inspection, testing and maintenance of sprinkler systems · inspection, testing and maintenance of...
TRANSCRIPT
1©2011- 2014 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved. Travelers and the Travelers Umbrella logo are registered trademarks of The Travelers Indemnity Company in the U.S. and other countries. CT0039P1
RISK CONTROL
REDUCE RISK. PREVENT LOSS. SAVE LIVES.1
Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Sprinkler SystemsHosted by Missouri Intergovernmental Risk Management Association
Presented by Dawn Safine, Risk Control Account Executive, CPCU | ARM | CFPS, MBA
2
Disclaimer
This program or presentation is only a tool to assist you in managing your responsibility to maintain safe premises, practices, operations and equipment, and is not for the benefit of any other party. The program or presentation does not cover all possible hazardous conditions or unsafe acts that may exist, and does not constitute legal advice. For decisions regarding use of the practices suggested by this program or presentation, follow the advice of your own legal counsel. Travelers disclaims all forms of warranties whatsoever, without limitation. Implementation of any practices suggested by this program or presentation is at your sole discretion, and Travelers or its affiliates shall not be liable to any party for any damages whatsoever arising out of, or in connection with, the information provided or its use. This material does not amend, or otherwise affect, the provisions or coverages of any insurance policy or bond issued by Travelers, nor is it a representation that coverage does or does not exist for any particular claim or loss under any such policy or bond. Coverage depends on the facts and circumstances involved in the claim or loss, all applicable policy or bond provisions, and any applicable law.
© 2011-2014 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved. Travelers and the Travelers Umbrella logo are registered trademarks of The Travelers Indemnity Company in the U.S. and other countries. CT0039P1
2©2011- 2014 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved. Travelers and the Travelers Umbrella logo are registered trademarks of The Travelers Indemnity Company in the U.S. and other countries. CT0039P1
3
Objectives
• Identify components, maintenance,
testing and operation of sprinkler systems
• List ways sprinkler systems fail
• Frequency of testing for sprinkler
• systems components
• Fire Pumps - Tests
4
Agenda - Inspection – Testing – Maintenance (ITM)
• ITM frequencies for various components
• ITM procedures
• How sprinkler systems can fail
3©2011- 2014 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved. Travelers and the Travelers Umbrella logo are registered trademarks of The Travelers Indemnity Company in the U.S. and other countries. CT0039P1
5
System components
• Above ground system:
– Sprinklers
– Piping
– Valves
• Underground system:
– Piping
– Hydrants
– Valves
• Water supply:
– Tanks
– Fire pumps
6
Sprinkler head inspection
• Damaged heads
• Build-up of dust or debris:
– Can blow off or vacuum:
No touching
• Glass bulbs without liquid
• Inverted heads
• Leaking
• Obstructions
• Storage too high
4©2011- 2014 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved. Travelers and the Travelers Umbrella logo are registered trademarks of The Travelers Indemnity Company in the U.S. and other countries. CT0039P1
7
Sprinkler head inspection (cont.)
• Leaking heads
8
Obstructed heads
5©2011- 2014 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved. Travelers and the Travelers Umbrella logo are registered trademarks of The Travelers Indemnity Company in the U.S. and other countries. CT0039P1
9
Storage too high
10
Sprinkler heads
• Sprinkler heads (typical):
– Visual inspection annually (5.2.1.1)
– Test or replace at 50 yrs then every 10 yrs. (5.3.1.1.1)
– Test or replace at 75 yrs then every 5 yrs (5.3.1.1.1.5)
– UL Stats
• Quick response heads:
– Visual inspection annually (5.2.1.1)
– Test or replace at 20 yrs then every 10 yrs (5.3.1.1.1.3)
6©2011- 2014 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved. Travelers and the Travelers Umbrella logo are registered trademarks of The Travelers Indemnity Company in the U.S. and other countries. CT0039P1
11
Sprinklers - ITM priorities
• Dry heads:
– Test or replace every 10 yrs (5.3.1.1.1.6)
• Heads in harsh environments (corrosive atmospheres and corrosive water supplies):
– Test or replace every 5 yrs (5.3.1.1.2)
• All sprinkler heads manufactured prior to 1920 should be replaced (5.3.1.1.1.2)
12
Sprinklers - ITM priorities (cont.)
• Dry heads:
– Test or replace every 10 years (5.3.1.1.1.6)
• UL testing – 2006-2010
Years in the Field
O Ring Failure
Non O Ring
Failure
< 10 yrs 17% <1%
11-15 47% 1%
16-20 52% 4%
21-25 47% 21%
26-30 60% 14%
>30 77% 23%
7©2011- 2014 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved. Travelers and the Travelers Umbrella logo are registered trademarks of The Travelers Indemnity Company in the U.S. and other countries. CT0039P1
13
Piping
14
Sprinkler piping - ITM priorities
• Pipe and fitting external inspections completed annually (5.2.2):
– Look for physical damage, leakage, misalignment, etc.
