Inspection, Testing and Maintenance
Continental Policy and Procedure
Jeremy Hadfield, Keith Obert & Jesse Warboys
Course Content
• Fire Sprinkler System Types
• Responsibility of the Inspector
• Review of Standard Annual Inspection
• 3 Year Inspections
• 5 Year Inspections
• 10 Year Inspections
• Obstruction Inspection / Investigation
• Standpipe Tests and Inspections
• Fire Pump Tests and Inspections
Types of Sprinkler Systems
•
•
•
•
Wet Type Systems
Dry Type Systems
Pre-action Type Systems
Deluge Systems
3
• Wet System
– System piping filled completely with water
– Sprinklers discharge water immediately once the sprinkler element
is activated or fused upon reaching their head temperature listing
– Most common form of fire protection system
– Typical applications: office buildings, warehouses, schools, etc.
– Per NFPA 13, an area must be maintained above 40 degrees
Fahrenheit or else another system must be provided (i.e. Dry, Preaction or Deluge)
4
• Wet System
Butterfly Valve
Riser Manifold
5
• Dry System
– Air or nitrogen under pressure holds back water at dry pipe valve.
When sprinkler element is fused, air (or nitrogen) is released from
system piping allowing the dry pipe valve to open.
– A larger remote area is required to be calculated due to the delay
in time it takes for the water to get to the fire. The fire will be
larger so more water is necessary.
– Used in occupancies where there is not adequate heat, such as,
attics, canopies, garages, etc.
6
Basic Dry Pipe Valves
• Simplest form of dry type systems
• Requires water supply, dry pipe valve and compressed air or
nitrogen supply
• No form of electric or pneumatic detection required
System Operation
• Air pressure maintained in piping holds dry pipe valve clapper in
closed position
• Most dry valves have a water to air pressure ratio of 5:1 (5 psi water
: 1 psi air). Low pressure type have up to 12:1 differential.
• Sprinkler activation releases air pressure and allows the clapper in
the dry valve to open
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Clapper
Intermediate chamber
Intermediate chamber
Dry Pipe Valve Schematic
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• Pre-action System
– System employing automatic sprinklers attached to a piping
system that may or may not contain pressurized air
– Activated upon release of supplemental detection which opens a
valve to release water
 Single Interlocked:
o
o
o
o
System piping is dry
Water will only enter system upon heat/smoke detection activation
Higher level of protection then a dry system
Typical applications include: Computer rooms, MRI rooms, etc.
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 Double interlocked:
o System piping is dry
o Water will only enter system upon heat/smoke detection as well as a sprinkler
fusing which will permit the air in the piping to be discharged from system thus
allowing the valve to open.
o Highest level of protection
o Typical applications include: Freezers, and other areas where water cannot be
discharged unless there is a fire.
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Deluge/Pre-action Valve
To release system (pneumatic actuator, solenoid
valve, and manual pull station)
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Pre-action Riser Schematic
Control valve
Water supply to priming chamber
through restricted orifice
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Non-interlock Electric / Pneumatic Release
System air pressure
Electric solenoid
To drain
To drain
Pneumatic actuator
Pressure from priming chamber of
deluge valve
Activation of a sprinkler or the electric detection will cause the deluge (preaction) valve to open.
An open sprinkler relieves air pressure from the system side of the pneumatic actuator which allows
the pneumatic actuator to open and relieve pressure from the priming chamber of the deluge valve.
Electric detection operates the solenoid valve to relieve pressure from the priming chamber of the
deluge valve.
13
Single Interlock, Electric Release
Solenoid valve
Pressure from priming
chamber of deluge valve
To drain
Activation of the electric detection opens the solenoid valve which relieves air pressure from the
priming chamber of the deluge valve, allowing the clapper of the deluge valve to open and water
to enter the system. Compressed supervisory air is maintained in the sprinkler piping to initiate
an alarm if piping or sprinklers break or fail.
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Double Interlock Electric / Pneumatic Release
To drain
Pneumatic
actuator
Solenoid valve
Pressure from
priming chamber
of deluge valve
System Air
Pressure
½” x 1 ½” nipple
Both sprinkler activation and detection activation are required to operate a double interlock system.
