Marine Fire Sprinkler System Test

The reliability of an automatic fire sprinkler is vital. To prevent malfunction during an emergency, the water inside of the system needs to be monitored to control corrosion and other hazards. The IMO has issued revised guidelines (contained in circular MSC.1/CIRC. 1516) for in-service testing of automatic sprinkler and automatic mist systems.

The amended guidelines advise shipowners, operators and system manufacturers to actively monitor and assess the effectiveness of automatic sprinkler and automatic mist systems on a planned periodical basis. Water quality testing should be performed on a quarterly basis and results recorded.

Corrosion can cause major catastrophic problems with these systems, potentially causing system failure and leakage (pin-hole size leaks). We have included the test kit testing for pH, conductivity and testing microbiological levels (total count of bacteria & sulphate producing bacteria).

Saltwater ingress occurs when the system has been used (freshwater) and, once depleted, is usually bypassed directly using seawater. If this happens, the system is flushed through with fresh water. A chloride test is provided to ensure the seawater is not present, which can cause corrosion problems.

Any part of the system may be subjected to freezing temperatures in service. Anti-freeze (mono-ethylene & mono-propylene glycol) is used as a standard to protect these systems from freezing. A glycol refractometer is supplied to ensure the systems are being maintained at the correct freeze point or percentage product.