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  • Fire Sprinklers
    • Cover Plates
      • Cover Plate Finder
      • Flat
      • Domed
      • Viking Cover Plates
      • Tyco Cover Plates
      • Reliable Cover Plates
      • Victaulic Cover Plates
      • Senju Cover Plates
      • Cleanroom
    • Escutcheons
      • Escutcheon Finder
      • Recessed
      • Adjustable (401)
      • Split Ring (Retrofit)
      • One Piece
      • Institutional
      • Viking Escutcheons
      • Tyco Escutcheons
      • Reliable Escutcheons
      • Victaulic Escutcheons
      • Senju Escutcheons
      • Vaulted Ceiling
      • Extension Tubes
    • Sprinkler Heads
      • Sprinkler Finder
      • Uprights
      • Pendents
      • Concealed Pendents
      • Horizontal Sidewalls
      • Concealed Sidewalls
      • Residential
      • Standard Response (SR)
      • Quick Response (QR)
      • ESFR, EC, & Other
      • Institutional
      • Viking Fire Sprinklers
      • Tyco Fire Sprinklers
      • Victaulic Fire Sprinklers
      • Reliable Fire Sprinklers
      • Senju Fire Sprinklers
    • Head Wrenches
      • Standard
      • Concealed
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      • Cabinet/Plastic
      • Hybrid and Other
    • Sprinkler Accessories
      • Sprinkler Extensions
      • Installation Tools
      • Trim Rings
      • Spare Head Cabinets
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      • Paint Covers
      • Standard Head Guards
      • Heavy Duty Head Guards
      • Water Shields and Baffles
    • Shut off Tools
      • Shutgun
    • System Components
      • Sprinkler Gauges
      • Flexible Drops
      • Drywall Access Doors
      • Pre-Assembled Risers
      • Cleaning Tools
      • Breakable Locks
  • Pipe
    • CPVC Fittings
      • Caps
      • Couplings
      • Adapters and Reducers
      • Elbows
      • Tees
      • Bushings
      • Pipe
      • Crosses
      • Cement
    • Grooved Fittings
      • Couplings
      • Adapters and Reducers
      • Caps
      • Mechanical Tees
      • Tees
      • Elbows
      • Crosses
      • Coupling Grease
    • Black Iron Fittings
      • Bushings
      • Nipples
      • Square Head Plugs
    • Wall Plates
      • Plastic
      • Metal
      • Galvanized
      • Rod Buttons
    • Installation & Cutting
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      • Hole Saw Blades
      • Sealants and Greases
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      • 24V
      • 120V
      • Alarm Bell Accessories
    • Electronic Supervision
      • Flow Switches
      • Pressure Switches
      • Supervisory Switches
  • FDCs
    • Exposed Bodies
      • Angled
      • Straight
    • Concealed Bodies
      • Angled
      • Straight
    • Caps and Plugs
      • Breakable Caps
      • Plug and Chains
    • Snoots and Swivels
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      • Round ID Plates
      • Square ID Plates
      • Auto Spkr ID Plates
      • Standpipe ID Plates
      • Combination ID Plates
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      • Grooved Butterfly Valves
      • Threaded Butterfly Valves
      • Wafer Butterfly Valves
    • OS&Y Valves
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      • Powerball Valves
      • Gate Valves
    • Shotgun Riser Check Valves
    • Other Check Valves
      • Brass Check Valves
      • In-Line Check Valves
      • Swing Check Valves
    • Angle Valves
    • Testing & Maintenance
      • Pressure Relief Valves
      • Bleeder Valves
      • Three Way Valves
      • Ball Valves
      • Globe Valves
      • Ball Drip Valves
      • Auxiliary Drain Valves
      • Test and Drain Valves
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      • Valve Wheel Wrenches
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Test & Monitor

#217 – Flow Switches vs. Pressure Switches in Fire Protection: What’s the Difference?

February 2, 2025July 1, 2019 by Jason Hugo
Flow and pressure switches

Flow and pressure switches may look similar, but choosing the wrong type can have serious consequences for fire protection systems. Learn about their construction, use, and code requirements.