Operation of detection opens the solenoid valve, but pressure is still held in the priming chamber until
operation of a sprinkler relieves air pressure from the pneumatic actuator which allows the pneumatic
actuator to open and relieve pressure from the priming chamber of the deluge valve through the pneumatic
actuator to drain.
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• Double Interlock Pre-action System Components
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• Deluge System
– Piping is dry
– Sprinklers are always open (sprinkler elements have been
removed)
– Detection in the form of a pilot line system, or electric detection
will permit water to enter the piping and flow from the open
sprinklers immediately.
– Pneumatic operation (pilot line) incorporates a separate piping
network filled with compressed air with special releasing devices
– This type of system is what is typically shown in Hollywood movies
– Typical applications include: Transformers, ethanol plants, cooling
towers, and other high hazard occupancies
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Deluge Valve
To sprinklers
To release system (pneumatic actuator, solenoid
valve, and manual pull station)
The priming chamber is pressurized with water
through a restricted orifice from the supply side
of the control valve holding clapper (6) closed
against rubber seat (8). The clapper is suspended
on rubber diaphragm (2). When pressure is
relieved by the releasing system, the clapper
rises, allowing water to enter the outlet chamber.
Supply
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Responsibility of the Inspector
****Contact the alarm company****
The inspection of a fire sprinkler system is strictly limited to the
operational readiness and integrity of the system.
NFPA 25 does not require the inspection to include investigation
for Code violations or design deficiencies.
The question that must be answered at the end of an inspection
is: Will the system operate as intended if a fire should occur?
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Visually Inspect the System
• A visual inspection of the system from the floor is a clearly
defined limit in NFPA 25
–
–
–
–
Sprinklers
Pipe and fittings
Hangers
Seismic bracing/restraints
• Components in areas that are not accessible do not require
inspection
–
–
–
–
Above suspended ceilings
Inaccessible areas below floors
Inaccessible attics
Inaccessible rooms
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Owner’s Responsibility
“The responsibility for properly maintaining a water-based fire
protection system shall be that of the owner of the property.”
As the inspecting contractor, we can only make
recommendations for needed repairs or replacement. It is
ultimately the owner’s responsibility to assure the work is
completed.
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Impairment
If at any time during the inspection it becomes obvious that the
system will not operate, then immediately terminate the
inspection, red tag the control valve and fire department
connection “System Out of Service”, and contact your
supervisor or office. This includes fire pumps that are out of
service. It is the owners responsibility to contact their
insurance company, alarm company and AHJ.
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Standard Inspection Report
• All of these questions are to be answered by the owner.
• If the occupancy has changed, make detailed note on report.
This is not necessarily a deficiency nor is it your responsibility
to do a design evaluation.
• Describe any modifications that may have been made
including relocated walls.
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B. Examples of obstructions include storing product to close to
sprinklers on shelving; ducts, overhead doors, hanging signs,
unit heaters, etc.
E. & F. See 10 year testing schedule for older sprinklers
G. Solder link sprinklers in cooking ventilation systems must be
replaced every year
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N. If it is not obvious that building additions or alterations are
properly protected, then note this on a separate sheet.
Design evaluations are not part of a regular inspection.
O. ESFR and large drop sprinklers require a minimum clearance
of 36” from deflector to top of storage. All others require 18”.
P. Make notation on this line if the system is pipe schedule
sizing and not hydraulically designed.
Q. Sprinklers manufactured before 1920 must be replaced.
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• In addition to the above, a fire department connection
must have unobstructed access and there must be enough
room to manipulate a spanner wrench on the couplings.
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• A separate backflow preventer test report must be
completed for each assembly.
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• Antifreeze systems should have a sign indicating the
location of the system, type of antifreeze, system capacity
and antifreeze-water mixture.
• Must use glycerin in CPVC pipe.
• No new antifreeze will be installed due to new NFPA
code requirements. No “listed” antifreeze available on the
market.
29
• NFPA requires air supplies from a “reliable” source, but it
is not defined. If the compressor has a plugged or
switched connection, then this is a deficiency. The
compressor should be hard wired to any available circuit. It
does not have to be on emergency power.
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• The electric, pneumatic or hydraulic releasing system with
deluge and preaction valves must be part of the inspection
to assure operation of the system. Electric detection must
be tested by a qualified technician.
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• If alarms are monitored at a remote location, then verify
that flow and supervisory alarms were received.
