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Guides for Fire Protection Equipment and Fire Safety Systems
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#343 – How to Turn Off a Sprinkler Head: Control Valves vs. Shutgun
Shutgun tools turn off activated fire sprinklers fast—and without impairing the system Whether it’s because of flying objects, coat hangers, careless construction workers, errant forklifts, or vandalism, fire sprinklers sometimes activate when there’s no fire. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), fire departments responded to about 33,600 accidental fire sprinkler activations in 2014. Depending on the type, fire... -
#342 – Backflow Preventer vs. Check Valve: What’s the Difference?
Backflow preventers offer the best protection against contamination of city water supplies A check valve provides a basic form of backflow prevention, preventing water from flowing in the wrong direction. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) model codes and standards require them in various places on fire protection systems, and check valves are essential components of backflow preventers. But they are... -
#341 — Tools for Sprinkler System Backflow Valve Repair and Maintenance
Check Key tools make it easy and safe to service check valves in backflow preventers Maintaining backflow preventers is vital to ensuring that harmful contaminants from building systems don’t pollute city water supplies. But without the proper tools, attempting sprinkler system backflow valve repair or maintenance can make the situation worse—damaging the check valves you’re trying to remove, as well... -
#333 — Does Smoke in a Can Work with Every Smoke Detector?
UL-listed canned smoke offers the most effective method for testing smoke detectors Working smoke detectors more than double people’s chances of surviving a fire by sounding an early warning, states the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). But while conventional wisdom urges business and property owners to check these life-saving devices once a month by pushing the “test” button, the Boston... -
#332 – Testing Smoke Detectors with Smoke in a Can
Learn how smoke in a can works—and why it is a convenient, reliable smoke detector tester Smoke detectors are fundamental fire protection equipment, and they’ve saved innumerable lives by providing early warning of fires. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) research reveals that 40% of home fire deaths happened where no smoke alarms were present, and 17% occurred when the smoke...