In NFPA 25-2017 Chapter 5 addresses "Loaded sprinklers." Of course, this has been a "LOADED" question for years and everybody's interruption of what that is whether or not NFPA gives a decent explanation of it.
My question is, we have a customer that we've performed a sprinkler test by removing an X amount of sprinklers and sending it away to a third party lab for testing which samples came back as a pass - but the question has come up asking if sprinklers remain to be loaded the same if not more over the years. What would be the timeline for re-testing? Would it follow the 10 year re-test? Or 5 Year sprinkler testing that NFPA 25 requires for sprinklers in "hazardous" environment areas? As this plant has over 600 sprinklers and getting up to them and cleaning them every year is not practical, that option is not on the table. See NFPA 25-2017 code for the discussion on it. Thanks for your take. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe
10 Comments
Matthew
1/15/2025 08:24:58 am
5.3.1.1.2*
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Andrew
1/15/2025 06:05:30 pm
I find it curious how the appendix calls out locomotive diesel shops (or just storage, by the plain wording) as harsh environments but not highway truck diesel shops or garages.
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Matt C
1/15/2025 08:38:43 am
It's worth noting the following from the appendix notation:
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Glenn Berger
1/15/2025 08:43:55 am
Recommend following NFPA 25 for the guidelines based on sprinkler types / locations / hazardous / etc.
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Dan Wilder
1/15/2025 09:56:44 am
Just for clarification, are they pulling and testing the loaded sprinklers (i.e. using a cleaning method not available for the installed sprinklers)?
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Justin Smith
1/15/2025 10:56:44 am
Thanks for the reply Dan, This "Plant" is a manufacturer of plastics. It has come to the insurance company attention that the HVAC in the building is being reviewed to determine if they can decrease the resins that may lift toward the ceiling. This is my worry that sprinklers are not just loaded with "dust" but whatever chemicals are being used from the manufacturing process is what's possibly loading them.
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Dan Wilder
1/15/2025 12:13:33 pm
So there will be possible corrosion issues but it's not going to be apparent until the changes to the HVAC are in place. There could be an argument for a proactive change out of sprinklers in key areas (already prone to issues) to a corrosion resistant type (White Poly, Wax Coating, PTFE coating or even bagging but that would require changing the bags out as needed).
James E Art Fire Protection Engineer (FPE)
1/15/2025 12:17:19 pm
For Paint booths sprinklers have long been protected by thin bags to prevent paint spray.
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Mark Harris
1/15/2025 04:23:42 pm
NFPA 33 requires the bags on sprinklers. Defines the material.
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Jack G
1/15/2025 04:39:54 pm
Glenn s advice is spot on
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