Recently there have been a rash of fires fueling a fear about antifreeze in sprinkler systems, this  news report is just one of many.

Excel Fire Protection ensures that its personnel is always trained directly from the manufacturers, to ensure that your safety comes first.  When it comes to antifreeze, the leading problem stems from mixing the concentration of antifreeze too high. Looking at the results of the news story, there were tests resulting in 67% antifreeze, well above what the manufacturers called for.

Unfortunately, in response to the rash of antifreeze fueled fires, the regulations now call for a pre-mixed antifreeze solution at much lower levels than were previously available.  For mountain towns, these new levels make it very difficult to protect properties from freezing lines.

If pipes freeze, the sprinklers can’t work properly.  Which means the property is unprotected from fire, and there is damage caused from the frozen lines.

First, as an owner of a commercial building or the owner of a residence that is currently protected with a water based sprinkler system, we want you to understand this new regulation and how it effects you.

The new TIA has many statements that might be putting your building at risk, especially in any area that gets below -6 to -19 degrees Fahrenheit.

3.6.4.1.1 Premixed Antifreeze Solution. A mixture of an antifreeze material with water that is prepared by the manufacturer at a factory with a quality control procedure in place that ensures that the antifreeze solution remains homogeneous.

These are the guidelines that must be followed now, which really means that you will need to take an active roll in protecting your systems.

5.3.4.2* Antifreeze solutions shall comply with one of the following:

(1) The concentration of a glycerin solution measured in an existing system shall be limited to 50% by volume.

(2) Newly introduced solutions shall be factory premixed antifreeze solutions of glycerin (chemically pure or United States Pharmacopoeia 96.5%) at a maximum concentration of 48% by volume.

(3) The concentration of a propylene glycol solution measured in an existing system shall be limited to 40% by volume.

Prior to this new TIA, Excel Fire was in control of the mixture used and could protect a property based on what was needed.  Now, to protect a property properly a lot more precautions will need to be taken.  The TIA specifically calls out installing heat tape and additional insulation.  This solution presents many problems, starting with identifying where all the pipes are in order to protect them.

“These new regulations are forcing the consumers to spend in some cases thousands of dollars and I don’t even know if after spending all that money it is going to be effective. ”  Ray Segura

Last  year, we spent a lot of time fixing broken pipes and it is that time of year again.  With the new regulations it is even more important to get on this right away.  If your system was given a marginal warning last year during your inspection it is now is the time to start talking about options for you building.

Excel Fire Protection is here to consult with each business on an individual basis to determine the best way to protect the property based on the new TIA.

If you own a building protected by a sprinkler system, please research this issue.  Understand your responsibilities as the owner with your sprinkler system.  This is not an easy issue, we recommend you take a life-safety, damage assessment.  Evaluate how you can protect your employees, your building, and still be able to follow these new guidelines.