hydrostatic pressure test NYC Archives

It is imperative to note that a fire protection system requires regular inspection and testing. That ensures that the system works in an emergency. One of the essentials to this inspection is a hydrostatic test, also known as a functionality test. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) describes a hydrostatic test is a test of a closed piping system. The test should include the piping system and its attached appurtenances. This test entails subjecting the piping to increased internal pressure to confirm system integrity and system leakage rates.

Notably, fire sprinklers to undergo hydrostatic pressure test every five years. This is a requirement of the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY). You must request that the FDNY representative come to witness the test by requesting an appointment. A fire suppression contractor who possesses a Class A or B license should do the request. It is imperative to note that NYC Department of Buildings issues the license.

When getting Hydrostatic Pressure Tests for your building in NYC, it is important to understand the various types of fire department connections.

Types of Fire Department Connections

The following are the most common Fire Department Connections, their respective colors and what the colors mean.

Green Caps –this indicates that the FDC supplies the fire sprinkler system exclusively,
Red Caps – this means that the FDC supplies the standpipe exclusively, and
Yellow Caps – this implies that the FDC supplies both the fire sprinkler and the standpipe.

Before the assigned day for a hydrostatic test, our experts can help you prepare the system. This is done by hooking up a hydrostatic pump to the fire department connection and pump high-pressure water into the system. Afterward, the expert will disconnect the pump and a compound gauge installed for the test marked. Alternatively, the inspecting officer can just take a photo for later inspection. An inspector from FDNY will conduct a compliance walkthrough inspection of the property while you watch.

What Is the Purpose of the Test?

The FDNY requires the test to ascertain that your building’s fire department connection system can hold pressure if a fire emergency occurs. Furthermore, the FDNY hooks up their pumper truck to your system.

The test is similar to the pumper-truck pressure hook up. In the event of a fire, the FDNY does not want a situation where a building’s FDNY connection is unable to hold. This is especially the when FDNY injects additional pressure to your system. The FDNY inspector will want to see that the pressure gauge does not go below the allowed pressure in the given time.

Preparing for the Test

All State Sprinkler Corp can conduct a pre-test of your system to ensure that it is all set ahead of the FDNY test. This helps to ensure that your building’s fire department connection system passes the test when the FDNY inspector comes.

Is your business in Manhattan in need of a hydrostatic pressure test? Many building projects throughout Manhattan and New York City must comply with standpipe hydrostatic pressure testing requirements, and Allstate Sprinkler Corp. can help!

Have you had a violation that needs to be resolved? Our office support staff will make every attempt to make answer your violations in a timely manner. The scheduling of these tests is handled directly with the Fire Department’s appointment desk.

Hydrostatic Pressure Test is Every Five Years

The five-year hydrostatic pressure test is one of the most important inspections. It is the only one that looks inside the pipes to make sure that there is no corrosion that could cause a fire sprinkler failure. In addition, the inspection is an internal inspection that is conducted on every other wet-pipe fire sprinkler and all dry-pipe fire sprinklers.

During the check valve inspection, valves are taken apart, checked for debris or corrosion, cleaned, and then property owners in Manhattanare advised of any issues.

Keep Lives Safe

Five-year hydrostatic pressure tests are life-saving procedures. These tests simulate actual fire department events that take place during a fire. We perform these tests as accurately and diligently to assure you that your sprinkler system in Manhattan will always be fire ready.

These tests demonstrate that all the devices and fire pump components perform according to the manufacturers’ specifications as well as proving that the water supply is adequate.

Insurance flow tests and fire pump performance tests can deteriorate over time or be affected by impairments to water supplies. Regular testing can identify these problems and ensure that the sprinkler system and fire pump operate when needed.

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