• Supervision of alarms at a remote location may or may
not be a code issue. The lack of supervision should be
noted.
• Local water flow alarms must operate within 5 minutes of
water flow, or 90 seconds to alarm service.
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• Control valves should be locked in the open position at a
minimum, but electric supervision is preferred.
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• Main drain tests must be conducted on every system in the
facility.
• Main drain tests must be compared to all previous tests and
when a 10% reduction in static and/or residual flow pressures
are observed, then an obstruction investigation must be
recommended.
• Main drain tests must be conducted with the normal water
supply with fire pumps in service.
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• If there is any type of impairment that prevents the system
from operating and corrective action is not taken immediately,
then contact the office or your supervisor. Red tag the riser
and fire department connection “System Out of Service”.
36
Comment Categories
• Impairment: Any failure of a component that would prevent
operation of the system, including pumps that are out of
service. Terminate inspection and follow impairment
procedure.
• Deficiency: Any condition, component or item that may
impede the ability of the system to control a fire, but will not
prevent the system from operating. Examples include
obstructions to sprinkler discharge, minimum clearances not
maintained, no 3, 5 or 10 year inspections, the need for a
design evaluation by a design professional, etc.
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3 Year Inspections
• Fire hose to be tested at 3 year intervals if over 5 years old
• Full flow trip test of dry and preaction valves
• AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) can modify and accept
lesser requirements than NFPA 25 code
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5 Year Inspections
• Interior of all valves, strainers, filters and orifices on trim
• Interior of preaction and deluge valves with external reset
capabilities, strainers, filters and orifices on trim
• Standpipe and Hose Systems
– Hose connections and hose rack (if still in service).
– Hydrostatic test of standpipe and hose systems
– Flow test standpipe and hose systems
• Obstruction inspection (not investigation)
• Replace or test gauges for accuracy
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10 Year Inspection
All tests and inspections listed under 5 years in addition to the
following:
• Test or replace dry sprinklers at 10 year intervals
• Verify that fast or quick response sprinklers that are 20 years
old or older have been tested at 10 year interval
• Verify that standard response sprinklers that are 50 years old
or older have been tested at 10 year interval
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Sprinkler Testing
• Sample sprinklers taken for testing shall consist of 4 sprinklers
or 1% of sprinklers in an area, whichever is greater
• Cannot use sprinklers in head cabinet as test sample
• Quick or fast response sprinklers to be tested at 20 years
• Standard sprinklers to be tested at 50 years
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Obstruction
Inspection vs. Investigation
Chapter 14 of NFPA 25 describes two distinctly different
activities relating to obstructions in sprinkler systems.
An obstruction inspection is required at 5 year intervals and is
intended to be very minimal to avoid lengthy system outage.
It should be conducted at the same time as the required 5
year interior inspection of control valves, alarm valves, dry
valves etc. Inspections are intended to reveal potential
problems that would require a more thorough investigation
procedure.
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Obstruction Investigation
When an obstruction inspection reveals a potential problem,
then a more in-depth obstruction investigation must be
conducted. The extent of the investigation is dictated by the
suspected obstruction material and will require detailed preplanning to minimize system downtime and still achieve the
desired results. Investigation procedures are described in
Annex D of NFPA 25.
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Standpipe Flow Testing
Preplanning a standpipe flow test is critical. The following
guidelines are based on perfect conditions that seldom exist.
Review options with a design manager to achieve the best
results toward satisfying the intent of the code.
• Number of standpipes to flow?
–
–
–
–
Most remote and highest standpipe to flow 500 gpm
Each additional standpipe to flow 250 gpm
Maximum 4 standpipes or 1250 gpm in non-sprinklered building
Maximum 3 standpipes or 1000 gpm in fully sprinklered building
• i.e. 500 GPM (Most Remote), 250 GPM, 250 GPM
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• Where will water discharge?
– Is there adequate drainage
– How many lengths of hose will be required
• Are pressure gauge outlets on the top of all standpipes?
– Use good test gauges
– Gauge outlets that are directly across from hose valves will not give accurate
readings.
• Is there a pump or pumps?
