A safety alert has been issued related to buildings equipped with residential fire sprinkler systems containing antifreeze solutions.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has issued a
safety alert related to buildings equipped with residential fire sprinkler
systems containing antifreeze solutions.
Following a recent fatal fire incident,
which prompted a research study and a series of fire tests, there has been
concern raised over the potential for the antifreeze solution in the
residential fire sprinkler system to ignite in certain fire situations.
According to the NFPA, any system that
contains antifreeze should have the antifreeze drained from the system and
replaced with water. NFPA is recommending that those who are responsible for a
residential occupancy with a fire sprinkler system should have a fire sprinkler
contractor test their system for antifreeze. NFPA also advises that all
residential fire sprinkler systems currently being installed should avoid
designing or installing a system that would require antifreeze.
Antifreeze systems were first recognized
and approved for use in residential occupancies in the 1989 edition of the NFPA
fire sprinkler installation standards. More information regarding NFPA’s safety
alert on antifreeze in residential fire sprinklers or the list of recommended
actions to take for systems containing antifreeze can be found at
www.nfpa.org/antifreeze.
If you believe you are affected by this alert you are urged to contact your
local building or fire official for more information.
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