How To Protect Your Sprinkler System During The Winter Period
Fire sprinkler systems can be particularly susceptible to frost damage during periods of wintry weather and all system users and building owner/occupiers should be aware of some basic precautions that can be taken to protect their system against these adverse conditions. Frozen water in the sprinkler system can cause considerable damage to the components and equipment including pumps, tanks, sprinkler heads, pipework, fittings, and valves, damage which may cause the system to become inoperable and the protection impaired.
Care should be taken to ensure that there is no risk of freezing within buildings which are normally heated when occupied, but not during weekends or holiday shutdown periods, such as over Christmas.
Sprinkler Pumphouse:
Where fire pumps are installed, the sprinkler pump room heating must be checked for correct operation to ensure a minimum temperature of 10oC for diesel engine driven pumps and 4oC for electric motor driven pumps is always maintained.
As well as reducing the risk of frost damage, maintaining these temperatures ensures a warmer environment for diesel engine driven fire pumps to start during cold weather and helps avoid condensation forming in electric pump motors.
It is also important to ensure that any ventilation louvres which have been installed, remain closed and have not stalled in the open position following testing.
Ensure that sufficient quantities of diesel are available in case the weather conditions affect deliveries, as the fuel tank levels must be maintained at a minimum 75% capacity at all times.
Valve Chambers and Enclosures:
Where installation control valves are located within separate chambers, ensure that these are adequately heated and that thermostats controlling the heaters operate correctly.
Storage Tanks:
Ensure that the immersion heater which is located adjacent to the ball valve housing is operating correctly to prevent the water from freezing and that the trace heating provided to the tank infill pipework and pump suction pipework is working correctly with no damage visible to the associated lagging.
Any water which may be present within the external pump test return pipework should be removed by opening the drain valve located at the lowest point of the pipework.
External system pipework:
Alternate Sprinkler Systems:
Emergency Call Outs:
While observing the aforementioned measures will significantly reduce the risk of frost damage to the sprinkler system, there may be occasions where you need to urgently contact your sprinkler servicing contractor.
Ensure that all relevant staff members are aware of the Emergency Call Out number and should any system impairment take place that your Insurance Company are notified immediately and additional precautions taken against the risk of fire.
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