False Sense of Security???

Transcription

1 IS YOUR SPRINKLER SYSTEM GIVING YOU A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY? Best Practices in Fire Safety An ASSE Virtual Symposium March 1 & 2, 2011 Walter S. Beattie CSP, CFPS, CSHM False Sense of Security??? Fire protection systems are passive in nature. They are designed for an occupancy They do not operate on a daily basis How do you know they will work if needed? You are ultimately responsible Regular inspection Regular testing Regular maintenance 1

2 Are You Checking sprinkler control valves? Performing waterflow alarm tests? Running your diesel fire pump weekly or electric monthly? Performing annual fire pump tests? Flowing your hydrants? Flushing the underground mains? Inspecting your fire water tanks? Testing the antifreeze? Handling your impairments properly? Where do I find requirements? NFPA 25 Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems Insurance carrier Fire department Corporate standards NFPA 25 establishes the MINIMUM requirements Inspection A visual examination of a system to verify that it appears to be in operating condition i and dis free of physical ldamage. Testing a physical trying or operation of a system, or part of a system to ensure or prove that it is functioning properly, as intended, or to an acceptable standard of operation. Maintenance The work performed to repair and/or maintain equipment in operable condition. 2

3 NFPA 25 Covers: Sprinkler Systems Standpipe and Hose Systems Pi Private Fire Service Mains Fire Pumps Water Storage Tanks Water Spray Fixed Systems Foam-Water Sprinkler Systems Water Mist Systems Vl Valves, Valve Vl Components, and Trim Obstruction Investigation Impairments Setting up an inspection program Documented (In writing!!!!) In-house Contracted In-house Inspections & Contracted testing & Maintenance 3

4 Records, plans, and calculations Original as-built installation drawings Hydraulic calculations Original acceptance test records Component data sheets Letters regarding the review and acceptance of the system Before you test Notify the alarm supervisory service Notify department heads Notify operators of critical equipment Make a general plant announcement Others as needed Wet Pipe Sprinkler Systems Weekly Checks 4

5 Are the Valves Open? Unsupervised - Weekly Are the Valves Open? Are the Valves Open? 5

6 Are the Valves Open? Are the Valves Open? 6

7 Check the Gauges Is equipment accessible? 7

8 Has the hazard increased? Wet Pipe Sprinkler Systems Monthly Checks Weekly Checks Supervised Valves Gauges Gauges Obvious Damage Monthly 8

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12 Wet Pipe Sprinkler Systems Quarterly Checks Quarterly Inspections & Tests Wet Pipe Sprinklers Valve Supervisory Devices Supervisory Signal Devices Hydraulic Nameplate Hydraulic Nameplate Fire Department Connections Test Waterflow Devices Mechanical such as Water Motor Gong Weekly & Monthly Checks 12

13 Fire Department Connection 13

14 Valve Tamper Switch Semi Annual Wet Pipe Sprinklers Weekly Checks Monthly Checks Quarterly Checks Test Valve Supervisory Devices Annual Wet Pipe Sprinklers Hangers Sprinklers Pipe & Fittings Pipe & Fittings Spare Sprinklers Main Drain Test Antifreeze test 14

15 SoniTech NDT - Used with Permission 15

16 Obstructions 5 Year + Wet Pipe Sprinklers Gauges 5 Year + Wet Pipe Sprinklers 16

17 Testing of Sprinklers Submit to Recognized Testing Laboratory Fast Response elements 20 years & 10 year interval Sprinklers 50 Years 10 year interval Sprinklers 75 Years 5 year interval Extra high temp F+ every five years Dry sprinklers test 10 year intervals Harsh Environment 5 Years + 5 Years Heads prior to REPLACE Dry Pipe Sprinkler Systems 17

18 Dry Pipe Valve Checks Wet Pipe checks Air pressure Weekly Compare riser air gauge to compressor gauge Compare riser air gauge to compressor gauge Water Column Test Ice buildup 18

