Fire Sprinkler Systems make it more efficient in test and to document that the water and Backflow Prevention extinguishing a fire. was properly returned to the fire 4. Dry systems that contain sprinkler system after the test. This has Among water purveyors, state and compressed air or nitrogen. to be done by a licensed fire sprinkler federal regulators, and the fire 5. Fire sprinkler systems that are contractor and can be coordinated with protection community there has been a constructed with unapproved the fire marshal’s annual test of the great debate regarding the type and water piping or other materials. system. amount of backflow protection needed 6. A fire system connection to a on fire sprinkler systems. Fire sprinkler supplemental source of water There is no doubt that the fire systems should be considered non- that allows a foreign substance sprinkler system protects property and potable as a result of the poor quality to be pumped in the fire safety saves lives when extinguishing fires in of water found in them. system can pose a hazard. their early stages. The fire sprinkler There are many concerns that the 7. A loss of pressure on the industry has documented that a fire city must address when dealing with a potable water supply main, or within a sprinklered building will be fire sprinkler system because of the an increase in pressure on the extinguished with 3 to 5 sprinkler contamination and cross connection consumer’s system, which heads. they create. Listed below are several allows water from these fire examples. systems to enter the potable Whenever an unprotected or supply. improperly protected fire sprinkler is 1. The growth of offensive connected to the public water system, microorganisms in the stagnant The first step is to install a backflow the potential for an unintended or water in the piping, which assembly on the piping. Second, for improper use of that connection can create taste and odor problems. the fire sprinkler system to protect the result in the contamination of the 2. The piping material is subject to potable water supply from public water system. All fire sprinkler corrosion, which leaves a contamination, it is essential that the systems that are connected to the city’s considerable amount of assembly be properly inspected, water supply must be isolated with an particulate matter deposited in maintained, and tested. All mechanical approved backflow prevention the water. This matter can devices are subject to wear and tear; all assembly and tested annually. The contain regulated metals such as require some servicing to ensure that level of backflow protection must be zinc, cadmium, iron, copper, proper functioning of the device commensurate with the degree of and lead. continues. Testing of a backflow hazard. 3. The addition of corrosion assembly on a fire sprinkler system inhibitors, antifreeze, and requires careful coordination with the For more information, please contact “slippery water” created when fire department to ensure that the Greg Schrempp at 676-7408 or Gary chemicals are added to water to building is fully protected during the Nolan at 769-2220 ext 818.