5 Tips for Maintaining Your Building's Sprinkler System

9/30/2019 (Permalink)

Inspect once a year your fire sprinkler system

5 Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Sprinkler System

Your building's fire sprinklers are equipment you hope you never have to use. In the unlikely event that fire breaks out at your commercial property in Seattle, WA, however, you'll be thankful that you performed regular sprinkler maintenance. Here are five tips for getting the most out of your sprinkler system.

1. Get an annual checkup. Once a year, your sprinkler system should be inspected by a qualified technician. In addition to evaluating the system's overall condition and testing the main drain, he or she will look at each of the system's parts individually.
Additionally, you should have the interior of your system evaluated every five years. The technician will look for blockages that could impair function. These may be due to rocks, rust, or other debris.

2. Give it space. Keep at least 18 inches of empty space between your sprinkler system and other objects.

3. When the seasons change, check the fire caps. These are the caps on the fire department connections found on the exterior of your building, so named because they're how the fire department will connect with your property to boost your sprinkler system during a fire. Regular sprinkler maintenance should include ensuring that they are present, aren't broken, haven't fallen off, and aren't full of debris.

4. If you see something, say something. If Josh in HR won't stop hanging his dry cleaning from the sprinkler system and you notice damage, have the unit inspected promptly. Injured sprinkler heads can activate when they're not supposed to or, even worse, they may fail to activate when you need them.

5. Always check the sprinklers before new tenants move in. Different businesses and industries require different sprinkler systems. In order to maximize building safety and maintain your system's integrity, it's important to make sure your system can provide sufficient coverage and suppression in the event of a fire.

At best, malfunctioning fire sprinklers can lead to some soggy paperwork or even a call to your local water mitigation company. At worst, they can endanger the well-being of your building's inhabitants. Regular sprinkler maintenance can significantly increase your odds of keeping everything — and everyone — safe and dry.