Categories Test & Monitor Leave a comment

#200 – What’s a Firefighting Playpipe and Why Do We Call It That?

February 2, 2025June 6, 2019 by Jason Hugo
Firefighting playpipe

QRFS looks at the origins and historic use of the term “playpipe,” explaining how firefighting playpipe became the inspector’s tool of choice for straightening water flows.

Categories Test & Monitor Tags firefighter playpipe, playpipe 10 Comments

#182 – How to Detect and Fix an Underground Standpipe Leak, Part 2

August 9, 2025May 10, 2019 by Jason Hugo
Camera looking at underground pipe

QRFS explores how simple pipe accessories and specialized tools—from ground-penetrating radar to infrared imaging—can expedite the task of finding and fixing a leak in the underground pipes serving standpipe systems.

Categories Test & Monitor Leave a comment

#181 – How to Detect and Fix an Underground Standpipe Leak, Part 1

August 9, 2025May 9, 2019 by Jason Hugo
Workers digging for underground pipe

Flow tests and hydrostatic tests can uncover problems with private fire service mains serving a standpipe system. QRFS explains how standpipe testing procedures can point to a leak underground.

Categories Test & Monitor 3 Comments

#141 – How to Use and Troubleshoot a Hydrostatic Test Pump

February 2, 2025January 22, 2019 by Jason Hugo
Tru-Test HT89A hydrostatic test pump parts

How do you properly use a hydrostatic test pump? When can you troubleshoot a hydrostatic test pump on your own and when should you contact the manufacturer? Learn to prime, start, stop, and safely pressurize pumps with this guide from QRFS.

Categories Test & Monitor Leave a comment

#133 – Hydrostatic Test Pump Features to Consider When Selecting a Pump

February 2, 2025November 6, 2018 by Jason Hugo
Triple R HT-454 Hydrostatic Test Pump

What makes a hydrostatic test pump better for acceptance and maintenance testing on fire sprinklers and standpipes? QRFS takes a look at features impacting the portability, ease of use, and reliability of today’s hydrostatic test pumps.

Categories Test & Monitor Leave a comment

#132 – Choosing a Hydrostatic Test Pump for Fire Sprinklers and Standpipes

February 2, 2025October 30, 2018 by Jason Hugo
Hydrostatic Test Leak in Pipe

Standpipes and sprinklers require hydrostatic testing before system acceptance, every 5 years for certain standpipes, and/or when there are significant system revisions. But how do you know if you’ve got the right pump for the job? QRFS reviews the key specs and features to look for when choosing a hydrostatic test pump.

Categories Test & Monitor Leave a comment

#126 – Fire Bell Placement: Mounting an Outdoor Bell Near an FDC

February 2, 2025September 18, 2018 by Jason Hugo
10" Fire Bell 120V AC

Is a fire bell needed near a sprinkler system’s FDC? Where should this outdoor bell be mounted? Get to know NFPA, IBC, and local rules on fire alarm bells.

Categories Test & Monitor Leave a comment

#105 – The Water Hero Can Stop Costly Water Leaks and Damage at Home

February 2, 2025April 24, 2018 by Jason Hugo
Water Hero

Water leaks can happen in surprising and hidden places in the home, and cause thousands of dollars in damage before they’re fixed. QRFS details the causes, costs, and insurance implications of home water leaks, plus looks at a simple solution to automatically detect leaks and stop them: The Water Hero.

Categories Test & Monitor Leave a comment

#84 – What is Hydrostatic Testing of a Building’s Fire Protection System?

February 2, 2025November 23, 2017 by Jason Hugo
hydrostatics

Learn how and when hydrostatic testing is conducted on standpipes and fire sprinkler systems, as well as special considerations and the equipment used.

Categories Test & Monitor 1 Comment

#76 – Does My Pressure Gauge Need a NIST Certification?

February 3, 2025September 28, 2017 by Jason Hugo
NIST-certified pressure gauge

Gain a better understanding of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), their mission, and what it means for your pressure gauges. Learn what it means when a gauge has a NIST Certificate, when it’s necessary, and options for getting a certification for gauges in your current inventory.

Categories Test & Monitor 4 Comments
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