Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM)
Sprinkler maintenance ensures your fire safety solutions are protecting your business
A freshly installed fire detection and suppression system starts protecting your people the minute it’s switched on.
But over time, wear and tear, unexpected faults, or environmental complications may slowly reduce your system’s efficacy. Regulatory standards demand inspections on 5, 10, and 25-year cycles, but when it comes to keeping people safe, that might not be adequate. What’s required is planned preventative maintenance (PPM)
Preventive care is crucial to the optimal functioning of your fire suppression systems. Vipond offers meticulously planned maintenance schedules to ensure all your equipment operates at peak efficacy and efficiency.
Our expert technicians will perform detailed inspections and make necessary adjustments, helping identify and address potential issues before they become significant problems. We perform sprinkler maintenance tasks, service gas suppression systems, and ensure dry and wet risers are ready to operate effectively when required.
Trust in our extensive experience to keep your systems fully compliant and reliable.
Contact us to discuss your existing system and how we can help ensure it remains fully operational.
The importance of planned preventative maintenance in fire safety systems
Fire safety systems are the first line of defence for protecting lives and property. From sprinkler systems to gas suppression systems, fire safety solutions are able to detect and control fire, thereby minimising damage and potentially saving lives. However, the effectiveness of these systems heavily relies on regular and planned preventative maintenance (PPM). Ensuring that these systems are always in optimal working condition is not just a matter of good practice; it is often a legal requirement.
How often should you maintain
your sprinkler system?
In the UK, BS 9251 requires all businesses to inspect, test, and maintain their sprinkler system at least once a year to ensure performance and reliability.
The tasks included in a maintenance visit include checking for leaks, a system flush or clean, lubrication application, alarm tests, flow and pressure tests, or replacing faulty or worn-out parts.
Each visit will differ depending on the systems being tested, the size of the site, and the building use case. Below are some common service and maintenance tasks:
Sprinkler system maintenance
Visual Inspections: Checking for leaks, corrosion, and physical damage to pipes and sprinkler heads.
Functional Tests: Conducting flow tests and ensuring water pressure is adequate.
Alarm Systems: Testing the alarm system connected to the sprinkler system to ensure they activate correctly.
Valve Inspections: Ensuring that control valves are in the correct open position and not tampered with.
Dry riser and wet riser maintenance
Pressure Testing: Checking the pressure levels to ensure the system can deliver adequate water flow during an emergency.
Valve Operation: Ensuring all inlet and outlet valves operate smoothly and are not blocked.
Pipe Inspection: Examining pipes for signs of corrosion, damage, or blockages.
Outlet Checks: Testing the outlets to ensure they are not obstructed and can deliver water effectively.
Gas suppression system maintenance
Cylinder Inspections: Checking for leaks and ensuring cylinders are adequately charged.
Control Panels: Testing control panels to ensure they trigger the suppression system correctly.
Nozzle Inspections: Ensuring that nozzles are unobstructed and in their proper positions.
Alarm Integration: Testing the alarm systems to ensure they activate with the suppression system.
Why PPM is crucial
Reliability: Regular maintenance ensures that fire safety systems are reliable and can function correctly when needed most.
Longevity: Preventative maintenance can extend the lifespan of fire safety systems, ensuring that businesses get the most value out of their investment.
Compliance: Adhering to legal regulations avoids the risk of penalties and legal consequences.
Safety: Most importantly, regular maintenance ensures the safety of occupants, which is the primary goal of any fire safety system.
Trust Vipond for your fire system service and maintenance
Vipond’s expertise in fire detection and suppression and our experience working in a wide range of industries, buildings, and environments make us the outstanding choice of fire safety partner. We have expert engineers throughout the UK and Ireland available at short notice, and we can guide you through the best maintenance schedule to suit your specific demands and hours of business.
To find out how we could help protect your people, property, and assets, contact us today.
Our solutions
Protect your people, property, and assets from the threat of fire.