Iron and steel sprinkler piping, particularly dry pipe sprinkler systems, are subject to blockage and degraded flow performance by internal corrosion and tuberculation of the interior of the piping. We are all familiar with common…
Read MoreEmergency generators are used to maintain electrical power to facilities and equipment considered important and/or critical to continued plant operations. They may be found in occupancies such as data processing, molten materials, communications switching, medical…
Read MoreIn their November 2015 issue, Sprinkler Age magazine featured its Annual Legislative Review for the United States and Canada. This summary of legislation and codes offers an overview of regulations affecting the fire sprinkler industry…
Read MoreIn their November 2015 issue, Sprinkler Age magazine featured its Annual Legislative Review for the United States and Canada. This summary of legislation and codes offers an overview of regulations affecting the fire sprinkler industry…
Read MoreSeveral important changes are forthcoming in the release of the 2016 edition of NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems. The most important change is the addition of protection criteria for expanded uncartoned…
Read MoreThe recently released June 2015 edition of FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheet 8-9, Storage of Class 1, 2, 3, 4 and Plastic Commodities, contains several changes from the previous version. A few of…
Read MoreThe Viking Corporation has introduced the next size in Early Suppression Fast Response (ESFR) technology with their model VK514 sprinkler head. This pendent head has a nominal Kfactor of 28.0 (404 metric), with a 1in.…
Read MoreSeveral years ago, FM Approvals created their Approval Guide website (www.approvalguide.com), allowing you to verify an FM Approved product. Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL) now joins in with their own website (codelink.ul.com). The main difference is that…
Read MoreCounterfeit equipment and materials, no matter whether it is currency, watches or medicine, affect the reliability of the end user’s systems as well as the reputation of the authentic manufacturers. Automatic sprinkler heads are no…
Read MoreIn their November 2014 issue, Sprinkler Age magazine featured its Annual Legislative Review for the United States and Canada. This summary of legislation and codes offers an overview of regulations affecting the fire sprinkler industry…
Read MoreIn their November 2014 issue, Sprinkler Age magazine featured its Annual Legislative Review for the United States and Canada. This summary of legislation and codes offers an overview of regulations affecting the fire sprinkler industry…
Read MoreThe following is a synopsis of the new FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheet 1-15 “Roof Mounted Solar Photovoltaic Panels.” This is a new data sheet, issued in July 2014 with October 2014 revisions.…
Read MoreThe only notable change in July 2014 to FM Global Data Sheet 7-32, Ignitable Liquid Operations, is additional information for arranging ignitable liquid processes, handling, and use operations to stop liquid flow automatically and isolate…
Read MoreYou might think that since you have smoke detection and/or heat detection in your building that it is almost as good as having sprinkler protection to protect your property. Is there really that much difference…
Read MoreThe old requirement/standard for the installation of pressure relief valves was only for gridded systems. Since 2010, NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems requires relief valves for all wet-pipe systems. The current…
Read MoreRecent studies by Liberty Mutual and National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) have shown that sprinklers are the most effective way to reduce loss of life and property damage in industrial occupancies (warehouses and manufacturing facilities).…
Read MoreFM Global updated their Property Loss Prevention Data Sheet (DS) 8-1, Commodity Classification, in April. Their major changes are: Eliminated the sub-classification of plastic commodities (Group A, Group B and, Group C) and regrouping them…
Read MoreIn the 2011 Edition of NFPA 25, Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems, the frequency of exercising electric motor driven fire pumps was changed from weekly to monthly; exercising of diesel engine…
Read MoreIn their November 2013 issue, Sprinkler Age magazine featured its Annual Legislative Review for the United States and Canada. This summary of legislation and codes offers an overview of regulations affecting the fire sprinkler industry…
Read MoreBreak tanks are utilized in fire protection systems for three main reasons: As a backflow prevention device between the jurisdictional water supply and the fire pump suction. In this case the jurisdiction chooses not to…
Read MoreFlue spaces are necessary for rack storage arrangements to allow heat from a fire to quickly vent vertically. This is critical in order to help ensure the ceiling-level sprinklers will operate as quickly as possible.…
Read MoreDamage to fire protection equipment can occur during winter weather and in all regions. It happens in areas where freezing temperatures are common and in areas where temperatures are typically moderate with freezing temperatures not…
Read MorePhotovoltaics (PV) is the generation of electrical power by conversion of solar radiation directly to electricity through the photovoltaic effect exhibited by semiconductor materials. Initial costs to produce PV panels remain relatively high, but as…
Read MoreIntroduction The following article is written as a simple primer of VCE phenomenon and criteria. The intent is to discuss some basic concepts and terminology, while excluding highly technical and mathematical concepts. A Vapor Cloud…
Read MoreIn times gone by, sprinkler heads came in basic flavors, with a few relatively limited options and permutations available: 1/2 inch orifice, 17/32 inch orifice, low, medium, or high temperature. Today, like much else in…
Read MoreIn their November 2013 issue, Sprinkler Age magazine featured its Annual Legislative Review for the United States and Canada. This summary of legislation and codes offers an overview of regulations affecting the fire sprinkler industry…
Read MoreYou might have noticed that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has been making a shift in labeling requirements for chemicals. The new system is the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and…
Read MoreYou may have a wet or dry chemical system in the hoods above cooking equipment in your kitchen. Both of these systems should be tested at least semi-annually by a service technician per NFPA 17A,…
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