A disaster waiting to happen.

Would you as a building owner, property manager, facilities director, want to know if an incorrect pressure rated welded fitting was used in your building or facility?

This pipe is for a "high zone" supply of a sprinkler/standpipe; it has a normal operating pressure of nearly 600 psi. 

The welded fitting is only rated at 300 psi.

This is a disaster waiting to happen. 

Here's the kicker folks. This is not something that is addressed during your annual fire sprinkler inspection. 

Here's some more food for thought. The company who installed this is probably the same company who does the annual inspection. Think that they are going to tell you that they screwed up and installed the wrong welded fitting? 

But like I said, by code, this doesn't even need to be mentioned...AT ALL!!!

The other kicker is that most inspectors wouldn't even pick this up. 

I happened to notice it as I was walking by. I saw some markings on the pipe that it was the "high zone" supply. I struck up a conversation with a building engineer to find out what the operating pressure was, and voila.....we gained a new client. 

Unfortunately, people only hire "low bidder" for fire sprinkler and other life safety inspections. I've said it before....you get what you pay for. 

Curious to know if you have any "disasters waiting to happen"?

Give us a call at 484-321-FIRE

Or contact us through our website at

321FireProtection.com

We would love to help you with your fire protection questions and concerns.  

Inside of you fire sprinkler pipes. Don't just hope everything will be okay.

We were called for a pin hole leak in a dry system at this facilities parking garage. 

This debris was removed from a section of branch piping (the pipe that sprinkler heads are directly attached). 

If there was a fire, this debris would clog the sprinkler heads; rendering the sprinkler system useless. 

This was found in the city of Philadelphia. Where a 5 year internal pipe inspection was required last year (2015).

Is your fire sprinkler contractor doing what they are charging you for? Or are they collecting a check, sending you a basic inspection form that shows your system is okay, and that's the last time you hear from them until next year?

This finding here (the debris in the pipe) requires further actions (as per NFPA 25 - the inspections, testing, and maintenance code).

Because of this, we will recommend flushing the system. We will also explain what has happened; what caused this; how it can be mitigated; how the flushing process works; the possible results of flushing the system (it could lead to replacing more pipe); and the possible consequences of not flushing. 

It's not a cheap. But it costs a lot less than the lives that could be lost, or the building that could be destroyed, combined with the legal bills you will be faced with when your insurance company brings suit against you for failing to perform the necessary inspections and maintenance.

Don't forget; it is the building owner and/or property manager that is responsible to maintain these systems. 

Fire protection systems cost tens of thousands of dollars (or more) to install. They need to be maintained. Would you buy a $50,000 car and then never maintain it? It's an associated cost of owning or managing a property with a fire protection system. 321 Fire Protection Co will help you do this. 

Make sure you call a qualified contractor. 

Call 321 Fire Protection Co at 484-321-FIRE. We will help you maintain, inspect, and test your fire sprinkler systems. 

321FireProtection.com