Tag: fire sprinklers

Shutgun Debuts New Product at Build Show 2015

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Accidental fire sprinkler activations can be one of the most costly, project prohibitive challenges facing Project and Building managers today. The results of accidental activating can vary from thousands of dollars in damages, project delays and lost wages. That is why Shutgun Tool has decided to showcase their newly released fire sprinkler shut off products at this year’s BUILD EXPO USA taking place September 16 & 17 at the NRG Centre in Houston.

“There is no limit to the amount of accidents that can occur on a construction site or in an enclosed work space, especially when heavy equipment and machinery is being operated,” said Greg Patterson, president, Technicraft Product Design and co-inventor of Shutgun.

When a sprinkler head is activated, quick shut off is critical. Water from a sprinkler head is released at pressures as high as 170 psi and up to 60 gallons per minute, which can easily result in tens of thousands of dollars in damage.  The durable cast aluminum Shutgun allows the user to shut off the sprinkler system with a one-handed, squeeze.

“Traditionally, wedges were used to contain flow from sprinkler heads, but they are rudimentary and often do not completely shut off the water flow,” said Patterson.

For situations where the sprinkler head may have been broken or sheared off, Shutgun has created the Shutgun Sheared Head Attachment to ensure that shut off remains seamless.

Barry McGrory is Labour manager with Commodore Builders and has purchased Shutguns for each of his superintendents and foremen. “Accidents don’t just happen during demos, even drywallers can set them off occasionally,” he said. “If you’re working in an occupied building, the real damage is to the floors below, so stopping that flow of water is even more critical.”

As an added safety feature, Shutgun’s unique fusible link allows it to be left in place with the sprinkler system charged until the pipes can be drained and the head replaced – thus giving you full building fire protection despite the activation.

Shutgun has three versions including original Shutgun for standard sprinkler head models, Sheared Head Shutgun and Concealed Head Shutgun for recessed sprinkler heads. They have also just launched their new durable, safety case which stores three types of Shutgun in one easy-to-see case for quick emergency response. The Shutgun is an indispensable tool that belongs with every fire extinguisher and in every contractor’s toolbox. “The Shutgun is insurance for a construction company and it has proven its value in real life situations,” said Patterson.

Cost benefit of purchasing multiple Shutguns – we did the math

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Many of our clients have done a great job at not only stocking a Shutgun along with their fire boxes and annunciator panels, but also in training their staff and front line personnel on the proper use and procedures in a sprinkler-related emergency.

We would like to applaud you – and although yes, it is a good idea to have a Shutgun tool at the annunciator panel, it actually is more cost effective to invest in multiple Shutguns per property, having one with each fire extinguisher box. Here is the ‘official’ formula:

$ cost benefit = Shutgun x Floors + Time ($1,000 per minute)

Allow us to explain…don’t worry, there will not be a test later!

Take the example of having just ONE fire extinguisher for an entire building. If a small fire broke out on floor #7 but the extinguisher was on floor #1, the amount of potential damage that could be inflicted in the time it takes to run down and back up with the extinguisher, could be severe.

Similarly, it is estimated that the cost of clean up, repairs and water damage related to accidental fire sprinkler activation can run up to $1,000 per minute for every minute that a sprinkler is left running. (That’s about $17 per second if you don’t have your calculator handy)

Here’s the math in action – see which scenario makes more sense to you:

SCENARIO A:

1 Shutgun x 4 Floors = $50

(savings of $200 for buying only 1 tool)

+          If it takes at least 5 minutes to go down several floors, get the Shutgun and come back –

5 minutes = potentially $5,000 in damage

=          $5,050 in damage and time wasted.

SCENARIO B:

5 Shutguns x 4 Floors (+ 1 for panel) = $250

+          0 minutes to run and get Shutgun = $0/minimal in damage

=          $250 (and minimal damage to rooms/floors.)

*Essentially, the savings on purchasing tools is negated by the resulting damage of time wasted in retrieving the tool.

Economic sense? We think so too! The simple solution: a Shutgun for every floor.

For a gold star – please stock your condo, hotel, and high rise with multiple Shutguns – as well as share/tweet/tag this post with the hashtag #OneOnEveryFloor

Lastly, for our existing customers – be sure you have your Shutgun Sheared Head Attachment for recessed fire sprinklers in walls, ceilings.

CHECKLIST – for engineers, safety managers and risk managers.

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Property owners and managers can reduce the possibility of extensive losses through a water damage mitigation program. The program involves a detailed checklist specific to your facility. This analysis gives risk managers, safety managers, building engineers and other professionals more control over potentially paralyzing situations.

 

• Are small leaks promptly repaired?

 • Is the cause of any leak analyzed to determine if it was an isolated occurrence,

or a symptom of a system-wide problem?

