The winter is naturally a cold time of year but there are times of the winter season when the temperatures reach extreme levels, such as this week. This is especially of concern when combined with firefighting efforts and fire protection systems. Homeowners, business owners, landlords, and property management services must take the time to ensure their fire protections systems are properly maintained, especially automatic fire sprinkler systems. Although properly maintained automatic sprinkler systems are credited with saving many lives and property, they can freeze and become inoperable when they are not maintained in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations.
As fire departments 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. Furthermore firefighters have discovered that the cause of the break is a result of a broken or improperly maintained heating system, inadequate antifreeze in the systems loop, or lack of proper insulation separating or protecting the piping in temperature unregulated areas of the structure. Ask your sprinkler maintenance service about specially molded insulation to ensure that piping in unheated attics is properly insulated and protected from freezing. Also ask about sidewall sprinkler heads and piping that is placed in the interior walls to prevent exposure to cold attics eliminating the concern for freezing.


As a reminder 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 as soon as possible to rectify the situation.
 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CALL RICH GARDINER, SPOKESPERSON HARFORD COUNTY VOL. FIRE AND EMS ASSOCIATION @ 410-977-0587