May 8, 2018
After a series of incidents in which antifreeze ignited after sprinklers deployed during a fire, NFPA investigated and began issuing new guidelines for its use in 2010. QRFS explains the current status of using antifreeze in fire protection systems, as well as alternatives for freeze protection.
May 1, 2018
Cleanrooms that are used in manufacturing, research, and medical facilities require fire sprinkler systems that are easy to clean without damaging the sprinkler heads. QRFS details the benefits of fire sprinkler cover plates in cleanrooms and other highly-sanitary environments.
March 17, 2018
Fire sprinkler systems are incredibly reliable and effective, but several things can cause an accidental discharge, including vandalism or negligence. QRFS examines why fire sprinklers go off at the wrong time and how a simple solution – the Shutgun – can stop a fire sprinkler head and prevent thousands of dollars in water damage.
March 1, 2018
The right fire hose spray nozzle can quickly extinguish or control a fire. The wrong type can be ineffective, hard to control, or even harmful. QRFS looks at fire hose nozzles, thread types, cleaning, and maintenance to help you choose the right nozzle for the task at hand.
February 22, 2018
The best fire hoses efficiently move water, and lots of it. But no two kinds of hose are exactly alike. In this guide, QRFS looks at the basic types and features of fire hose, the materials that separate the best hose from the worst, and what you need to do to keep the hose you’ve got fully functional.
February 15, 2018
In this final installment of our series detailing standpipes, we examine the signage required to identify and provide information about different portions of a system. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) issues detailed requirements for labeling the components of a standpipe system in NFPA 14 and NFPA 25.
February 8, 2018
QRFS’s crash course for building owners and fire protection contractors covers NFPA 25’s maintenance testing requirements for automatic and semiautomatic dry standpipe systems.
January 25, 2018
This installment of a continuing series covers required acceptance testing for standpipe systems and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards that correspond with it.
January 18, 2018
A look at the additional, vital portions of a standpipe: the hoses, hose connections and stations, and various system valves. This article explains the purpose of these items and serves as a quick reference for the maintenance and inspections expected of life safety contractors and building owners.
January 11, 2018
This article examines the major individual components of standpipe systems, along with their installation, inspection, and maintenance requirements. Our aim is to simplify this guidance for both contractors and building owners.
January 4, 2018
This article provides an overview of the different types and classes of standpipe systems, as well as explains when they are required according to NFPA 14, the International Fire Code, and the International Building Code.
December 14, 2017
NFPA requires many signs in a fire sprinkler system. Learn about them all to ensure your system is properly marked. Why? So first responders, building managers, and fire professionals all access a well-marked, easy-to-navigate fire protection system that works.
December 7, 2017
Why would a fire protection system need to be drained? This article discusses four common reasons and details the various types of drains necessary for safely draining a fire sprinkler system. Included is a detailed breakdown of the primary drain valves in a sprinkler system: main drains, auxiliary drains, sectional drains, test drains, and more.
November 23, 2017
Learn how and when hydrostatic testing is conducted on standpipes and fire sprinkler systems, as well as special considerations and the equipment used.
November 16, 2017
In fire sprinkler and standpipe systems, trim valves help make inspection, monitoring, and testing simpler. QRFS looks at trim valves for fire protection, providing an overview of what they are, how they function, and what the NFPA says about these helpful devices.
November 9, 2017
In this article, we dive into thread standards and thread sizing. Travel back into history to gain a better understanding of thread sizes, learn what standards are used today, and find out what solutions are available to ensure you get the right threads for your fire protection job.
