50-Year Replacment or Test Req't (NFPA 25)
50-Year Replacment or Test Req't (NFPA 25)
(OP)
Hello all,
I apologize if this has been brought up before, but I'm doing a little historical digging. Our facility is well over 50 years old and good majority of the buildings are 50+ - some aren't; I've been here 5 years and we are just now trying to determine whether to replace or test sprinkler heads. In the largest building in question, we are talking about 30,000 plus sprinklers.
I have a few questions:
1. How long has the 50-year requirement existed? (Stakeholders want to know).
2. With several hundred risers in a single building, what would constitute a representative sample for testing?
3. What kind or results are common in testing?
Thanks in advance - and if this has been spoken of before, please bear with me as this the first time for me use these forums.
I apologize if this has been brought up before, but I'm doing a little historical digging. Our facility is well over 50 years old and good majority of the buildings are 50+ - some aren't; I've been here 5 years and we are just now trying to determine whether to replace or test sprinkler heads. In the largest building in question, we are talking about 30,000 plus sprinklers.
I have a few questions:
1. How long has the 50-year requirement existed? (Stakeholders want to know).
2. With several hundred risers in a single building, what would constitute a representative sample for testing?
3. What kind or results are common in testing?
Thanks in advance - and if this has been spoken of before, please bear with me as this the first time for me use these forums.





RE: 50-Year Replacment or Test Req't (NFPA 25)
RE: 50-Year Replacment or Test Req't (NFPA 25)
https://s0.hfdstatic.com/p/losscontrol/files/priva...
Can get you NFPA wording later
RE: 50-Year Replacment or Test Req't (NFPA 25)
We are looking into that now. It looks like it will be substantially less than replacement, but that would depend on results too.
RE: 50-Year Replacment or Test Req't (NFPA 25)
2. One percent of each sprinkler type installed, with a minimum of four sprinkler per sample. For multiple riser locations, I remove and test 1% of each type installed on each riser, taking samples from different locations and tagging them accordingly. (Note: The sprinklers will be activated during testing and must be replaced with similar sprinklers when removing)
3. Our results have been very successful with testing versus full replacement. That said, one failure creates the need to replace all of that type installed.
With such a large facility neither option is going to be cheap, but I recommend contacting a local sprinkler contractor to start estimating pricing of testing.
Take care,
Randy
RE: 50-Year Replacment or Test Req't (NFPA 25)
RE: 50-Year Replacment or Test Req't (NFPA 25)
It's all about cost / benefit ratios. Sure, it may be cheaper to test individually and buy some time. But, as noted above, one failure and you replace all of that type of sprinkler.
Travis Mack
MFP Design, LLC
www.mfpdesign.com
"Follow" us at https://www.facebook.com/pages/MFP-Design-LLC/9221...
RE: 50-Year Replacment or Test Req't (NFPA 25)
RE: 50-Year Replacment or Test Req't (NFPA 25)
Contact above. They will send you information as to the current cost, shipping, ordering tags for used sprinkler heads. When you remove the old heads, fill out the tags they send you. Keep a copy of the filled tags and the head info. I do not remember the cost or time frame from shipping to UL and the receipt of the report. The report was easy to understand and all of the heads, 8, passed.