All sprinkler heads have a defined lifespan that corresponds to an indemnification period during which a manufacturer or supplier agrees to cover certain liabilities or risks incurred from the product, such as defective materials or safety recalls. The Central O-ring seal recall in the early 2000s is a good example. The courts gave consumers (facility owners) a window of time to file a claim for sprinkler heads with the faulty O-ring. Once that window closed, liability shifted from the manufacturer to the facility owner. However, even without recalls, sprinkler heads across all manufacturers have an indemnified lifespan and need to be tested and/or replaced regularly.
Any power plant over 20 years old is due or overdue to replace heads or test an acceptable sample. The following Quick Tip outlines the current NFPA guidance on approved lifespan and testing frequency of sprinkler heads to ensure they remain within the indemnification period.
NFPA 25 (Section 5.3.1) states sprinklers must be replaced OR have a representative sample tested often enough to ensure they are operable.
Once sprinkler heads reach their lifespan, plant managers need to decide whether to replace them or conduct sample testing to ensure they are operational.
If testing a sample, the sample must have:
Whichever is greater, four sprinklers OR 1% of the number of sprinklers per design area,
AND each sprinkler type and manufacturer must be represented. The examples below highlight two different approaches to the same situation.
In a turbine building, suppose we have 300 standard spray heads, 10 high-temperature spray heads, and 100 dry-pipe spray heads in areas subject to freezing. With the sprinkler heads approaching the end of their lifespan, the plant manager must decide the best course of action.
Example 1: The plant decides to replace all sprinkler heads in its Turbine Building. The standard sprinkler heads are indemnified for the next 50 years; the high-temperature heads for the next 5 years, and the dry pipe heads for the next 20 years.
Example 2: The plant decides to test a sample of each. In this case, they must retrieve four of each type of head (standard, high-temp, and dry), because 1% of each amount is less than four. The new heads replacing those chosen for testing are now acceptable for their designed lifespan, and must be tracked separately from the older heads. The removed heads are to be sent to a lab for testing. If any one style fails, that style must be completely removed and replaced. If they pass, the older heads of that style may remain in place for another 10, 5, and 10 years, respectively. In 5 years, four of the older high-temperature heads must be tested, and the same must occur for the older standard and dry pipe heads five years after that. In every case, replacement heads are to be tracked for their indemnified lifespan.
Many warehouses use ESFR sprinklers. Dry pipe systems are very common wherever freezing temperatures are a threat, and pre-action systems are present in virtually every turbine structure using water suppression. If your plant was built before 2005, it’s time to change or test them.
Many hot areas (i.e., near turbine bearings) in power plants use high-temperature sprinklers. These are often identified by Black glass bulbs or Orange fusible links. This needs your attention every 5 years.
Please call your AEGIS Property Loss Control Professional with any questions on the sprinkler indemnification period or testing and replacement protocol.
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The content of this Quick Tip is illustrative in nature and does not purport to describe all potential hazards or to indicate that no hazards exist. This paper is not a substitute for expert advice. Neither the author nor AEGIS Insurance Services, Inc. endorses or guarantees that any particular practice or procedure is safe in all cases or meets any code or regulatory requirement. This paper is provided without warranties of any kind.