34/Plumbing Engineer June 2021
of every component to be observed. Include detailed direc- tion where necessary. For example, wide photo or video shots are helpful to understand the overall condition of components, while tight shots - up-close photos and videos - can augment the understanding with additional detail and specificity. Documentation Traditional on-site inspections typically generate pages of completed checklists, forms and worksheets. ITM checklists preformatted for the various editions of NFPA 25 are widely available on multiple fire protection-focused websites. Due to the proliferation of electronic tablets such as the iPad and the Galaxy Tab over the past 10 years, electronic checklists are widely used. A wide variety of software for- mats are available, from the basic (e.g., PDF editor, Excel spreadsheet, Google Forms and SurveyMonkey surveys) to the highly specialized cloud-based tools (e.g., iAuditor, PlanGrid and Procore). My firm successfully surveyed thousands of facilities using tablets and cloud-based software since 2011, saving a forest-full of trees through reduced paper generation. Customized ITM surveys reduced labor costs by cutting the survey preparation and documentation time by 75 percent. Most importantly, by using cloud-based ITM documen- tation, a remote inspector may complete forms from any- where in the world and generate a report (in virtually any form) for the on-site inspector to file locally. Automated ITM The 2017 edition of NFPA 25 introduced the fire protec- tion community to the 21st century by codifying require- ments for automated inspection, testing and maintenance. Although on-site human inspectors will likely be neces- sary well into the future, automation has made fully auto- mated ITM possible for some components most of the time. NFPA 25 does require automated test equipment that flows water to be visually discharged at least once every three years. This is consistent with existing language for recircu- lated water during pump tests. Remote visual observation may be an acceptable alternative to visual observation. Additionally, on-site personnel - not necessarily trained fire protection technicians - shall observe the test and intervene if continued testing would result in injury or property damage. Most importantly, the standard states that automated tests shall (my emphasis) be permitted. Local AHJs may not require physical ITM when components listed for auto- mated ITM are tested according to the NFPA 25 standards. The technical committee identified several components suitable for automated testing, including water flow alarm devices; transducers; temperature sensors; automatic and remotely operated valves, including motorized valves; and solenoids. NFPA 25 requires most automated test equipment to be listed for the purpose of the test being conducted. There are exceptions to this rule. Listing is not necessary for compo- nents not subject to system pressure and not integral to the system's operation. One example of a listed automated component is a flow switch using a small motor and software to simulate the flow of water. The flow switch uses a small engine to hold the paddle stem assembly in the "tripped" position until the retard time expires, then release to the original position. This ensures that the paddle assembly is always functional in the event of a fire. Automated tests shall produce the same action required by NFPA 25 to test a device. This requirement means the entire device will be tested, not just an indicator or signal- producing portion of a component. Failure of the testing equipment shall not impair the system's operation unless indicated by a supervisory signal in accordance with NFPA 72. Additionally, the component shall initiate an audible supervisory signal. These notifica- tions are important because otherwise, a system impairment could go unreported. Automated ITM changes in NFPA 25 have resulted in commensurate changes in installation standards for sprin- kler systems, fire pumps and standpipes. For example, definitions and sections were added to the 2019 edition of NFPA 13 Chapters 3, 16 and 28, reflecting the modifica- tions to NFPA 25. For example, most sections from NFPA 25 Section 4.6.6 are copied into NFPA 13 Section 28.3. Two recent changes to NFPA 25, remote ITM and automated ITM, allow building owners more flexibility to conduct inspection, testing and maintenance. Several newer technologies can be selected to take advantage of the new standard sections. Performing ITM is a key factor in ensur- ing the sprinkler system components are always operational and ready to protect the building. O Christopher Culp is the director of fire and life safety and a principal at Henderson Engineers. He helps man- age Henderson's fire and life safety team and has more than 23 years of experience at the firm in the design of fire protection systems and building code compliance. Culp has served as a principal for the fire and life safety group since 2007.
Sprinklers
Severe corrosion in fire protection piping can obstruct sprinkler orifices and cause them to not operate. Photo: Engineered Corrosion Solutions
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