A fire sprinkler system is essential to protecting your business and your workers. But when your sprinkler system malfunctions, it is likely something was overlooked and could have been prevented. It is not too late to invest in a fire sprinkler system installation in Lancaster or your business in the surrounding area. Start by learning about the most common sprinkler system emergency issues and what you can do to lower the malfunction-incident rate in your business.
Overheating System
When ceiling temperatures rise to more than 150-degrees Fahrenheit, a fire sprinkler system can overheat, accidentally activating. To avoid this common malfunction, install a system that has sprinkler heads equipped to handle higher temperatures, especially those situated in attic spaces where summer temperatures can get very hot.
Freezing Water Pipes
In cold weather seasons, as the temperatures dip low overnight, a wet fire sprinkler system’s pipes can freeze. Areas in which temperatures are known to dip below 50 degrees Fahrenheit are the most susceptible to pipes freezing – think parking garages and commercial refrigerators/freezers. The sprinkler system will malfunction as frozen water causes pipes to expand, eventually resulting in a crack or burst, which could cause significant water damage. To prevent frozen pipes, we use dry sprinkler systems where water is held back and only released to a sprinkler head when it is activated.
Compromising Pipes
A fire sprinkler system’s pipes become compromised when people use them for something other than their intended purpose. Because pipes are sturdy, people tend to misuse them by placing chains or heavy ropes on them to act as a makeshift pulley to lift heavy objects. More commonly, pipes in college dorms are used as racks to hang clothes. These actions weaken the pipe’s structure which impedes proper water flow.
Maintenance Neglect
No matter how advanced the technology, just like anything else made of mechanical parts, a sprinkler system may malfunction on occasion during its lifetime. You can minimize the frequency of emergency impairments and extend your sprinkler system’s lifespan with regular maintenance. Flowing water during fire pump tests and internal inspections helps prevent blockage or worse – corrosion.
Water Corrosion
Corrosion is common to any metal system where water is introduced and meets air. Water-based fire sprinkler systems are no exception.
When pipes break down due to corrosion, leaks occur. Water leaks damage property, but the severity will depend on how long the leaks were present. It is easy to prevent leaks with regular fire system inspections. It enables your fire protection company to replace worn-out pipes at the early signs of corrosion, ultimately increasing the lifespan of your system as a whole.
Schedule Your Fire Sprinkler Inspection Today
Fire sprinkler systems mainly fail due to overheating, freezing, compromising pipes, lack of regular maintenance, and skipping fire inspections, all of which is easily preventable with the right fire protection company.
We believe that the service is as important as the product. Contact us today to set up an inspection or get a free quote on an advanced sprinkler system.