Fire Sprinkler System Inspection, Testing & Sales
Fire sprinkler systems are an integral part of a building’s fire protection system and maintaining these systems are paramount to facility protection. Keller inspects, services, and maintains all fire sprinkler systems including: Wet Pipe, Dry Pipe, Pre-Action, Standpipe, Backflow preventers, Fire Pumps, Foam-Water, Deluge Fire Sprinkler Systems along with Water Mist Systems and Fire Sprinkler Design.
Wet Pipe System – in this system the sprinkler piping is constantly filled with water. When the temperature at the ceiling gets hot enough the glass bulb or fusible link in a sprinkler will break. Since the system is already filled with water, water is free to flow out of that sprinkler head.
Dry Pipe System – a dry system has the pipes filled with pressurized air or nitrogen rather than water. The air holds a dry pipe valve in a closed position until a sprinkler is released, releasing the dry pipe valve and allowing water into the system piping. A Dry pipe system provides automatic protection where the piping is exposed to freezing temperatures.
Pre-Action System – in a pre-action system, like the dry pipe system, the system pipe network is not initially filled with water. The water supply is held back by a pre-action valve that is controlled and released via complementary fire/smoke detection system. When the detection system is activated the pre-action valve releases water into the sprinkler piping network.
Fire sprinkler systems are an important safety feature in buildings, as they can help to suppress or extinguish fires before they have the chance to spread. Testing and maintaining your fire sprinkler system is essential to ensure that it is functioning properly and can effectively protect your building and its occupants in the event of a fire.
Here are some reasons why testing and maintaining your fire sprinkler system is important:
- To ensure that the system is functioning properly: Testing your fire sprinkler system regularly helps to identify any issues or problems with the system. This can include issues with the water supply, faulty sprinkler heads, or other mechanical issues. By identifying and fixing these problems, you can ensure that your fire sprinkler system is ready to work when it is needed.
- To meet code requirements: Most local building codes require regular testing and maintenance of fire sprinkler systems to ensure that they are in good working order. Failing to test and maintain your system can result in fines or other penalties.
- To protect your building and its occupants: A properly functioning fire sprinkler system can help to prevent fires from spreading, which can help to protect your building and its occupants. Testing and maintaining your system ensures that it is ready to do its job in the event of a fire.
- To avoid costly repairs: Failing to test and maintain your fire sprinkler system can lead to more serious problems, such as leaks or system failures. These problems can be costly to fix, and can also disrupt your business operations. By testing and maintaining your system regularly, you can help to prevent these problems from occurring.
- To protect lives: The most important reason to test and maintain your fire sprinkler system is to help protect the lives of the building’s occupants. A functioning fire sprinkler system can help contain and extinguish a fire, reducing the risk of injury or death.
Overall, testing and maintaining your fire sprinkler system is an important part of ensuring the safety and security of your building and its occupants. It is important to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations and local building codes for testing and maintenance to ensure that your system is functioning properly.
How often should you inspect and test Fire Sprinkler Systems?
Inspection
| Item | Frequency | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Assessment of the internal piping condition | 5 years | Chapter 14 |
| Control valves | Depends on the Valve Type | 13.1.1.2 |
| Fire department connections | Quarterly | 13.7.1 |
| Gauges (wet pipe and deluge systems) | Quarterly | 5.2.4.1 |
| Gauges (dry and preaction systems) | Quarterly / Monthly | 5.2.4.2 |
| Hanger/braces/supports | Annually | 5.2.3 |
| Heat tracing | Per manufacturer’s requirements | 5.2.7 |
| Hydraulic design information sign | Annually | 5.2.6 |
| Information signs | Annually | 5.2.8 |
| Pipe and fittings | Annually | 5.2.2 |
| Sprinklers | Annually | 5.2.1 |
| Sprinklers (spare) | Annually | 5.2.1.4 |
| Supervisory signal devices (except valve supervisory switches) | Quarterly | 5.2.5 |
| System valves | Depends on the valve type | 13.1.1.2 |
| Valve supervisory signal devices | Quarterly | 5.2.5 |
| Waterflow alarm devices | Quarterly | 5.2.5 |
Test
| Item | Frequency | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Antifreeze solution | Annually | 5.3.4 |
| Control valves | Annually | 13.3 |
| Gauges | Depends on the gauge type | 13.1.1.2 |
| Main drain | Annually / Quarterly | 13.1.1.2 |
| Sprinklers | At 50 years and every 10 years thereafter | 5.3.1.1.1 |
| Sprinklers | At 75 years and every 5 years thereafter | 5.3.1.1.1.5 |
| Sprinklers (dry) | 10 years and every 10 years thereafter | 5.3.1.1.1.6 |
| Sprinklers (extra-high or greater temperature solder type) | 5 years | 5.3.1.1.1.4 |
| Sprinklers (fast-response) | At 20 years and every 10 years thereafter | 5.3.1.1.1.3 |
| Sprinklers (harsh environments) | 5 years | 5.3.1.1.2 |
| Supervisory switches | Semiannually | 5.3.3.5 |
| System valves | Depends on the valve type | 13.4 |
| Waterflow alarm devices (mechanical) | Quarterly | 5.3.3.1 |
| Waterflow alarm devices (vane and pressure switch) | Semiannually | 5.3.3.2 |
Maintenance
| Item | Frequency | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Low-point drains (dry pipe and preaction systems) | Chapter 13 | |
| Sprinklers and automatic spray nozzles protecting commercial cooking equipment and ventilation systems | Annually | 5.4.1.7 |
| Replacement of sprinklers Removed for any reason | Do not reinstall | 5.4.1.1 |
| Valves (all types) | Depends on the valve type | 13.1.1.2 |
Contact us online or by phone at (913) 371-8494
to schedule Fire Sprinkler services.