Inspection of Fire

Sprinkler Systems

NFPA 25, Inspection, Testing

& Maintenance of Water Based

Fire Protection Systems

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Objective

To familiarize Facility

Managers with the process

of routine inspection of fire

sprinkler systems and to

recognize system

impairments.

Course Content

Applicable Codes

& Standards

Types of Systems

Key Components

What to Inspect

Documentation of

Inspections

Housekeeping

• Breaks

• Restrooms

• Open Atmosphere Ask Questions

• Hands on System

A look at Hotel Sprinkler Riser

State Codes

COMM 51.23(6)

• (a) All installed automatic

sprinkler systems, whether

required by this code or not, shall

be properly maintained for

efficient service pursuant to

NFPA 25.

Sprinklers Systems

Sprinklers are 92% - 98%

Effective

It is imperative that these

systems be maintained and

inspected

Factors that Affect

System Performance

Closed Valves

Damaged Components

Occupancy Change

Process and Material Changes

Building Renovations

Shutdown of Heating System

Water Supply Changes

Responsibility for Maintenance

Owners or operators

shall be responsible

for the condition of

their sprinkler

system and shall use

due diligence in

keeping the system

in good operating

condition.

COMM 51.23 (6)

Inspection of Records

Records of inspections, tests

and maintenance, as specified

in NFPA 25 shall be kept and

shall be made available, upon

request, to the department or

its authorized deputies.

Credentials for

Inspection and Testing

Fire sprinkler systems

shall be tested and

inspected at least once

a year by someone

holding one of the

following Dept. of

Commerce credentials. Other individuals can conduct the

daily, weekly, monthly,quarterly

or semi-annual inspection and

testing

Sprinkler Contractor

Journeyman Fitter

Fitter Apprentice

Sprinkler Contractor-

Maintenance

Sprinkler Maintenance-

Fitter

Sprinkler System Tester

National Standards

NFPA 25, Maintenance of Water

Based Fire Suppression System

Establishes the minimum

requirements for the periodic

inspection, testing, and

maintenance of fire sprinkler

systems.

What is a Sprinkler

System?

A sprinkler system is an integrated system of underground and overhead piping, designed in accordance with fire protection engineering standards, and connected to one or more automatic water supplies. The system is usually activated by heat from a fire, and the sprinkler heads then discharge water over the fire area. Sprinkler systems are nearly 100 percent effective.

"Fire Fighting," Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia 2000. © 1993-1999

Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Types of Systems

• Wet System

• Dry System

• Pre-action System

• Deluge System

Wet Sprinkler System

A system that

employs a piping

containing water and

connected to a

water supply so that

water discharges

immediately from

sprinklers opened by

heat from a fire.

Wet Pipe System

Dry Pipe System

Includes automatic

sprinklers attached to a

piping system containing air

or nitrogen under pressure,

the release of which allows

the water pressure to open

the dry pipe valve allow

water to flow through the

system and out the open

sprinklers.

Pre-action Systems

• Sprinklers attached to a piping

system containing air that may be

under pressure, with a

supplemental detection system

installed in the same areas as the

sprinklers.

• Both the detection and the

sprinklers must be actuated prior

to the release of water.

Operation

If a smoke or heat detector operates, or a pull

station is activated...

The release panel will go into an alarm

condition.

The release circuit will energize.

This allows water to enter the sprinkler piping.

Water will be discharged only if a sprinkler

now opens.

Single Interlock Pre-action

Double Interlock Pre-action

Deluge System

A system employing open

sprinklers connected to

the water supply through

a valve that is opened by

by the operation of the

detection system. When

the valve opens, water is

discharged immediately

through all sprinklers.

What Do We Inspect?

Water Supply

Control Valves & Other Valves

Fire Department Connection

Alarm

Piping & Sprinklers

Inspectors Test

Water Supply

One or More Required per System

Municipal Water Main

Storage Reservoir

Pressure Tank

Gravity Tank

Inspecting the Underground

Cannot be Smaller than the Riser

Must be Protected Against

Freezing

Must be Flushed Before Connected

to Aboveground Piping

Must be Hydrostatically Tested

Aboveground

Ensure the

System Gauges

Shows Normal

Water Supply

Pressure

Weekly on Dry

Monthly on Wet

Gauges

Wet System: The pressure gauge

above and below the alarm valve

should be about the same. The one

above may be a little higher.

