Dry sprinklers allow you to protect people and property from fires in environments that are prone to freezing. Since dry sprinklers are more complicated than wet sprinkler systems and are exposed to harsher environments on a daily basis, you need to ensure you are taking extra care of them.

The guidelines found in NFPA 25: Standard for the Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems include inspections that take place daily, weekly and monthly. There are also inspections that can occur quarterly, yearly or longer.

How Do Dry Sprinklers Work?

Dry systems are able to avoid frozen pipes because they carry pressurized air or nitrogen instead of keeping the water in the pipes. The gas will hold the dry valve closed. The sprinkler system is activated when the heat from a fire activates a sprinkler head, which will release the water supply onto the fire.

What Does A Dry Sprinkler Valve Inspection Involve?

The first step involved in a dry valve sprinkler inspection is a visual inspection. All sprinkler heads, the pipes and other parts of the system will be looked at to make sure it is free from physical damage and appears to be in operating condition. Any type of damage that can be seen visually can compromise the entire system, rendering it ineffective during a fire.

After this, data like water and air/nitrogen pressure are recorded. Then a series of opening and closing different valves within the system occurs, after water drainage. Once finished, all valves are closed and reset and the air pressure is restored. This is by no means a step by step guide to performing a proper inspection and if you are not a licensed professional, you should not attempt to perform the inspection by yourself.

The NFPA guidelines are complex but at the end of the day, you need to be making the inspection and maintenance requirements to ensure that your dry sprinkler system is able to do its job and protect against fires on your property.

Call Mountain Fire Protection at 604-730-2989 today for all of your dry sprinkler valve inspection needs, whether that be daily, weekly, monthly or yearly.

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