Damaged Sprinklers

NFPA 101®, Life Safety Code®, 2000 edition mandates in Section 9.7.5 that “All automatic sprinkler and standpipe systems required by this Code shall be inspected, tested and maintained  in accordance with NFPA 25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems” [1998 edition]. Section 2-2.1.1 of NFPA 25 states, “Sprinklers shall be inspected from the floor level annually. Sprinklers shall be free of corrosion, foreign materials, paint, and physical damage and shall be installed in the proper orientation, e.g., upright, pendant, or sidewall. Any sprinkler shall be replaced that is painted, corroded, damaged, loaded, or in the improper orientation.” A damaged sprinkler (pictured) can have a detrimental effect on the performance of sprinklers by affecting water distribution pattern, or rendering the sprinkler ineffectual. In its new Life Safety Chapter (which will take effect January 1, 2009), The Joint Commission has a relative requirement in standard LS.02.01.35, Element of Performance No. 5, which states, “Sprinkler heads are not damaged and are free of corrosion, foreign materials and paint.”

Compliance News: Damaged Sprinkler Heads

By Robert Trotter, CBO, CFM


Damaged sprinkler heads can have a detrimental effect on the performance of sprinklers by affecting water distribution patterns, insulating thermal elements, delaying operation, or otherwise rendering the sprinkler inoperable or ineffectual. According to The Joint Commission’s 2010 Hospital Accreditation Standards for Life Safety, hospitals must provide and maintain systems for extinguishing fires. LS.02.01.35 Element of Performance 5 states, “Sprinkler heads are not damaged and are free from corrosion, foreign material, and paint.” The standard offers the following: (For full text and any exceptions refer to NFPA® 25-1998: 2-2.1.1.) Section 2-2.1.1 of NFPA® 25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems states, “Any sprinkler shall be replaced that is painted, corroded, damaged, loaded, or in the improper orientation.” Note that sprinklers installed in concealed spaces such as abovesuspended ceilings do not require inspection.