What temperature will activate a fire sprinkler?
Sprinklers are excellent at stopping a fire before it gets out of control, but it’s easy to wonder how reliable they are. Will they on...
Installing fire sprinklers is one of the best steps you can take to keep your property and its inhabitants safe from a fire. Like many systems with pipework, however, a sudden temperature drop can cause your sprinkler system to perform poorly – or not work at all.
When water freezes inside the pipes, it can block the flow when you need it most during a fire emergency. The pressure from frozen water can also damage the pipes, leading to cracks or bursts. Properly preparing your sprinkler system ahead of time is therefore crucial for preventing these risks and helping keep your property safe all year round.
It’s not just about safety, either – building codes and fire safety regulations often require you to keep fire sprinkler systems in good working order, so failing to winterise the system can lead to code violations and legal issues. Even worse, the costs of fixing and replacing damaged sprinkler components can add up quickly, so it’s always best to protect them from potential damage before it happens
With years of experience under our belts, the team at South Coast Fire Sprinklers are well-versed in installing and maintaining high-quality fire sprinkler systems. Below, we’ll walk you through all the steps you should take to keep your sprinklers in top condition all winter long.
1. Inspect Your Sprinkler System
Before you make any changes to your system, it’s a good idea to begin by inspecting your pipes and sprinkler heads. Keep an eye out for leaks, damaged pipes, or parts that might need some attention, and if you spot any issues, make sure to address them promptly to prevent any more damage. It’s also good practice to do some regular check-ins during the winter months to make sure no unexpected problems arise to cause trouble for your system.
2. Maintain a Sufficient Temperature
The pipes of most fire sprinkler systems are located in areas where it’s unlikely for temperatures to dip below 10°C. Homes and commercial buildings are typically heated during the winter, which keeps the pipes inside safe from freezing. However, if your sprinkler system’s pipes run through unheated rooms, you should leave the doors and air vents open to let warm air circulate around them. You might even consider installing a small heater nearby, just to be on the safe side.
3. Insulate Your Pipes
If your pipes are located in a place that makes heating impossible, there are still a few things you can do to protect them from freezing.
- Insulation: If you’re using a wet pipe sprinkler system that keeps water at the ready around the clock, think about adding insulation to your pipes. Insulating your pipes helps slow down the heat loss and keep the water inside above freezing, even when it’s 0°C outside. Keep an eye out for insulation with a high R-value; the higher it is, the better it protects your pipes from freezing.
- Heat tracing: When temperatures take a nosedive for an extended period, even well-insulated sprinkler pipes can freeze over. Heat tracing can prevent this – it wraps tightly around the pipe and automatically kicks into action when the temperature drops too low, generating heat when an electric current passes through it.
Talk to the South’s Leading Experts in Fire Sprinkler Maintenance
Don’t have the time to work on your system yourself, or simply prefer a professional touch? Talk to our expert team instead!
South Coast Fire Sprinklers are the South’s go-to specialists in fire sprinklers and misting systems. Thanks to our years of hands-on experience, we have the expertise to maintain and repair your sprinkler system to the highest standard, keeping it working its best even during the long winter months.
We pride ourselves on our reliable and punctual service, backed by the many accreditations we’ve earned over the years. Our mission is to be at your property when you need us, ready to carry out maintenance or repairs quickly, thoroughly, and with your safety in mind. We also provide a full system installation service, including monitoring systems!
Get a free quote online or give us a call on 01202 731111. We’re here to help and would be happy to answer any questions you may have about our maintenance service, so don’t hesitate to reach out to us today – we look forward to hearing from you!
