Home fire sprinklers are highly effective fire cessation mechanisms. According to the National Fire Protection Association, these units save lives and reduce firefighter injuries by 65 percent. However, homeowners must do their part to ensure they maintain the units to perform accordingly in emergencies. The following information discusses home sprinkler system maintenance and how it can contribute to protecting your family unit.
Why is sprinkler maintenance so important?
Simply put, you need your fire sprinkler to work when fires ignite. That means you must do everything possible to ensure it does its job when needed. Sprinkler system maintenance includes more tips about what not to do than anything else. Your system can be highly beneficial if you avoid doing things that hinder its productivity.
How do you maintain a sprinkler system?
These are a few vital tips for maintaining your home fire sprinkler and keeping it ready for protective action:
Keep the control valves open.
Your system has a control valve that can shut the water flow on or off. You must know where the valve is and keep it on at all times. Your sprinkler will be ineffective amid a fire if the valve is off. Thus, you should educate everyone in the household about where it is and explain the importance of it being in the "ON" position.
Do not obstruct the heads.
Keeping the sprinkler heads free of obstructions and disturbances is also essential for optimal functionality. The mechanism contains intricate sensors that go awry if exposed to smothering substances or incompatible materials. Therefore, you must not paint over the heads or allow anything harmful to touch them.
Be careful not to hang anything from the sprinkler heads, either. Many people make this mistake for the sake of "interior decorating" and are unaware of its detriments. Nothing should prevent the system from performing as it should.
Additionally, you must be mindful not to place furniture or any other obstructing items in the water stream’s projected path. You’ll need to create a clear pathway for the water to drop and eliminate the fire.
Get regular inspections.
Inspections are necessary to catch potential problems and minor issues before they become disasters. Thus, getting a monthly or annual sprinkler inspection is a favorable practice. Have an expert visit your home and look at all the parts and perform a test run of your sprinkler system.
Avoid excessive heat.
Lastly, you must keep excessive heat away from the unit. Any type of extreme heat can destroy the sensors, rendering your sprinkler system unable to detect smoke and activate itself.
Rectify issues right away.
Visual inspections of the sprinkler system should be done daily to detect problems as early as possible. Contact a specialist if you notice any corrosion, damage, or anything unusual that you can’t solve yourself.
Homeowners need to understand the importance of home sprinkler system maintenance. Use some of the tips mentioned above to keep your system functional and effective and increase productivity and life-saving power.