Optimal control of sprinklers in compartment fires

There is no doubt that increased application of sprinkler protection through a building can significantly reduce fire losses. In many compartment fires, the water damage is far more extensive than the flame damage. This paper examines the possibility of controlling the flow of water from sprinklers in an optimal way so as to minimize the water damage and the overall property damage. Two cases are considered. The first when the water damage is proportional to the total amount of water and the second when it is proportional to the integral of the square of the water flow rate.