As a business owner or property manager of a building protected by a fire sprinkler system, you have likely learned that the NFPA requires you to keep both spare sprinklers and a sprinkler wrench in a special cabinet on your premises.
If you are like many, you may have questioned the validity of this requirement, but its importance cannot be overstated.
Why You Need Them
The need to keep spare fire sprinklers on hand is due to how they operate and the urgency with which they need to be replaced should they be damaged or activated:
- In case of fire:
Most fire sprinklers are activated by a heat-sensitive bulb that bursts when temperatures reach fire levels.
Once a sprinkler activates and its bulb bursts, it becomes inoperable and will not work a second time, leaving that space unprotected until it is replaced.
- In case of damage:
A sprinkler that becomes damaged or affected by overspray can become inoperable, leaving that space vulnerable.
Furthermore, depending on the extent of the damage, the entire system may be compromised and may need to be shut down in order for the faulty sprinkler head to be replaced and the system as a whole to function properly.
Keeping Your Property Protected
In either of the above instances, since your property and those in it are left unprotected from fire, speed is of utmost importance.
You do not have time to order a new sprinkler head and wait for it to arrive to replace the faulty or used sprinkler.
Furthermore, because there is such a wide variety of sprinkler systems, each with their own fire ratings, orifice sizes, thread sizes, and trim plates, it is vitally important that you have spares of the exact same make and model ready to go.
Because each fire sprinkler system is so different, the matching manufacture-specified sprinkler wrenches must also be kept on hand, so that you are able to remove damaged / activated sprinklers and install the new ones promptly.
The Regulations: What You Need
So, what exactly does NFPA 13 6.2.9 require?
There are essentially 3 main elements that you must satisfy:
- A supply of no less than six spare sprinklers of the exact same types and temperature ratings as those installed on the property must be kept on premises in a cabinet
- no less than 12 spares if there are between 300-1,000 sprinklers on the property
- no less than 24 spares if there are more than 1,000 sprinklers
- One sprinkler wrench matching sprinkler manufacturer specifications for each type of sprinkler must be kept in the cabinet with the spares
- A list detailing all of the sprinklers installed on the property, SINs, basic descriptions, quantity of each type in the cabinet, and issue date of the list, must be kept in the cabinet
Don’t Spare a Moment – Contact Koorsen Today
The protection of your building and those inside it is not something to take lightly.
If you are unsure whether you have all the spare parts and tools you need to upkeep your fire sprinkler system, contact the experts at Koorsen. They can answer your questions or arrange a visit.
