Fire Safety
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The Importance Of Ensuring Your Fire Suppression System Is Winter Ready
Winter is here, and it usually brings freezing temperatures. But while it’s easy to focus on outdoor elements – such as car parks, forecourts, and roofs – and making sure they’re set up to cope with a cold snap, internal infrastructure shouldn’t be overlooked. Here, Mark Thewlis, Operations Director at ESG-focused fire
suppression system provider,Alpine Fire, discusses the fire suppression system checks FM managers should undertake to minimise risks to safety and ensure business continuity throughout the colder months.
Building and facilities managers understand the critical role fire suppression systems play in life safety and protecting property, but it’s essential that regular maintenance is undertaken to ensure optimal performance. Seasonal inspections are just as important too, as fluctuations in temperature can adversely affect the efficacy of a system.
Going through a series of basic checks on a fire suppression system during the winter season will ensure it’s in full working order and is set up for whatever the cold conditions may bring.
Fire Pump Room
An important starting point is to inspect the fire pump room – this critical asset literally drives the system when needed – and check that the heaters are operational, and the thermostats are set correctly. This external housing should not drop below 10 degrees Celsius if diesel pumps are being used, or 4 degrees Celsius if electric powered. This can easily happen if temperatures outside are sub-zero. Finally, FM managers should keep an eye out for any leaks or excess water on the floor that may freeze.
External Valve Chambers
Elsewhere, external valve chambers should be looked at, too. Where valve sets envelope,
are positioned external to the building it’s important to ensure the heating systems are
operational and correctly set. In addition, it is prudent to be mindful of the risks that may present where water run-off generated during tests and checks may freeze and create a health and safety issue.
If any ‘dry pipe’ or ‘alternate’ systems are present, these should also be in the right mode.
32 fmuk Water Storage Tanks
Last but not least, attention should be paid to water tanks. Once again, all heating systems should be operational and set correctly. It’s important to also visually inspect around the tank for any signs of leaks, as this can not only effect operational performance but be a freeze hazard, too. The final step on the checklist is the top of the tank. It’s crucial to ensure the overflow pipe is free from running water as, again, this could freeze when the temperatures plummet.
Why Are These Checks So Important? Winter maintenance checks to a fire suppression system may seem like a time-consuming task which creates another job on a to-do list, but the importance of doing them can’t be overstated. A cold snap in December 2022 ended a 15-month run of above-average temperatures in the UK. The conditions caused burst pipes, water escapes, and other freeze-related claims. Repairing these issues can all be costly, while significant damage can easily lead to a system becoming inoperable and a facility being unprotected.
Next Steps
Given the potential consequences of not preparing sufficiently for the winter months, acting now is key.
Contact your fire suppression system provider today if you have any questions or need support with any of the above steps.
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