Responding to an activated fire alarm is a daily occurrence for most fire departments. Many times the fire alarm is a false alarm, but what happens to our responses when then alarm is based on a sprinkler system activation? Many departments will request a full alarm assignment or even add additional units. The alarm condition may be indicated by a water flow alarm, multiple water flow alarms, or reports from the occupant.
When an automatic sprinkler system has activated there are a couple of outcomes. The system may have been activated due to a fire, broken pipe, or accidental sprinkler activation. Based on these different situations, our responses will vary. Regardless of the situation the public expects the men and women who arrive to solve their problem. This may include recommendations on how to restore the system.
The response should be based on department policy, although it is important for crews to determine the size and extent of the fire. The responding engine companies may need to supplement the system through the fire department connection. The NFPA 13E Standard provides specific guidance on proper techniques and response routes. This may include which engine supplies the fire department connection and at what pressures.
Recommended Operating Procedures For Fires
Depending on the system age, design pressures, or capacity the recommended pressures are based around 150 pounds per square inch (psi) at the connection. It is important to note that certain buildings will require additional pressures due to system design and may be indicated on the ring around the fire department connection. These specific conditions are a great supporting reason for a documented pre-plan.
As the units begin to arrive and size up the situation, interior crews should take note of the fire conditions. These may include a fire under control or a fire which is spreading to additional areas. When system engineers design sprinkler systems, they are based on the use of the space or contents stored. If tenants change the commodity storage or type of product without proper evaluation of the sprinkler system, it is possible for the new configuration to affect the performance of the system. This could be a possible cause for the fire to not be controlled by the sprinkler system. Keep in mind that each sprinkler system is not the same. As the fire load increases, the sprinkler flow and pressure will rise. A sprinkler in an office may be designed for 15 gallons per minute (gpm), while a sprinkler in a warehouse could be designed at 75 gpm or higher.
During the design process of the sprinkler system, it is the intent to control the fire and prevent flashover from occurring. Malicious activity, including shutting down the sprinkler system or a suspicious fire with fires in two locations could be the cause of the spread of fire. Additional crews should investigate the riser assembly and ensure the valves are in the open position or the status of the buildings fire pump (if provided).
Interior crews should use proper protective equipment, including self-contained breathing apparatus, thermal imaging cameras, and proper techniques in these environments. Once the fire is extinguished, crews should work with the incident commander to shut down the affected portion of the sprinkler system. The investigator should determine the number of sprinklers which operated and if the system performed as expected and order the repair of the system by an approved contractor.
Accidental Sprinkler Discharge
Does our response change when the system is an accidental discharge? Accidental discharge could include a broken pipe, broken sprinkler due to an operational process, or even a frozen pipe that was not properly drained.
Crews must ensure that the system activation was an accidental discharge and not due to fire. Once this is determined, the company officer may order the system to be shut down. The crews should work to only shut down the affected area and open the appropriate drain. This may be a floor, one system riser, or it may be the entire system because there is only one system valve.
The next steps are critical in making sure the building occupants are safe during the impairment process of the system. The responding company officer may contact the department Fire Marshal or provide direct feedback to the occupant. First, the building occupant should contact the approved sprinkler contractor to perform the repair. While the contractor works to fix the system, the space or building should be placed on fire watch and the clean-up process will start.
Depending on the amount of damage by the system, the insurance carrier for the occupant or owner will have a legitimate restoration company respond. These firms specialize in water removal and restoration. Depending on the area of damage, the remediation of the water damage can affect the building occupancy.
It is important to note that the reason for the accidental discharge should be investigated by the fire department. If a pipe froze, the piping arrangement should be change and ensured to meet the installation requirements of NFPA 13, Installation Standard for Automatic Sprinkler Systems.
Properly installed and maintained systems are a life saving tool which ensure safety for occupants. When these systems activate and extinguish fires the department's response to supplement or return the system to service is as critical to the response. If responding firefighters are unfamiliar with the components of the systems in the response area, it is a great idea to get with your fire marshal or inspector and review the system components. Performing a company walk-through with multiple "what if?" scenarios can be a great training sessions for all levels of responding firefighters.
Related Links
- NFPA 13E: Recommended Practice for Fire Department Operations in Properties Protected by Sprinkler and Standpipe Systems
- Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition's "Living with Sprinklers" Information
- American Fire Sprinkler Association's Frequently Asked Questions
- Inspector911.com
MICHAEL O'BRIAN, is a fire marshal for the Brighton Area Fire Authority in Michigan. Brian is the president of Code Savvy Consultants and is the creator of the dynamic webpage www.inspector911.com that is designed to assist all types of inspectors by providing resources, information, checklists and up-to-date news. To read Michael's complete biography and view his archived articles, click here. You can reach Michael by e-mail at [email protected]..
