Blog

Looking upward at a modern high-rise building

Fire Safety Solutions for High-Rise Buildings: Challenges and Innovations

Posted on

High-rise buildings present a whole new set of fire safety challenges compared to standard buildings. With their immense height, complicated internal layouts, higher occupancy rates, and the complexities of dealing with elevators and stairwells, everything from evacuating the building to extinguishing a potential fire is far more difficult in a high-rise. Fortunately, as more high-rises… Continue reading →

White wall with visible water damage

Water Damage Insurance Claims: How to Maximize Your Payout After a Sprinkler Leak

Posted on

Even though fire sprinkler systems are one of the most effective ways to extinguish fires and protect both lives and property, they can malfunction and leak. Unfortunately, the water damage that can result from a fire sprinkler system misfiring or leaking can be substantial. From water-damaged floors and ceilings to damaged equipment and inventory, fire… Continue reading →

A well-maintained fire sprinkler system is your main wall of defense against deadly and destructive fires. However, like any complicated system, they are susceptible to wear and tear as well as other problems. From leaks and corrosion to misfires and complete blockages, we’re going to cover the most common problems and how you can address them. We’ll also discuss the Shutgun, a simple and affordable tool you can use to quickly and effectively shut off a fire sprinkler head before it causes significant water damage. So, let’s find out how to keep your fire sprinkler system reliable and effective. Common Problems with Fire Sprinkler Systems Let’s start by highlighting the most sprinkler problems, then we will explain what you can do about them: Leaks and Drips Sprinkler heads can develop leaks over time. This is usually due to corrosion, wear and tear, or impact damage. Even small drips can lead to significant water damage if not addressed promptly. Misfiring and False Activations In some cases, sprinkler heads can activate due to system faults or mechanical issues, which can cause significant property damage. This water damage can be incredibly destructive and expensive to repair, especially if you have no way to shut off the misfiring sprinkler head yourself. This is why we highly recommend keeping a Shutgun Fire Sprinkler Shut Off Tool with every fire extinguisher in your facility. This ensures you can quickly deactivate sprinkler heads, whether they misfire or continue releasing water after extinguishing a fire. Purchasing a Custom Shutgun Case is the best way to ensure you have the right number and types of Shutguns. Pressure Issues Reduced or fluctuating water pressure can significantly impact the effectiveness of your sprinkler system. Low pressure could mean your sprinkler heads don’t release enough water during a fire, while overly high pressure could strain your pipes and other components, which could cause or worsen leaks. Blockages and Obstructions Debris, dust, rust, or even nests created by pests can block sprinkler heads, preventing them from being able to release water in the event of a fire properly. Damaged sprinkler heads can also create these blockages. Corrosion and Deterioration Long-term exposure to humid air, chemical fumes, and temperature fluctuations can cause the metal components within the sprinkler system to corrode, including the sprinkler heads themselves. This can cause leaks and prevent the system from working effectively. Valve and Pump Failures Faulty valves or under-performing water pumps can reduce water flow. Regular testing and routine maintenance are the best ways for most systems to ensure these components work properly during an emergency. Fixing Fire Sprinkler System Issues No matter what specific issue impacts your fire sprinkler system, regularly scheduled inspections by trained professionals can be your main line of defense. These inspections help detect early signs of wear, corrosion, or blockage. Routine testing will also ensure that the system is reliable. Establish a maintenance schedule that follows standards and guidelines such as NFPA 25. Repair and Replacement for Specific Problems While routine maintenance and inspections will be your best line of defense, specific issues require their own actions. Here’s a quick breakdown of how to address some of the most common sprinkler problems: For Leaks Tighten or replace connections, repair or replace damaged pipes and sprinkler heads. Any corroded or rusty components should be replaced as soon as possible. For False Activations Replace malfunctioning sprinkler heads and ensure that the full system has been inspected to ensure there isn’t a faulty fire detection issue causing the problem. For Pressure Issues Check pressure gauges regularly and perform regular tests. If issues are identified, replace and repair malfunctioning components, like pumps, pressure valves, and seals. For Blockages Clean nozzles and pipes, remove debris, and ensure the area around sprinkler heads is clear. You may want to increase your sprinkler head cleaning schedule if this keeps occurring, as it’s likely an environmental issue. For Corrosion Consider installing corrosion-resistant sprinkler heads. You will also want to check for leaks and other issues. Improving venting could also help remove some moisture from the air that’s causing your sprinkler system to corrode prematurely. For Pump Issues Regular inspections and service for valves and pumps is the best way to maintain optimal water flow. It’s difficult to handle yourself, so you’ll need to hire a professional company to do the job for you. Preventing Water Damage with the Right Shutgun Tool The Shutgun is a fast and efficient tool designed to deactivate individual sprinkler heads, allowing you to prevent tens of thousands of dollars in water damage. However, like any good tool, it’s important that you have the correct type of Shutgun for the job. Here’s a quick breakdown of how you can make sure you have the right tool on hand when an emergency occurs: Concealed Head Shutgun: This tool was designed for buildings with concealed sprinkler heads. Since they’re hidden behind decorative facings, they’re far more difficult to reach behind and deactivate, but this type of Shutgun can get the job done. Sheared Head Shutgun: This version was designed to shut off damaged sprinkler heads that are completely broken off, which can happen in high-traffic environments, like warehouses and factories. Institutional Shutgun: Ideal for environments like schools and correctional facilities, where tamper-proof sprinkler heads have been used. Again, they’re difficult to reach by design, but this tool was specifically engineered to handle their unique characteristics. Final Words Maintaining fire sprinklers involves regular inspections and taking action as soon as a problem is identified. Investing in tools like the Shutgun Fire Sprinkler Shut Off Tool can help when your maintenance efforts aren’t enough.

Common Problems with Fire Sprinkler Systems and How to Fix Them

Posted on

A well-maintained fire sprinkler system is your main wall of defense against deadly and destructive fires. However, like any complicated system, they are susceptible to wear and tear as well as other problems. From leaks and corrosion to misfires and complete blockages, we’re going to cover the most common problems and how you can address… Continue reading →

Water from fire sprinkler falling on hardwood floor

Fire Sprinkler Water Damage: What to Do in the First 24 Hours

Posted on

Fire sprinkler systems are essential for fire safety. Still, they can also cause significant water damage if they misfire, malfunction, or even continue to run long after extinguishing a fire. Given that a single sprinkler head can release as much as 60 gallons of water in a single minute, the damages can cost tens of thousands… Continue reading →

Dealing with Ceiling Water Damage: Repair Options and Costs

Posted on

Whether it’s a commercial, industrial, or even residential property, ceiling water damage can be a complete nightmare. Whether it was caused by a leak in your roof, plumbing issues, or even your fire sprinkler system, the damage can become much worse if you don’t deal with it quickly. This guide will explain how you can… Continue reading →