Devin Doyle of Santa Ana is a business owner of several equipment fabrication companies in the western US. In the following article, Devin Doyle discusses the importance of having a sprinkler system, the types of sprinkler systems, and how to maintain a sprinkler system in a commercial setting.
Buildings, especially those in the commercial sector are subject to an extensive list of fire safety requirements. So, why is it important to ensure a commercial building is fitted with a fire sprinkler system?
Devin Doyle of Santa Ana says that fire sprinkler systems are one of the first lines of defense in the event of a fire. Activated by both heat and smoke levels, they can ensure the safety of people and the building itself. Even in the event of a large blaze, they help to slow down the fire’s spread to allow for evacuation and limit the damage caused until the fire service arrives.
Reasons for a Commercial Fire Sprinkler System
• Reliability
Devin Doyle of Newport Beach says that studies have shown that in instances where a fire has occurred, the sprinkler system is activated 9 out of 10 times. The primary reason why the rest did not activate was due to poor maintenance of the system.
• Inventory Protection
Devin Doyle Diablo says that early activation of a fire sprinkler system helps to protect the contents of a commercial building. This minimizes losses which can quickly add up. Although the stock may be water damaged, it has a greater chance of being recovered and reduces the time a business is out of operation.
• Saves Lives
Devin Doyle Diablo reports that fire sprinkler systems can help to slow the spread of a fire. This gives extra time to everyone inside to be able to evacuate safely. A study from the National Fire Protection Association concluded that in a building with working sprinklers, there have never been more than two fatalities recorded.
• Legal Requirements
The National Fire Prevention Association sets out the standard for sprinkler systems within commercial properties reports Devin Doyle of Santa Ana. These are covered under standard
NFPA 13. In simple terms, a commercial building must have sprinklers installed across the entire building unless it can be argued that an area does not need them, or a better fire prevention method would be more effective.
Devin Doyle on Commercial Sprinkler System Types
Devin Doyle Diablo says that it is advised that businesses enlist the assistance of a dedicated fire protection company to fit their sprinkler system in line with requirements. However, the type of sprinkler system that is installed is important to consider for each individual commercial building’s needs.
The most commonly used is a wet pipe system, where the water needed is already present and ready to be released upon demand. But this will not work for all properties.
If a business is located in an area that is prone to cold temperatures or has large amounts of unheated space, a dry pipe system ensures the sprinklers don’t freeze over. This is achieved by filling the pipes with air or gas, which is expelled and replaced by water when the system is activated.
Enterprises working with hazardous or highly flammable materials won’t want water slowly raining down from the ceiling! In this instance, a deluge system will rapidly flood the affected area to limit the damage and danger caused.
In the same vein, Devin Doyle explains that businesses with highly valuable items or important electrical equipment such as servers and data centers ideally would like to avoid water as much as possible. A pre-action system requires certain conditions in order to activate, and some models can use gas to smother the fire without causing water damage.
Maintenance of Commercial Sprinkler Systems
Maintenance of a commercial business’s sprinkler system is essential in making sure that it remains operational if it is ever needed. As a result, the guidelines set out by the National Fire Prevention Association in
NFPA 25 indicate the need for regular inspections of a building’s sprinkler system, ranging from every month to every 5 years.
Basic checks to make sure that the sprinkler system’s gauges are needed on a regular basis, but for more in-depth checks, such as the pipework and alarm switches, it is suggested these happen annually.
Devin Doyle of Santa Ana says that hiring a fire protection specialist to carry out in-depth safety checks and maintenance is advised. They will be able to assess a business’s particular use case and propose an appropriate inspection and maintenance schedule, as well as compile the necessary reports and paperwork.
Overview of Sprinkler System Benefits
In summary, fire sprinkler systems are essential in any commercial building, providing safety and protection for employees, customers, and assets. The diversity of types of systems allows them to suit different enterprises, cutting insurance costs and potential losses from the risk of fire.
