{"id":213,"date":"2020-04-21T15:33:06","date_gmt":"2020-04-21T15:33:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/content.agfmfg.com\/blog\/?p=213"},"modified":"2022-04-06T13:08:02","modified_gmt":"2022-04-06T13:08:02","slug":"improve-your-fire-sprinkler-system-maintenance-with-these-5-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/content.agfmfg.com\/blog\/improve-your-fire-sprinkler-system-maintenance-with-these-5-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"Improve Your Fire Sprinkler System Maintenance with These 5 Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Fire sprinkler system maintenance keeps a system ready that could save your life. Everyone hopes fire sprinklers never need to activate\u2013that there\u2019s never a fire. But the worst scenario for building tenants and property is a system that doesn\u2019t work when they need it.<\/p>\n

Maintenance doesn\u2019t need to cause a headache for facilities professionals, though. With these five tips, building managers can maintain a safe fire sprinkler system with ease.
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1. Test Your System Remotely<\/h2>\n

\"AGFNFPA 13 and NFPA 25 both require sprinkler water flow alarm device testing. An inspector operates the test valve handle to simulate system activation.<\/p>\n

For facilities with multiple buildings or levels, testing is time-consuming. The inspector must visit each floor in person to test the valve. Plus, valves are often located behind locked doors or in hard-to-access places.<\/p>\n

AGF Manufacturing\u2019s RemoteTEST<\/span> <\/a>makes the process more efficient. It adds a solenoid to one of their famous TESTanDRAIN<\/span> <\/a>valves. Activate the solenoid with a local key switch, auxiliary panel, addressable FAC panel, or even a LAN system. Plus, manual testing is still an option if necessary.<\/p>\n

How does that make testing easier?<\/p>\n

Remote testing means you can test from one central location. Put a panel in each building that the inspector can use to test every floor. Or, have one hub from which the inspector can test every system on a large campus.<\/p>\n

That not only increases efficiency, but it lowers the labor cost of testing. Cost and time savings encourage proper system maintenance and readiness.<\/p>\n

2. Prevent Corrosion<\/h2>\n

\"ModelThe biggest threat to your system is one you can\u2019t see from the outside\u2013corrosion.<\/p>\n

Corrosion occurs when a ferrous metal or alloy reacts with water and oxygen. It\u2019s irreversible and can cause the accelerated deterioration of the system.<\/p>\n

Over time, corrosion can obstruct the flow of water through the sprinkler heads. Obstructions make the system ineffective. That increases the risk of injury and property damage in a fire.<\/p>\n

It can also cause leaks that cost the facility thousands in damage.<\/p>\n

Most of the oxygen that contributes to corrosion in a wet system is from trapped air. Studies conducted by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) show that venting trapped air could help prevent corrosion<\/p>\n

Since the 2016 edition of NFPA 13, NFPA requires air vents on wet sprinkler systems. AGF\u2019s PURGEnVENT<\/span> <\/a>Model 7900 automatic air vent releases trapped air automatically.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s the simplest form of fire sprinkler system maintenance. Install it once, and it will automatically vent trapped air to help prevent corrosion.<\/p>\n

3. Monitor Corrosion<\/h2>\n

\"\"Catch corrosion early, and you have more time to handle it, or at least get an idea of the corrosion rate.<\/p>\n

NFPA recognizes the importance of monitoring corrosion. In NFPA 13 \u2013 Chapter 23, they say a system shall use one of the listed options to monitor corrosion if the water supply has conditions contributing to microbiologically influenced corrosion.<\/p>\n

One of those options is installing a corrosion monitoring station and monitoring it at established intervals.<\/p>\n

AGF\u2019s CORRinSITE<\/span> <\/a>is a simple corrosion monitor to fulfill this requirement. It requires no power and works for wet or dry fire sprinkler systems.<\/p>\n

How does it work?<\/p>\n

A plug made from the same material as the piping in the system is attached through a section of inline pipe or a mechanical tee. The plug has a chamber with a wear dimension of 0.040 inches. That\u2019s 1\/3 of the thickness of Schedule 10 pipe and 1\/5 the thickness of Schedule 40 piping. When this corrodes through, moisture enters the chamber and turns a dot on its face from white to fluorescent orange.<\/p>\n

CORRinSITE<\/span> shows you when you have an internal corrosion problem. It also gives you a way to figure out the rate of corrosion.<\/p>\n

For example, let\u2019s say you install CORRinSITE<\/span> in a new dry system with Schedule 10 pipe. The indicator turns orange five years later. That shows building managers that 1\/3 of the pipe corroded in five years. So, they can know the system will likely need replacement in ten more years. Now, they have time to budget and prepare before corrosion becomes a major issue.<\/p>\n

4. Protect Against Freezing<\/h2>\n

\"\"Dry sprinkler systems, although they are not full of water, still collect condensation. NFPA 13 requires auxiliary drains to collect and drain that moisture. Their design allows them to do that without tripping the system.<\/p>\n

Frozen Auxiliary Drains Cause Flooding<\/h3>\n

In freezing temperatures, water left in the drain can freeze inside the barrel. When frozen water partially thaws and refreezes, it can break the drain. Ice plugs form that force new ice expansion downward, breaking the valve.<\/p>\n

When the ice thaws, a broken valve means pressure loss and a tripped system. A tripped system with a broken drain means facility flooding that causes:<\/p>\n