According to one recent study, quick response fire sprinklers can release between eight and 24 gallons of water per minute when activated. Obviously, this is a good thing if an actual fire is present – but when you also consider the fact that approximately 90% of all sprinkler activations are accidental, you begin to get an idea of how this can go from a mild inconvenience to a major disaster so quickly.
But thankfully, all hope is not lost. If your sprinkler system is activated and you can’t seem to get it to shut off, there are a number of options available to you to prevent long-term damage. You just need to keep a few key things in mind.
Shutting Down Your Sprinkler: What You Need to Know
In the event that your sprinkler suddenly won’t shut off for whatever reason, the first thing you need to do is locate your shut-off valve. This will allow you to cut the water to the sprinkler without actually turning off the water in your entire home. Trace your sprinkler system back to its source and turn the shut-off valve clockwise to stop the water flow to the sprinkler head in question.
Note that depending on the age of your system, you may be dealing with a backflow prevention device with its own unique type of ball valve. This, too, can be used to cut off the water in the event of an emergency. When the ball valve is open, it should be parallel to the water pipe it is attached to. Turn the handle clockwise to stop the flow of water at this point.
Once the water is off, you can safely determine the cause of the issue and take any maintenance steps that may be necessary.
The Importance of Having a Quality Fire Sprinkler Shut Off Tool
When dealing with a fire sprinkler system, in particular, it’s also important to know that there are tools you can purchase to help cut the water to malfunctioning heads or even to entire zones as quickly as possible to avoid damage. Our fire sprinkler shut off tool the Shutgun is one such example, allowing you to shut off an activated fire sprinkler in a matter of seconds.
It’s compatible with not only pendant fire sprinkler heads but also upright heads, wall-mounted heads, semi-recessed heads, and more. It offers convenient, one-hand operation (allowing it to be used safely from a ladder) and simply having one within reach BEFORE you need it could potentially save you tens of thousands of dollars in water damage, all while making sure that your environment still remains protected in the event of a fire.
If you’d like to find out more about the important steps you’ll need to take if your sprinkler won’t shut off, or if you’d like to learn more about our innovative fire sprinkler shut off tool that is trusted by homeowners around the world, please don’t delay – contact Shutgun today.