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 not used to long periods of freezing temperatures. For these reasons, it is critical that every facility prepare for winter ...

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, "Drainage.  The piping between the check valve and the outside hose coupling shall be equipped with an approved automatic drip ...

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 required.  The base requirement in 25:5.2.1.1 is that sprinklers shall be inspected from the floor.  The inspection of sprinklers is to ...

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, according to the State, have only one licensed inspector yet provide sprinkler system inspection and testing for millions of square ...

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 of corrosion should be considered unacceptable. There is no definition in NFPA 25 for corrosion. The dictionary should be referenced ...

Welcome to our new site! Hopefully you will find it much more organized while finding the latest company and industry news posted regularly to our site. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to keep up with the latest news.