New York Property Insurance Underwriting Association, your
fire insurance company, is providing this publication to help you understand the
operation of your sprinkler system, how to maintain it, and how to assure that
your premium reflects credit for having a sprinkler system.
Automatic fire sprinkler systems have been in use since the
1870's, helping reduce property damage and injury. They are considered the most
effective method for fighting the spread of fire in its beginning stages.
Municipal codes may require sprinkler installation in certain occupancies or in
all buildings of a particular class.
Sprinkler systems are basically a network of piping, water
supply, sprinkler heads and alarms. The sprinkler head is a valve with a
"fusible link" designed to melt at a particular temperature; and, as a result,
allow the flow of water to a designated area. There are a variety of sprinkler
head designs that control the distribution of water and the temperature at which
it will react. The number, type and placement of heads varies according to the
nature and amount of material stored at the risk and the occupancy. The
considerations for installing and maintaining a sprinkler system are regulated
by the National Fire Protection Association (N.F.P.A.).
The most common sprinkler system is a "wet pipe system." In a
wet system, closed sprinkler heads prevent the flow of water which is under
pressure to pipes throughout the system. A heat source melting the sprinkler
head link will immediately cause the distribution of water at a particular rate
in the area of the fire.
A "dry pipe system" is used when the lack of heat at the site
will not allow a wet system because of damage due to freezing pipes. Rather than
water, pipes in a dry system contain pressurized air or nitrogen gas. When a
heat source melts the sprinkler head link, the pressure of the air or gas is
released. The decrease in pressure, in turn, opens a valve at the sprinkler
control area allowing the flow of water into the system to be distributed
through the open valve.
Less common are "pre-action system" and the "deluge system."
These systems are used in environments that require special sprinkler protection
and are activated by fire detection systems. These systems represent only a
small percentage of sprinkler systems in operation.
The placement and number of sprinkler heads in a sprinkler
system are determined by the use of the area to be protected. N.F.P.A.’s
occupancy classification system regulates sprinkler design based upon the hazard
group determined by the type of the material within the structure. Some storage
facilities may require heads placed with storage racks. In certain manufacturing
occupancies, sprinkler heads are placed under work tables.
While we commonly associate sprinkler systems with water,
systems may employ chemical fire suppressants. These are employed when water
cannot be used to extinguish fire. A common example of this is the fire suppressant system used to protect cooking surfaces in
restaurants.
The accidental discharge of a sprinkler head may result in
property damage. Coverage for sprinkler leakage protects the policyholder in
this instance.
Insurance Services Office, Inc. (ISO) is directly involved
with the evaluation of sprinkler systems to determine their efficiency. ISO
applies credit to specific loss costs when properly functioning and maintained
sprinkler systems adequate for the occupancy are present. ISO applies a scoring
system to evaluate sprinkler systems. Accumulation of deficiency points will
cause ISO to decrease or remove sprinkler credit from its loss costs, resulting
in increased premiums. The presence of a sprinkler system in your property does
not guarantee sprinkler credit in your premium.
A basic requirement is that the sprinkler system be
periodically checked by a certified sprinkler contractor who can evaluate the
system and report to ISO. The periodic tests vary between a dry system and a wet
one. The basic purpose of the tests is to determine whether adequate pressure is
maintained and whether the system will react as designed when activated.
These tests include drain tests and trip tests. The failure
to report the test results to ISO will result in the decrease and eventual
elimination of the sprinkler credit in the loss cost calculation. ISO makes the
results of their own sprinkler evaluations available in their sprinklered
property reports.
A checklist is provided to help you identify potential
problems with your sprinkler system. This checklist is by no means
comprehensive, and is not intended as a substitute for knowing and understanding
applicable codes and regulations. Please use the checklist to recognize what you
need to do to assure that the sprinkler system is maintained properly.
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Are sprinkler heads free of
paint, dust and grease?
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Are the sprinkler heads
obstructed by stored material? There should be no less than 18 inches of
clearance at each head. Obstructions will diminish the operation of the head.
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Are the sprinkler pipes used to
support lighting or other objects?
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Are there extra sprinkler heads
and wrenches located at the control area for maintenance purposes?
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Is the O.S.&Y. valve chained in
an open position to avoid disabling of the system?
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Are the sprinkler heads directed
properly for their location?
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Is there a sprinkler contractor
that supervises and inspects the system as required by N.F.P.A. and ISO? Is a
service log maintained?
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Are the sprinkler alarms
activated to protect your property in the event of accidental discharge or
fire?
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Has the occupancy classification
of the material in the building changed since its installation so that the
sprinkler system is now ineffective?
-
Is the heat supply in the
premises adequate for the operation of a wet pipe system?
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