Fire Sprinkler Systems
How They Operate
A lot of times in the movies, you will see where the fire sprinkler system is activated, and all of the sprinklers in the building start spewing water! A very dramatic effect, but not true at all. Most fire sprinkler systems are designed for the minimal amount of water flowing through one or two heads, with no more than 10% to 15% of the system operating. Fire sprinkler systems are engineered so that it should put out, or at the very least, control the spread of fire.
Maintenance
There are two types of inspections that are required to be performed on the fire sprinkler system. One is monthly, which can be done by the occupant of the building. The other is annually, which is required to be performed by a State Licensed Fire Sprinkler Contractor. This is in accordance with NFPA 13 and NFPA 25, the national standard adopted by most Local Fire Authorities.
Monthly
The monthly inspection includes checking the gauge on the riser to verify the system is maintaining adequate pressure. (Water pressure varies in each area; each system should be about the same from month to month.) Check the Fire Department Connection (FDC) to see if the caps are still intact. You will also want to check if the ground surrounding the FDC is muddy or dry. Make sure there is access and clearance around the FDC, so the Fire Department can easily connect to it in an emergency. The same is needed for any fire hydrants that are on the property, as well as the fire sprinkler riser. Also, you will want to flow water through the inspector’s test valve, to check the exterior bell. Because there is a delay on the flow switch, you may have to flow the water for at least two minutes.
When to Call for Service
During the monthly inspection, if you find the following, please call your local State Licensed Fire Sprinkler Contractor for repairs:
• Ground surrounding the FDC or the fire hydrant is muddy
• Bell does not ring after two minutes
• FDC caps are missing
• Pressure is significantly lower than previous inspections
• Water is significantly slower or does not flow out at all from the Inspectors Test Valve
• Bell on the system seems to ring on and off for no reason
• The FDC or the hydrant are hit and damaged
• Warehouses that add more storage racks that are required to have in-rack sprinklers
• Walls or barriers are moved or added in your business
Annually
Each fire sprinkler system is required to be inspected annually by a State Licensed Fire Sprinkler Contractor. A separate annual inspection is required on a fire pump on your fire sprinkler system(s). The Fire Sprinkler Professional will inspect and test the system(s) more thoroughly, and is required to fill out a report on the system(s). The report will tell you if the system is certified to operate properly in a fire. Most Fire Departments require that you maintain a copy on the premises of your business for their review during their regular inspections. Please call S & M Fire Systems, Inc. or Ideal Fire Control for pricing on our inspection services for all your fire sprinkler system needs.
A lot of times in the movies, you will see where the fire sprinkler system is activated, and all of the sprinklers in the building start spewing water! A very dramatic effect, but not true at all. Most fire sprinkler systems are designed for the minimal amount of water flowing through one or two heads, with no more than 10% to 15% of the system operating. Fire sprinkler systems are engineered so that it should put out, or at the very least, control the spread of fire.
Maintenance
There are two types of inspections that are required to be performed on the fire sprinkler system. One is monthly, which can be done by the occupant of the building. The other is annually, which is required to be performed by a State Licensed Fire Sprinkler Contractor. This is in accordance with NFPA 13 and NFPA 25, the national standard adopted by most Local Fire Authorities.
Monthly
The monthly inspection includes checking the gauge on the riser to verify the system is maintaining adequate pressure. (Water pressure varies in each area; each system should be about the same from month to month.) Check the Fire Department Connection (FDC) to see if the caps are still intact. You will also want to check if the ground surrounding the FDC is muddy or dry. Make sure there is access and clearance around the FDC, so the Fire Department can easily connect to it in an emergency. The same is needed for any fire hydrants that are on the property, as well as the fire sprinkler riser. Also, you will want to flow water through the inspector’s test valve, to check the exterior bell. Because there is a delay on the flow switch, you may have to flow the water for at least two minutes.
When to Call for Service
During the monthly inspection, if you find the following, please call your local State Licensed Fire Sprinkler Contractor for repairs:
• Ground surrounding the FDC or the fire hydrant is muddy
• Bell does not ring after two minutes
• FDC caps are missing
• Pressure is significantly lower than previous inspections
• Water is significantly slower or does not flow out at all from the Inspectors Test Valve
• Bell on the system seems to ring on and off for no reason
• The FDC or the hydrant are hit and damaged
• Warehouses that add more storage racks that are required to have in-rack sprinklers
• Walls or barriers are moved or added in your business
Annually
Each fire sprinkler system is required to be inspected annually by a State Licensed Fire Sprinkler Contractor. A separate annual inspection is required on a fire pump on your fire sprinkler system(s). The Fire Sprinkler Professional will inspect and test the system(s) more thoroughly, and is required to fill out a report on the system(s). The report will tell you if the system is certified to operate properly in a fire. Most Fire Departments require that you maintain a copy on the premises of your business for their review during their regular inspections. Please call S & M Fire Systems, Inc. or Ideal Fire Control for pricing on our inspection services for all your fire sprinkler system needs.