Did you know that there are multiple methods to inspect the internal piping condition of your sprinkler system? Modern assessment methods have shown to be more efficient and effective than the traditional inspection method, and, in most cases, serves as a better alternative for internal pipe assessment.
Every 5 years, a fire sprinkler’s internal pipe assessment should be conducted. During this assessment, the entire fire sprinkler must be shut down in your building. . A certified fire protection technician has to manually take the piping apart and visually check the inside of the pipe to make sure the system will work properly, in the event that a fire breaks out. It might take days- sometimes even weeks- to finish a manual internal piping inspection, and unfortunately, there is no guarantee a fire will not break out during this elongated period of time.
Fortunately, CertiPro Fire provides an innovative solution for 5 Years internal pipe assessment, which will be discussed further in this article. This alternative will allow for a continuously functioning fire sprinkler system, which means a safer environment for your building or home.
Why do I need a 5-year fire sprinkler inspection?
Automatic sprinkler systems have a phenomenal record for saving lives and reducing property damage—when they’re active. In order to confirm that the piping network associated with sprinkler systems has not become compromised, it requires that the internal condition of sprinkler system piping be assessed every five years.
Property managers keep their fire sprinkler systems working optimally in the long term because of NFPA 25’s 5-year inspection requirement. This inspection goes beyond the systems, valves, and piping and goes internal. It is especially important because pipe blockage is a common cause of a fire sprinkler system failure.
Materials blocking the fire sprinkler piping can cause either no water or insufficient water when a fire sprinkler activates during a fire. The 5-year inspection is the only inspection that ensures there are no blockages in the system, so water flows with the correct pressure.
This assessment, not to be confused with an obstruction investigation. Historically, it has been conducted by draining the system, disconnecting pipes and fittings, and physically looking inside the pipe. This is still the most common method for conducting the five-year internal assessment. It also requires the system (or at least a portion of it) to be out of service for a period of time.
“…This can mean several days (and in some cases weeks) of downtime for their sprinkler systems.”
For larger facilities or high-rise buildings with multiple systems, this can mean several days (and in some cases weeks) of downtime for their sprinkler systems. In many cases, shutting down the sprinkler systems means that day-to-day business operations must be halted or modified due to system shutdown. This can be costly from both a financial and a productivity perspective and is untenable to many owners and facility managers.
Most Common Fire Sprinkler Pipe Issues
Now that you are aware of how important this 5-year internal piping assessment is, you are probably wondering what issues these technicians are looking for that can compromise a fire sprinkler system.
Issues in a fire sprinkler system can vary broadly. Blockage in a pipe is one of the most common issues CertiPro sees in the pipes they inspect. There are at least 2 common causes for a fire system malfunction. What are they?
- Corrosion (MIC)
Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) is a bacteria that triggers corrosion. These micro-organisms release accelerates the corrosion process in your pipe. This type of corrosion happens over a long period of time and is considered a silent killer. You may be able to see the corrosion from the outside of the pipe if it has corroded far enough. The pipe will be a brownish-red color, and the corrosion will be obvious.
MIC bacteria have been reported to be extremely aggressive, with corrosion rates recorded as high as 20 to 100 miles per year (MPY). This makes the integrity of the four-inch (schedule 40) pipe subject to failure within one year.
What about the risk to the popular thin-walled (schedule-10) pipe? Neither is a long-term asset if MIC is not identified and controlled.
- NFPA 25,
If you are looking for the complete causes of internal pipe problems, look no further than NFPA 25. There is a reason why NFPA encourages home and building owners to do Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems.
Alternative Internal Pipe Assessment: Pulse-Echo Ultrasonic Technology.
As identified in A.14.2.1 of NFPA 25, though, draining the system and opening a flushing connection is not the only means for conducting the internal assessment. This section specifically states that “nondestructive or noninvasive methods for conducting the assessment are permitted.”
One such nondestructive approach involves the use of ultrasound or ultrasonic technology. This technology allows an assessment to be performed without shutting down the system as the testing is being conducted.
By applying ultrasonic transducers to the pipe’s exterior surface, internal conditions can be identified quickly and accurately. Pulse echo and guided wave technology are two types of ultrasounds that have been used in the sprinkler industry for years with great success.
