Combat the Cold and Frozen Pipes with Inspection Services from Communication Company
Commercial businesses must comply with NFPA 25 code to ensure their fire protection systems function correctly. One of the most important elements of this code is the inspection and testing of water-based components.
Communication Company understands adhering to this code can be a difficult task for businesses and offers service contracts for fire-protection system inspections to make compliance as easy as possible for customers. With decades of experience in the industry and a team of highly skilled, well-trained technicians, Communication Company offers comprehensive inspection services designed to keep your fire-protection systems running at peak performance.
By proactively inspecting piping and equipment periodically, our technicians can detect any potential issues before they become costly problems. NFPA 25 requires all wet-pipe systems to be internally inspected every five years; in buildings having multiple wet-pipe systems, every other system must have an internal inspection. For instance, out of five systems, three would require internal piping assessments.
Communication Company can help you stay on track with this mandate by providing yearly or semi-annual inspections of your building's fire-protection systems.
How Our Technicians Can Help
Service contracts cover every aspect of NFPA 25, including piping inspections, a key detail to consider, especially in colder months. When inspecting piping, Communication Company technicians will examine all exposed pipes for corrosion or foreign materials that could impede operation.
Technicians will check for any obstructions in the internal piping network, such as rust or other debris buildups in sprinkler heads or valves that could impact performance. Inspectors also take proactive steps to prevent freezing by assessing external weather conditions and ensuring insulation is intact and functioning correctly on cold-weather systems.
If necessary, we can also employ camera scopes and air testing methods to verify the integrity of pressurized pipes within a system.
In cases where freezing is a concern due to extreme weather conditions or other environmental factors, Communication Company can recommend proactive measures such as additional insulation or heat tracing installation to protect commercial pipes from damage caused by cold temperatures. In addition to these insulation strategies, our technicians may install low-temperature alarms in areas prone to freezing as an extra precautionary measure.
Why a Service Contract?
One benefit of an ongoing service contract with Communication Company is customers can rest assured knowing their fire protection systems are being inspected regularly. With routine inspections of both exterior and interior piping, customers can devote attention to other tasks that need to be completed. Plus, our contracts can save customers time compared to setting up individual appointments when a one-time inspection is needed.
Communication Company’s team has extensive experience working within the requirements set forth by NFPA 25 for inspecting water-based fire protection systems, specifically the piping component. Our inspectors will use advanced tools and techniques during their assessments to detect any irregularities within pipes or valves before they become major problems down the line. In addition to examining pipes for corrosion or foreign material buildup, our technicians will measure pressure levels throughout your system to verify adequate water flow if needed in an emergency situation.
Though over time, we may become complacent when it comes to our own safety, staying informed about proper procedures for maintaining our local codes can go a long way towards preventing disaster from striking. Communication Company maintains detailed records of all inspection activities so our customers know exactly what was done and when in case they need proof of compliance in the future. Our experienced team is available 24/7/365 to offer insight into safety regulations or address emergency repair needs.
Contact Communication Company today with your questions or to learn more about our comprehensive inspection services!
Tips for Maintaining Fire Prevention Systems During Colder Months
Each year, there are several incidents across the country where facility sprinkler pipes freeze because of a lack of maintenance and human error. Damage costs resulting from frozen sprinkler pipes can reach millions of dollars, especially in multi-story buildings where pipes break on the top floor, and water then cascades to the bottom floors to the basement.
In almost every case, the water damage could have been prevented had the owner taken some basic precautions.
Exposed to freezing temperatures, the sprinkler system’s pipes can burst, leaving the building drenched in inches or even feet of water. To ensure an accident like this doesn’t happen, there are a few precautionary measures to take when the weather gets cold.
Check Your Heating System
Ensure the water running through your sprinkler system does not freeze during winter by checking your heating system as the weather gets cold.
While you are checking the heating system, also look around the entire building for cracks in windows and drafty areas. Seal up any gaps you find to keep your property warm and safe throughout the coldest months of the year.
How to Prepare Your Sprinkler System in the Winter
Take note that preventative maintenance will be the most helpful way to avoid any potential problems:
Insulate the attic, soffits, and eaves on your building.
Make sure there is enough weather stripping on exterior doors and windows.
Locate any damage or leaks in windows and doors and ensure they are repaired before winter.
Perform seasonal maintenance on any heating sources, including radiant heating.
For Dry Sprinkler Systems
Your building might be equipped with a dry sprinkler system. Consider some of these questions:
Is the air compressor system fully operational and well maintained?
Are all gauges operating and reflecting normally recommended readings?
Are all maintenance requirements completed, and is the entire system prepared for winter?
Are there any possible drips or leaks that could affect the performance of the sprinkler system?
Prevention of Pipe Freeze-Ups
Ensure the building envelope/exterior is in good condition and close unnecessary openings, especially doors, and windows.
Replace insulation where needed after making repairs.
Program building and equipment heating and insulation systems to maintain a minimum temperature of 60°F (16°C).
Check heating equipment to ensure it will maintain the building temperature above 60°F (16°C) and a minimum of 50°F at the coldest points (e.g., corners at the windward end of the building, at the eaves, and in spaces with no direct heat).
Provide adequate and safe additional emergency heating equipment in areas prone to freezing, and set it to activate automatically when the temperature falls below 60°F (16°C).
Identify any concealed space, such as the space above a suspended ceiling or a crawl space below the floor that may contain vulnerable piping. Consider providing temporary interior openings to allow heat to reach those areas.
Have your boiler maintenance company ensure fuel supplies will be adequate, mainly if supplied on an "interruptible" contract. If the backup fuel is oil, verify the tank is complete, and that the delivery system to the heating unit is fully operational.
Check pressure vessel vents, relief valves, and safety valves to ensure moving parts are protected.