SPRINKLER SYSTEMS - Maintenance Task Schedule. Comparison of Changes

23-14 23-14 SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

Introduction

Automatic sprinkler systems must be maintained in accordance with BS EN 12845:2004 and the LPC publication - TB203: 2004.

An automatic sprinkler system is designed to detect a fire and extinguish it with water in its early stages or hold the fire in check so that extinguishment can be completed by other means.

The sprinklers operate at predetermined temperatures to discharge water over the affected part of the area below. The flow of water through the alarm valve initiates a fire alarm. The operating temperature is generally selected to suit ambient temperature conditions.

Under BS EN 12845:2004 there are planned maintenance tasks for 3 and 10 year frequencies these are not covered in these instruction sets.

Introduction

Automatic sprinkler systems must be maintained in accordance with BS EN 12845:2004 + A2:2009 incorporating corrigendum August 2009 Fixed firefighting systems- automatic sprinkler systems- Design, Installation and maintenance and the LPC publication - TB203: 2004.

An automatic sprinkler system is designed to detect a fire and extinguish it with water in its early stages or hold the fire in check so that extinguishment can be completed by other means.

Under BS EN 12845:2004 there are planned maintenance tasks for 3 and 10 year frequencies these are not covered in these instruction sets.

Only the user should give permission for a sprinkler installation or zone to be shut down for any reason other than an emergency.

Before a system is wholly or partly shut down every part of the premises should be checked to ensure that there is no indication of fire.

Where premises are subdivided into separate occupancies constituting buildings in communication or at risk, protected by common sprinkler systems or installations, all occupiers should also be advised that the water is to be turned off.

Particular attention should be given to situations where installation pipework passes through walls or ceilings where these may feed sprinklers in areas needing special consideration

Legislative

Title FQ Action Notes

1. System Checks The following must be checked and recorded: all water and air pressure gauge readings on installation, trunk mains and pressure tanks;

The pressure in the pipework in dry, alternate and pre-action installations should not fall at a rate of more than 1.0 bar per week. All results must be recorded in Fire Alarm log book

1W 1. System

Checks

The following must be checked and recorded (in sprinkler Log Book): all water and air pressure gauge readings on installation, trunk mains and pressure tanks;

The pressure in the pipework in dry, alternate and pre-action installations should not fall at a rate of more than 1.0 bar per week. All results must be recorded in Sprinkler log book

Legislative

2. System Checks All water levels in elevated private reservoirs, rivers, canals, lakes, water storage tanks (including pump priming water tanks and pressure tanks);

All results must be recorded in Fire Alarm log book

1W 2. System

Checks

All water levels in elevated private reservoirs, rivers, canals, lakes, water storage tanks (including pump priming water tanks and pressure tanks);

All results must be recorded in Sprinkler log book

Legislative

3. System Checks That all main stop valves are in the correct position.

All results must be recorded in Fire Alarm log book

1W 3. System

Checks

That all main stop valves are in the correct position.

All results must be recorded in Sprinkler log book

Legislative

4. Water motor 1W Each water motor alarm shall be Also Known as Mechanical Bell test. Legislative 4. Water motor 1W Each water motor alarm shall be Also Known as Mechanical Bell test.

Previous Version

Updated Version Reason For

Change 5. Automatic

pump starting Electric Motor

Tests automatic pumps and include the following; a) water pressure on the starting device shall be

reduced, to simulate the condition of automatic starting; b) when the pump starts, the starting pressure shall be checked and recorded;

All results must be recorded in Fire Alarm log book

1W 5a. Automatic

pump starting test -Electric Motor

Test automatic pumps and include the following; a) water pressure on the starting device shall be

reduced, to simulate the condition of automatic starting; b) when the pump starts, the starting pressure shall be checked and recorded;

All results must be recorded in Sprinkler log book

Legislative

5. Automatic pump starting Diesel

Tests automatic pumps and include the following; a) fuel and engine lubricating oil levels in diesel engines. b) water pressure on the starting device shall be reduced, to simulate the condition of automatic starting; c) when the pump starts, the starting pressure shall be checked and recorded; d) the oil pressure on diesel pumps shall be checked, as well as the flow of cooling water through open circuit cooling systems.

All results must be recorded in Fire Alarm log book

1W 5b. Automatic

pump starting test - Diesel

Test automatic pumps and include the following; a) fuel and engine lubricating oil levels in diesel engines. b) water pressure on the starting device shall be reduced, to simulate the condition of automatic starting; c) when the pump starts, the starting pressure shall be checked and recorded; d) the oil pressure on diesel pumps shall be checked, as well as the flow of cooling water through open circuit cooling systems.

All results must be recorded in Sprinkler log book

Legislative

6. Diesel engine restarting test

Immediately after the pump start test diesel engines shall be tested as follows: a) the engine shall be run for 20 min, or for the time recommended by the supplier. The engine shall then be stopped and immediately restarted using the manual start test button; b) The water level in the primary circuit of closed circuit cooling systems shall be checked. Oil pressure (where gauges are fitted), engine

temperatures and coolant flow shall be monitored throughout the test.