Pulse echo ultrasonic technology works by measuring the amount of time it takes for an ultrasonic straight beam signal to travel through the wall of the pipe and reflect off the back wall, resulting in a “remaining wall thickness” measured down to 1/1000th of an inch.
Both technologies allow technicians to obtain an instantaneous understanding of the internal condition of a segment of pipe. This allows for dozens of pipe segments to be analyzed in the time it would normally take to look at only a handful of segments. It also allows facility managers to reduce operational downtime and maintain the facility’s normal operating schedule.
While draining the system and looking inside the pipe has remained an industry staple for conducting internal assessments, it is not the only recognized approach. For facilities that are sensitive to downtime or the potential for water damage, such as hospitals, data centers, and production facilities, alternative assessment methods may be a better fit and tell a more complete picture for the facility manager.
CertiPro Fire Patented Innovative 5 Year Internal Pipe Assessment.
CertiPro Fire and Life Safety Now Use This Innovative Technology for 5 Year Internal Piping Assessment. Our Partners At Sonic Inspection Corporation Bring A Patented, Non-Invasive Fire Suppression System Inspection
Sonic Inspection is a non-invasive fire suppression inspection company that began its journey in 2004. Their goal is to bring advanced technology into the fire suppression industry. Many aspects of the fire suppression industry have been improved through these innovative technological advancements, but the fire sprinkler pipe inspection solutions have remained the same.
For years, the industry has relied on invasive and time-consuming techniques to inspect and assess the internal condition of fire sprinkler pipes. Conventional methods of fire sprinkler pipe inspection required shutting down the entire fire suppression system, draining (part or all) of the system, physically cutting open the pipe in multiple locations, visually inspecting the pipe, and finally, sealing or closing the pipe system in multiple locations. This invasive technique causes disruption to business operations and system downtime resulting in additional cost.
Advancements in scanning technologies have found applications in the fire suppression industry. These innovative techniques for inspecting and assessing the internal condition of fire sprinkler pipes result in precise analytical data of the fire suppression system with no operational downtime and no destructive measures. These new proprietary ultrasonic scanning methods have forever changed the way fire sprinkler pipe systems will be inspected and assessed.
Our patented Guided Wrap Wave Ultrasonic (GWWU) technology is the only technology used for scanning fire suppression systems. This technology assesses the internal condition of the pipe without the hassle and risk of invasive practices. We can assess wet, dry, deluge, anti-freeze, pre-action, and/or any systems fabricated in carbon steel or galvanized steel. By using lamb waves that propagate around the circumference of the pipe we can detect corrosion, MIC, air pockets (in wet systems), wet pockets (in dry systems), ice plugs, wall loss/degradation, remaining wall thickness, and obstructions.
In 2013, Sonic Inspections met with Mathew Klaus, Editor and Principal Chief Fire Protection Engineer of NFPA 25 Water-Based Fire Protection Handbook, to review our technology. By 2014 Sonic Inspection’s technology was added to the code as an acceptable means of inspecting fire sprinkler pipes. Spending an afternoon with him led to us being approved and published in NFPA 25. Sonic Inspection offers solutions that are unmatched. Our client base includes facilities within DOD, DOE, public school districts, semiconductor companies, data centers, universities, hospitals, as well as buildings and warehouses across a variety of markets and industries. There is no fire suppression system too small or too large for the technology.
Today, they are nationally and internationally recognized for maximizing the in-service life of fire suppression systems and preventing unwarranted system replacement by offering industry-leading non-invasive fire suppression system inspection solutions that save businesses thousands of dollars in capital assets.They are grateful for their past and eager for their future. Their hearts and ongoing efforts are to save lives and property through innovation.
Save Yourself the Hassle. Call Us Today.
. CertiproFire technicians have extensive experience in performing complete assessments on-site. We have the expertise needed to recommend the ideal system that suits your property’s needs as well as your budget. We also provide installations in existing systems, inspection, maintenance, and repair services whenever needed.
Are you interested in receiving the Innovative Internal Pipe Assessment for your building in Arizona? Call us today at 1 480 829 7600 or connect with CertiPro Fire & Life Safety.