Potential Fire Protection Failures – ASSE Philadelphia Chapter – April 16, 2015

April 7, 2015
Why did this sprinkler head fail to operate in a fire?

Why did this sprinkler head fail to operate in a fire?

I will be presenting, “Potential Fire Protection Failures” at the Philadelphia Chapter of American Society of Safety Engineers’ luncheon meeting on April 16, 2015 at the Parx Casino East (Philadelphia Park Racetrack Building), 2999 Street Road, Bensalem, PA.

The pictured sprinkler head was in an actual fire. Unfortunately, it failed to operate. Why did this sprinkler head fail? What could have been done differently? How could an effective Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance program have prevented this failure?

Fire protection systems have a stellar performance record. Fire sprinklers are effective in 97% of fires in which they operate. What causes failure in the other 3%? See some of the factors which can compromise fire protection systems. The main focus of the topic is to show various parts of a fire protection system and explain why and how they may impact the proper operation of the system. The issues identified in the presentation are typically found in many industries and can be applied to the self inspection program at any facility. The talk will include examples of fire protection items which may be compromised. These items could be detected and identified by a well organized fire protection self inspection program.

On April 16 I will describe the events leading up to the fire this sprinkler head was to have controlled, why it the sprinkler head failed to operate, and the aftermath of the fire. I think you will be interested in what happened.

Additional details may be found at phila.asse.org.

I hope to see you there.

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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

Watch videos of Dry Christmas Trees on Fire!

December 17, 2010

Trees used indoors for the holidays account for approximately 400 fires annually, resulting in 10 deaths, 80 injuries and more than $15 million in property damage. These videos demonstrate how quickly the fire can develop when a DRY tree is exposed to an open flame. These videos are developed by National Institute of Standards and Technology, and are made available in the public domain.

See the videos at:

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Posted by Walt Beattie