The Importance of Having a Well Maintained Fire Sprinkler

The Importance of Having a Well Maintained Fire Sprinkler

If you own a commercial building, you probably already know how important it is to have a fire sprinkler system installed in that building – after all, they can reduce property damage by as much as 67%! But just having a fire sprinkler system installed in your building isn’t enough – you need to make sure it is well maintained.

As important as it is, fire sprinkler maintenance is fairly easy (good thing!). All it requires is a little care on your part and a few calls to a fire protection services company.

Keeping Your Sprinklers Maintained

Schedule regular maintenance – according NFPA regulations, you should have your fire sprinkler system inspected and serviced at least annually (though about four times a year is preferable). For maximum protection, you should also make sure you have your system serviced every time you:

  • Install or modify a backflow preventer or water meter
  • Change the occupancy or use of your building
  • Do any remodeling in your business
  • Face changes in public water supply, such as in response to water shortages

Take care of your sprinkler on your own – while they won’t get you out of your recommended inspections, there are a number of things you can do in between said inspections to make sure your sprinklers are kept in top shape.

  • Never paint your sprinkler heads
  • Never hang anything from your sprinkler heads
  • Never stack anything close to your sprinkler (as a general rule, try to keep items at least 18 inches below it)
  • Always report any signs of damage to your sprinkler to your fire inspection company immediately
  • Always make sure your control valves are in the open position (the NFPA recommends that you check this once a week)

Benefits of Regular Sprinkler Maintenance

Insurance benefits – insurance companies tend to give discounts, usually between 5-10%, to businesses that have working and tested fire sprinkler systems installed in their offices. On the flip side, the insurance companies levy pretty severe penalties on businesses that don’t have sprinkler systems or don’t have them regularly maintained (yes, they will consider your building unsprinklered if you don’t have your system inspected regularly).

Peace of mind – regular inspections can help point out potential issues with your sprinkler system before they become big problems. That way, you’ll know that you don’t have to wait until your building is on fire to realize there’s something wrong with your sprinkler!

Freedom from liability – if you don’t have a fire sprinkler system installed in your building, you might not get coverage for damages in the event of a fire – even if your local fire code doesn’t require a fire sprinkler. Payouts for these damages, along with losses of productivity and information, have put many businesses under.