Dry System: The pressure above the

dry valve should be lower that the

reading on the gauge below the valve.

Typically close to a 6:1 ratio.

Outside Control Valves

Weekly if Valves are Sealed

Monthly if Electrically Supervised or Secured with Lock & Chain

Inside Control Valves

Isolation Control Valves

You may find these where the pipe goes

into an elevator pit or in stairwells where

the floor level can be isolated.

Fire Department

Connections

Visible & Accessible

Couplings & Swivels

not Damaged and

rotate smoothly

Plugs and Caps in

Place and Undamaged

Gaskets in Place and

Not Damaged

Fire Department

Connections

Identification

Sign in Place

Check Valve Not

Leaking

Automatic Drain

Valve in Place

and Operating

Properly

Waterflow Alarms

Required on all

systems having more

than 20 sprinklers.

Flow of water from a

single sprinkler of the

smallest orifice shall,

within 5 minutes,

result in an audible

signal on premises.

No Bells Outside?

NFPA 13 Section 3-10.3

Outside alarms can be omitted

where the sprinkler system is used

as part of a central station,

auxiliary, remote station, or

proprietary signaling fire alarm

system utilizing listed audible

inside alarm devices.

Waterflow Alarms

Paddle-type waterflow alarm indicators

shall be installed in wet systems only.

Sprinklers

Temperature of Sprinkler

Type of Sprinkler

Location of Sprinklers

Obstructions around Sprinklers

Physical Damage to Sprinklers

Painting or Coating of Sprinkler

Provide Extra Sprinklers

Temperature of Head

Color Code

Red

Temperature

Classification

Ordinary

Temperature Rating

135º to 170º

Max. Ceiling Temp.

100º

Temperature of Head

Color Code

Green

Temperature

Classification

Intermediate

Temperature Rating

175º to 225º

Max. Ceiling Temp.

150º

Sidewall Sprinkler

Upright or Pendent

Sprinkler

Special Sprinklers

Quick Response

Required in Light Hazard Occupancies

Sprinkler Spacing

Hazard Max. Distance

Between Sprinklers

Max. Square

Footage

Light 15 ft 225 ft

Ordinary 15 ft 130 ft

Extra 12 ft 100 ft

Sprinkler Spacing

Not to be closer than 4’ from each

other.

Sidewalls must be 4” to 6” down from

ceiling. (Manufacturer specification may allow

more)

Watch for occupancy changes.

NFPA 13, Section 2-1

Watch for height of storage.

NFPA 13, Section 10-5

Obstruction Around

Obstruction to Sprinkler

Discharge

NFPA 13, Section 5-5.5

Obstructions less than or equal to

18” below the deflector will

prevent pattern from fully

developing.

Sprinklers shall be installed under

fixed obstructions over 4ft.

Physical Damage

Sprinklers free of corrosion

Piping free of mechanical

damage

Piping properly lined

No external loads on piping

Hangers not damaged or loose

Painted Sprinklers

Sprinkler heads can only be

factory painted.

Ensure sprinklers are free of

paint.

Replace when painted.

Ensure they are not still taped or

covered

Spare Sprinklers

System with less

than 300 sprinklers,

not fewer than 6.

System with 300 to

1000 sprinklers, not

fewer than 12.

System with over

1000 sprinklers, not

fewer than 24.

Inspector’s Test

Method of Testing Sprinkler

System Alarms

Found on branch line usually at

the most remote point.

Flowing water through the test

connection ensures that water

is flowing through the entire

system.

Dry System Air

Compressor

The compressed air supply shall be

from a source available at all times

and have a capacity of restoring air

pressure in the system within 30

minutes. (NFPA 13 Section 4-2.6)

Air Maintenance Device

Drains on Dry Systems

Drum Drips must have upper valve

open and lower closed

When installing ensure everything is

pitched to drain

If there are low points, ensure there

is a low point drain.

All low points shall be drained

annually, prior to the onset of freezing

weather.

What Have We Inspected?

Water Supply

Control Valves & Other Valves

Fire Department Connection

Alarm

Piping & Sprinklers

Inspectors Test

REMEMBER

FIRE

SPRINKLER

SYSTEMS SAVE

LIVES