What’s the Cost of 5-Year Internal Fire Sprinkler Inspections?
What items do companies examine and what accounts for the cost of 5-year internal fire sprinkler inspections? Fire protection service contractors perform 5-year sprinkler ITM services along with the internal fire sprinkler inspection. There are also a few circumstances that can increase pricing. Understanding these factors will help to establish the base price for 5-year internal fire sprinkler inspections.
5-Year Sprinkler ITM Services
There are several types of fire sprinkler systems, but each system has similar devices and components that require 5-year ITM services. Some of the items that require services and factor into the total cost of 5-year fire sprinkler internal inspections are the following.
Check Valves
There are check valves on every system located in the sprinkler riser rooms and commonly on each floor of the building. It typically costs around $100 to internally inspect a check valve.
Fire Department Connections
FDCs require hydrostatic testing of the pipe from the outside of the building to the check valve for 2hrs every 5 years. Fire protection contractors must drain the fire sprinkler system to perform this test. They also must cap off the pipe prior to the check valve and reassemble it at the conclusion of the test. The internal inspection of the FDC check valve can be completed during the test. Since testing the FDC takes a bit of time and requires a few steps to complete the cost is around $400.
Gauges
Gauges on fire sprinkler systems require replacement or recalibration. It’s generally simple and cost effective to replace a gauge. Recalibration could cost more if the company must send the gauge out because they don’t have a calibration device onsite.
Backflow Preventers
5-year backflow preventer testing typically costs $200-$250. This internal inspection ensures that all components operate correctly, move freely, and are in good condition.
System Valves
Fire protection system technicians must isolate alarm, deluge, dry, preaction system valves to perform internal inspections in addition to cleaning and inspecting associated strainers and restricted orifices. This costs around $500-$600 per system. Each additional check valve will cost about $100.
Circumstances that Affect Pricing
Depending on the type of system, technicians may need to drain a portion or the entire system to perform the internal inspection. Fire sprinkler technicians open and inspect the system valve, riser, cross main, and branch lines. The cost of 5-year internal fire sprinkler inspections increases when the inspection requires removing a section of pipe. This is typically a problem with threaded pipes which are found in older systems. Fortunately, in some situations, companies may be able to use an alternative method that utilizes x-ray, ultrasound, or remote video equipment.
Some obstructions found during internal fire sprinkler pipe inspections include slime, debris, scale, biological growth, and corrosion. Unfortunately, debris such as wood, gloves, and even paint brushes are left behind by careless workers. Raw water sources also contribute to debris buildup like sand, sticks, and stones. These types of raw water filled systems also can contain biological growth. Mussels and clams can cause major obstruction issues in systems. Another issue associated with freshwater sources is that they contain calcium and magnesium salts that can build up scale in the pipe. In terms of fire sprinkler pipe corrosion, there are 9 types: uniform, pitting, galvanic, crevice, selective leaching, erosion, environmental cracking, intergranular, and MIC. If any of these obstructions are found these issues will require repairs. This will impact the overall pricing of internal sprinkler inspections.
Base Pricing for 5 Year Internal Fire Sprinkler Inspections
This is the average pricing for the cost of internal fire sprinkler inspections in small, medium, and large facilities. The cost could increase based on complications during the internal pipe inspection and whether the system requires repairs.
Small Facility
A small office with 1 alarm valve, FDC, check valve, and 2 gauges cost $1000-$1250.
Medium Facility
A two-story building with a single riser and zone control assembly on each floor costs $1500-$1750.
Large Facility
A warehouse type facility with multiple risers, systems, and valves costs $2000 or more for internal fire sprinkler inspections.
An internal sprinkler pipe inspection is performed in combination with 5-year fire sprinkler ITM services. Since these services are done at the same time, they factor into the total cost. To establish a baseline price, one must understand what’s part of the inspection and the price range to inspect these systems and components. Lastly, it’s important to consider what circumstances could increase the cost of 5-year internal fire sprinkler inspections
Categorized in: Education, Fire Sprinklers, General