– Suction and discharge readings must be taken simultaneously with pressure
readings at the top of standpipes
– Churn readings and flow readings
• Take pressure readings at water main entrance to building
• Results of standpipe tests must be reviewed by a designer
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Pump Testing
Preparation
•
•
•
•
•
Know the type of pump and driver
Diesel or electric
Horizontal shaft split cast centrifugal
Vertical shaft in-line centrifugal
Vertical shaft turbine
Horizontal Split Case Centrifugal
Jockey Pump
• Water discharge location
• Tachometer – do not rely on engine mounted
tachometer
• Pitot tube with 0 – 100 psi liquid filled gauge
• Voltage and amperage gauge
• Calibrated pump discharge and suction pressure gauges
• Test forms to include factory certified pump test curve (if
available)
Pre-test Functions
• Record pump data plate information
• Record driver data plate information
• Record controller data plate information
• Check driver coupling alignment
• Does pump have a flow meter or test header or both
•
•
•
•
•
Verify proper placement of suction and discharge gauges
Notify alarm company
Isolate fire protection system from pump discharge
Confirm supply pipe control valves are open
Components are properly lubricated
•
•
Packing gland discharge should be approximately 1
drop per second with pump off
Note special features:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Orifice plate (not allowed by current standard)
Pump suction control valve
Main relief valve (should be closed during test)
Flow meter
Transfer switch
•
Cautions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Never start new pump without approval of factory
representatives
Never exceed 60 psi pitot pressures
Immediately turn pump off if suction pressure from city
drops to 20 psi
Transfer switch (if supplied) must be part of any pump
test
Pump manufacturer’s representative
Remember:
During the initial pump turnover test, the pump
manufacturer’s representative is only interested in the
performance of the pump. If the water supply is not
adequate, it is the fire protection contractor’s
responsibility to determine the problem.
Fundamental Test Procedures
•
Minimum test must include three points:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Churn
100% pump rating
150% pump rating
Recommend additional points for 2000 gpm or larger pumps
AHJ may stipulate additional points
•
Churn
1.
2.
3.
•
Record suction and discharge pressures
Record amperage and voltage
Record R.P.M.
Rated and 150% flows
1.
2.
3.
4.
Record
Record
Record
Record
pitot pressures and equivalent flow for each nozzle
amperage and voltage
R.P.M.
suction and discharge pressures
•
Check function of pump accessories:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
•
•
•
Casing relief valve
Air release valve
Main relief valve
Alarms
Controller and transfer switch
Jockey pump
Conduct six automatic and six manual starts
Check for overheating of system components
Fire pump should be exercised for a minimum of one
hour
•
Controller settings:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Jockey pump off at 10 psi above fire pump discharge churn
pressure
Jockey pump on at fire pump discharge pressure
Fire pump on at 10 psi below churn discharge pressure
Fire pump off should be set for manual stop
Check sequential start if multiple pumps in series or parallel
Set redundant pump at 10 psi below main pump
Electric Drivers
•
Check controller trouble signals
1.
2.
3.
•
•
Pump running alarm
Loss of phase
Remote alarms
Should be set for manual stop
Test operation of transfer switch
750
50
0
70
130
60
64
114
50
750
58
91
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1125
Discharge Curve
Suction Curve
Approx. 120%
of rated PSI
100% rated pressure
and rated flow
Net Pump Curve
150% of rated flow
65% of rated pressure (min.)
Common Pump Deficiencies
• Net pressures that are more than 5% below rated
pressures
• Jockey pump failures (this is not an impairment)
• Significant reduction in suction pressures from previous
years
• Fire pump and jockey pump controller sensing lines tied
together
• Incorrect start-stop pressures for jockey pump and fire
pump (these should be corrected as part of the
inspection and test)
Common Pump Deficiencies
• Jockey pump controller wired into fire pump controller
• No test header, hydrants or standpipe to allow for full
flow testing of pumps with flow meters (full flow test
must be conducted every 3 years)
Impossible Pressures
• 100% net pressures that are lower than 150% net
pressures
• 150% net pressures that are equal to or higher than the
net churn pressure
• Static suction pressures that are lower than suction flow
pressures
• Any pressure reading that increases as more water is
flowed
Any of the above may indicate a bad gauge(s), gauge
connection or an error during the test.
Before You Leave the Inspection Site
• Double check all control valves, trim valves and test
valves for proper open or closed position
• Fire pumps and jockey pumps switched to automatic
• Exhaust auxiliary drain valves on dry pipe and preaction
systems
• Contact the alarm company
QUESTIONS?