Sprinkler Systems

Our dedicated sprinkler division offers complete solutions from system conception and design, to installation and inspection/ maintenance.

A recently published report on protection by sprinkler systems in multi-level residential buildings studied almost 2,000 fires that occurred between 2006 and 2011 in British Columbia.

The odds of death in an unsprinklered building fire were found to be 11.9 times greater than in buildings protected by sprinklers. Damages were reduced by almost $30,000 per fire as a result of those suppression solutions. In almost a quarter of cases where sprinklers were present, fires never extended beyond the floor of origin and 96.2% of those were contained to the room of origin.

The findings of another 4-year study by the US National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) determined that property damage in hotel fires was 78% less in structures with sprinklers.

Sprinkler Systems

Our dedicated fire sprinkler system division offers complete solutions from conception, design and installation by Master Pipefitters through to inspection and maintenance. Our modern, expertly installed systems automatically detect and then control, suppress or extinguish fires according to your systems goals, its sprinkler heads and nozzles that are capable of spraying in various directions and patterns. Contrary to what you see in the movies, a localized fire will not trigger your entire sprinkler system. The majority of automatic fire sprinklers sense fire and operate individually. At Priority Fire Equipment, we can help you to plan, position and install individual sprinklers to optimally contain threats, maximize protection and minimize damage.

Sprinkler System Inspection Requirements Checklists

  • Requirements:

    • Sprinkler systems must be maintained in operating condition 6.5.1.2. OFC
    • If any device in a sprinkler system does not operate properly on test, it must be repaired or replaced. 6.5.3.14. NFC
    • The priming water for dry pipe valves must be maintained at the proper level. 6.5.4.10. NFC
    • There must be no obstructions so as to interfere with the effectiveness of water discharge from sprinklers. 6.5.1.5. NFC & 6..5.1.5. (1) OFC
    • Sprinkler systems must not be used to support anything that will interfere with effective sprinkler performance. 6.5..1.5. (2) OFC
    • Sprinkler piping and hangers must be kept in good repair
    • Sprinkler heads that are identified as being damaged, corroded, greasy, dusty, painted or whitewashed, must be replaced. 6.5.4.12 NFC & 6.5.3.5. (2) OFC
    • Fire Department connections must be equipped with plugs or caps secured wrench tight. 6.5.4.4. (1) OFC
    • Protective caps must be kept in place at all times on fire department connections. 6.4.1.7. NFC
    • Where protective caps are missing, the fire department connections must be examined for accumulated refuse, back flushed when conditions warrant, and caps replaced. 6.4.1.7. NFC
    • Where there is the possibility of mechanical damage, sprinklers must protected by acceptable sprinkler guards. 6.5.1.6. NFC & 6.5.6.1. OFC
    • Sprinkler control valves must be accessible and maintained in operable condition at all times. 6.5.4.2. NFC & 6.5.6.2. OFC

    A supply of spare sprinkler heads and a wrench suitable for replacing sprinkler heads must be kept in a cabinet where the temperature does not exceed 38 degrees Celsius.

     

    The minimum stock of spare sprinkler heads is:

    • 6 sprinkler heads for installations containing not more than 300 sprinklers
    • 12 sprinkler heads for installations containing 301 to 1000 sprinklers
    • 24 sprinkler heads for installations containing more than 1000 sprinklers

    Spare sprinkler heads must be the same types and temperature ratings of sprinklers currently installed. 6.5.4.15 NFC & 6.5.6.5. OFC

    Fire department sprinkler and standpipe connections are clearly identified and maintained free of obstructions for use at all times. 2.5.1.1. (2) OFC

  • Sprinkler Systems Inspection Checklist – Quick Reference Guide:

    • Dry-pipe valve rooms or enclosures in unheated buildings must be checked as often as necessary when the outside temperature falls below 0 degrees Celsius to ensure the system does not freeze.
    • Measures should be taken to ensure that the temperature in room or enclosure is maintained above 4 degrees Celsius. 6.5.4.9. NFC & 6.5.3.4. OFC

     

    IMPORTANT NFPA standard maintenance procedure what should be completed before and during freezing weather (if it is not done, a small amount of water may accumulate and freeze, even a small amount of water  may cause a rupture of the sprinkler system resulting in extensive damage to the sprinkler system.

