Sprinkler Head Replacement Question

[msample]

I'm trying to help a friend of mine who owns commercial real estate. He had some older sprinkler heads replaced by a fire protection company and had an issue when one was replaced and cross threaded. There was a good size leak and it was not detected for at least a full day. The question is - when a company replaces sprinkler heads aren't they supposed to check for leaks after the system is pressurized? He is the owner of the building and did not check himself and the fire company that replaced them did not check either and he feels that the company should have checked. Thanks for any help.

 

[SprinklerDesigner2]

The company should have checked.

Not always possible but I would have liked my guys to put a hydro on it to 200 psi for a couple hours. If I couldn't put a hydro, sometimes there are valid reasons of liability I wouldn't, I would instruct my guys to stand around for a couple hours just to make sure.

Leaks, sometimes they just happen. I've sent guys out who would put up a 1,000 head job and maybe one or two leaks under 200 psi but the next week I could send the same crew to do a simple 20 head job and for whatever reason we might end up with five or six leaks on using the same crew, same pipe and same power machines/threaders. I don't know why but sometimes it just happens.

Then there is a delayed leak. We install a 1,000 head job, hydro to 200 psi and not a leak. Nothing happens but mysteriously eight months later a leak just happens at a joint or weld. This should have been detected with the hydro but it didn't leak at this time so nothing to catch. Why? I have no idea but it does happen.

 

[skdesigner]

NFPA 13-2013 25.2.1.6 would probably apply here. If the work involves a modification that can't be isolated, testing in excess of system working pressure would not be required. Typically a fitter would give his work a once-over, but I can't see his company wanting to pay him to stand around in case a leak develops.

To echo SD2, leaks happen. Any reputable company will warrant their work, and send a man back to fix it.



R M Arsenault Engineering Inc.

http://www.rmae.ca