WATER SUPPLY REQUIREMENTS

Water supplies that serve sprinkler systems must be adequate and reliable. To determine the amount of water necessary for a sprinkler system, the rate of flow and pressure needed for effective performance must be known. If additional fire hose streams from outside the building will be required, these should also be included. The combined water needed for all fire-fighting equipment is known as the fire flow demand.

An adequate system can deliver the required fire flow for a specified time with normal water consumption at the maximum rate. To be reliable, the system must also be able to deliver the fire flow demand under certain emergency conditions, such as when a supply main or pump is out of service. The desired reliability of the system depends upon the nature of the protected structure (people, property, or mission). Water may be supplied by public or base sources, water tanks, or fire pumps.

For specific information regarding the fire flow demands of sprinkler systems, refer to NFPA #13, chapters 2, 7, and 8. These chapters will give you the information required for the sizing of each particular type of sprinkler system hazard based on residual pressure, acceptable flow rates, and duration times.

INSPECTION, TESTING, AND MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS

Sprinkler systems, when properly installed, are an effective means of fire protection for life and property. To make sure these systems are reliable, periodic inspection and maintenance of system 

^{INSPECTION AND TESTING} 

During inspections of sprinklers, certain con ditions indicate maintenance requirements. If these conditions are not corrected, they will reduce the reliability of the system. These conditions and components are required. Inspection should in clude a visual check and, if possible, a test of the components to be sure a working condition exists. The frequency of the overall testing and inspection process is summarized in table 8-2.

Table 8-2.-Summary of Inspection and Test Frequencies for Sprinkler Systems

some remedial actions are discussed in the following sections,

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