3 Tips for Fire Sprinkler Readiness

5/5/2022 (Permalink)

3 Fire Sprinkler Preparation Tips

A fire sprinkler system for your commercial building in Fort Myers, FL, is a smart investment. It could stop an incipient fire before it causes significant damage to your facility, saving thousands of dollars in property damage, business interruption costs, and cleanup expenses. Failure to properly care for the system, though, could result in a worst-case scenario: sprinklers that do not activate when needed. Here are some important steps to take to make sure this does not happen.

1. Keep up on General Maintenance

Even with the ultimate system for fire protection, it can be the small things that mess things up. This means that keeping a tidy building matters. Make sure that nothing blocks the sprinkler heads, such as an accumulation of boxes. You should have a clearance of at least 18 inches for each head. Without this space, your fire sprinkler system could just be a waste of money.

2. Schedule Regular Maintenance for Fire Suppression Equipment

Quarterly inspections can spot problems, allow time for repairs and reduce the chance of system malfunction. This could also be a good time for the contractor to install updates to computerized functions. Maintenance increases the safety of the building and keeps your company in compliance with fire codes. While a sprinkler system is built to last, over time components should be replaced for optimal performance.

3. Schedule Testing at Appropriate Intervals

Your system must work as advertised, and sprinkler heads must deploy as needed. If the system does activate, a fire sprinkler cleanup with a fire mitigation company will be necessary. A testing schedule takes into account specific components, so different parts will be tested at different times. Mechanical devices such as heads should be tested frequently, while some gauges only call for testing or replacement about every five years.

Ensuring all fire safety devices are in good condition is part of a good safety plan. A fire sprinkler system can only do its job if it is working properly.