“After Fire, Device Allows Quick Return Of Sprinkler Protection”

After Fire, Device Allows Quick Return Of Sprinkler Protection

What do you do to restore protection in a sprinklered property after the fire is out? It’s a common question facing fire departments today. Although there are many solutions, some highly questionable, some costly, some time-consuming, the Oak Brook, Ill., Fire Department believes it has solved its problem. This solution leaves little room for question later, is inexpensive and quickly installed.

The technology of the sprinkler industry today has contributed toward numerous types of sprinkler heads in a given building. These may range from the hidden head, to the recessed head, to the ordinary pendant head. The mechanics of installing these various types of heads also presents unique problems to the fire service. Under normal conditions, they do not present any difficulties, but restoration after activation does present problems.

No longer possible

Past recommendations have been that when sprinkler protection cannot be restored, it is a good practice to leave a fire fighter on the premises as a watchman who can turn on the system, should another fire occur. Today, manning of many smaller departments does not permit such a practice.

Obviously, most departments do not want to leave a scene unprotected. In today’s legal climate, this advise is wise. On the other hand, for the same reason, the fire department does not want to assume the responsibility for system restoration, especially in the case of technical systems or those with unique heads.

Caught between the infamous “rock and a hard place,” what is the solution? Applicable codes and standards require a representative number of each sprinkler head found on the system to be kept on premises. But try to find these spares at 3 o’clock in the morning. Sprinkler stops are a temporary solution, used only when draining the system down.

Homemade device allows temporary but quick sprinkler replacement.

So the Oak Brook Fire Department designed and made a temporary, stopgap device capable of fitting the majority of sprinkler systems found within the municipality. Simple to use and easy to make this device has solved our problem, we think.

Taking a pipe nipple (of varying length depending on local preference) and installing a standard 165-degree pendant head, we feel that we can effectively restore approximately 75 percent of our systems. Since this pipe nipple is ½-inch diameter, it will fit the majority of our sprinkler piping.

However, at times, we do encounter ‘¾ -inch heads, necessitating the inclusion of a ½ -inch female to ¾ -inch male bushing. By installing the bushing initially, the need of searching for one at an inopportune time has been eliminated. If not needed, it can be simply removed.

By using a 6 to 9-inch pipe nipple, this device will work in lieu of almost any type of sprinkler head, regardless of ceiling clearances or other variables.

Temporary measure

Since this device is primarily designed as a temporary measure to restore the system until permanent measures can be taken, it may also be used when a mechanical actuation takes place, such as hitting the head inadvertently. Since this device is relatively unattractive, the property owner will want to change it as soon as possible, especially if it is replacing decorative heads. By painting the device a bright color—red, for example—the department can help ensure its prompt replacement.

This simple, inexpensive device, can be included on all fire department equipment responsible for response to sprinklered properties. Cost is negligible, with most of the materials used to be found in your local sprinkler fitter’s scrap pile. This device is also a good public relations tool, in that it permits almost full restoration of most sprinkler systems in a matter of a few minutes. It also permits continued full manning of the fire company, eliminating the practice of leaving a man behind to watch the property. Protection is restored prior to departure.

Removable bushing is ready when 3/4-inch heads are found.

Four Firefighters Hurt in Fire in Abandoned Harlem (NY) Building

Four firefighters were injured battling a massive fire that tore through an abandoned Harlem building where jazz icon Billie Holiday reportedly once lived.