What role does a header play in a fire sprinkler system?

In a fire sprinkler system, the header plays a crucial role in distributing water flow to individual sprinkler heads. This is essential for ensuring that each sprinkler head receives an adequate supply of water when needed to effectively suppress or extinguish a fire. The header acts as a manifold where water from the main supply line is divided and directed toward multiple branches, allowing for uniform pressure and flow distribution to all connected sprinkler heads.

By efficiently managing the distribution of water, the header ensures that all areas within a protected zone are adequately covered, which is vital for the overall effectiveness of the fire protection system. Proper functioning of the header is critical to the timely response of the fire sprinkler system, as any blockage or malfunction could hinder the amount of water reaching individual sprinklers, thus compromising fire safety.