Fire sprinkler problem at work!

[NPloysa]

Monday we had a little problem. Sprinkler head broke and opened up our wet system.



For those of you who did not read my thread about my new job, well, this happened in a wildlife museum.



The head popped and the whole wet system drained, luckily only onto the wood floor on the main floor, splashed on a bronze statue. The other problem was of course, where was this water going.



Yep, downstairs into the taxidermy storage, with millions of dollars worth of taxidermy. It leaked through the floor and ductwork onto 18 zebra/lion/antelope/rhino skins.



We dried it all out but the floor is still warped, the underlayment is probably ruined, the drywall is falling apart and no one is quite sure why the head popped. We are guessing a chunk froze upstream, pressurized the water and broke the head.



My question: WHY did someone put a wet sprinkler system on the external side of the insulation that is vented to the outside!?!?!?!?!?



We are going to try to vent that space to the room so we can get some air circulation up there to keep it above freezing. The air handler will not run with that system turned off, nor will it meet our fire protection safety specs for that part of the building if its turned off or dry.

 

[JPope]

My question: WHY did someone put a wet sprinkler system on the external side of the insulation that is vented to the outside!?!?!?!?!?



2 possible answers:

1. Money, much cheaper all wet than dry system!!

2. Head in a dark place! Similar to a grease duct system where the last head is near the exterior and when it gets cold and hood exhaust is off, it freezes. Or see #1, as the alternatives are more costly!!

 

[Firewalker]

Another fix would be to take that one line and have it converted to antifreeze they do this in coolers and freezers. Involves puting a difrent head on , and a check valve inthe line up stream in climate controaled area (Warm) so what happens if that head does go the first 2 or 4 gallons in RV Antifreeze that dumps out, then water... .



Check with your local fire sprinkler installer... ...



ken

 

[ronco]

What a bummer! I would think that a sprinkler head would plug a lot of pressure. If I remember right, wet systems can have around 800 P. S. I easily! Not an easy solution either way.



Ronco

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Ive been thru this waaay too may times to discuss. The last event was a 2" carrier CPVC line that had frozen solid and pressure held back via an ice plug that had to be 5 feet into soe unsplit pipe. Once the thatw took place POW! I lost what had to be 15,000 gallons and 1/3 of that took out some bottom floor apartments ... Thankfully the rest wound up outside.





An anti-freeze convert prolly won't happen even if you had a double check Y backflow preventer. I have 8 Doublechecks all in Y config @ 4" here at the property and all are riggerously gone over every year by our fire Marshall.



As for system design ... . . I wonder. Our buildings here in the North East aren't the best insulated units in teh world. However 60% of each building's Fire supression run thru the garages which have no heat and are exposed to whatever the outside temperature is. All branch down from there off the 3" carrier (Which feeds the seccond floor) and into 1" branch circuits and then 3/4 drops and dry pendants. The dry Pendants are there mainly for when the pipe is in a warm chase and the head needs to be in an unheated area. OUR WHOLE DAMN SUBSYSTEM is in an unheated area. (Southern Boys build in a northern climate ) Not their fault it's the moron inspector that was here at the time.

 

[KS_Cummins]

I would also check with the sprinkler head manufacturer. I know of one manufacturer that has had problems and has recalled some heads for going off for no apparent reason. You can always mention this to your insurance company who will then check into it for you since they are always looking to subrogate to recover some of there losses. They have there own investigators for these things. They should also be checking that the original installation was up to code and properly installed, if it was not they can go back on the original installer for faulty workmanship. I use to do these investigations for insurance companies so if you need any help feel free to email me.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Central Fire Sprinkler is one of the recall companies. I just and still am going thru a 2700 head replacement.



CPSC, Central Sprinkler Company Announce Voluntary Recall To Replace O-Ring Fire Sprinklers

WASHINGTON, D. C. - The U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and Central Sprinkler Company, an affiliate of Tyco Fire Products LP, of Lansdale, Pa. , are announcing a voluntary replacement program. The company will provide free parts and labor to replace 35 million Central fire sprinklers with O-ring seals. The program also includes a limited number of O-ring models sold by Gem Sprinkler Company and Star Sprinkler, Inc. totaling about 167,000 sprinkler heads.



Central initiated this action because it discovered the performance of these O-ring sprinklers can degrade over time. These sprinkler heads can corrode or minerals, salts and other contaminants in water can affect the rubber O-ring seals. These factors could cause the sprinkler heads not to activate in a fire. Central is providing newer fire sprinklers that do not use O-ring seals, and is voluntarily launching this program to provide enhanced protection to its sprinkler customers. This is the third largest replacement program in CPSC history.



"I am pleased that Central is voluntarily undertaking this major program proactively to replace sprinklers nationwide and protect consumers from the risk of fire," said CPSC Chairman Ann Brown.



Central will provide free of charge replacement sprinkler heads and the labor needed to replace the sprinklers. Central will arrange for the installation by using either its own Central Field Service crews or by contracting with professional sprinkler contractors.



This replacement program includes two kinds of sprinklers, "wet" and "dry. " "Wet" sprinklers are installed in piping that is filled with water. "Dry" sprinklers are used in areas that may be exposed to very cold temperatures and the exposed piping does not contain water. Central has received 4 reports of "wet" sprinklers failing to activate during a fire and 9 similar reports on "dry" sprinklers. These incidents resulted in two property damage claims against Central.



