Slime-forming bacteria
(iron-related bacteria that generate white, beige, grey, or black slime) Sulfate-reducing bacteria (which may turn water black and are responsible for much of discolored water’s smell in fire protection systems)
What does fire sprinkler water smell like?
There are many signs of Microbiologically Influences Corrosion (MIC) including pin hole leaks, fire sprinkler system water that is black in color and/or smells like
rotten eggs
, and water that stains the concrete with rust during flow tests.
Can you drink fire sprinkler water?
Fire sprinkler
systems should be considered non- potable
as a result of the poor quality of water found in them. There are many concerns that the city must address when dealing with a fire sprinkler system because of the contamination and cross connection they create.
Is sprinkler water contaminated?
When water moves from your water supply to your lawn irrigation system and back to the water supply, it brings with it a serious potential for
contamination
. This backflow may contain pesticides, animal droppings, and other substances you don’t want near your family.
Is sprinkler water clean?
While numerous screens and some filters help keep debris, and even bugs, out of our irrigation pipes and sprinklers, the
water is not considered safe for human
or pet consumption. … Some think they can “clean up” and purify the water (especially in larger pools) with chemicals. But it doesn’t work that way.
Is fire sprinkler water dirty?
Discharge from a fire sprinkler pipe, or any other water-based fire protection system, often contains
discolored water
—and plenty of it. That dirty (and sometimes rank) liquid can quickly soak people and property when a fire sprinkler head opens.
Where does fire sprinkler water come from?
Most fire sprinkler systems are supplied from
a municipal water source
, but water supplies can also be provided by water storage tanks or natural sources such as lakes or ponds.
How much water does a fire sprinkler need?
A sprinkler system should be designed so that water flow is
at least 15 gallons per minute (gpm) and up to a maximum of 40 gpm
. Regardless of the type, the standard requires that the water supply for a home fire sprinkler system accommodate one or two operating sprinklers for a period of seven to 10 minutes.
What is in fire sprinklers?
Most sprinkler heads feature a
glass bulb filled with a glycerin-based liquid
. This liquid expands when it comes in contact with air heated to between 135 and 165 degrees. When the liquid expands, it shatters its glass confines and the sprinkler head activates.
How much pressure does a sprinkler system need?
The average water pressure for most homes and businesses is between 30 psi and 50 psi; most sprinkler systems are designed to use pressures of
around 30 psi
. You can measure the water pressure at your site with a flow meter or water gauge attached to an outdoor faucet.
Why do fire sprinkler heads leak?
Fire sprinklers may leak
due to a manufacturing or human error
. … O-ring seals exposed to water contaminants can cause the sprinklers to corrode and leak. Additionally, improperly designed, installed, or repaired sprinklers are also a root cause of the problem.
Do I need a backflow preventer on my sprinkler system?
The key to preventing backflow is to have a properly installed, maintained, and inspected backflow prevention device as part of your culinary water system. … The answer is: you
need backflow prevention if you have a culinary water connection that may be used to supply a sprinkler system
.
What makes sprinkler water black?
By far the most common corrosion reaction found in fire sprinkler systems is
oxidation
. Oxygen trapped inside the system dissolves into water and reacts with the internal surface of the black or galvanized steel piping.
What do you do after fire sprinklers go off?
- Clean up the water. …
- Remove everything that got wet. …
- Our team will document everything they can and create an inventory of what is salvageable and what is not. …
- We’ll install industrial-grade equipment to quickly dry out the affected area.
Why does drain water smell bad?
Bacteria growing in the drain
Bacteria growing in the drain is the most common reason for this smell. Over time, organic matter, like food waste, will accumulate on the walls of the drain and act as a nutrient for bacteria to grow. The bacteria can produce a gas (sulfur) which smells like rotten eggs or sewage.
What happens if you break a fire sprinkler?
You work hard to keep your building safe. However, if a sprinkler head breaks or is accidentally bumped,
significant water damage may occur
. … With proper preparation and the right tools on hand, you can minimize property damage if a sprinkler head discharges when there’s no fire.
