Having fire sprinklers fitted at home is a great idea. It gives the best possible protection in the event of a fire and can effectively save your house from being destroyed. Considering the sheer number of properties that are destroyed by fire every year, this is a good investment.
However, most fire sprinklers are made of metal and they contain water, allowing them to be ready to be used at a moment’s notice. Unfortunately, water, air, and metal are the perfect combination for rust, or corrosion. If the jets on the sprinkler system become corroded then it won’t allow water past when you need it to. In short, it will be an expensive waste of space.
Fortunately, there are several things you can do to prevent corrosion from being an issue. Knowing this will allow you to invest in the best automatic fire detection systems currently available.
Maintenance
The most obvious step is to have a maintenance contract with your installer or supplier. They should inspect the system at least once a year and flush it to keep the pipes clear of debris and corroded material.
At the same time, they will run a test on the sprinkler system and they can check for any signs of corrosion. You can also keep your eyes open for corrosion throughout the year, the most common signs are:
- Leaking pipes
- Rusty sprinklers
- Low water pressure
- Debris in the water that comes out
Regular Testing
You can regularly test your fire sprinkler system yourself. Of course, you’ll need to make sure they are containers under all the sprinkler jets to catch the water they expel.
Testing at least once every six months does two things
- Verifies The System Works
Testing a sprinkler system means you can check it’s working and that the pressure seems to be correct. This is a good sign that you don’t have any issues. If you have any concerns regarding the pressure or the quality of the water coming out you should call your maintenance team.
- Moves the Water
When you test the system water needs to be expelled. This moves the water in the pipes. As it’s harder for corrosion to take hold in moving water, a simple test can reduce the likelihood of the pipes and sprinkler corroding.
Add An Inhibitor
Sprinkler systems tend to be attached to the mains water system, which restricts the chemicals that can be added due to the risk to personal health.
However, the installer can add a one-way valve and an additional entry point on the sprinkler side of the valve. You will then be able to add a small amount of corrosion inhibitor without it being able to contaminant the water supply. The inhibitor stops corrosion from taking place, effectively protecting your system and allowing it to work when needed.
If you’ve taken the time to install a sprinkler system then you should spare a little time to monitor and maintain it. Hopefully, you’ll never need to use it. But, if you do, you’ll be grateful you did the necessary maintenance.
