Freezing
Temperatures Challenge Fire Protection Systems
EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY
January 10, 2017
CONTACT
Michael Hilley, Public Information Officer
mhilley@redmond.gov
425-556-2200
REDMOND, WA -
As winter
continues to challenge the region with ice and cold temperatures, the City of
Redmond Fire Department reminds building owners that fire sprinkler systems are
the only proactive form of fire protection, mitigating the risk to individuals
affected by fire, including both occupants of the building and responding
firefighters. With temperatures plummeting, it is critical to protect fire
sprinkler system pipes from freezing.
Water leaks caused by freezing
and bursting pipes can damage buildings and contents and interrupt business.
The Fire Department recommends an effective freeze-up prevention program that
includes the following elements:
1. Conduct a physical inspection
of the facility and look for freeze-up hazards.
2. Inspection, and maintenance of the fire sprinkler system including:
- Identifying
if the system contains water that is to be drained before the onset of
cold weather (such as low points in
dry pipe sprinkler systems).
- Determining
if there are unheated areas in the building containing sprinkler system
piping.
3. Any freeze prevention program
should also include annual surveys of buildings and equipment to find
insulation and heat tracing deficiencies and to check for unwanted outside air.
Look for vents and openings in windows, walls, roofs, or floors.
4. Low point drains (drum drips) on dry-pipe sprinkler systems should be
emptied to remove water that may be present from condensation or accidental
trips.
5. All buildings should provide adequate heat (40ºF) for dry-pipe valve rooms,
pump rooms, and water tanks.
6. Building owners should appoint individuals to monitor weather reports.
Establish guidelines to alert management and maintenance personnel and again,
maintain indoor temperatures at a minimum of 40ºF.
7. It is important to provide adequate heating throughout areas susceptible to
freezing, such as in stairwells, above dropped ceilings, and attic spaces.
8. Monitor boilers and other facility heat supply sources, using personnel
and/or supervisory devices.
For
questions and more information contact Michael Hilley, Public Information
Officer, at mhilley@redmond.gov or 425-556-2200. This press release is
available on www.redmond.gov.
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