    • All low-point drains on dry-pipe systems should be drained as frequently as necessary to remove all moisture before freezing weather. (repeated daily until all condensation has been removed. Drum drip assemblies should be in a warm area or heated enclosure, when practical) NFPA
    • Auxiliary drains must be inspected to prevent freezing. 6.5.4.8. NFC & 6.5.4.1. OFC Records Required.
    • Pits containing sprinkler control valves must be kept free of water and protected against freezing. 6.5.4.3. NFC & 6.5.6.3. OFC

     

    WEEKLY

    • Valves except for electrically supervised valves, controlling water supplies to sprinklers and alarm connections must be checked to ensure that they are in the open position. 6.5.4.1. (1) NFC & 6.5.3.1. OFC
    • Water supply pressure and system air pressure must be checked by using gauges to ensure system is maintained at required operating pressure. 6.5.4.7. NFC & 6.5.3.3. OFC

     

    MONTHLY

    • The alarm bell must be tested by flowing water through the test connection located at the sprinkler valve. This test must be performed on sprinkler that does not have electrical supervisory signal service (transmitters and water flow actuated devices).
    • Any alarm line that is subject to freezing must be cleared of all obstructions susceptible to freezing after the test. 6.5.3.4. (2) NFC & 6.5.5.2. OFC
    • Valves that are locked open must be inspected at least monthly. 6.5.4.1. NFC

     

    2 MONTH INTERVALS

    • Transmitters and water flow actuated electrical supervisory signal devices must be tested by operating the supervisory signal devices. 6.5.3.4. (2) NFC & 6.5.5.7. (1)(2) OFC. Records Required.
    • Valves that are electrically supervised must be inspected at least once every 2 months. 6.5.4.1.(3) NFC Records Required.

     

    3 MONTH INTERVALS

    • The priming water for dry-pipe systems must be inspected to ensure that the proper level above the dry-pipe valve is maintained. 6.5.4.3. OFC Records Required.

     

    6 MONTH INTERVALS

    • Valve supervisory switches, tank water level devices, building and tank water temperature supervisory devices and other sprinkler system supervisory devices must be tested at least every 6 months. 6.5.3.4. (3) NFC & 6.5.5.7.(3) OFC Records Required

     

    ANNUALLY

    • Exposed sprinkler piping hangers must be checked to ensure that they are in good repair. 6.5.3.2. OFC
    • Sprinkler heads must be checked at least once per year to ensure that they are free from damage, corrosion, grease, dust, paint or whitewash. Sprinkler heads that are not free from previously stated conditions are considered inoperable and must be replaced. 6.5.4.12. NFC & 6.5.3.5. OFC
    • Plugs or caps of fire department connections must be removed and threads inspected for wear, rust or obstructions.
    • Plugs or caps must be replaced and secured wrench tight. 6.5.4.4.(1)(2)
    • If plugs or caps are missing, the fire department connections must be examined for obstructions, back flushed when conditions warrant and the plugs or caps replaced.
    • Water flow alarm tests using most hydraulically remote test connection must be performed on wet sprinkler systems. 6.5.5.3. OFC Records Required.
    • All mechanical and electrical alarms must be tested to ensure that they are in operative condition. 6.5.3.13. NFC
    • Dry-pipe valves must be trip tested by means of system test pipe to ensure that they operate satisfactorily and sprinkler alarms are in operating condition.
      • During this test the control valve is not required to be in the fully open position, however, it must be trip tested with the control valve fully open every three years. The trip time may not exceed the acceptable trip time by more than 10%. 6.5.3.12. NFC & 6.5.5.4. OFC Records Required
    • Sprinkler system water supply pressure must be tested with main drain valve fully open to ensure that there are no obstructions or deterioration of main water supply. 6.5.3.11. NFC & 6.5.5.5.. OFC Records Required
    • Drainage facilities are tested to ensure the drains are capable of taking the full flow from main drainpipe without causing damage. 6.5.3.11. (2) NFC

     

    If you are a property owner or manager you are mandated to ensure that your buildings adhere to the National Fire Code. To help you with your Fire Safety and risk management planning we have put together these handy Inspection Requirements Checklists to help you avoid liability and ensure the utmost safety for all your properties.

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Helping save lives is the reason the Priority Fire was founded. We strive to be leaders in both quality and safety across North America and are trusted advisers to many of the countries top property management groups.

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