The sprinklers were installed nationwide in a wide variety of buildings, including houses, apartments, hospitals, day care facilities, schools, dormitories, nursing homes, supermarkets, parking garages, warehouses, and office buildings.



Central manufactured 33 million "wet" sprinklers with O-rings from 1989 until 2000 that are covered by this program. Central also manufactured 2 million "dry" sprinklers with O-rings from the mid-1970's to June 2001 that are covered by this program. The program also covers 167,000 sprinklers with O-rings manufactured by Gem Sprinkler Co. and Star Sprinkler Inc. from 1995 to 2001. A listing of all the models covered under this voluntary replacement program is attached to the end of this release.



The fire sprinkler heads have the words "CENTRAL" or "STAR", the letters "CSC", the letter "G" in triangle, or a star-shaped symbol stamped on either the metal sprinkler frame or on the deflector. The model designation and date may also be stamped on the frame or deflector. The deflector is the flower, or gear-shaped metal piece at one end of the sprinkler head.



[EDIT] Pulled out Pics as Dial up would fry

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Typical "Dry" Sprinkler





Laboratory testing has indicated that most of the heads would operate in a fire situation, but certain tested heads required higher water pressure to activate than may be available in particular buildings. Due to the number of sprinklers involved, this program will be phased in, with priority based on the age of the sprinklers, the population affected (e. g. , buildings such as nursing homes and hospitals will be given priority), and whether the sprinklers show signs of corrosion or leakage. This program puts in place an orderly process that serves the public interest.



Building and home owners should check their fire sprinklers immediately to see if they are part of this voluntary replacement program. For more information on how to identify sprinklers subject to this program and to learn how to participate in this program, call the Notice Packet Request Line at 1-800-871-3492 24 hours a day, 7 days a week or access the program's web site at http://www.sprinklerreplacement.com/.



The Commission is currently working with the sprinkler industry to improve sprinkler reliability and upgrade existing standards and codes.



The Commission and Central emphasize that for sprinkler systems to be effective, they must be regularly inspected, and maintained like a building's heating, cooling, electrical and elevator systems. In addition, the most recent industry standards state that dry sprinkler heads should be tested, and replaced if necessary, at least every 10 years. Central believes all fire sprinkler heads should be tested no later than 10 years after installation, and depending on water quality and other factors, more frequent testing may be appropriate.



Central is also contacting foreign governments to facilitate the replacement of these O-ring sprinklers that may be installed in their countries.



Consumers should always take precautions to make sure they are fully protected from a fire, even if they have fire sprinklers in their homes. There should be at least one fully operational smoke detector on every floor of a home, especially near bedrooms. To ensure that the detector's batteries are working, test the detector every month. Consumers also should have a well defined and rehearsed escape plan and an alternate escape plan in the event of a fire. A free copy of "Your Home Fire Safety Checklist" is available from CPSC by calling (800) 638- 2772, or by writing to CPSC, Washington, D. C. 20207.





AFFECTED MODELS CENTRAL "WET" SPRINKLERS

(Manufactured from 1989-2000)



GB GB4-FR GB-R1 BB2 ELOC ELO-GB QR

GB-J GB4-EC GB-RS BB3 ESLO LD

GB-1 GB4-QREC GB-R SD1 ELO SW-20 K17-231

GB-ALPHA GB-20 ROC SD2 ELO SW-24 Ultra K17

GB4 GB-20 QR BB1 17/32 SD3 ESLO-20 GB ELO-16 GB

GB-QR GB-LO BB2 17/32 HIP ELO-231 GB GB MULTI-LEVEL

GBR-2 LF BB3 17/32 WS ELO-GB GB-QR MULTI-LEVEL

GB-EC GBR BB1 ELO-LH ELO-231 GBQR ELO-16 GB FR





CENTRAL "DRY" SPRINKLERS (Manufactured from Mid-1970s-2001)



A-1 GB GB4-EC ELO-16 GB

H-1 GB-QR GB4-QREC ELO-16 GB

J GB4 ELO-231 GB

K GB4-FR ELO-GB QR





GEM "WET" SPRINKLERS (Sold under Gem name from 1995-2001)



F927



STAR "DRY" SPRINKLERS (Manufactured from 1996-1998)



ME-1 SG

SG-QR Q

Q-QR









The U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission protects the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death from 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270, or visit CPSC's web site at http://www.cpsc.gov/talk.html. For information on CPSC's fax-on-demand service, call the above numbers or visit the web site at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/103.html. To order a press release through fax-on-demand, call (301) 504-0051 from the handset of your fax machine and enter the release number. Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC's web site at http://www.cpsc.gov.

 

[Scot]

Wet systems normally run at hydrant pressure which will be 30-100 lbs. Some applications willl use a fire pump to lift or boost pressure. Highest pressure off a fire pump I have seen is about 175 lbs.



We pump them to 150 or 175 lbs in the fire service if we believe there is a fire. Much more risks braking pipe.



I have seen space heater setups in the attic space set at a low temp to try to prevent freezing.

 

[NPloysa]

Thank you for all the time and helping me figure this problem out. I will post back to you with what we did and results of that. Thanks again.



Nick