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Properly installed and operating fire sprinklers provide automatic fire extinguishing capability in buildings. Automatic fire sprinkler systems have proven to provide the best protection against loss of life and property in the event of a fire. Fire sprinklers also save money in those buildings experiencing fire losses – an almost 70% reduction in fire damage costs (from an average cost of $13,900 per fire loss in an unsprinklered building to $4,400 in a sprinklered building).
Schools continue to experience fires. A recently released FEMA Topical Fire Research report on “School Fires” listed the average dollar loss/fire for school structure fires at $15,956. Not surprisingly, 37% of all school structure fires and 52% of middle and high school structure fires were incendiary in origin (intentionally set), and the leading area of fire origin was the school lavatory. Although many older school buildings do not have this protection, fire sprinklers are required in new schools.
Contrary to what is often depicted in movies, automatic fire sprinkler systems do not release water throughout the entire building all at once. Sprinkler heads are activated individually by the fire. When the heat of a fire raises the ceiling temperature to the sprinkler head’s operating point (usually 165o F), a solder link will melt or a liquid-filled glass bulb will shatter to open that single sprinkler head, releasing water directly over the source of the heat. The sprinkler heads are tied into a network of piping with water under pressure. As the automatic fire sprinkler system is activated, an alarm is sounded to alert the building occupants and the fire department (if monitored) of its activation.
Through Chapter 51-54 WAC, Washington State adopted the International Fire Code as the source for its fire safety requirements effective 7/1/04. (This is a change from the previously adopted Uniform Fire Code.) Section 901.6 of the International Fire Code requires that fire detection, alarm and extinguishing systems be inspected, tested and maintained according to specified NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) standards. The NFPA standard referenced for fire sprinklers is NFPA 25, “Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems.” A table outlining some of the specific requirements of NFPA 25 follow. Fire sprinkler inspections must be conducted by a qualified person.
The fire sprinkler system, like other systems, need to be inspected, tested and maintained to ensure it will function in the event of a fire. According to NFPA, the leading factor in unsatisfactory sprinkler performance includes the failure to maintain operational status of the sprinkler system. Examples of this are inadequate maintenance, obstruction of the water distribution, and a frozen system.
There is a difference between an inspection, a test and maintenance.
Although sprinkler system inspections could be conducted by qualified school district maintenance personnel, it is recommended that sprinkler system testing and maintenance be done by a licensed sprinkler company.
| System Component | Activity | Frequency | ||||||
| Gauges | Inspection |
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| Control valves | Inspection |
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| Alarm valves | Inspection |
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| Dry pipe valves | Inspection |
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| Alarm devices | Inspection | Quarterly | ||||||
| Hydraulic nameplate | Inspection | Quarterly | ||||||
| Adequate heat in buildings | Inspection | Annually (prior to freezing) | ||||||
| Pipe hangers and seismic bracing | Inspection | Annually | ||||||
| Pipe and fittings | Inspection | Annually | ||||||
| Sprinkler heads | Inspection | Annually | ||||||
| Supply of spare sprinkler heads & sprinkler wrench | Inspection | Annually | ||||||
| Fire department | Inspection | Quarterly | ||||||
| connections | ||
| Pressure reducing valves | Inspection | Quarterly |
| Check valves | Inspection | Interior – every 5 years |
| Waterflow alarms | Test | Quarterly |
| Alarm devices | Test | Quarterly |
| Main drain | Test | Annually |
| Antifreeze solution | Test | Annually |
| Gauges | Test | 5 years |
| Sprinklers heads | Test |
|
| Valves (all types) | Maintenance | Annually or as needed |
| Low point drains (dry pipe system) | Maintenance | Annually prior to freezing and as needed |
| Obstruction investigation | Maintenance | 5 years or as needed |
Records of all sprinkler system inspections, tests and maintenance should be kept for at least five years.
Summary
Washington State law requires school districts to maintain their fire sprinkler systems according to a specific schedule summarized in the above table. Maintaining the fire sprinkler system will help ensure safety and the preservation of property.
For more information about fire sprinklers, please contact a Loss Control Specialist. OC/Fire Sprinkler Insp 0105
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