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Automatic Sprinklers

NFPA Safety Alert Regarding Antifreeze in Residential Sprinklers

July 11, 2010 · 1 comment

in 2010, Automatic Sprinklers, News, Residental

Fatal fire raises concern about antifreeze

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) today issued a safety alert recommending that residential fire sprinkler systems containing antifreeze should be drained and the antifreeze replaced with water.

The alert follows a research study and an initial set of fire tests conducted after a fire incident raised concerns about antifreeze solutions in residential sprinkler systems. The incident involved a grease fire in a kitchen where a sprinkler with a high concentration of antifreeze deployed. The fire resulted in a single fatality and serious injury to another person.

“Fire sprinklers are [click to continue…]

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Does this Meet Code 12

January 12, 2010 · 11 comments

in Automatic Sprinklers, Meet Code?

Flexible Armover Attachments

Sprinkler systems have seen an increase in the use of specifically listed equipment. Flexible arm-overs serve a great purpose in sprinkler system installation but are heavily depended on proper installation per the manufacture listing requirements.

If you look at the first picture above you may say “Well it truly depends!” So lets make a couple of assumptions:

The system was properly designed to account for the friction loss of the devices
The flexible armover is listed for use on sprinkler systems

So the question is, does this meet code…. oh and take a look at [click to continue…]

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Sprinkler Plan Review 101 (Part 1)

What Should I Include on the Submittal:
Automatic sprinkler systems are a critical component to building design and are utilized by the design professional to meet the requirements of the code, as a design option or at the request of the building owner. Many times the documents are “deferred” by the design professional and submitted by [...]

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Read the full article → Automatic Sprinklers 7 comments

Should We Promote Sprinkling Habitat Homes?

By Paul Dove,
This is an interesting question that I asked myself before the addition of the sprinkler requirements in the last remaining model code to accept them for one and two family homes and townhouses.
During the period in time where the International Building Code and International Residential Code (IBC/IRC) committee’s were reviewing code change proposals [...]

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Read the full article → Paul Dove 8 comments

Forward Flow Test

Back flow Devices Need to be Tested at Full Flow
Backflow devices are intended to prevent that nasty sprinkler water from going into your drinking water. These devices need some tender loving care in order to operate efficiently and test must be conducted to ensure they can open to meet the system demand. In the 2002 [...]

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Read the full article → Automatic Sprinklers 5 comments

Fire Pumps and Backflow Devices

What is the best location for back flow devices when a fire pump is utilized?
Automatic sprinkler and standpipe systems may utilize a fire pump for many reasons. This may be to provide additional pressure to the municipal system, provide pressure for a system which draws from an underground tank or to meet the necessary gpm [...]

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Read the full article → Automatic Sprinklers 4 comments

Automatic Sprinkler System Checklists and Resources

Resources and Checklists for Plan Review, Inspection, and Design
Automatic sprinkler systems can be complex life safety systems which require maintenance and proper installation. Automatic sprinkler systems are based on the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 13, Standard for Design and Installation of Sprinkler Systems. Sprinkler systems require proper design, installation, and maintenance (inspection too).
Sprinkler submittals [...]

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Read the full article → Automatic Sprinklers 5 comments

Does This Meet Code 3

Listed Expansion Device
A sprinkler system is a critical system to ensure fire and life safety in the built environment. Every now and then there are modifications made to the system that affect the performance of the system. Following NFPA 13 when installing and inspecting sprinkler systems is critical. In addition manufactures provide detailed requirements for [...]

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In Compliance, by Chip Carson PE

Electric Room Protection
Fire Protection and Enclosure Requirements for Electrical Rooms
Reprinted with permission from NFPA Journal® (Vol. 102, #5) copyright© 2008, National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MI. All rights reserved.
There seems to be much confusion concerning the fire protection and enclosure requirements for electrical rooms. Do rooms containing circuit breaker panels or transformers need to be [...]

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Read the full article → Automatic Sprinklers 3 comments

Codes on Prime Time

Today residential sprinklers made the national news as Maryi-k Appy with the Home Fire Safety Council demonstrated the power of residential sprinklers. The demonstration was shown live from outside of Chicago in a side by side burn demonstration. The burn included two rooms, side by side, one with sprinklers and one without.
View the demonstration on [...]

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Read the full article → 2008 0 comments

← Previous Entries

NFPA Safety Alert Regarding Antifreeze in Residential Sprinklers (1)
- ,Nick Markowitz: I questioned the fact that glycerin was being used in resi systems especially in light of the fact i do alot of work in petro...
What is an Inspector (8)
- ,Jim Yuill: A fire inspector is a professional who educates the building owner/occupant/general contractor on the hazards associated with fire. It...
- ,Mark Spoo: The definition that I learned years ago was the inspector is a tool in the fire service that keeps occupants, residents and even more...
- ,C. W. Boss: I must agree with the Inspectors Dove. Particularly with Brian Dove’s assessment that “Fire (Prevention) Inspector(s) are...
Display Fireworks: Keep them off the Streets (4)
- ,conn: I had the same issue in our city. Back in 2005 I noticed that the setup did not look as it did in years past. So I had my personnel count...
Does this Meet Code 12 (11)
- ,Marshal Chris: BB, Where is the requirement of the 2.5″ from connection nut?

Automatic Sprinklers

NFPA Safety Alert Regarding Antifreeze in Residential Sprinklers

Fatal fire raises concern about antifreeze

Does this Meet Code 12

Flexible Armover Attachments

Sprinkler Plan Review 101 (Part 1)

Should We Promote Sprinkling Habitat Homes?

Forward Flow Test

Fire Pumps and Backflow Devices

Automatic Sprinkler System Checklists and Resources

Does This Meet Code 3

In Compliance, by Chip Carson PE

Codes on Prime Time

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