In buildings with sprinklers, the fire sprinkler heads discharge water in the event of a fire. They are reliable, and sprinkler activations) are uncommon other than due to a fire or mechanical damage.
How to Disable a Fire Sprinkler
When a fire sprinkler head is operational, the water being discharged will flow from a water supply. The Fire and Rescue Service will determine whether it is safe to turn off the water supply in the event of a fire. In the event of damage, the water supply must only be isolated by a person with the authority to do so – and who is competent to remove the sprinkler head.
Modification to a sprinkler system
When alterations are made to the building, it may be necessary to modify fire sprinklers to suit the new layout. This may mean the fire sprinklers must be isolated. This work should only be done by a competent fire safety contractor.
The design of sprinklers is complex and involves a number of criteria: selection of the correct sprinkler head; the right spacing and location of sprinkler heads; the pipework diameter; and the brackets’ locations. In some cases, a hydraulic calculation may be needed. Sprinkler design work must only be carried out by competent fire safety engineers.
The system might not work correctly if it was not designed and installed by a competent fire safety contractor, and changes may need to be recorded on documentation such as LPS 1048: Requirements for the approval of sprinkler systems in the UK and Ireland.
The system may have to be drained down before carrying out the work and it may also require the isolation of the fire alarm or air compressors. The system will have to be refilled, flushed, and tested after the work. Again, this work should also only be done by a competent sprinkler contractor.
RV Fire Systems
For guidance on fire safety compliance and expert advice on fire doors, call the professionally certified fire alarms company and FSA accredited fire alarm specialists RV Fire Systems on:-
Clitheroe Fire Alarms:- 01200 439333
Preston Fire Alarms:- 01772 970411
Manchester Fire Alarms:- 0161 8260480
Blackburn Fire Alarms:- 01254 367611
Blackpool Fire Alarms:- 01253 804199
