Guide to Commercial Fire Sprinklers

9/10/2018 (Permalink)

Installing a fire sprinkler system at your business in Gainesville, GA was an easy decision. You trust this ingenious invention to save your property and potentially your life. But have you ever wondered how the sprinklers really work? What happens in the case of accidental activation?

How Fire Sprinklers Work

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) sets codes and standards for sprinklers and installation. Codes require that new construction commercial buildings are fitted with a sprinkler system. If you have an older building, a trained contractor can retro-fit a system at your property.

• There are several types of systems that can be installed depending on the type of building. The most popular type used in commercial properties is the wet pipe system. Other types include dry, pre-action, foam and deluge.
• In a wet pipe system, a series of fire-resistant pipes are fitted in the walls or ceilings. The pipes are filled with pressurized water at all times.
• In an emergency the sprinklers attached to the pipes activate based on the temperature in the air. A fire sprinkler does not turn on from smoke as a typical smoke alarm does. Fire suppression results from water being forcefully pushed from the pipe. All sprinklers in the building do not activate at once, only in rooms where the high temperature triggers a response.

How To Manage Accidental Activation

On rare occasion sprinklers may accidentally activate and dump gallons of water into your business. Know how to prevent and deal with a fire sprinkler cleanup situation.

• Prevent accidental activation by properly maintaining the sprinkler system. Regularly inspect the sprinklers for leaks and the pipes for adequate pressure.
• If a sprinkler accidentally goes off, turn off the main water source. Contact a fire and water restoration specialist to contain and repair the water damage. Call your insurance agent and inquire whether this event is covered in your policy.

Protect your business from fire damage in Gainesville, GA, with smoke alarms and a functional fire sprinkler system. Although rare, if an accidental activation occurs act fast to prevent secondary water damage.