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FS MainDrainTesting

This document provides a procedure for conducting sprinkler system main drain tests at the University of Rochester. It details responsibilities, required notifications, steps to disable alarms and pumps, how to perform the drain test and monitoring of pressures, and documentation of results.

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24 views

FS MainDrainTesting

This document provides a procedure for conducting sprinkler system main drain tests at the University of Rochester. It details responsibilities, required notifications, steps to disable alarms and pumps, how to perform the drain test and monitoring of pressures, and documentation of results.

Uploaded by

appril26
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH & SAFETY

Policy No.: FS017 Approved by: Mark Cavanaugh


Title: Sprinkler Main Drain Testing Date: 11/5/2019
Revision No.: 4 Page 1 of 5
Prepared by: Mark Militello

I. PURPOSE
This procedure identifies how to conduct a sprinkler system main drain test

II. PERSONNEL AFFECTED


Fire Safety Unit

III. DEFINITIONS
EH&S- Environmental Health and Safety Department of the University of Rochester

Fire Safety Unit) – Representatives of the University Fire Marshal’s Office out of the
EH&S department.

IV. RESPONSIBILITIES
The Fire Safety Unit representative conducting this test is responsible for following the
proper procedures related to these systems and for contacting Public Safety when the test
begins and ends. Failure to do so may result in injury, damage or prevent the proper
operation of equipment.

V. PROCEDURES
A. Contact the University Public Safety Communications Center and advise them you
will be testing the sprinkler system main drain in your specific area and to ignore water
flow alarms from that fire alarm panel.

B. Contact Facilities Work Center (X34567) and advise them you will testing the sprinkler
system main drain in your specific area.

C. Disable, per the fire alarm disconnect/reconnect procedures, the necessary fire alarm
panel(s) as required for the test.

D. Proceed to the sprinkler riser.

E. If the system has a fire pump/jockey pump, shut both the pumps off for the test per “Fire
Pump disconnect” procedure.

F. Close pet cock on the valve near the 2” drain line and remove the gauge from the supply
side. Open pet cock and purge any excess debris/air from the port before installing the
calibrated gauge.
UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH & SAFETY

Policy No.: FS017 Approved by: Mark Cavanaugh


Title: Sprinkler Main Drain Testing Date: 11/5/2019
Revision No.: 4 Page 2 of 5
Prepared by: Mark Militello

G. For systems with fire pumps open the 2” main drain to release the pressure from the
weekly pump test to street pressure.

H. Close the 2” main drain if open in Step F.

I. Observe and document the static pressure on the supply side and Start Test Time on
Appendix 1.

J. Open the 2” main drain fully and watch the supply side calibrated pressure gauge to see
how much lower the pressure drops. When the pressure stabilizes, note and document the
residual pressure on Appendix 1.

K. When the pressure gauge stops dropping and stabilizes, close the main drain fully, note
the time on Appendix 1 as Time Test Completed.

L. Watch the calibrated gauge as it returns to match the actual street pressure and record
static pressure and time on Appendix 1 under Time System Stabilized.

M. The flow-testing portion is completed.

N. The pressure should not drop 10% from one year to the next during a main drain test. If
so, refer to Fire Marshal. Example: Residual pressure is 60 psi X 10% = 6 psi. The
calibrated gauge should not drop past 54 psi during the main drain test of the next year.

O. Once the main drain is closed, turn the jockey pump back on and wait for the system
pressure to return to normal. Caution: If the fire pump is turned on, it will activate and
slam the system pressure quickly and possibly cause damage and/or multiple flow alarms.

P. Remove the calibrated gauge from the street side. Open the pet cock and purge any
excess debris/air from the port before re-installing the system gauge.

Q. Complete the Main Drain-UR test form (Appendix 1). Turn this form into the Fire
Marshal for review.

R. Once the entire system pressure is returned to normal, turn the fire pump back on and
return all disabled fire alarm panel(s) back to normal per the system disconnect/reconnect
procedures.

S. Contact the University Public Safety Communication Center and advise them the test is
completed.
UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH & SAFETY

Policy No.: FS017 Approved by: Mark Cavanaugh


Title: Sprinkler Main Drain Testing Date: 11/5/2019
Revision No.: 4 Page 3 of 5
Prepared by: Mark Militello

T. Contact Facilities Work Center (X34567) and advise them the testing in completed.

VI. REFERENCES
NFPA 25 (2014) Standard for Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire
Protection Systems

VII. APPENDICES/FORMS
Appendix 1 – (I:/fire/Main Drain/Main Drain Blank Form.xls)

VIII. REVISION HISTORY

Date Revision No. Description


10/27/2010 New Initial development of this policy
4/18/2013 1 Update procedure.
2/23/2017 2 Update procedure.
8/17/2017 3 Update procedure and add notification of
facilities work center
11/5/2019 4 Clarification of procedures
UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH & SAFETY

Policy No.: FS017 Approved by: Mark Cavanaugh


Title: Sprinkler Main Drain Testing Date: 11/5/2019
Revision No.: 4 Page 4 of 5
Prepared by: Mark Militello

Appendix 1

DATE BUILDING

SYSTEM LOCATION

TEST
TEST POINT FREQUENCY Quarterly

VALVE MODEL VALVE NUMBER

TEST INFORMATION

STATIC PRESSURES PSI (BELOW CHECK VALVE)


RESIDUAL PRESSURES PSI (BELOW CHECK VALVE)

SYSTEM
YES NO YES NO
FLUSHED PIPING SATISFACTORY
SYSTEM INSPECTED YES NO VALVE OPERATED YES NO
START TEST TIME STOP TEST TIME

TIME SYSTEM
RECOVERY TIME STABILIZED
FINAL STATIC PRESSURE PSI

SPRINKLER HEAD INFORMATION

CHANGING
YES NO YES NO
SPARE HEADS PROVIDED TOOLS
SPECIAL HEADS
YES NO YES NO
CLEAN OF DEPOSITS IDENTIFIED
NUMBER OF HEADS PENDANT PENDANT HEADS GREATER
THAN 8' AFF HAVE CAGES YES NO
UPRIGHT

SIDEWALL
UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH & SAFETY

Policy No.: FS017 Approved by: Mark Cavanaugh


Title: Sprinkler Main Drain Testing Date: 11/5/2019
Revision No.: 4 Page 5 of 5
Prepared by: Mark Militello

SPRINKLER SIGNAGE INFORMATION

SIGNAGE IDENTIFYING
FLOW DIRECTION LABELS AREA
ON PIPING YES NO OF PROTECTION YES NO
HYDRAULIC
CALCULATIONS FIRE DEPT CONNECTION
ON RISER YES NO PROPERLY IDENTIFIED YES NO

COMMENTS/CORRECTIVE ACTIONS

INSPECTOR

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