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Just a little while ago, I received an email from a customer (Greg) who asked an important question about when a Plumbing Industry Compliance Certificate is required for Sprinkler works... Here is my answer...

Components of an automatic fire sprinkler system

Typically, a Fire Sprinkler Systems are made up from a series of components including; Stop Valve, Alarm Valve, Fire Sprinkler (head), Alarm Test Valve and Motorised Alarm Bell (Gong). In addition to this there are additional components that support this arrangement including a Valve Monitor, Pressure Switch and Flow Switch.

The illustration to the right shows each of these components, and the approximate location within the arrangement.

This illustration shows only one type of fire sprinkler system however there are other types including dry pipe, pre-action, tail-end, residential and domestic fire sprinkler systems..

Purpose of each main component

(1) Stop Valve - The Stop Valve is used to isolate the water supply, it may also be called the isolating valve. It is often painted RED in colour with a large black circular handle, and is locked in the OPEN position, allowing the free flow of water. The stop valve is used to isolate (stop) the water supply coming in to the fire sprinkler system. Often the Stop Valve is also fitted with a (2) Valve Monitor that is used to monitor the state (open or closed) of the Stop Valve.

Recently, I was asked to provide a talk to nursing home and aged care operators in Victoria. The presentation was titled 11 Steps for Fire & Essential Safety Measures Compliance which is based on a structured program we implement for property owners.

A copy of the presentation can be seen below, including each of the 11 steps.

Fire Sprinkler

Originally uploaded by rport

This fire sprinkler head was found installed at one of our customers buildings. As you can see, there is a solid wall which as been cut out (using a hole saw) to accommodate the fire sprinkler.

This is not uncommon and while it may look funny, this could lead to serious damage if a fire was to occur in the immediate vicinity.

There are two solutions for this problem;

1. Move or lower the wall so that the fire sprinkler is not affected; or
2. Move the fire sprinkler head so that there is adequate space around the sprinkler for the efficient unaffected water spray pattern.

I don't think we will ever see the end of this sort of construction stupidity.

Russ

I am reading a book called "The 4-Hour Work Week" written by Tim Ferriss at the moment. This book has revealed a few paradigms that I am living that need to be changed.

It section 3 of the book titled "A is for Automation" Tim discusses a well knows Henry Ford quote;

Henry Ford once said, referring to his "Model-T", the best selling car of all time, "The customer can have any color he wants, so long as it's black." Henry understood something that business people seem to have forgotten: Serving the customer ("Customer Service") is not becoming a personal concierge and catering for their every whim and want. Customer service is providing an excellent product at an acceptable price and solving legitimate problems (lost packages, replacements, refunds, etc) in the fastest manner possible. That's it!

I tend to agree with Tim on this issue, often we complicate the situation by delivering more than reasonably expected.