Category: Articles

Five Essential Steps to Prepare Your Dry Fire Sprinkler System for Winter

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin’s timeless wisdom applies perfectly to the challenges of maintaining dry fire sprinkler systems through the harsh winter months. Every year, building owners and facility managers face frozen drains, damaged piping, system downtime, and costly repairs, all of which are preventable with the right preparation.

The key to avoiding those headaches lies in one word: prevention.

When temperatures drop, water trapped in auxiliary drains, aka low points, can freeze, expand, and crack the drain, releasing pressure from the system and tripping the dry valve. The result? Flooded spaces, impaired fire protection, and expensive emergency service calls. But with a few proactive steps and the right tools from AGF Manufacturing, facility teams can protect their systems and their budgets from winter’s worst effects.

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Test Orifice Requirements in NFPA 13 and NFPA 25

The inspector’s test valve is a vital component of any wet fire sprinkler system. At the heart of this connection is the test orifice. A small but critical feature that certifies the system’s waterflow alarm functions correctly. Both NFPA 13 (Installation of Sprinkler Systems) and NFPA 25 (Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems) provide requirements that govern the size, purpose, and functionality of this orifice.

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AGF: A Proud American Manufacturer, Now in Its Third Generation of Family Leadership

For nearly 40 years, AGF Manufacturing has been guided by the same principles it was founded: innovation, integrity, and a commitment to the fire protection industry. But what truly sets AGF apart isn’t just its reputation for quality, it’s

George McHugh III at an early sprinkler industry tradeshow.

the fact that it has remained a proudly family-owned, American manufacturer from the start.

AGF’s story began in 1986, when George J. McHugh III partnered with Alan Gilmore to solve a problem in the fire sprinkler world. Their solution, the original TESTANDRAIN Model 1000, replaced a complex assembly of 17 separate components with a single handle, multi-function valve. It was a simple but powerful innovation that changed the industry. That spirit of problem solving and practical engineering continues to define AGF today.

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Ensuring Corrosion Protection Beyond Routine Maintenance in Fire Sprinkler Systems

Corrosion prevention is crucial for protecting lives and property.

Corrosion poses a significant threat in fire sprinkler systems, often remaining undetected until it’s too late, leading to property damage or even loss of life during a fire event. Traditional Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance (ITM) protocols are essential but can inadvertently accelerate corrosion rates by introducing fresh oxygen into the system. Fortunately, advancements in products and strategies offer enhanced corrosion prevention and monitoring capabilities, crucial for protecting lives and property.

Vapor Pipe Shield by General Air Products
Vapor Pipe Shield by General Air Products is an inline delivery system of Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitor (VpCI) to prevent corrosion in Dry-Pipe & Pre-Action Fire Sprinkler Systems. Image courtesy of General Air Products

 

Understanding the corrosion triangle

Corrosion in fire sprinkler pipes arises from a chemical reaction producing rust particles. Unlike typical plumbing systems where flowing water flushes away these particles, stagnant water in fire sprinkler systems allows rust buildup, leading to obstructions. This buildup, if present during a fire, can hinder water flow or block sprinkler heads, amplifying the severity of the situation. The corrosion triangle, comprising steel, water, and oxygen, forms the basis of this process. Fire sprinkler systems provide ideal conditions for corrosion as all three elements are present. Wet systems, filled with water and oxygen, are particularly susceptible, while dry systems, despite the absence of water, are not immune due to trapped moisture and oxygen.

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Is an Inspector’s Test the Same as a Test and Drain Valve?

Choosing and placing valves carefully is important for fire sprinkler systems

Inspectors test valve and a test and drain valve

to meet code requirements. The Inspector’s Test Valves and Test and Drain Valves are frequently confused. This is because they perform similar functions but have distinct characteristics and applications. Understanding the differences between these valves is crucial to ensure their proper usage.

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Inspecting Your Fire Sprinkler Systems

A proactive approach to extend the life of your systems.

facility personnel inspecting systems

Among the requirements needed to keep commercial fire sprinklers working and code compliant are the routine inspections, which can seem complex. Most of the Inspection, Testing and Maintenance (ITM) of sprinkler systems require a qualified life safety professional, but some of the work can be done by in-house facility personnel.

NFPA 25, the Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems is the primary standard for most facilities and this standard assign specific responsibilities to the property owner or their designated representative. The property owner is ultimately responsible for the integrity of the fire sprinkler system even if ITM is being provided by an outside contractor.

4.1.1 Responsibility for Inspection, Testing, Maintenance, and Impairment. – The property owner or designated representative shall be responsible for properly maintaining a water-based fire protection system.

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The Risks of Adjustable Pressure Relief Valves

Choosing the correct relief valve needs preplanning

Pressure relief valves protect fire sprinkler system components by relieving excess system pressure from supply surges or temperature changes. Since the 2010 edition, NFPA 13: “Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems” has required pressure relief valves to be installed on all wet pipe fire sprinkler systems. But picking the correct relief valve for a specific system does need a little preplanning. Knowing the desired static pressure of the system and reviewing the UL and FM Standards regarding the required operational characteristic of relief valves used on sprinkler systems for guidance, one can deduce the best rating for a relief valve on any system.

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Prepare your Low Point Drain for Winter

Preparing for Winter, Sprinkler System Maintenance

In freezing weather, dry and pre-action fire sprinkler systems have a major Achilles heel if improperly maintained—the auxiliary drains. Auxiliary drains, also referred to as low point drains or drum drips, are required on dry or pre-action fire sprinkler systems to collect condensation that forms in the pipes.

When improperly maintained, low point drains break and can cause major facility flooding. The cost to repair and reset the fire sprinkler system itself is negligible compared to the cost of water damage mitigation, potentially lost inventory, tenant interruption, increased liability, and increased insurance premiums.

Luckily, understanding attentive maintenance and other available solutions can help facilities prevent flooding caused by frozen low point drains.

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Fire Sprinkler System Freeze Protection: How to Maintain Auxiliary Drains

Fire sprinkler system freeze prevention is vital for facility managers as temperatures drop. Compromised life safety, facility damage, and more plague facilities with poor maintenance plans.

Proper auxiliary drain maintenance is key to preventing freezing on dry sprinkler systems. Facilities can save thousands each winter with these key steps:

      1. Locate Auxiliary Drains
      2. Perform Preventative Maintenance
      3. Use Correct Service Frequency
      4. Simplify the Plan

So how do you maintain auxiliary drains, and what are they? Let’s dive in.

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New Trends in Corrosion and Freeze Protection for Resilient Fire Sprinkler Systems

How can you prevent corrosion and freezing in fire sprinkler systems? That has long been a question central to code requirements and new product development.

Recent innovations have presented a few possible answers to that question. Air vents, self-draining auxiliary drains in heated cabinets, and flood elimination devices, can protect fire sprinkler systems against the common pitfalls of corrosion and freezing.

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