4 Reasons Your Fire Sprinklers Are Leaking

June 22, 2022

Fire sprinkler systems can contain a blaze, potentially preventing major property damage or serious injuries. However, because fire systems are constantly pressurized with water, they may eventually start to leak. Below are a few common reasons your fire sprinklers may be losing water.

What Are the Common Causes of Fire System Leaks?

1. Equipment Failure

Many older sprinkler systems feature O-rings, which can corrode when exposed to contaminants in water. These rings often sit in valves, so you may see water dripping from a sprinkler head.

Improperly installed equipment and maintenance mistakes can also cause system leaks. For instance, a fitting may have been over-tightened or a key component may be missing.

2. Corrosion

Oxygen in the water can also trigger corrosion in metal pipes, potentially causing leaks throughout the system. If corrosion is the culprit, you may notice leaks occurring in several places at once, and the water may appear discolored. You might also notice a strange, sulfurous odor like rotten eggs in the affected areas.

Sprinkler system — Anchorage, AK — Accel Fire Systems, Inc.

3. Damaged Sprinkler Heads

Sprinkler systems can go unused for years, so workers and maintenance crews often take them for granted. Unfortunately, employees carrying ladders or driving forklifts through your building can bump a sprinkler head. While the head may not seem affected immediately, the broken seal may begin to leak over time.

4. Freezing Pipes

If the heat in your building needs to be shut off during repairs or parts of the building are uninsulated, the water in the sprinkler system may freeze. In most cases, freezing will cause pipes to burst, creating obvious damage and a plumbing emergency. However, ice in the pipes may expand just enough to break seals, ruin O-rings, or break the valves that keep the system pressurized.

With over 20 years of experience and offices in Fairbanks and Anchorage, Accel Fire Systems provides expert installation and repairs to businesses across the state. They’re a certified member of the National Fire Protection Association, and pride themselves on providing sprinkler systems using some of the most sophisticated equipment in the industry. Visit their website for more on their fire control systems, call (907) 456-3990 to schedule an inspection from their team in Fairbanks, or dial (907) 349-1490 to reach their office in Anchorage.