Comments on: Clean Agent Fire Suppression Systems http://inspector911.com/clean-agent-fire-suppression-systems/279 Resources, Checklists, and Training for inspectors with NFPA and the ICC codes Mon, 02 Apr 2012 22:31:33 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: FM William Burns http://inspector911.com/clean-agent-fire-suppression-systems/279/comment-page-1#comment-238 FM William Burns Wed, 21 Jan 2009 19:29:52 +0000 http://inspector911.com/?p=279#comment-238 Excellent points Insurance! These days, most of us know the firms in our area who perform these types of protection installations and know their historic practices both good and bad. Some companies do great work however and during their scheduled interval inspections they address situations found with extra loading and volume flow limitations. The companies we deal with are sending their reports electronically now which assists us in expediting corrective measures if necessary including deficiencies with room pressurization. Creating good relationships with these firms has allowed us to learn of deficiencies quicker also. When these situations are encountered it’s an opportunity for us to educate the IT people and their management before a time where a person like you walks in. Although, when we can't get to them all it's nice to know experienced and qualified auditors like yourself are out there too; because it's been my experience as discussed before on other matters, some insurance auditors don't have the ability to notice deficiencies in fire protection and are only worried about health and safety matters with companies they audit. Excellent points Insurance! These days, most of us know the firms in our area who perform these types of protection installations and know their historic practices both good and bad. Some companies do great work however and during their scheduled interval inspections they address situations found with extra loading and volume flow limitations. The companies we deal with are sending their reports electronically now which assists us in expediting corrective measures if necessary including deficiencies with room pressurization. Creating good relationships with these firms has allowed us to learn of deficiencies quicker also. When these situations are encountered it’s an opportunity for us to educate the IT people and their management before a time where a person like you walks in.

Although, when we can’t get to them all it’s nice to know experienced and qualified auditors like yourself are out there too; because it’s been my experience as discussed before on other matters, some insurance auditors don’t have the ability to notice deficiencies in fire protection and are only worried about health and safety matters with companies they audit.

]]> By: Insurance LC Rep http://inspector911.com/clean-agent-fire-suppression-systems/279/comment-page-1#comment-237 Insurance LC Rep Wed, 21 Jan 2009 11:24:24 +0000 http://inspector911.com/?p=279#comment-237 Enclosure integrity is a BIG problem with ANY gas suppression system. So many of these systems are installed with no fan pressurization test, bottles look great but if the room is like Swiss cheese what good will it be? How many computer rooms stay the same as the day they room was installed, NOT many? How many more wires have been pulled into the room and holes never filled in? How many doors are held open with a box or wood wedge? How many have tons of boxes that computer equipment is stored in? IT folks do not want sprinklers because they do not want water damage, but think nothing of storing stuff in a computer room that increases the fire loading significantly. Housekeeping is usually poor, these guys are slobs! Most gas suppression system were never designed for the fire loading some of these IT folks put in the rooms. I wish I had a buck for every time I see problems with a gas suppression system enclosure integrity, I could retire tomorrow! Enclosure integrity is a BIG problem with ANY gas suppression system. So many of these systems are installed with no fan pressurization test, bottles look great but if the room is like Swiss cheese what good will it be? How many computer rooms stay the same as the day they room was installed, NOT many? How many more wires have been pulled into the room and holes never filled in? How many doors are held open with a box or wood wedge? How many have tons of boxes that computer equipment is stored in? IT folks do not want sprinklers because they do not want water damage, but think nothing of storing stuff in a computer room that increases the fire loading significantly. Housekeeping is usually poor, these guys are slobs! Most gas suppression system were never designed for the fire loading some of these IT folks put in the rooms. I wish I had a buck for every time I see problems with a gas suppression system enclosure integrity, I could retire tomorrow!

]]> By: Nick Markowitz Jr. http://inspector911.com/clean-agent-fire-suppression-systems/279/comment-page-1#comment-236 Nick Markowitz Jr. Wed, 21 Jan 2009 04:05:40 +0000 http://inspector911.com/?p=279#comment-236 One of the big problems I see with these systems is when they are installed and no one not even the AHJ knows about it many times as they are often an after thought for computer rooms etc. In addition they should be tied to buildings main fire system so when they trip off building occupants are notified there's a problem. Of course this is just another area to that needs regular annual inspection as well to and companies that install these systems and say nothing are just as likely not to properly maintain them as well. One of the big problems I see with these systems is when they are installed and no one not even the AHJ knows about it many times as they are often an after thought for computer rooms etc. In addition they should be tied to buildings main fire system so when they trip off building occupants are notified there’s a problem.
Of course this is just another area to that needs regular annual inspection
as well to and companies that install these systems and say nothing are just as likely not to properly maintain them as well.

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