 • Are housekeeping personnel instructed to immediately notify maintenance when

any type of dripping, leakage or clogged drains is found?

 • Is there close monitoring of the work of outside contractors and vendors that may

affect piping systems (sprinklers, water, etc.)?

 • Are there any liquid storage tanks or vessels (hot water, condensate, boilers, fuel

oil, etc.) inside the building, mechanical penthouse, or on the roof?

 • Are pipe diagrams or prints up to date, and showing the location of valves for all

liquid carrying systems?

 • Are shut off valves “exercised” (closed and reopened, lubricated as needed)

at least annually to verify they can be quickly closed during an emergency?

 • Is someone available on all shifts trained to respond immediately to any leak?

 • Is someone immediately available at all times with authorization

(24 hours x 7 days) to call and bring in the professional clean up

and restoration companies?

 • Do you have a proper sprinkler shut off tool in place in case of accidental sprinkler discharge?

 

As part of pre-loss discussions with your insurance carrier, a thorough and specific checklist assessment for your facility should be developed for major areas of concern.

 

 For more information: www.ZURICH.com and www.shutgun.ca

http://www.zurichna.com/internet/zna/sitecollectiondocuments/en/knowledge%20center/whitepapers/real%20estate/water-damage-prevention.pdf

A Case for Water Protection Kits and Staff Sprinkler Training

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Recently, Shutgun chatted with Thomas Riegelman, VP of Engineering and Facilities Management for White Lodging properties about his experience in placing the Shutgun Water Protection Kit into over 170 of his properties.

Like any property owner in the hotel or lodging industry, Thomas has had his run-ins with sprinkler mishaps, most often due to brides and grooms using it as a garment hanger.

But what struck us was the emphasis that Thomas put on training his staff in cases of sprinkler emergencies.  The decision to purchase the water protection kit was one of pure necessity.

All of White Lodging Shutgun sprinkler shut off tools are placed next to the main fire panel box, so if a sprinkler is set off, the closest staff member can view the panel, grab the water protection gear and go investigate. They also ensure that each staff member is trained in how to use the Shutgun tool as well as procedures to follow.

After all, shouldn’t it be standard as part of facility management training for all front desk and night shift staff?

For many smaller properties, staffing during off hours is limited, sometimes just one person.  Having not only the proper tools, but the proper protection gear would allow them to feel more confident in investigating these types of sprinkler related incidences.  

The Shutgun Team

Shutgun to the rescue at early morning sprinkler hotel mishap

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There was no rest for Shutgun early in the new year, as it was on the scene of a sprinkler head-related accident on the morning of January 9th at a hotel and country club in Collingwood, Ontario.

Firefighters on scene used Shutgun to plug the activated sprinkler head (which unconfirmed sources believe was the result of a frozen pipe, which upon thawing, activated the sprinkler head.)

The firefighter who snapped this photo said

Shutgun saved significant water damage to the site.

“In many municipalities, the building manager is not allowed to shut off the building’s main water supply until the fire department has arrived, but the fire dept can shut off the activated sprinkler head,” said Greg Patterson, President of Shutgun, who engineered the product along with retired Toronto District Fire Chief, Eli Scardaoni. “Those minutes are crucial in terms of damage inflicted.”

Patterson adds that the residual cost of damage from an accidental activation of a fire sprinkler head is estimated at up to $1,000 for every minute water is left flowing and suggests one shutgunfor every fire box, on every floor.

Case Study: Tulalip Resort & Casino

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The following are exerpts from an interview with Samueal Askew, General Manager, Tulalip Resort & Casino Tulalip, WA.

How Shutgun Saved a Housekeeping Sprinkler Blunder


How did you hear about Shutgun? 
I was introduced to Shutgun at the IHMRS Show in NYC in 2012.  I was really impressed by the product itself,  the
presentation of the materials, and the service.  My purchase was made
then.
How many Shutguns have you purchased?
24 units total.

What was the decision behind your purchase? 
The quality of the Shutgun is extremely high -Well made.  It’s
also easy to use and requires little to no training to respond to an
emergency.  But the greatest decision point was the fact
that it contained a fusible link so that if it is used in an emergency, the
sprinkler system will in turn still function if there is another incident.

How have you found the Shutgun useful to date? Absolutely!  We had new
housekeeping associate dusting in and around the laundry room and broke a
sprinkler head.  The Shutgun was quickly at hand and saved us from many
many hours of cleanup, work, and of course limited damage to the facility.

What was the best feature for you in using Shutgun?  Aside from the Fusible Link, the fact that ANYONE
can use it at ANY TIME means that our team members can respond to a situation
at a moments notice.  The local fire depart loves them and are placing
orders too!