| The winter is naturally a cold time of year; but there are times during the season when the temperatures reach extreme levels, such as this week. There is special concern when cold weather is combined with firefighting efforts and fire protection systems.
Homeowners, business owners, landlords, and property management services must take the time to ensure their fire protection systems are properly maintained, especially automatic, fire sprinkler systems. Although properly maintained sprinkler systems are credited with saving many lives and millions of dollars in property damage, they can freeze and become inoperable when they are not maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.
As fire companies across Harford County respond to fire alarm activations, firefighters are finding the cause of some of the alarm signals to be as a result of broken fire sprinkler pipes. In addition, they are discovering that the cause of the break is typically the result of a broken or improperly maintained heating system, inadequate antifreeze in the systems loop, or lack of proper insulation protecting the piping in areas of the structure where the temperature is not regulated. Ask your sprinkler maintenance service about specially molded insulation to properly insulate and protect from freezing piping in unheated attics. Also, ask about sidewall sprinkler heads and piping that is placed on the interior walls to prevent exposure to cold attics, further reducing the concern for freezing.
Remember: Never use an open flame to thaw frozen pipes. Also, never use other large heating elements, such as salamanders or fuel based heaters, to thaw pipes. If you suspect you have frozen pipes, it is imperative you contact your plumber or building maintenance staff immediately to rectify the situation.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CALL RICH GARDINER, SPOKESPERSON HARFORD COUNTY VOL. FIRE AND EMS ASSOCIATION @ 410-977-0587 |
