If you haven’t taken the time to winterize your fire sprinkler system, now is the time to do it.
If you haven’t taken the time to winterize your fire sprinkler system, now is the time to do it. You’ll want to be sure that everything is in working order before the next snowstorm hits your business. Protecting your pipes in this way can prevent freeze breaks. Read on to learn more!
What to Inspect
Check on your water heaters. These are just as likely to burst in cold weather as the pipes that run through your building are. Without enough water pressure, the fire sprinkler systems won’t be able to activate or dispense enough water to deal with a fire. If you have a heat trace system installed in your building, then you need to make sure that it isn’t malfunctioning. Then after you’ve done that, check on wet pipes located in the attic of the building, if there is one. That’s because you will need to verify that there is enough insulation in place. Make sure that all wet pipes are held above 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or else they are at risk of freezing.
Fire Sprinkler Systems
Once that is done, you will need to check on the dry pipes. The condition of the pre-action components of all fire sprinkler systems in your commercial building must be assessed as well. Drain all of the available drains and ensure that the pump room remains clear. After that, you’ll need to check on the condensers and compressors to make sure that they still work. Work with your fire protection partner as you do this, since they can identify and point any potential problems that you might not recognize. Drain all the condensation that you find in the condensers.
Antifreeze
One way to keep wet pipe elements of your fire sprinkler system from freezing is to use antifreeze. However, you will need to test how concentrated the antifreeze is in your sprinkler system. After all, you might need more than you think.
Checking on the Systems
Even if you already winterized your system before the cold season began, you need to keep monitoring their operational status. In other words, continue checking on the systems throughout the winter until spring returns. That way, you can spot signs of leakages or rust that could endanger your entire system and cause health hazards in your building.
Commercial and Residential Fire Prevention from Judd Fire Protection
If you want to ensure your home and business are safe throughout the year, trust Judd Fire Protection, LLC. We have over two decades of experience in designing, installing, inspecting, and repairing residential and commercial fire protection systems. We serve clients throughout Maryland, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., Virginia, and West Virginia. If you are interested in finding out more about our services and protecting your home and business, give us a call at 410-871-3480 or contact us online. For more fire safety tips, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.