As temperatures grow colder and the winter months are upon us, it is crucial to start thinking about sprinkler system freeze protection.
The upcoming freezing temperatures come with increasing risks to homes and businesses that use fire sprinkler systems as fire protection.
A frozen fire sprinkler system is just as dangerous as an actual fire and can cause plenty of damage to the building in other ways. Without proper maintenance, a fire sprinkler system will have to be completely replaced.
In this article, we discuss the best steps to ensure your fire sprinkler system is in the best working condition.
Wet vs dry
Before any maintenance occurs, you must find out whether your system is a wet or dry pipe. Wet pipe systems are designed to maintain water in the piping continuously. Dry pipe systems use compressed air in the piping until the system engages and water is released.
Keeping water out of a dry pipe system is crucial. To keep everything running smoothly, you must drain any water buildup from drains and any low points. In a wet pipe system, all windows vents and doors must remain closed when not in use. This prevents unwanted cold air and winds from filtering through the sprinkler pipes. Low temperatures can cause freezing if not considered carefully.
Maintenance of wet fire sprinkler systems
Most wet fire sprinkler systems installed in buildings will rarely drop below freezing temperatures, but there are some instances where they may be exposed to the elements such as unheated areas within the building or outer buildings.
To prevent the water inside a wet fire sprinkler system from freezing, it is crucial to add an antifreeze loop. This lowers the freezing point and reduces the risk of freezing pipes.
Maintenance of dry fire sprinkler systems
A dry fire sprinkler system is not full of water like a wet system, removing the need for antifreeze. The dry system is instead full of air that contains moisture, which can condense in the lower points of the system and burst freezing pipes.
Limit the problem
Besides regular maintenance and consistent draining, it is essential to hire a fire sprinkler professional who can inspect every aspect of the system for any potential dangers when exposed to freezing temperatures.
Coopers Fire
For advice and guidance on fire and smoke curtains, contact us today to learn more about how to deliver the best care and maintenance for your passive fire protection systems.
