#328 – 2020 NFPA 25: A Review of Key Changes to Water-Based ITM March 5, 2020February 27, 2020 New technology spurs new requirements in the latest edition of NFPA’s inspection, testing, and maintenance standard The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) refers to its standards as living documents, continuously adding new ways to keep people safe…
#163 – Angle Valve Compatibility in Fire Protection, Plumbing, and Water-Based Systems November 22, 2022April 5, 2019 Standards guiding the manufacturing of angle valves create cross-compatibility across industries, but careful selection is warranted All valves have a mechanism used to start, stop, and sometimes restrict the flow of material through pipes. Many are marketed for…
#208 – Pilot Clamp not Available? The Tru-Drill II is a Great Alternative October 13, 2022June 18, 2019 A beloved pipefitting tool is often out of stock—but there’s another effective option besides the pilot clamp Having trouble finding a pilot clamp? You’re not alone. The product is often listed as “unavailable until further notice” or…
#334 – Coronavirus Emergency Operations Plans: NFPA & OSHA Guidance March 20, 2020March 20, 2020 Learn about NFPA emergency standards and codes, OSHA guidelines, and why fire safety remains a priority during this pandemic A radically different reality is unfolding across the world, and organizations and individuals are scrambling to put coronavirus plans in place…
#406 – ESFR Sprinklers: A Strong Line of Defense in Storage Applications April 12, 2022April 6, 2022 ESFR sprinkler heads provide early fire suppression with a fast response “ESFR” is only one of many acronyms in the alphabet soup of fire protection. But “early-suppression, fast-response” sprinklers are uniquely powerful tools for protecting high-challenge occupancies. Unlike…
#307 – The Deadliest Fires in U.S. History: Lessons Learned from the Ohio Penitentiary Fire December 17, 2019 New technology like tamper-resistant sprinklers and stricter fire codes keep prisons safer today In 1930, the Ohio Penitentiary at Columbus became an inferno and hundreds of inmates died. Some were kept locked inside their cells by apathetic…
#98 – Fire Hose Spray Nozzles: How They Work and How To Choose One February 17, 2019March 1, 2018 The types and distinguishing characteristics of fire hose spray nozzles Our previous blog looked at what you need to know when purchasing or maintaining a fire hose. But it’s the nozzles at the end of each…
#245 – The Fire Pump Flow Test: NFPA 25 Requirements for Fire Pump Tests, Part 1 September 2, 2021August 8, 2019 Ensure water flow and pressure with the annual fire pump flow test Fire pumps are a vital part of many fire sprinkler systems, driving the necessary pressure and volume to keep water flowing when…
#276 – Sprinkler Check Valve Installation and Selection: Shotgun Riser Check Valves October 1, 2019 Threaded ports and additional trim transform a standard fire protection fixture into a labor-saving staple of the industry Check valves play a simple—and essential—role in wet-pipe fire sprinkler systems. By keeping a supply of pressurized water at the ready, they…
#227 – The Conflict Over Residential Fire Sprinkler Requirements, Part 2 July 15, 2019 Various states adopt, block, or omit the IRC and NFPA residential fire sprinkler mandates Both National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) model codes and the International Residential Code (IRC) now “mandate” residential fire sprinklers in all new one- and two-family homes. None…
#120 – Help! My Fire Sprinkler Was Painted. What Should I Do? March 22, 2023August 7, 2018 Replacing painted fire sprinklers is the safe — and often required — option It’s bad news when fresh paint meets a fire sprinkler. Whether it happens during a remodel, renovation, or home or office improvement, paint can delay…
#86 – Draining a Fire Sprinkler System: Main Drain, Auxiliary Drain, and More! February 21, 2023December 7, 2017 The reasons, procedures, and tools for draining a fire sprinkler system Without water, most fire protection systems are empty pipes fastened inside walls and ceilings. We’ve routinely emphasized the importance of supplying adequate water to your building’s…
#32 – Brass Sprinkler Head Extensions: Essential Information November 21, 2022December 19, 2013 Brass sprinkler head extensions are used in a fire sprinkler system to extend fixed nipples (drops) that have been cut too short to place the sprinkler head at the proper working height — typically where mild variations in drop ceiling height cause…
#326 – Are Photoluminescent Exit and Egress Signs OSHA Compliant? February 21, 2020February 21, 2020 Highly-visible signage is an essential life safety measure Most people can figure out how to exit a building in normal circumstances. But add fear and an emergency, and normal tasks suddenly become difficult. Darkness after losing power and a fire’s…
#301 – Inspect Point NFPA Inspection Software: What Can I Inspect? November 27, 2019November 27, 2019 From customized local requirements to model standards, Inspect Point’s NFPA inspection software enables faster, better fire protection ITM Performing fire safety inspections is a weighty responsibility. Regular inspection of a building’s systems is critical to preventing the loss of…
#191 – Guide to Dry Sprinkler Systems, Part 7: Nitrogen Dry Sprinkler Systems Fight Corrosion May 24, 2019 Switching to nitrogen gas can extend the life of dry sprinkler systems Dry sprinkler systems may sidestep the cold-weather issues that affect wet sprinkler pipes, but their greater potential to rust from the inside out presents its…
#389 – How to Select a Pipe Cover Plate: Understanding IPS Dimensions July 21, 2021 When choosing pipe wall plates, don’t confuse Iron Pipe Size and actual size To get the right-sized pipe wall cover plate, match the inside diameter of the plate to the outside diameter of the pipe. When you do this, be…
#263 – Preparing Fire Protection Systems for Hurricanes and Restoring Them to Service September 5, 2019September 5, 2019 Careful preparation before—and thorough inspection and testing after—are key to maintaining life safety systems in extreme weather The scenes that emerged in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas are devastating. Choppy, coffee-colored floodwaters surge 20…
#271 – The Deadliest Fires in U.S. History: The MGM Grand Fire in Las Vegas September 20, 2019September 19, 2019 How gambling on fire protection contributed to the deadliest event in Nevada history The MGM Grand Hotel and Casino fire only lasted 90 minutes—but nearly 40 years later, its legacy remains. By the time the…
#398 – Viking XT1 Update: Fire Sprinklers, Wrenches & Head Guards December 7, 2021November 24, 2021 Viking slightly modified its next-generation XT1 sprinkler line to make heads easier to install As the flagship of Viking’s commercial sprinkler catalog, XT1s are highly compact and designed to be corrosion-resistant and extra reliable. But not long after the…