Is your fire sprinkler system ready for winter? 7 checks for homes and businesses

Winter is when fire risk goes up. Heaters come out, candles get lit, extension leads get overloaded with fairy lights and kitchens work overtime. It's also the time of year when a fire sprinkler system is most likely to be caught out, not by fire, but by the cold.

A sprinkler system is full of water, and water freezes. A frozen pipe can split and flood a ceiling, or it can block the flow so the system can't do its job when it matters. The good news is that most winter problems are easy to prevent if you know where to look.

Here are seven checks we recommend to every homeowner, landlord and facilities manager before the temperature drops.

1. Know where your pipework runs

Most of a sprinkler system is hidden in ceilings and walls, which is exactly why it gets forgotten. The parts at risk are the ones in cold spaces: lofts, roof voids, garages, outbuildings and pipework running along external walls. If you're not sure where yours runs, your installation paperwork or your last service report should show it, or we can walk you through it.

2. Check insulation in lofts and cold spaces

Pipework in unheated spaces should be properly insulated or protected from frost. Frost protection is part of how systems are designed under BS 9251, the British Standard for domestic and residential sprinklers. Over time, insulation can get disturbed by building work, loft conversions, new storage or even pests. Have a look: if pipe lagging has slipped, been squashed or gone missing, it needs putting right.

3. Keep the tank and pump room warm

Many systems in Wales run from a dedicated water tank and pump, often in a garage, cupboard or plant room. These spaces need to stay above freezing. If the tank room has a heater or trace heating, make sure it's switched on and working, and don't let the room become a dumping ground that blocks airflow or access.

4. Pay attention to alarms and warning lights

Tank and pump systems usually have alarms that warn you if the water level drops or the pump develops a fault. If a panel is beeping or showing a warning light, don't silence it and forget about it. A low-water or fault alarm in winter can be a sign of a leak or a frozen section, and it needs looking at straight away.

5. Make sure valves are open

It sounds obvious, but a closed or half-closed valve is one of the most common reasons a sprinkler system can't work properly. Valves can get knocked during building work or shut off by a plumber working on something else. Check that the main sprinkler valve is fully open and, ideally, secured in that position.

6. Don't cover, paint or decorate sprinkler heads

Christmas is coming, and sprinkler heads are not hooks. Don't hang decorations, tinsel or lights from them. Never paint them, and keep stored items well clear so the spray pattern isn't blocked. A sprinkler head that's been painted over or covered may not activate as designed, and should be checked by an engineer rather than cleaned yourself.

7. Book your annual service before the cold sets in

Sprinkler systems should be serviced every year by a competent engineer. That's the recommendation in BS 9251, and many insurers and landlords' obligations depend on it. A service is the best way to catch problems like corroded fittings, a tired pump or a slow leak before winter turns them into a burst pipe. If your last service was more than 12

months ago, now is the time.

Going away over the holidays?

If a home or building will be empty over Christmas, keep the heating on a low setting rather than switching it off completely. Cold, empty properties are where frozen pipes do the most damage, because nobody is there to notice.

What to do if you think a pipe has frozen

• Don't use a naked flame or heat gun on sprinkler pipework.

• Don't turn the system off and leave it off. A building without working sprinklers is a building without protection.

• Call a sprinkler engineer. We'll find the problem, thaw or repair it safely, and get the system back in service.
  

Peace of mind this winter

Concept Fire Sprinklers has been designing, installing and maintaining fire sprinkler systems across Cardiff and Wales for over 20 years. Whether you need a winter health check, an annual service or help with a fault, our team is here to help.

Get in touch today to book your sprinkler service.