Case Studies
J.S. Held Acquires Technorm, Québec’s Leading Forensic, Building Safety & Compliance Experts
Read MoreA winter storm brought an extended period of subfreezing conditions combined with power outages, causing the client’s wet-pipe fire suppression system to freeze and rupture in multiple buildings. City officials required a fire watchperson to be posted until the fire suppression systems could be returned to service. A fire suppression contractor assessed the system, concluded it was unrepairable, and quoted demolition and replacement of the entire suppression system, which required removal of interior finishes and disruption to the tenants.
J.S. Held’s MEP Engineering Practice was tasked with evaluating the extent of damage to the fire suppression system and identifying repair options. J.S. Held met with the fire suppression contractor and inspected the system. We found only a few ruptures throughout the complex, which a fire suppression contractor would normally repair quickly. However, the system was constructed in the 1980s using polybutylene piping which has since been removed from acceptable materials listed in NPFA 13R -Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in Low-Rise Residential Occupancies. As such, replacement fittings listed for fire suppression service were no longer available, and we found that the contractor was correct in their assessment.
During our inspection, we discovered that a dissimilar metal transition fitting between the copper riser and the polybutylene was obstructed by corrosion, which would have reduced the fire fighting capability of the system. The system had no means to test if the fittings were obstructed aside from removal and visual observations. The obstructed fitting was common to all buildings and, therefore, we advised that none of the systems could be returned to service for the safety of the residence.
Michael Brinker, PE, CFEI, CVFI
Professional Engineer
Equipment Consulting Practice
+1 615 219 4223
[email protected]
> Equipment Consulting - Building Systems
J.S. Held consultants and engineers have extensive experience evaluating the mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, vertical transportation, and security systems that are integrated into the construction and operations of residential, commercial, and industrial buildings and facilities.
> Equipment Consulting
J.S. Held’s equipment experts deliver support on matters ranging from daily desktop reviews to multi-million-dollar, complex technology claims. Our team leverages years of experience handling a variety of specialized equipment and systems.