– Do not hang anything from the piping
• Internal inspections (Obstruction Investigation Chapter 14):
– Perform internal inspection every 5 years (14.2.1.1)
– Any sign of sludge must be tested for MIC (14.2.1.3)
– Internal inspection annually in dry and pre-action systems looking for ice plugs (14.4)
8©2011- 2014 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved. Travelers and the Travelers Umbrella logo are registered trademarks of The Travelers Indemnity Company in the U.S. and other countries. CT0039P1
15
Sprinkler piping - ITM priorities (cont.)
• Look for signs of pipe damage or obstruction
16
Sprinkler control valves
• Valve inspection – (13.3.2):
– Weekly for unsupervised valves
– Monthly for locked or supervised valves
• Valve testing – (13.3.3):
– Operate through full range annually
• Valve maintenance – (13.3.4):
– Lubricate annuallyWall Mounted Control Valve
OS and Y Control Valve
Butterfly Valve
Post Indicating Valve
9©2011- 2014 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved. Travelers and the Travelers Umbrella logo are registered trademarks of The Travelers Indemnity Company in the U.S. and other countries. CT0039P1
17
Control valve supervisory switches
• Test quarterly per Travelers recommendations
• Test semi-annually (13.3.3.5.1)
• Make sure to test by actually turning the valve
• Don’t move the mechanism by hand
18
Fire Department connection ITM
• Inspect quarterly (13.7.1)
• Need proper drainage to prevent freezing
• Caps maintained in place to prevent obstructions in piping
• Should be properly labeled
10©2011- 2014 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved. Travelers and the Travelers Umbrella logo are registered trademarks of The Travelers Indemnity Company in the U.S. and other countries. CT0039P1
19
Why do sprinkler systems fail?
• For all types of sprinklers combined:
– 64% equipment being shut off
– 17% manual intervention defeated the equipment
– 7% component was damaged
– 6% lack of maintenance
– 5% inappropriate design
These statistics come from the NFPA report titled, “U.S. Experience with Sprinklers and Other Automatic Fire Extinguishing Equipment” authored by John R. Hall, Jr., and dated September 2010.
20
11©2011- 2014 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved. Travelers and the Travelers Umbrella logo are registered trademarks of The Travelers Indemnity Company in the U.S. and other countries. CT0039P1
21
Water flow alarm testing
• Water motor gongs test quarterly (5.3.3.1 and 13.2.6)
• Vane-type or pressure switch-type tested semi-annually (5.3.3.2)
• Quarterly testing is recommended by Travelers
• Use inspectors test connection if possible (5.3.3.3)
22
Wet pipe - water flow alarms
Vane Typewater flow switches
12©2011- 2014 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved. Travelers and the Travelers Umbrella logo are registered trademarks of The Travelers Indemnity Company in the U.S. and other countries. CT0039P1
23
Wet pipe systems - inspector’s test
24
Water flow alarm testing - high rise bldg
Main Drain
Inspectors Test Connection
Vane Type Waterflow Alarm Switch
Standpipe
13©2011- 2014 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved. Travelers and the Travelers Umbrella logo are registered trademarks of The Travelers Indemnity Company in the U.S. and other countries. CT0039P1
25
Wet pipe - alarm check valve
• Alarm by-pass – can be used
• Better to use the inspector’stest connection
26
Alarm valves - ITM
• Inspect externally monthly (13.4.1.1)
• Inspect internally every 5 yrs (13.4.1.2)
• Test alarm quarterly (5.3.3.1 and 13.2.6)
• Maintain and clean as needed (13.4.1.3):
– Per manufacturer’s recommendations
14©2011- 2014 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved. Travelers and the Travelers Umbrella logo are registered trademarks of The Travelers Indemnity Company in the U.S. and other countries. CT0039P1
27
Water motor gong - ITM
• Inspect quarterly (5.2.5)
• Test quarterly (5.3.3.1 and 13.2.6)
• Maintain as needed or as per manufacturer’s recommendations
28
Dry pipe valves - ITM
• Test waterflow alarm quarterly (5.3.3.1)
• Inspect daily/weekly during heating season (13.4.4.1.1)
• Annual trip testing (13.4.4.2.2):
– Full flow every 3 yrs (13.4.4.2.2.2)
– Air test every 3 yrs (13.4.4.2.9)
• Perform maintenance during annual trip test (13.4.4.3.1)
15©2011- 2014 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved. Travelers and the Travelers Umbrella logo are registered trademarks of The Travelers Indemnity Company in the U.S. and other countries. CT0039P1
29
Dry pipe valve
30
Dry pipe systems - ITM
• Internal ice plug inspection done annually (14.4)
16©2011- 2014 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved. Travelers and the Travelers Umbrella logo are registered trademarks of The Travelers Indemnity Company in the U.S. and other countries. CT0039P1
31
Quick opening devices
• Accelerators and exhausters tested quarterly (13.4.4.2.4)
• A.13.4.4.2.4 gives instructions
32
Dry system - low point drain
• Low point drains should be drained after each trip test and annually before the onset of freezing weather (12.4.4.3.2)
