Hello

The following was sent to NFPA25@NFPA.ORG for clarification but I'd like the forums take on it also please:


"There is some ambiguity here: 13.3.1.2   When a normally open valve is closed, the procedures established in Chapter 15 shall be followed.

Shouldn't this be under section 13.4.1.3   Maintenance, where we are concerned about a system being down for repairs for an extended time? 'Normally open valves' are regularly closed and then opened soon after during inspections. Is it the intent of 13.3.1.2 to implement an impairment program if one is going to do the monthly fire pump run test under churn for example, and a valve is closed for the requisite ten minutes?

The ambiguity is not made any better by the reference to cold weather valves in the appendix at A13.3.1.2."


 

Regards
D

A thing moderately good is not so good as it ought to be
                  Thomas Paine
 

The fact that a water-based fire protection system valve is being closed defines an impairment. Impairments are either scheduled or unscheduled. The point of this process to me is that an impairment means something needs to be done to resolve the issue.  

Under Maintenance in reference to OS&Y valves 13.3.4.2: "The valve then shall be completely closed and reopened to test its operation and distribute the lubricant."

By definition, when the valve is not in it's full open position, the sprinkler system is thus 'impaired'. By your post The point of this process to me is that an impairment means something needs to be done to resolve the issue. I suggest this impairment is rather well in hand. If the point of it being 'in hand' is irrelevant, are you inferring that any annual inspection involving a system with an OS&Y will require a chapter 15 impairment program?

   

Regards
D

A thing moderately good is not so good as it ought to be
                  Thomas Paine
 

Dave,

I say yes to the chap 15. impairment program. I beleive 13.4.1.3 piggy-backs on the chap. 15 requirements.  You say "monthly churn test" so I'm assuming you're reading the '11 edition.  I'm referencing '08.

You'll be fulfilling most of the requirements anyways when you do the churn test.

15.2 Impairment coordinator.  

The guy who's doing the test.

15.3 Tag Impairment system.  

Supply them with impairment tags emblazoned with your company's name and logo.  Free advertising for you, code compliance for them.  

15.4 Impaired equipment.  

If a valve is closed for ANY amount of time, the system is impaired.

15.5 Pre-planned impairment programs.

This happens (or should happen) anyways.  They've got to call the monitoring company and let them know to ignore that various supervisory signals will be coming through.  We always reccommend the fire dept. be called too (false alarms are expensive).    

15.6 Emergency impairments.

Whole nother animal.

15.7 Restoring the systems to service.  

Work backward through this list.  

This is even more relevant during the annual inspection.  When that backflow valve gets spun shut to do your testing, your system is dead in the water.  Pun intended.  What if the inspector has to go to the washroom or take a call outside and is gone for 15-20 min?  This industry is driven by worst case scenarios.

Sorry about the long post.  Too much coffee combined with the fact that I'm in a "friday mood".  

Simple answer to your question is "because that's what the book says".

Hope winter hasn't hit you too hard yet...bloody cold here in Sask these days.

 

Well reasoned my friend!

And I might add that a well reasoned post makes a long one worth while.

-10C clear and crisp. We sent a crew out to Eureka though ... -32C there so it's hard to complain whilst I sit with my hot java :)

Have a great day!

Regards
D

A thing moderately good is not so good as it ought to be
                  Thomas Paine