Oil hoses shall be checked and a general inspection made for leakage of fuel, coolant or exhaust fumes.

All results must be recorded in Fire Alarm log book

1W 6. Diesel engine

restarting test

temperatures and coolant flow shall be monitored throughout the test.

Oil hoses shall be checked and a general inspection made for leakage of fuel, coolant or exhaust fumes.

All results must be recorded in Sprinkler log book

Legislative

1. System Batteries

The electrolyte level and density of all lead acid cells (including diesel engine starter batteries and those for control panel power supplies) shall be checked. If the density is low the battery charger shall be checked and, if this is working normally, the battery or batteries affected shall be replaced.

For the risks above refer to the COSHH Regulations -

www.hse.gov.uk

All results must be recorded in Fire Alarm log book

1M 1. System

Batteries

For the risks above refer to the COSHH Regulations -

www.hse.gov.uk

All results must be recorded in Sprinkler log book

Legislative

2. Sprinklers, multiple controls and sprayers

Sprinklers, multiple controls and sprayers affected by deposits (other than paint) shall be carefully

cleaned. Painted or distorted sprinkler heads, multiple controls or sprayers shall be replaced. Any petroleum jelly coatings shall be checked. Where necessary the existing coatings shall be removed and the sprinklers, multiple controls or sprayers shall be coated twice with petroleum jelly (in the case of glass bulb sprinklers to the sprinkler body and yoke only). Particular attention shall be paid to sprinklers in spray booths, where more frequent cleaning and/or protective measures may be necessary.

All results must be recorded in Fire Alarm log book

3M 1. Sprinklers,

multiple controls and sprayers

Sprinklers, multiple controls and sprayers affected by deposits (other than paint) shall be carefully

All results must be recorded in Sprinkler log book

Legislative

4. Water supplies and their alarms

Each water supply shall be tested with each control valve set in the system. The pump(s), if fitted, in the supply shall start automatically and the supply pressure at the appropriate flow rate shall be no less than the appropriate value

All results must be recorded in Fire Alarm log book

3M 3. Water supplies

and their alarms

Each water supply shall be tested with each control valve set in the system. The pump(s), if fitted, in the supply shall start automatically and the supply pressure at the

appropriate flow rate shall be no less than the appropriate value in accordance with clause 10 PUMPS [BS EN 12845:2004+A2:2009 incorporating corrigendum August 2009] and recognising any changes

All results must be recorded in Sprinkler log book

Legislative

Previous Version

Updated Version Reason For

Change 5. Electrical

supplies

Any secondary electrical supplies from diesel generators shall be checked for satisfactory operation.

All results must be recorded in Fire Alarm log book

3M 4. Electrical

supplies

Any secondary electrical supplies from diesel generators shall be checked for satisfactory operation.

All results must be recorded in Sprinkler log book

Legislative

6. Stop valves All stop valves controlling the flow of water to sprinklers shall be operated to ensure that they are in working order and securely

refastened in the correct mode.

This shall include the stop valves on all water supplies, at the alarm valve(s) and all zone or other subsidiary stop valves.

All results must be recorded in Fire Alarm log book

3M 5. Stop valves All stop valves controlling the flow

of water to sprinklers shall be operated to ensure that they are in working order and securely

refastened in the correct mode.

This shall include the stop valves on all water supplies, at the alarm valve(s) and all zone or other subsidiary stop valves.

All results must be recorded in Sprinkler log book

Legislative

7. Flow switches Flow switches shall be checked for correct function.

All results must be recorded in Fire Alarm log book

3M 6. Flow switches Flow switches shall be checked for

correct function.

All results must be recorded in Sprinkler log book

Legislative

8. Replacement The number and condition of replacement parts held as spare shall be checked.

All results must be recorded in Fire Alarm log book

3M 7. Replacement The number and condition of

replacement parts held as spare shall be checked.

All results must be recorded in Sprinkler log book

Legislative

1. Dry alarm valves

The moving parts of dry alarm valves, any accelerators and exhausters, in dry pipe installations and subsidiary extensions shall be exercised in accordance with the supplier’s instructions.

NOTE Alternate installations need not be tested in this way since they are exercised twice a year as a result of the changeover from wet to dry operation and back.

6M 1. Dry alarm

valves

The moving parts of dry alarm valves, any accelerators and exhausters, in dry pipe installations and subsidiary extensions shall be exercised in accordance with the supplier’s instructions.

Alternate installations need not be tested in this way since they are exercised twice a year as a result of the changeover from wet to dry operation and back.

All results must be recorded in Sprinkler log book

Legislative

Previous Version

Updated Version Reason For

Change

In document Maintenance Task Schedule. Comparison of Changes - pre and post November Legislative changes. November 2012 (Page 33-38)