The fire sprinkler system is one of the most effective fire safety tools and minimizes damages significantly during a fire emergency. However, sometimes your sprinkler system may activate involuntarily. Many factors such as leaks, overheating, freezing weather, lack of fire sprinkler maintenance, or if a sprinkler head is accidentally severed during moving equipment can trigger the accidental activation of your sprinkler system. So, if your building has a fire sprinkler system, you should be knowledgeable about how to prevent unintentional activation and what to do in case the sprinkler system has been triggered accidentally.
Following are a few tips on preventing and handling accidental fire sprinkler activation:
- Train your employees
Although accidental fire sprinkler activations are not very common, it is recommended to provide appropriate training to your employees regarding the factors that may trigger unintentional activation. The risk factors, such as tampering with sprinkler heads, accidentally hitting sprinkler heads, mechanical damage, exposure to freezing or overheating, etc., can cause accidental fire sprinkler activation. Your employees should also be trained to shut off the water supply or shut down the system quickly during unintentional sprinkler activation.
- Protective measures for sprinkler heads
If your commercial building actively operates activities that may cause accidental damage to sprinkler heads, it is recommended to take appropriate protective measures for the safety of the sprinkler heads. You may opt to install a protective guard or metal cages around the sprinkler heads to prevent damages. It is also recommended to invest in prevention tools such as quick sprinkler shutoff tools, sprinkler water stop valves, and sprinkler wedges to temporarily stop the water flow in case of accidental activation. These tools can effectively minimize water damages in a water sprinkler emergency.
- Regular inspection and maintenance
Accidental sprinkler system activation happens rarely and can be prevented when your sprinkler system is regularly inspected and well-maintained. It is recommended to schedule fire sprinkler services periodically. Fire sprinkler maintenance would ensure that your sprinkler is well functioning. If there are any leaks or damages revealed during the inspection, appropriate measures can be taken to prevent accidental activation in the future.
If you are concerned about accidentally triggering the fire sprinkler system or your sprinkler system has not been inspected in over a year, get in touch with our licensed professionals to schedule a fire sprinkler inspection today!
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