19 Dry Pipe System Rust & Corrosion SoniTech NDT - Used with Permission Dry Pipe System Ice Plugs SoniTech NDT - Used with Permission 19

20 Dry Pipe System Ice Plugs SoniTech NDT - Used with Permission Standpipes & Hoses Inspect Control Valves Weekly/Monthly Pressure Regulating Devices Quarterly Pressure Regulating Devices Quarterly Piping, Connections, Cabinet, Hose Annually Tests Hose Storage Device Annually Hose, Pressure Control/Reducing Valves, Hydrostatic Test, Flow Test 5 Years 20

21 These valves are designed to reduce hose pressure from high pressure pumps. One Meridian Plaza Philadelphia, PA February 23, 1991 Where pressure reducing valves were not properly set 3 Firefighters Died Private Fire Service Mains Check Valves Weekly/Monthly Hydrants Annually and after each operation Hose Houses Quarterly Monitor Nozzles Semiannually Piping Annually Testing 5 Years 21

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23 Monitor Nozzle Interior Corrosion SoniTech NDT - Used with Permission 23

24 Interior Corrosion SoniTech NDT - Used with Permission Microbiological Induced Corrosion (MIC) Microbiological Induced Corrosion (MIC) 24

25 Fire Pumps 25

26 Fire Pumps Pump House Checks Temperature Louvers Weekly Running Valves open Start on Pressure Drop Start with both batteries Check batteries Check for leaks Fire Pumps - Electric Electrical Systems Power lights on Transfer/Isolating switches Phase reversal lights Oil l l i i l i h l Oil level in vertical motor sight glass Electrical components Run Monthly at least 10 minutes (change 2011) Constantly attended I advise to run weekly for reliability Packings dripping Bearing not too hot 26

27 Fire Pumps - Diesel Fluid levels Batteries Full Corrosion??? Controller switches & Setting Controller switches & Setting Fuel Tank level not less than 2/3 full Run Weekly at least 30 minutes Constantly attended Packings dripping Bearing not too hot 27

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29 Fire Pump Annual Test 29

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31 Water Storage Tanks 31

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33 Water Storage Tanks Inspect Water Level (alarm) Inspect Heating System Inspect Water Temperature (alarm) Exterior Inspection Corrosion Ice Build-up Erosion for fabric tanks Tank Fill Valves 5 Year Inspection & Maintenance Tank Level Indicators Covering the vent valve during tank painting is fairly standard practice; unfortunately leaving it covered when drawing out of the tank is very nonstandard practice. Tank Collapse 33

34 Water Spray Fixed Systems Water Spray Fixed Systems Check Valves & Water Supply Detection Systems (NFPA 72) Inspect Hangers, Supports, Fittings, Heads, & Components Quarterly Alarms Annual Operational Tests 34

35 Backflow Preventer Backflow Preventer 35

36 Impairments 36

37 Impairments Have a Good Impairment Program Follow Your Impairment Program Inform Management, Fire Department, Alarm Company, Insurance Carrier Discontinue Hazardous Operations No Hot Work or Smoking Work Continuously Impairment of Water Supply to a Fire Pump Photo courtesy of Robert Woodard. Used with permission. Excess Pressure Pumps 37

38 Types of Sprinkler Heads Standard Pendant Standard Upright 38

39 Types of Sprinkler Heads In-Rack Grinnell 165F K=5.6 Duraspeed with watershield In-Rack sprinkler Installed Types of Sprinkler Heads K Special Head Central (Tyco) Large Drop Viking LD 286F Types of Sprinkler Heads ESFR Pendant ASCOA K-1 K F ESFR - Upright Viking VK-520 K F 39

40 Types of Sprinkler Heads Dry Sprinkler Fusible Link Releases Sleeve Moves up Water Goes Around Mechanism Water Discharge Types of Sprinkler Heads Releasing head for deluge systems 40