Fire Sprinkler Systems: Ensuring Reliability Through Inspection, Testing, & Maintenance

August 20, 2014

PLEASE JOIN ME AT THIS INFORMATIVE WEBINAR

OSH Supercast

A webinar presentation with Occupational Health & Safety

Your facilities have fire protection and sprinkler equipment installed, but are you sure that they are providing reliable and adequate protection at this very moment? Have the sprinkler systems installed in your facilities lulled you into a false sense of security? Are you doing what is needed to properly inspect, test, and maintain your water based fire protection systems? Are your sprinkler systems ready for response to fire? Are your fire pumps exercised and flow tested as required? Are trip test and internal inspection frequencies of your equipment adequate? Are your records reflecting the service they represent? Do you have hidden impairments in your fire systems?

Please join Walt on October 2, 2014 at 11:00am ET – 10:00am CT – 8:00am PT when he will review the requirements of NFPA 25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems. Knowing the minimum requirements will help enable you to verify and evaluate the service being performed on your water based fire protection systems.

DATE: October 2, 2014

TIME 11:00AM ET – 10:00AM CT – 8:00AM PT

Register here or go to:

http://ohsonline.com/webcasts/2014/08/fire-sprinkler-systems.aspx?admgarea=Webinar&tc=page0

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Posted by Walt Beattie

Dry Pipe Sprinkler Systems – Inspection, Testing & Maintenance

April 14, 2012
Dry Pipe Valve

A differential Dry Pipe Sprinkler System

The next article in a series discussing fire sprinkler system inspection testing and maintenance is published in ASSE Fireline.

Inspection, testing and maintenance of dry pipe valves and dry pipe systems are critical to maintaining effective fire protection. Dry pipe valves are used in areas subject to freezing temperatures.

This article focuses on Chapter 13, Valves, Valve Components and Trim, and assumes that all items discussed in previous articles regarding valve inspection and testing, records plans and calculations and impairments to the fire system have been completed. This article discusses items that apply specifically to dry pipe valves.

A dry pipe sprinkler valve is a special valve that prevents the pressurized water in the fire mains from entering the sprinkler system piping. Normally, this is accomplished by filling the system with air. Most valves use a differential method of keeping the valve shut, and generally, the differential is 5:1 or 6:1. This means that 5 or 6 psi of water pressure is held back by 1 psi of air pressure. In the event of a fire in which a sprinkler head actuates, the air pressure in the system decreases until the valve trips. The trip pressure in a 5:1 dry pipe valve at 60 psi of water pressure is 12 psi. As the air pressure dips below 12 psi, the valve will trip, allowing water to enter the sprinkler piping and eventually exit through the open sprinkler head. A safety factor, usually about 20 to 25 psi, is maintained above the trip pressure to help prevent false trips. An air compressor, or other means of maintaining pressure in the system, is arranged to automatically maintain adequate air pressure.

Components of dry pipe valves are discussed, described, and explained. Testing procedures for properly tripping a dry valve is outlined, as well as an explanation of how to reset typical differential dry valves.

Find the article here – Dry Pipe Sprinkler Systems – Inspection, Testing & Maintenance

Find additional articles at my Articles & Presentations Page

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Posted by Walt Beattie