Inspection of Fire Sprinkler Systems. NFPA 25, Inspection, Testing & Maintenance of Water Based Fire Protection Systems

Transcription

1 Inspection of Fire Sprinkler Systems NFPA 25, Inspection, Testing & Maintenance of Water Based Fire Protection Systems

2 Objective To familiarize Facility Managers with the process of routine inspection of fire sprinkler systems and to recognize system impairments.

3 Course Content Applicable Codes & Standards Types of Systems Key Components What to Inspect Documentation of Inspections

4 Housekeeping Breaks Restrooms Open Atmosphere Ask Questions Hands on System A look at Hotel Sprinkler Riser

5 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.

6 Sprinklers Systems Sprinklers are 92% - 98% Effective It is imperative that these systems be maintained and inspected

7 Factors that Affect System Performance Closed Valves Damaged Components Occupancy Change Process and Material Changes Building Renovations Shutdown of Heating System Water Supply Changes

8 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 (6)

9 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.

10 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

11 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.

12 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 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

13 Types of Systems Wet System Dry System Pre-action System Deluge System

14 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.

15 Wet Pipe System

16 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.

17

18 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.

19 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.

20 Single Interlock Pre-action

21 Double Interlock Pre-action

22 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.

23

24 What Do We Inspect? Water Supply Control Valves & Other Valves Fire Department Connection Alarm Piping & Sprinklers Inspectors Test

25 Water Supply One or More Required per System Municipal Water Main Storage Reservoir Pressure Tank Gravity Tank

26 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

27 Aboveground Ensure the System Gauges Shows Normal Water Supply Pressure Weekly on Dry Monthly on Wet

28 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.

29 Outside Control Valves Weekly if Valves are Sealed Monthly if Electrically Supervised or Secured with Lock & Chain

30 Inside Control Valves

31 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.

32 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

33 Fire Department Connections Identification Sign in Place Check Valve Not Leaking Automatic Drain Valve in Place and Operating Properly

34 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.

35 No Bells Outside? NFPA 13 Section 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.

36 Waterflow Alarms Paddle-type waterflow alarm indicators shall be installed in wet systems only.

37 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

38 Temperature of Head Color Code Red Temperature Classification Ordinary Temperature Rating 135º to 170º Max. Ceiling Temp. 100º

39 Temperature of Head Color Code Green Temperature Classification Intermediate Temperature Rating 175º to 225º Max. Ceiling Temp. 150º

40 Sidewall Sprinkler

41 Upright or Pendent Sprinkler

42 Special Sprinklers

43 Quick Response Required in Light Hazard Occupancies

44 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

45 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

46 Obstruction Around Obstruction to Sprinkler Discharge NFPA 13, Section 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.

47 Physical Damage Sprinklers free of corrosion Piping free of mechanical damage Piping properly lined No external loads on piping Hangers not damaged or loose

48 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

49 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.

50 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.

51 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)

52 Air Maintenance Device

53 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.

54 What Have We Inspected? Water Supply Control Valves & Other Valves Fire Department Connection Alarm Piping & Sprinklers Inspectors Test

55 REMEMBER FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS SAVE LIVES