Three Ways to Reduce Fire Sprinkler Corrosion

How to Reduce Corrosion in Water Based Fire Sprinklers

Fire sprinkler systems that are water-based often serve as the first line defense against a fire. Your fire sprinkler pipes may not work as intended if they are corroded. This could put your property and occupants in danger.

Before we discuss how businesses can reduce corrosion in their water-based sprinklers, facility managers and builder owners need to be familiar with the main types. Businesses can prevent corrosion from happening in their fire sprinkler pipes by understanding the causes and the various types.

Oxidation is the main cause of corrosion. Oxidation, which occurs when trapped oxygen reacts to the metal sprinkler pipes, is the main cause of corrosion. Microbiologically Influenced corrosion (MIC) is the second most common form of corrosion. MIC can spread in fire sprinkler systems that have bacteria, metal, oxygen, or nutrients.

Unchecked fire sprinkler corrosion, regardless of its type, can cause serious financial and safety risks, such as leaks, facility downtime and occupational hazards. These problems can reduce fire sprinkler functionality, and can increase maintenance costs.

Although it is hard to eliminate corrosion, there are steps that businesses can take to reduce water-based fire sprinkler deterioration.

Three Ways to Reduce Fire Sprinkler Corrosion

Facility managers and building owners can take proactive steps to reduce fire sprinkler corrosion. These are three methods to reduce fire sprinkler corrosion in your building.

1. Regular inspections, testing, and maintenance

Working with qualified fire protection companies to perform regular inspections, testing, preventative maintenance, and conduct continuous inspections effectively reduces corrosion in all fire sprinkler system. Facility managers and building owners can prevent corrosion and clogs from occurring, as well as employing licensed professionals to help with preventative Maintenance.

Preventative maintenance services, inspections, and testing of fire sprinklers also help building owners to avoid preventable code violations . They also adhere to NFPA25 which requires regular inspections to detect early signs and symptoms of corrosion.

2. Implement Corrosion Monitoring Services

Fire sprinkler monitoring is designed to detect early signs of corrosion and prevent costly repairs, property damage, or system failures. Monitoring solutions for corrosion prevention help keep track of metal loss and gas composition in dry or wet fire sprinkler systems and send notifications to technicians when corrosive activity starts.

Businesses can also use monitoring services to ensure regulatory compliance. NFPA13 requires that building owners take corrective actions and create a plan to monitor the interior condition of the system at set times and locations.

Facility managers and building owners are responsible for notifying fire sprinkler installers and developing a treatment program if microbes or conditions contribute to microbiologically-influenced corrosion (MIC). A seasoned fire protection company will set up a corrosion monitoring station to inspect a building’s fire suppression system at its established levels.

3. Install a Corrosion Resistant Fire Sprinkler using high-quality pipe material

Another effective way to reduce sprinkler corrosion is to install a fire sprinkler made with high-quality pipe material. Most corrosion-resistant fire sprinkler systems have a metal plating and a protective layer like wax.

Some types of piping materials are more resistant than others to corrosion, so it is important to install higher-quality materials such as plastic CPVC and copper. Galvanized pipes should never be used in temperatures exceeding 130°F (54°C).

The use of thicker material will prevent rust from corroding the pipes’ walls. It may cost more to install a corrosion-resistant fire-sprinkler with high-quality pipe material than if you did it upfront. Building owners will still save significant time and money as their fire sprinkler system lasts longer and requires less maintenance.

Corrosion Control Services can extend the life of your fire sprinkler system

Building owners and facility managers can address corrosion issues to improve fire sprinkler system integrity and ensure compliance. This will enable them to quickly and effectively suppress any fire emergencies.

To extend the life of their fire suppression system and lower maintenance costs, businesses should work with an experienced fire protection company. All types of facilities can benefit from corrosion control services, such as data centers, hospitals and stadiums, as well any other sites that have a pre-action, wet or dry fire sprinkler system.