Retrofitting an older building with a modern fire sprinkler system requires more than just installing the new equipment. Your existing structure, infrastructure, and fire protection system should all work together. Older buildings might also need significant upgrades due to deterioration or changes in the space and its use over time.

The bottom line? Upgrading an old sprinkler system isn’t just about buying and popping in new sprinklers. To have the safest possible system, someone needs to evaluate the existing situation to find any deficiencies, and then develop a retrofit plan that works with the existing building. This doesn’t mean replacing everything, but it does mean assessing where you are and what you have to do to get where you want to be.

An upgrade can also mean adding new tools to the selection of resources that help you mitigate fire damage. Tools like the Shutgun allow you to control water damage by shutting off the water supply when a sprinkler activates, helping limit unnecessary water damage.

What should you know about retrofitting your old building for a new sprinkler system?

Evaluation

Before you can upgrade to a modern system, it’s important to know what you’re dealing with. The evaluation of the current sprinkler system should assess:

Age and condition
Existing heads, valves, piping, alarms, risers, and other components
Whether there have been regular inspections and maintenance
Any signs of leaks, corrosion, damage, or obsolete components
Previous building renovations that did not include sprinkler modifications

Not all older systems are inadequate. There might be more comprehensive options available that incorporate modern technology, but that doesn’t mean your system is completely useless. That’s why it’s important to evaluate where you stand before tearing out and installing a whole new system.

Updating Your Existing System

Once you’ve evaluated where you stand, you can determine what’s needed to update your sprinklers. When making decisions about transitioning to a new system, consider the following:

Building occupancy
Building use
Changes that have been made to room layouts, storage, and overall space
Current building and fire codes

Remember, there are situations where not every component of your system needs to be replaced. Retrofitting allows you to base your updates on your current system, overall building conditions, and applicable safety requirements.

Can Your Current Infrastructure Support a New System?

One of the most important questions to ask before moving forward with a sprinkler retrofit is “What can my current building handle?” In some cases, you’ll need to make changes in your infrastructure before dealing with the sprinkler system. This includes assessing things like:

Available water pressure and flow
Existing water service and connection size
Hydraulic calculations
Need for fire pump or water storage
Condition and capacity of current piping

Upgrading your sprinkler system might require improvements beyond the system itself if the building infrastructure or water supply is inadequate.

Expect Challenges

Retrofitting your building with a modern sprinkler system is a great way to improve safety, but in older buildings, the update process often comes with challenges. Some of the most common challenges in older structures include:

Limited access to walls and ceilings
Existing HVAC, electrical, and plumbing inadequacies
Historic or architecturally significant features that can’t be damaged or changed
Identifying the best locations for new sprinkler heads and piping updates
Coordinating work in buildings that are occupied

The goal of retrofitting is to work within your current space. This means you can’t use the same approach to installing a sprinkler system used in new construction. To be successful, a sprinkler retrofit will work with the building that already exists.

After Installation Is Complete

Once your new system is in place, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind. For example:

New systems can be more reliable, but they still require testing and inspection
You might need additional tools like the Shutgun to help you reduce the damage done by your sprinkler system
Records and documents might need updating
Further changes could be needed if there are updates or renovations to the building structure in the future
Recording any modifications you’ve made helps future owners, contractors, and emergency professionals know what they’re dealing with

Retrofitting your existing systems isn’t a one-time project. To achieve your fire safety goals, proper maintenance and documentation are required.

Is It Time to Update Your Sprinkler System?

Retrofitting with an updated sprinkler system is one of the best ways to improve building safety. But fire safety shouldn’t end there. You have a variety of modern products that can help you mitigate fire risk and damage. It’s recommended that a Shutgun Fire Sprinkler Shut Off device be kept in every building with a sprinkler. It’s a quick, easy tool that mitigates water damage if the main water shutoff is not immediately accessible.

If you’d like to learn more about fire safety, or you’re looking for ways to make the most of a newly retrofitted sprinkler system, visit us at Shutgun.