Fire Sprinkler System Flow Testing

Residential fire sprinkler system flow test instructions.

Fire sprinkler system flow testing.

The 2016 edition of nfpa 13 standard for the installation of sprinkler systems section a 24 2 2 in the testing of water supply section also covers the basics of conducting a hydrant flow test but refers to nfpa 291 for specifics. This article will cover the basics of conducting a fire flow test to reduce the chances of a poor result or having. If you are designing a fire sprinkler system use this test residual hydrant separate downstream flow hydrant. When installation of all pipe and fittings is complete a flow test is recommended to insure the system supplies enough water for proper fire sprinkler operation.

Protection systems published by the national fire protection association nfpa requires that the main drain of an automatic sprinkler system should be tested at least annually and more often for special conditions as noted in table 13 1 1 2 of nfpa 25. Backflow in sprinkler systems can be a serious problem because a large volume of water never moves when it sits in a building s sprinkler system unless it s flowing during a sprinkler test a fire activates it or a sprinkler line breaks. Hydrant capacity test determines the flow rate available from the hydrant and if it will deliver in a fire emergency situation. But how much flow and pressure does a sprinkler system need.

Fire flow is formally defined as the flow rate of a water supply measured at 20 psi 138 kpa that is available for fire fighting. I couldn t count the number of projects where fire flow has been assumed to be sprinkler related. Fire flow is not the volume of water required for the fire sprinkler system. Therefore the water can become stagnant and public safety officials do not want it flowing back into.

Sure testing is performed to comply with nfpa regulations insurance requirements and to keep you out of trouble with the fire department ahem violations. A main drain test is used to identify major reductions in water flow for the system under. Read more from capitol fire sprinkler a service provider in nyc. During a complete fire sprinkler system test the technician should perform physical checks on all parts of your fire sprinkler system.

The nfpa 13d installation standard does not require flow verification. If you have a fire sprinkler system you don t actually need to test it right.