Sprinkler Systems Inspection

What we can do...

Your buildings sprinkler system isn't just piping and sprinkler heads. It is a complex system designed to effectively suppress or extinguish a fire when properly maintained.
A sprinkler system is a huge investment towards the protection of a building from fire. Don't be cheap with the maintenance.

A properly maintained sprinkler sytem will ensure a fire doesn't Stand a chance. Nothing takes the place of experience when its comes to troubleshooting fire sprinkler systems.

Need your Fire Pump maintained Call SCO we can provide a full range of fire pump services. A fire pump can be the life saving water in a fire situation. Don't leave it to chance. City pressure won't save you. Maintain your fire pump monthly and be in compliance.

Our inspection procedures include:
• Exercising control valves and testing tamper switches
• Ensuring local and electronic alarm devices function properly
• Operating inspectors test valve to ensure operation of flow switch(s)
• Performing main drain test and tag each riser with static and residual pressure readings
• Inspecting sprinkler heads for rating, damage, obstructions, or corrosion
• Inspecting fire department connection for obstructions and caps
• Inspecting, testing and recording Antifreeze system readings
• Testing water flow and operation of fire pumps and jockey pumps
• Trip testing Dry-pipe, Pre-action and Deluge valves as applicable
• Inspecting gravity tanks, reservoirs and pressure tanks
• SCO Fire & Life Safety provides you with a detailed report of the operation and conditions of your system to comply with the standards for records in Ontario.

Everything on your sprinkler system is important gauges are read weekly and monthly to ensure proper PSI reading. This ensures proper operation in the event of a fire these readings must be kept in a complete log for local authorities if they request them. Did you know that gauges must be changed or re calibrated every 5 years?

Need sprinklers added to a new room or addition? Call us 416 901 9198 for a quote today.

 

We have 24 years of on the job experience in the sprinkler trade. A sprinkler inspection is fire code and is also required by your local by-laws and insurance standards across Canada. A properly maintained sprinkler system can last for years. Poorly maintained and they are replace in just a few years.

Don't pay fire alarm technicians to inspect your sprinkler systems call us. We are the ones they call to troubleshot DRY system troubles, wet system false alarms and even to check coverage for insurance companies. Every time we do work for these companies we see the same thing over and over again. The system hasn't been properly tested and maintained. A sprinkler system that isn't properly maintained can cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage. Don't let this happen to you . Call the company everyone else calls SCO Fire & Life Safety 416-901-9198

Don't let this happend to you!

Don't Neglect Your Sprinkler System

What is a sprinkler system?

What a sprinkler system really is...

Sprinkler piping systems which maintain a charge of water such as fire sprinkler systems commonly employ alarm valves which indicate flow through the system. In turn, such flow indicates use of the system such as during a fire sprinkler discharge, fire hose activation or the device.

The alarms associated with such systems are commonly mechanical in nature to activate a local gong. Switches associated with electric alarm circuits may also be employed. Such systems are designed to detect flow indicative of proper operation of the system. With a first sprinkler system, the flow detected may be in the range of 15 GPM and above. For example, a flow of 10 GPM might reflect the discharge of a single fire sprinkler associated with the piping system.

Such alarms are typically arranged in a vertical rise of pipe which includes a valve body having a seat and a pivotally mounted flapper valve. The seat typically employs a groove in the sealing face thereof extending fully thereabout. A vent from the groove extends to atmosphere through a restricting orifice, a retard chamber and a conventional flow alarm device. When the flapper valve is opened by flow through the piping, the groove is exposed to the liquid and a small amount of flow is allowed to pass through the restricting orifice and ultimately activate the flow alarm device.

Piping systems employing such valves such as fire sprinklers are charged with liquid and then sealed. The liquid, typically water from a community water supply, is heated by the ambient conditions about the system to raise the pressure within the piping above that of the supply. This results in the pressure within the system rising significantly above the pressure within the water supply. This rise is also greater than the often experienced spikes in pressure within such supply systems.

