What Causes Fire Sprinklers To Malfunction?

4/16/2019 (Permalink)

It is important to monitor the condition of pipes in a fire sprinkler system.

A malfunctioning fire sprinkler system may activate when there is no sign of a fire. Accidental activations are typically due to mechanical issues, temperature extremes or plumbing issues. An incident such as a supply line burst can result in flooding at a commercial building in North Bend,WA. Find out more about common reasons why fire sprinklers malfunction and cause water damage.

Defects or Corrosion

Any component in fire suppression equipment may be defective. Regular inspections and testing should test the condition of the following components:

  • Alarms and sensors
  • Gauges
  • Sprinkler heads
  • Supply lines
  • Tamper switches
  • Test flow switches
  • Valves

A leak may cause sprinkler heads or pipe systems to corrode. It is also possible for pies or other components to wear out over time.

Excessive Heat or Freezing

Most fire sprinklers activate upon detecting high temperatures. These extreme temperatures greatly exceed normal interior temperatures and are usually in the range of 135 to 165 degrees Fahrenheit (57 to 74 Celsius). Freezing temperatures can also cause pipes and other components to burst and result in flooding.

Plumbing Problems

Pipe problems can affect buildings with dry pipe or wet pipe fire sprinkler systems. In addition to pressure caused by frozen blockages, pipes can break for other reasons:

  • Age
  • Corrosion
  • Temperature variations

A burst pipe can release about 30 gallons of water per minute and cause extensive damage in a short amount of time. It is important to monitor the condition of pipes in a fire sprinkler system.

Regular inspections and testing can ensure that sprinklers function in the event of fire. Fire sprinkler system specialists can verify that every component is in working order and prevent accidental activations. If a system activates or a pipe bursts and results in flooding, a building owner or manager should have trained professionals from a water damage mitigation and restoration company assess and clean up damage.