Home Fire Sprinklers.

[Wrightwood]

One of our forum members wanted me to post this warning about defective fire sprinkler heads in Wrightwood homes.
Here's the message:

We design and install fire sprinkler systems.
We just did a head change out in a house here in WW. The heads were Tyco/Central heads and were recalled some years back. The reason for this message is that when I examined the heads that I pulled out I noticed that there is a good chance that these specific heads were defective.

I wanted to post something regarding this issue but thought that it might be a conflict of interest. It might be construed as a solitation for work. Whereas I would probably get some work out of it (by the way I dont need the work I am too busy as it is) I have a genuine concern that others have these heads in their houses and in the event of a fire the may not activate.

[clint]

It would be helpful to know how a layman would identify these particular heads.

[Supermodel]

or layperson.

[KW]

We had fire sprinklers in our home in Pinon Hills. We received a recall notice and the company paid to replace the bad heads. That was several years ago.

I don't know how you would find out if you weren't the original purchaser of the sprinklers. (My husband installed them himself). Maybe you can see what brand yours are, and then go online and search for recalls. Just a thought.

[Nick]

For anyone concerned about having defective sprinkler heads in their home try this website. Also you can send me a PM if you would like.

http://www.sprinklerreplacement.com/VRP/enterVRP.php3

[Hillbillies]

[Nick]

[Wrightwood]

Typically how much does that test cost?

[Nick]

Typically how much does that test cost?

I am no longer certified to test...but when I was it was 3 or 4 years ago it was around $75.00 - $100.00.

Wahoo......my 250th post. Now I am somebody.

[Kristi]

Gosh I don't remember paying that much.  I would have said around $35.  I guess I just don't always remember accurately.  At our previous house we received reminders every year to have our house tested.  We moved a little over 2 years ago and haven't received anything on this house, which also has sprinklers.  I wonder why.  Sprinklers recently saved our previous house when a fire broke out and the new owners were out of town.  Lots of water damage, but the house was saved. 

[Nick]

Gosh I don't remember paying that much. I would have said around $35. I guess I just don't always remember accurately. At our previous house we received reminders every year to have our house tested. We moved a little over 2 years ago and haven't received anything on this house, which also has sprinklers. I wonder why. Sprinklers recently saved our previous house when a fire broke out and the new owners were out of town. Lots of water damage, but the house was saved.

Prices are probably different up here in WW.
By the way.....karma for the fire sprinkler plug.

FIRE SPRINKLERS SAVE LIVES.

[angelwolf326]

I remember my old house in Hunter's Ridge/Fontana had those springlers and they had to be replaced.   I remember the brand name... 

[Thiassi]

Oh... I want to be a bear! I hate being a Scrub Jay, or whatever I am! And thanks for the info.

[Nick]

I have been getting calls regarding peoples fire sprinkler systems freezing. They freeze, the fittings crack , then thaw and leak. The leaks can and will cause major damage to the home and its contents.
The reason why these systems are freezing is because the owners are not keeping up on the maintenance.
The systems in WW and the surrounding areas are protected from freezing using a food based additive called glycerin. If the glycerin is not tested in tends to lose its freeze protection qualities.
Each year the systems backflow preventer is required to be tested and certified. This is a good time to check the freeze protection in the system.

Have your sprinkler system tested!

Remember...Fire Sprinklers save lives

[KWBoy]

There have been so many calls about fire sprinkler systems on the scanner the last few days. Lots of them were restaurants, hotels, etc.

Just a gig I assume you do this for a living by your signature... If you do it sounds like you will be busy for a while   

[OK]

My fire sprinkler pipe blew up during the cold weather.  Does anyone have names and phone numbers of company's that are certified to fix fire sprinkler pipes?

[michael]

   My lady just called and advised me the fire sprinklers in her home  let go due to a ruptured pipe in the center portion of the structure.  The damage took place between level two and three when a plastic pipe that is about ten years old fractured.   Freeze doesn't appear to be the issue, the home has been heated throughout the winter.  The repair is going to be massive and require removing drywall ceilings, drywall, insulation, flooring, you name it.  The system was installed by a licensed contractor in 1996 and signed off by the fire marshal.

This is the third incident of this nature I have heard of in the last two weeks.  The new county courthouse was damaged by a similar break according to the Victorville paper.

Question:  Are the new systems equipped with fail safe devices?  Did they abandon the use of plastic water pipes like they did in the modular home business?  Retrofitting a new system is going to require complete demolition of all ceiling and wall surfaces.  I know we have some sprinkler fitters in the forum group so I would appreciate hearing from them. 

[Nick]

Pacific West Fire Protection...760-249-1220

My fire sprinkler pipe blew up during the cold weather.  Does anyone have names and phone numbers of company's that are certified to fix fire sprinkler pipes?

[Suhijita]

The water company can help with that. They are the ones who let us know that we have to maintain our fire sprinklers and have them checked every two years.

[Nick]

I have been getting calls regarding peoples fire sprinkler systems freezing. They freeze, the fittings crack , then thaw and leak. The leaks can and will cause major damage to the home and its contents.
The reason why these systems are freezing is because the owners are not keeping up on the maintenance.
The systems in WW and the surrounding areas are protected from freezing using a food based additive called glycerin. If the glycerin is not tested in tends to lose its freeze protection qualities.
Each year the systems backflow preventer is required to be tested and certified. This is a good time to check the freeze protection in the system.

Have your sprinkler system tested!

Remember...Fire Sprinklers save lives