Almost every building in theUnited Statesis subject to severe winter weather. Buildings in the northern and central parts of the country may be more at risk, but the south is not exempt from ice storms and artic blasts. Actually, recent history shows that areas most vulnerable to damage are those in the southern portions of the country because they are ...

An Informal Interpretation from the American Fire Sprinkler Association:  Automatic Drip on Fire Department Connections  "Is a ball drip in a FDC required if the run is only 3 ft?  I have 20 plus buildings with all the same arrangement." We have reviewed NFPA 13, 2010 edition as the applicable standard.  Our informal interpretation is that automatic drips are required. Section 8.17.2.6 states, ...

An Informal Interpretation from the American Fire Sprinkler Association: "Is it mandatory during an annual inspection that every sprinkler in every room and closet be physically inspected for damage or change in use?"  We have reviewed NFPA 25, 2011 edition as the applicable standard.  Our informal interpretation is every sprinkler must be inspected but verification of change in use is not ...

Fire sprinklers systems can be complex, and the inspection standard, NFPA 25, is a complex document.  In Georgia, inspecting a sprinkler system according to this standard requires a license, and this license requires a base line of education and demonstrating the application of this education through testing.  Maintaining the license requires continuous education.  It is puzzling how an inspection company can, ...

An Informal Interpretation by the AFSA: “What is the definition of corrosion? If a sprinkler head is chrome and has turned green but does not have any build up on the sprinkler head is this corrosion? Does this sprinkler head have to be replaced?” We have reviewed NFPA 25, 2011 edition as the applicable standard. Our informal interpretation is that any amount ...