Fire sprinkler systems are something that should be required by every building owner.
Sprinklers are quite efficient in putting out massive flames of fire.However, if not maintained properly, sprinkler systems can prove to be useless.Fire Sprinklers: How Often Do They Fail?Sprinkler systems — no matter how effective, might fail when they are needed the most.
It is unfortunate but true.According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) — sprinkler systems fail during 8% of fire accidents nationwide.
Approximately 60% of these failures are due to improper maintenance of the system.So, how frequently should you inspect your Fire Sprinkler System?The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) suggests that you or a qualified professional should inspect the sprinkler system on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.
Not only that, but the association also recommends having the systems examined four times a year by an authorized professional, also referred to as quarterly inspections.The Consequences of Not InspectingAs you can see from the figures above, sprinkler systems that fail to operate during fires due to improper maintenance and inspections — account for more than 5% of fire accidents.Property damage caused by fire accidents is sometimes irreversible.Such mishaps have the potential to ruin your valuables and several pieces of equipment.A fire that is not extinguished can cause serious bodily injury or even death.
Hence, perform the five actions listed below to confirm that your sprinklers are working properly.1) Make Sure the Sprinkler Heads Aren’t Blocked.Maintain a minimum of a foot and a half of open space beneath each sprinkler head.