Permit Fire Sprinkler
Permit Fire Sprinkler
(OP)
I have a condo in New Hampshire. We have been having problems with sprinkler heads leaking, pipes freezing and bursting. The company that came to fix the pipes told us that the pipes were installed incorrectly.
We have asked the developer for the name of the company that installed the sprinkler system, but he will not tell us.
I am thinking of going to the Building Inspector to see if he has any paperwork for the sprinkler install. So I would like to know if there is a requirement for a permit from Code Enforcement when a sprinkler system is installed or if an inspection is done after the install to certify the system.
We have asked the developer for the name of the company that installed the sprinkler system, but he will not tell us.
I am thinking of going to the Building Inspector to see if he has any paperwork for the sprinkler install. So I would like to know if there is a requirement for a permit from Code Enforcement when a sprinkler system is installed or if an inspection is done after the install to certify the system.





RE: Permit Fire Sprinkler
You can ask for the items under open records
Some states do the inspections
Ask the company you are dealing with what the procedure is for your area
RE: Permit Fire Sprinkler
Also where the main valve/pipe is located dome companies will put there name as the installing company, you might look and see if there are any tags/stickers
RE: Permit Fire Sprinkler
Have they had yearly inspection of the fire sprinkler system since it was built????
RE: Permit Fire Sprinkler
The company that came to fix the burst pipes said that the pipes were not insulated correctly in the walls(I do not have the report with me for the exact wording)that's why the sprinkler pipe burst 2 years in January flooding 2 rooms. They also tested the anti-freeze temp in all of the condo units. The temp of the anti-freeze in the condo units varied from -3 degrees F to +15 degrees F, it is my understanding that the anti-freeze should be around -26 degrees F.
RE: Permit Fire Sprinkler
Sometimes we see people go away for a few days and turn down the heat and just like other water pipes the sprinkler pipes will break
I also see exposed sprinkler pipe in attic areas and other areas that shiould be insulated but is not, sometimes it was not insulated properly in the first place or has been disturbed over the years
RE: Permit Fire Sprinkler
You just need someone that knows what they are doing when it comes to insulation
RE: Permit Fire Sprinkler
I have no idea about licensing of contractors in your state. You need to make a trip to city hall and start a discussion with the building official.
We can't help you in this arena.
RE: Permit Fire Sprinkler
RE: Permit Fire Sprinkler
RE: Permit Fire Sprinkler
It seems that no one has any paperwork on a system we are having problems. Both the Building Department and the Fire Department say it's unusual not to have paperwork on a sprinkler system.
Given the history of the developer with other things in the units it would not surprise us that he had the system put in by a company not qualified to do it. The previous Building Inspector was fired for some corruption issues, so I would not be surprised if he let the system through without the proper paperwork.
RE: Permit Fire Sprinkler
RE: Permit Fire Sprinkler
NFPA recently issued an emergency bulletin, urging all property owners with anti-freeze fire sprinkler systems protecting dwelling units to drain the anti-freeze.
You can view the bulletin at www.nfpa.org.
Forest Wilson
Cherokee Fire Protection Co.