharge of water when the fire is putout. This study presents the design and evaluation of a reusable fire sprinkler mechanism employing Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) technology through Finite Element Analysis (FEA). Unlike conventional sprinkler systems that use single-use glass bulbs or fusible links, the proposed mechanism utilizes SMA materials capable of automatic activation and reset through reversible phase transformation. Three SMA materials NiTi (Nitinol), NiTiNb, and Cu–Al–Ni were evaluated in terms of activation response time, actuation temperature behavior, generated force, stress distribution, deformation, and life-cycle performance under simulated fire conditions using ANSYS. Results showed that the SMA-based mechanism can automatically actuate during elevated temperatures and return to its original state after cooling, enabling reusable operation and reducing water wastage. Among the materials, NiTi exhibited faster response, NiTiNb demonstrated enhanced thermal stability, and Cu–Al–Ni showed suitability for high-temperature applications. The findings indicate that SMA-integrated sprinkler systems have strong potential for improving fire protection efficiency, reliability, and sustainability.
Keywords
Cu–Al–Ni Alloy, Fire Sprinkler Mechanism, NiTi (Nitinol), NiTiNb Alloy, Shape Memory Alloy (SMA)
How to cite this paper
@article{1718753,
author = {Batao, John Lloyd, Macalintal, Danica Jane, Ocampo, Mheeka Joyce},
title = {Design and Evaluate Fire Sprinkler Mechanism Employing Shape Memory Alloy Technology Through Simulation},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2026},
volume = {9},
number = {12},
pages = {791-800},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1718753.pdf},
abstract = {A fire sprinkler system has to detect fire and actuate the sprinklers to discharge water automatically to put out the fire as soon as possible. Currently, when a fusible bulb fire sprinkler is exposed to fire, it opens and discharges water automatically but it is not able to stop the discharge of water when the fire is putout. This study presents the design and evaluation of a reusable fire sprinkler mechanism employing Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) technology through Finite Element Analysis (FEA). Unlike conventional sprinkler systems that use single-use glass bulbs or fusible links, the proposed mechanism utilizes SMA materials capable of automatic activation and reset through reversible phase transformation. Three SMA materials NiTi (Nitinol), NiTiNb, and Cu–Al–Ni were evaluated in terms of activation response time, actuation temperature behavior, generated force, stress distribution, deformation, and life-cycle performance under simulated fire conditions using ANSYS. Results showed that the SMA-based mechanism can automatically actuate during elevated temperatures and return to its original state after cooling, enabling reusable operation and reducing water wastage. Among the materials, NiTi exhibited faster response, NiTiNb demonstrated enhanced thermal stability, and Cu–Al–Ni showed suitability for high-temperature applications. The findings indicate that SMA-integrated sprinkler systems have strong potential for improving fire protection efficiency, reliability, and sustainability.},
keywords = {Cu–Al–Ni Alloy, Fire Sprinkler Mechanism, NiTi (Nitinol), NiTiNb Alloy, Shape Memory Alloy (SMA)},
month = {June},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV9I12-1718753}
}