If your building is outfitted with a sprinkler system, you're to feel a little safer. You are able to rest easy comprehending that, should a fire bust out, your system will immediately respond to keep everyone safe by containing the outbreak before the fire department arrives. However, this will only happen if you've been practicing sound fire sprinkler system maintenance.
Systems that aren't properly maintained might not are they're supposed to and that could wind up costing you the greatest price. So let's take a peek at what switches into fire sprinkler system maintenance and then take action to make certain you're doing what's necessary.
How Sprinklers Work
First, however, let's have a quick look at how your fire sprinklers actually work. In the movies, at the first hint of fire, every sprinkler on the building's floor goes off, covering the entire area in water.
That's not how it actually works though. Each sprinkler head is made to only set off when the area around it's hot enough to melt the fusible link blocking the flow of water. installing So a fire could actually only activate one or two heads, which in turn work to support the flames before the authorities ensure it is to the scene.
Exactly why is this important? We'll elaborate shortly, however the takeaway is that each head needs a unique maintenance. It's not like all of them run about the same activation system and if one isn't working correctly, others will just pick up the slack.
The Control Valve
Any discussion unstoppable sprinkler system maintenance needs to touch on the control valve. It's an important element of any fire sprinkler system, and also a simple someone to inspect. Essentially, there's a valve in your building that must remain open to ensure that the water supply to flow. If this valve is off, your sprinklers can get no water and be useless in case of a fire. Unfortunately, closed valves would be the leading reason for widespread fire damage.
What's promising is that checking the valve is just about the easiest component of fire sprinkler system maintenance. Just take a peek once a week to make certain it's still locked in the open position.
Also, sometimes the valve needs to be turn off to conduct maintenance or handle repairing in your system. When this is the case, be certain water is just turn off to the main one area where the task will be done and just for as long as completely necessary. There's no reason to take unnecessary risks.
Inspecting Sprinklers
When you want to inspect the particular sprinklers, you need to switch off the valve, as we only mentioned. It's a good idea to put a brightly colored tag or ribbon on the valve whenever you do this as an aesthetic reminder to you or other people who passes by that the valve needs to be turned back on later.
Also, alert the area authorities that you're and inspecting fire sprinkler systems maintenance. Your alarm company ought to know too in the event you need to create yours off for a routine or within repairs. It's also not really a bad idea to tell your insurance company. Sometimes this is mandatory if this means keeping yourself covered by conducting regular fire sprinkler system maintenance.
Like we already said, keep your inspection to only as many sprinklers as necessary and allow the rest to work as normal. In addition you wish to make sure that you keep any ignition sources out from the area for the duration of the inspection.
With regards to how often you need to conduct maintenance in your sprinklers, check NFPA 25: Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems. Depending in your municipality, you may want a professional contractor to take care of your inspections and testing for you.
In regards to your fire sprinkler system maintenance, no matter what rules you're bound to by local powers and your insurance company, make sure your staff has a general comprehension of the system. This would include:
• Where in actuality the valve is and what it looks like when it's open and closed
• What a sprinkler looks like if anything's wrong
• Ensuring sprinklers are never blocked
Maintaining your fire sprinklers doesn't need to be demanding, but it will need to get done. The simple steps above could be sufficient to truly save lives someday.
Hungry for more? If you liked this article, I've written more information like this on JT Fire & Safety. Special thanks to JT Fire & Safety for their expertise in the field of fire protection.
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