This overpressure within the piping system maintains the flapper valve within the alarm valve closed. Further, regulations also frequently require back flow preventer's in fire sprinkler systems. The water within the piping is stagnant and can accumulate impurities and organisms detrimental to the integrity of a community water supply.

Such back flow preventer's are typically check valves such as a spring biased flapper held against a seat. Such back flow preventer's are unable to be monitored for leakage. Further, they do not monitor the integrity of the alarm valve without removal. Even then, only substantial dysfunction in the back flow preventer is likely to be detected.

 

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Water Supplies for Fire Protection

Frequency of Inspections

Sprinkler Inspections

Valves controlling water supplies used exclusively for fire protection systems shall be inspected weekly to ensure that they are wide open and are sealed or locked in that position.

6.6.1.2.
As Needed Water supply systems used for fire protection shall be kept free of ice accumulations that may interfere with flow.

6.6.1.3.
Annually An annual inspection shall be made of tanks for fire protection, tank supporting structures and water supply systems including piping, control valves, check valves, heating systems, mercury gauges and expansion joints to ensure that they are in operating condition.

6.6.2.1.
Daily Tank heating equipment and accessories shall be checked daily during freezing weather to ensure that they are in operating condition and that heater valves are open.

6.6.2.2.
Daily A daily check of the temperature of the water contained in tanks shall be carried out during freezing weather to ensure that it does not fall below the freezing temperature.

6.6.2.3.
Daily A daily check of the temperature of the tank enclosure for tanks in buildings shall be carried out during freezing weather to ensure that the temperature of the tank enclosure does not fall below 0oC.

6.6.2.4.
Every 2 Years Steel and iron work including the inside and outside of steel tanks and hoops and grillages for wooden tanks shall be checked for corrosion at intervals not exceeding 2 years and scraped and repainted as required.

6.6.2.5.
Every 2 Years Tanks, other than tanks supplied by a potable water supply, shall be inspected for accumulations of sediment at least every 2 years and cleaned as required.

6.6.2.6.
(1) Every 5 Years Tanks supplied by a potable water supply shall be inspected every 5 years and scraped and repainted as required.

6.6.2.6.(2)
Annually Where cathodic protection equipment is installed to prevent corrosion of steel tanks, the equipment shall be inspected annually.

6.6.2.7.
Monthly The water level in gravity tanks shall be inspected monthly.

6.6.2.8.
Annually Gravity tanks shall be inspected annually to ensure that the tank roof is tight and in good repair, that hatches or doors are kept closed and properly secured and that the frostproof casing of the tank riser makes a tight joint with the bottom of the tank.

6.6.2.9.
Page 4 Weekly Pressure tanks shall be checked weekly during which the water level shall be observed and the air pressure shall be read. Corrective action shall be taken immediately if the observed water level or air pressure are outside the designed operating range for the tank.

6.6.2.12.(1) 6.6.2.12.(2)
Weekly Relief valves on the air and water supply lines of pressure tanks shall be inspected weekly.

6.6.2.13.
Weekly The water level in the fire pump reservoir shall be checked weekly.

6.6.3.1.
Daily The temperature of pump rooms shall be checked daily during freezing weather.

6.6.3.2.
Weekly Fire pumps shall be operated at least once per week at rated speed. The fire pump discharge pressure, suction pressure, lubricating oil level, operative condition of relief valves, priming water level and general operating conditions shall be inspected during the weekly operation of fire pumps.

6.6.3.3.(1) 6.6.3.3.(2)
Weekly Internal combustion engine fire pumps shall be operated once a week for a sufficient time to bring the engine up to normal operating temperature.

6.6.3.4.(1)
Weekly The storage batteries, lubrication systems, oil and fuel supplies shall be inspected once a week.

6.6.3.4.(2)
Annually Fire pumps shall be tested annually at full rated capacity to ensure that they are capable of delivering the rated flow.

6.6.3.5.