17©2011- 2014 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved. Travelers and the Travelers Umbrella logo are registered trademarks of The Travelers Indemnity Company in the U.S. and other countries. CT0039P1
33
Water supplies
34
Water supplies - main drain test
18©2011- 2014 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved. Travelers and the Travelers Umbrella logo are registered trademarks of The Travelers Indemnity Company in the U.S. and other countries. CT0039P1
35
Main drain tests
• Main drain testing (13.2.5)
• Completed quarterly as recommended by Travelers
• NFPA recommends annual test
• Helps verify:
– Water supply has not deteriorated
– Underground valves are open
36
Water supplies - tanks
• Water level (9.2.1):
– Quarterly inspection if water level monitored
– Otherwise conduct monthly
• Heating system (9.2.3):
– Weekly if temperature monitored
– Otherwise daily
• Exterior (9.2.5):
– Quarterly inspection
• Interior (9.2.6):
– Inspect every 5 yrs
– Every 3 yrs for steel tanks without corrosion protection
19©2011- 2014 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved. Travelers and the Travelers Umbrella logo are registered trademarks of The Travelers Indemnity Company in the U.S. and other countries. CT0039P1
37
Types of pumps
• Booster pump:
– Used to boost pressure from a pressurized system
– City main
– Gravity tank
• Fire pump:
– Water provided from a stagnant (non-pressurized) source
– Lake, pond, river, etc.
38
Types of pumps (cont.)
• Horizontal-shaft centrifugal fire pumps:
– Designed to operate under positive suction head
20©2011- 2014 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved. Travelers and the Travelers Umbrella logo are registered trademarks of The Travelers Indemnity Company in the U.S. and other countries. CT0039P1
39
Types of pumps (cont.)
• Vertical turbine fire pumps:
– Needed where pump would operate with suction lift
40
Fire pump drivers
• Typical fire pump installations - electric motor
Suction ValveElectric Supply
21©2011- 2014 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved. Travelers and the Travelers Umbrella logo are registered trademarks of The Travelers Indemnity Company in the U.S. and other countries. CT0039P1
41
Fire pump drivers (cont.)
• Typical fire pump installations - diesel engine
Testing fire pumps
42
– Two types of tests should be conducted on all fire pumps:
– Weekly/Monthly run test
– Annual flow test
22©2011- 2014 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved. Travelers and the Travelers Umbrella logo are registered trademarks of The Travelers Indemnity Company in the U.S. and other countries. CT0039P1
Other things to evaluate
• Electric pump:
– Circulating relief valve operating (check each time pump is started)
– Volts and amps (during annual flow test)
• Diesel pump:
– Main relief valve (each time)
– Batteries are charged/charging (annual flow test)
– Cooling water line operating (each time)
• Packing has water dripping for cooling and lubrication (each time)
• Proper start pressures for pump and jockey (annual flow test)
43
Weekly/Monthly run testing of fire pumps
• Electric pumps run for 10 minutes - monthly
• Diesel pumps run for 30 minutes - weekly
• Need to make sure the pump is running properly:
– No excessive noise or vibration
– Not overheating
– No smoke!
– Starts with a drop in system pressure
– Batteries are charged/charging
44
23©2011- 2014 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved. Travelers and the Travelers Umbrella logo are registered trademarks of The Travelers Indemnity Company in the U.S. and other countries. CT0039P1
Annual flow tests
• Two reasons to conduct annual flow tests:
– Test pump performance:
Use net pump pressures
Net pressure is equal to discharge pressure minus suction pressure
– Verify pump can supply sprinklers:
Use pump discharge pressures
Compare with sprinkler demands
45
Tools for testing fire pumps
• Pitot tube
• Pressure gauges
• Playpipes
• Hose monsters
• Calculator and graph paper
46
24©2011- 2014 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved. Travelers and the Travelers Umbrella logo are registered trademarks of The Travelers Indemnity Company in the U.S. and other countries. CT0039P1
Tools for testing fire pumps (cont.)
47
Pitot Tube UL Playpipe
Hose monster
48
25©2011- 2014 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved. Travelers and the Travelers Umbrella logo are registered trademarks of The Travelers Indemnity Company in the U.S. and other countries. CT0039P1
Flow testing of fire pumps
• 3 rating points:
– At churn, or zero flow, the net pump pressure should not exceed 140% of the rated pressure
– At 100% of the rated flow the net pump pressure should be 100% of the rated pressure
– At 150% of the rated flow, the net pump pressure should be at least 65% of the rated pressure
49
Testing of fire pumps
• More commonly referred to as:
– Zero flow, or churn
– 100%, or rated
– 150%, or overflow
50
26©2011- 2014 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved. Travelers and the Travelers Umbrella logo are registered trademarks of The Travelers Indemnity Company in the U.S. and other countries. CT0039P1
Next Steps
51