All commercial facilities should have spare sprinkler heads on hand at all times so that they can immediately replace spent heads after an activation.
If you run a business, warehouse, or other facility, you are probably aware of the fact that commercial buildings have strict fire safety standards. This is critical for protecting life and property because appropriate fire safety systems are there to minimize damage and protect occupants. That’s why it’s important to have spare sprinkler heads in case of an incident.
How Do Fire Sprinklers Work?
When a fire occurs, nearby sprinklers will activate. Fire sprinklers are activated through heat—once they reach a certain temperature, the glass bulb or fusible element on the sprinkler head separates and releases water to suppress the fire. The glass bulb or fusible element is a critical component of the fire sprinkler, but as you might imagine, they can be easy to damage or compromise.
Damaged Sprinkler Heads
A sprinkler head does not need to have a broken glass bulb or damaged fusible element in order to be damaged or compromised. Since the glass bulb or fusible element needs to reach a specific level of heat to activate, anything that could hinder its ability to accept heat appropriately and evenly could render it ineffective during a fire. For example, years of dust and debris buildup could cause the sprinkler to fail. Sprinkler damage is often caused by paint. Painted sprinkler heads must be replaced. A clean and clear glass bulb or fusible element is essential to ensure that the sprinkler will operate properly. Having backup sprinkler heads means you can change out any damaged or compromised heads immediately.
Sprinkler Activation
If your business or facility does experience a fire or if something causes a sprinkler discharge without the presence of fire, having backup sprinkler heads available means you can have the system operational immediately. It will save a lot of time and effort since you won’t need to order new sprinkler heads.
NFPA Guidelines
The last, but certainly not least, reason to keep backup sprinkler heads at your business or facility is that the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards require it. NFPA standards require a minimum of six spare sprinkler heads of all types —more for larger buildings. The reason for this requirement is to minimize downtime for your fire safety systems.
Fire Protection Services from Fireline
Whether you need smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, or an automatic sprinkler system installed at your commercial property, Fireline has you covered. We have been protecting people and property from fire damage since 1947—and our experience shows in our excellent work! We are known for our superb customer service, our expertise, and our reliability. For more information on how we can help your residential or commercial property, visit us online or give us a call at (800) 553-3405. We are in Baltimore, MD, with a second office in Leesburg, VA. For more fire safety tips, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.