A well designed and installed fire sprinkler system is without a doubt the most effective means available to protect life and property against the ravages of fire. As a result of the sterling record fire sprinkler systems have in combating the spread of fire, state and federal standards suggest that these systems are the most cost effective way to meet the standards and specifications as written.
Before an occupancy permit will be released by the authorities the installed system must be fully tested and approved. The applicable laws also state emphatically that commercial fire sprinkler maintenance in NJ must be carried out on a regular basis and all defective components found during the maintenance routine must be repaired or replaced.
In order to comply with licensing requirements automatic sprinkler systems have to be inspected, tested and maintained in accordance with NFPA, National Fire Protection Association standards.
System types:
The applicable NFPA standard contains specific requirements based on the type of system installed. The two predominate types of systems are wet pipe and dry pipe; however there are buildings that use both systems. It is not unusual in northern states to find wet pipe systems installed in heated areas of a building and dry pipe systems installed in areas subject to freezing conditions.
A wet pipe system is perhaps the most common. The delivery pipes are kept charged with water, the moment a sprinkler head senses the presence of fire; water is released. The pipes of a dry pipe system contain nitrogen under pressure. In the event of a blaze a sprinkler activates which in turn allows water to flow into the pipe.
It is the specific responsibility of building management to ensure that all personnel involved in commercial fire sprinkler maintenance in NJ are carried out by licensed technicians. For more information Newark Professional Fire Protection Corp.