As a facility manager, property owner, plant operator etc. you should be aware of the top 5 most common fire sprinkler deficiencies. These are simple deficiencies that don’t necessarily require an expert to find them. Once, you know what problems to look for, you’ll be able to easily spot these deficiencies the next time you walk through your facility. The top 5 most common fire sprinkler deficiencies include:
- 50 Year Sprinkler Test
- Painted Fire Sprinklers
- Renovations and Occupancy Changes
- Recalled Fire Sprinkler Heads
- Storage Obstructing Sprinkler Heads
1. 50 Year Sprinkler Test
Testing standard response fire sprinklers only occurs after they’ve been in service for 50 years. Facility managers forget to perform this test since it’s not part of a regular fire protection system testing regime. This test involves taking a few fire sprinkler heads from different areas and sending them to a lab. At the lab, sprinkler heads undergo a plunge test. This shows how long it takes to activate when they’re exposed to a high temperature. All sprinklers in a sample area require replacement if they fail to activate in a certain amount of time. Fire sprinkler heads that pass the test require retesting every 10 years. When they reach the age of 75 the frequency is every 5 years.
2. Painted Fire Sprinklers
No one except for the manufacturer may paint a fire sprinkler. Unfortunately, staff or contractors paint fire sprinklers by accident when they’re painting. But even a little paint can cause a sprinkler head to not operate as designed causing delayed activation, inadequate water distribution, no activating, etc. A professional can identify this problem during an annual visual inspection or facility’s personnel can spot the issue anytime.
3. Renovations and Occupancy Changes
Building renovations impact fire protection systems. Breaking up one large space and making it into numerous rooms, changes the space and how it functions. If a facility builds a new wall 6 inches from a sprinkler head then a professional must verify whether there’s appropriate sprinkler coverage. Likewise, if an office becomes a storage room for flammable chemicals then the hazard classification and sprinkler placement require a revaluation. This ensures the area is adequately protected.
4. Recalled Fire Sprinkler Heads
The most recent large fire sprinkler recall involved 35 million o-ring fire sprinklers in 2001. Even though the fire sprinkler recall included free sprinkler replacement and installation, millions remain in service because no one has identified them yet. The problem with these sprinklers is that they can corrode and when the o-ring seals are exposed to water contaminants they may fail. The majority of o-ring fire sprinklers were produced 1989-2000 by the Central Sprinkler Company, an affiliate of Tyco Fire Products LP.
5. Storage Obstructing Sprinkler Heads
Stacking boxes or any type of material too close to sprinkler heads is so common that it’s mistaken for an accepted practice. The reality is obstruction prevents fire sprinklers from functioning as designed. The obstruction will block the water from reaching the intended area, therefore making a space not properly protected. According to NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, any types of obstructions should be kept at a minimum of 18in. from standard spray sprinklers and 36in. from an early suppression fast response and large drop sprinklers.
Although, these deficiencies are easy for most people to spot they can have detrimental results in an emergency situation. So please be mindful of these top 5 most common fire sprinkler deficiencies. If you require a professional to fix any deficiencies in your facility, contact Kinetix.
Categorized in: Education, Fire Sprinklers, General