Keeping your premises safe against fire safety hazards works best when you have protection on many fronts.
Portable extinguishers provide one kind of defence. A roof fire sprinkler system is an effective way to deliver large volumes of water to a wide area, fast.
In the event of a fire breaking out, a fire sprinkler ceiling system is able to spray a controlled amount of water quickly to minimise damage and danger.
An effective roof fire sprinkler system or hydrant line connects your roof to an independent water supply only using ASIB approved water tanks from reputable suppliers. Water is then pumped to your roof via a petrol or diesel-powered pump so that water at the correct pressure to supply total coverage may be sprayed quickly in an emergency.
If your premises are over 2 500 square meters, or has a concealed space beneath the floor or between the ceiling and the roof of a specific volume, regulations require a sprinkler system to be installed. In any commercial building such as warehousing or a shopping centre, it may be advisable to install a ceiling sprinkler system that will automatically activate if a heat release is detected.
The four main types of sprinkler systems that are permitted for installation in South Africa are wet, dry, pre-action and deluge systems.
| Wet A wet system consists of pipes that are pre-filled with pressurised water so that when fire alarms are triggered, water is released immediately to contain and extinguish the fire. | Deluge Lastly, a deluge system stores water under a control valve. In the event of a fire, a dedicated larger water supply means that large volumes of water (a deluge or flood, hence the name for this type) can be released. |
A fire sprinkler roof system is made up of many mechanical parts, from fire pumps and water storage tanks to control valves, sprinkler heads, flow and pressure switches, and pipework as well as regular valves. It thus is important to get fire sprinkler servicing done by a trained technician who has specialised knowledge of how these systems work and how to test and replace fire safety components.
| 25 years A fire sprinkler system should be tested and/or replaced after 25 years. | 5 years Fire sprinkler systems should be tested at 5 year intervals. |
With over fifty years’ experience in fire safety solution installation and maintenance, we provide fire sprinkler systems and maintenance you can trust.
Whether your system is one designed and installed by us or you need work on a previous installation, ERF Group can maintain and service your system to the highest safety standards. Contact us today to book your assessment.
Fire sprinkler systems and maintenance you can trust
Have a professional risk assessment conducted to determine where in your premises a ceiling-installed sprinkler system should be placed.
Pre-approval from ASIB (the Automatic Sprinkler Inspection Bureau) ensures that safety certification for your new or replaced fire sprinkler system is fast and painless.
The third stage is your technician checking the interior of the cylinder for any damage such as pitting. If flaws are found that suggest the extinguisher won’t be able to maintain reliable pressure for discharging, it will be removed permanently from service and a replacement may be sourced.
Epoxy coated fittings provide a better, harder-wearing quality of finish. For ongoing fire prevention, you need a reliable installation (since it is not as simple to swap out your fire solutions as it is when replacing portable fire fighting equipment).
Regular maintenance and inspection of fire sprinkler ceiling systems
Regular maintenance per the timelines above will ensure that your fire sprinkler ceiling installation is functioning optimally and ready to respond in an emergency. It’s also legally required that sprinkler systems pass safety standards. Failing a surprise safety inspection may be almost as damaging as a fire itself. Don’t run that risk and ensure you comply with fire safety regulations.
