I get the privilege to be around many different Fire Sprinkler and Fire Alarm Inspectors from many different companies in the role I have within our company. I hear all kinds of stories, good and bad, about different jobs that they have been on. Some are funny and some make me cringe but the ones that truly get under my skin are the ones about testing different items with the WRONG TOOLS. Let me give you some examples\u2026<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Restorable heat detectors tested with a torch<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Fire pumps tested with the cheap plastic crappy gauges<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Smoke detectors tested with magnets (don\u2019t argue, you know I\u2019m right!)<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Using a pipe wrench on a hydrant<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Using non-listed fire pump testing equipment<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Fitters- using an adjustable wrench to install sprinkler heads<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Testing flame detectors using a cigarette lighter<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Improper battery testers<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s my broken record for you guys, we work in a world full of liability and lawyers! Always keep that in mind! If something bad were to go down and YOU were the Inspector in question, can you prove in court that you properly tested a piece of equipment with the appropriate tool? Think about that\u2026 If you can\u2019t, where does that put you and your company? Wherever it is, I don\u2019t want to be there.<\/p>\n
Chapter 8 of NFPA 25 specifically states that fire pumps shall be tested using calibrated test equipment. This includes the gauges! Chapter 14 of NFPA 72 states that smoke entry into the sensing chamber of a smoke detector is the proper method for testing, not a magnet taped to an extension pole.<\/p>\n
In closing, if you don\u2019t have the proper equipment, get it! Yeah, I know the equipment can be expensive, but it\u2019s a necessary evil. You have to have it. No questions. You, as the Inspector, are responsible for this so ask for it. If your company refuses because of cost, that\u2019s a liability they are taking upon themselves!<\/p>\n
Stay safe out there and use the right tools!<\/strong><\/p>\n -Eddie-<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I get the privilege to be around many different Fire Sprinkler and Fire Alarm Inspectors from many different companies in the role I have within our company. I hear all kinds of stories, good and bad, about different jobs that… Continue Reading