When it comes to fire safety and prevention, almost nothing is as effective as a well-maintained fire sprinkler system. Not only can they extinguish fires and prevent them from spreading, they offer full protection even if a fire occurs when the building is unoccupied.
While their ability to suppress and contain fires can save property and lives, these systems can pose a serious risk of water damage if they are not appropriately maintained. On top of that, misfires and accidental activations can also result in serious water damage.
Today, we will dive into the most common causes of water damage from fire sprinkler systems so you can discover some of the most effective ways to avoid these issues.
While avoiding water damage caused by sprinkler systems is important, it’s important to remember that accidents can still occur. Rather than waiting helplessly as costly water damage occurs, you can take action by investing in the ShutGun – a fire sprinkler shut-off tool that can save you tens of thousands of dollars.
To make sure you are prepared for anything, it is recommended that a Shutgun Fire Sprinkler Shut-Off device be kept with every fire extinguisher in the building.
The Most Common Causes of Water Damage from Sprinkler Systems
1. Corrosion Damage and Other Defects
While the water damage caused by small leaks may not be as dramatic as other fire sprinkler-related water damage, it can become a serious issue over time. In most cases, leaks occur when a fire sprinkler system is improperly maintained.
When the pipes and fire sprinkler heads are neglected, damages caused by corrosion and standard wear and tear can result in mild to serious leaks.
What may have started as the odd drip can lead to a serious flow of water. Plus, corrosion can spread, weakening the entire system’s integrity and increasing the risk of a serious leak.
Prevention
To prevent this type of water damage, it is vital to ensure that the sprinkler system is routinely inspected and maintained by certified professionals. Like any complex system, following a routine maintenance schedule and ensuring the system adheres to industry standards and regulations will reduce the likelihood of malfunctions.
Not only will regular maintenance help ensure that your system does not leak, but checking everything from water pressure to sprinkler head condition will ensure that your system can be relied upon in the event of a fire. Plus, there is also the fact that small issues can escalate over time if they are neglected.
2. Misfires and False Activations
One of the more dramatic and costly causes of water damage from a fire sprinkler system is accidental triggers and misfires caused by system malfunctions. When this occurs, the system discharges water even though there is no fire.
This could be caused by a defective fire detection element or a general lack of maintenance to the entire system. If an employee accidentally activated the fire sprinkler, it could be due to an improperly positioned or unshielded fire alarm pull station or poor employee training.
Prevention
Ensuring the system is appropriately designed and tested regularly will help prevent misfires. Again, this is where professional maintenance and annual inspections can prove their worth.
Following a professional inspection, it might even be recommended that your system receive upgrades to its heat and smoke detection system, enhancing reliability and reducing the likelihood of false activations.
Employee fire safety training can also help minimize the risk of false activations, as it will ensure that all employees know how to handle and respond to issues related to the fire sprinkler system.
If a misfire does occur, you should also ensure that you have the correct tools required to handle the situation yourself. Rather than waiting as the water damage bill rises, be prepared to take action with the 7-Piece Complete Shutgun Case.
3. Improper Installation
If the system was not installed correctly or the components were damaged before or during installation, there is a much higher chance of it leaking or misfiring. Not only would this drastically increase the risk of serious water damage, it would also reduce the effectiveness of the entire system.
Installation errors could range from improperly sized water pipes to using improper or damaged sprinkler heads.
Prevention
Hiring professional fire sprinkler installers is one of the best ways to prevent this type of water damage from occurring. These qualified professionals will follow all the appropriate steps to ensure your system will operate as it should. Routine maintenance and inspections will also help minimize potential water damage risks.
4. Vandalism and Human Error
While rare, fire sprinkler systems can also activate due to intentional vandalism or basic human error. Tampering with the system, intentionally or unintentionally, could cause the system to leak or falsely activate, resulting in water damage.
Prevention
To protect the fire sprinkler system, you should ensure that your business implements basic security measures and conducts regular employee training sessions.
Protecting individual fire sprinkler heads with head guards can also help prevent damage. These are particularly beneficial in industrial environments where the sprinkler heads could be exposed to physical damage. You can use the Shutgun Wall Mount to position a Shutgun near every fire extinguisher.
This ensures you always have the tools to shut off an activated fire sprinkler before it can cause serious water damage. You can also build your Custom Shutgun Case to make sure that you have the exact tools your business needs to handle the situation!
What Can You Do if Your Fire Sprinkler Systems is Accidentally Activated?
Accidents can still occur even if you follow all of the water damage prevention strategies we outlined above. Beyond misfires and accidental activations, fire sprinkler systems can also continue releasing water after successfully extinguishing a fire, which could also cause serious water damage.
Given that the average commercial fire sprinkler head releases 60 gallons of water per minute, the water damage can quickly become ruinously expensive and disruptive if it is not stopped quickly.
Introducing the Shutgun
Rather than waiting for the fire department or a sprinkler maintenance company to arrive on the scene, there is now a simple solution to accidental sprinkler activations! The Shutgun is a simple, handheld tool that lets you quickly and easily shut off a fire sprinkler head.
With fire sprinklers causing an average of $35,000 in water damage when they are accidentally activated, this tool can prove essential for commercial property owners of all descriptions.
Learn more about the Shutgun and how it can help protect your business by clicking the link below: