Consider this common situation: your long-term commercial tenant is moving out of three floors in your high-rise building in downtown Edmonton. In order to prepare the space for a new tenant, you and your property management company are completing some basic renovations. To an untrained eye, your painters did a great job and created a uniform and even layer from floor to ceiling–including your fire protection system and sprinkler heads.
While one coat of paint might not seem like a big deal, the truth is that this one mistake can cost you thousands of dollars. In this blog post, we’ll break down the risks of painted sprinkler heads–and offer some expert tips on how Edmonton property managers can avoid this expensive mistake. Keep reading to learn more!
The Risks of Painted Sprinkler Heads
Generally, fire sprinkler systems are activated by high heat. However, even a single layer of paint can impact the head’s ability to detect temperature changes, resulting in significant delays and non-functional systems.
In addition to the safety risks, this mistake also poses a substantial financial threat. As painted sprinkler heads are a direct violation of the Alberta Fire Code, buildings with this error will fail their annual fire inspections. This can lead to costly fines and thousands of dollars in repair costs.
How Property Managers Can Prevent This Problem
In our experience, most sprinkler heads are accidentally painted during suite turnovers, especially when an external contractor is completing renovations or upgrades to prepare for a new tenant. Property managers or building owners can prevent this with a couple of simple steps:
- Educate your staff, contractors, and other key individuals on the risks of painted sprinkler heads.
- Perform comprehensive pre- and post-renovation inspections.
- If you see paint on any of your fire sprinkler systems, don’t wait until your annual inspection to make these repairs. Instead, act quickly and contact an expert fire protection company to complete the necessary replacements.
Karlen-Kada: Your Source for Fire Protection Services in Edmonton
Your sprinkler system isn’t just a building requirement–it is an essential fire suppression system that protects your property, your tenants, and your investment. As experienced fire protection professionals, the Karlen-Kada team has decades of experience installing, inspecting, and maintaining fire sprinkler systems. We offer other fire protection solutions, including:
- Fire alarm system installations and upgrades
- Fire hydrant maintenance
- Backflow preventer testing and certification
- Installation, inspection, and maintenance of fire extinguishers
- Installation and servicing of commercial kitchen suppression systems
Dealing with Painted Sprinkler Heads? Call Us Today
Don’t wait until your annual inspection to deal with this substantial safety hazard. Instead, contact Karlen-Kada for COR-certified fire protection and suppression services in Edmonton. Call us to schedule your sprinkler system repair today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are painted fire sprinkler heads a violation of the Fire Code of Alberta?
Yes. As stated in section 6.4.1.1 of the Alberta Fire Code, all “water-based fire protection systems “shall be inspected, tested and maintained in conformance with NFPA 25, ‘Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems.'” The NFPA 25 requires that any sprinkler that shows signs of paint which is detrimental to the sprinkler’s performance must be replaced.
How to remove paint from a sprinkler head?
If one or many of your fire sprinkler system heads is painted, do not attempt to remove the paint yourself. This can accidentally activate the system, resulting in even more significant damage. In order to correctly deal with painted sprinkler heads, it is important to contact a professional fire protection company like Karlen-Kada.
How much does it cost to replace a painted sprinkler head in Edmonton?
While overall costs may vary depending on your system, replacing one sprinkler head costs between $150 and $300.