Fire Sprinkler Inspection

Trust Armstrong Priestley with all aspects of your fire safety, including fire sprinkler tank inspections.

We have decades of experience in providing fire protection solutions for our residential, commercial and domestic clients.

In addition to automatic sprinkler installations, we provide maintenance packages that include a detailed inspection of your sprinkler heads, pipes, and sprinkler tank to ensure their condition and compliance with BS EN 12845.

CONTACT ARMSTRONG PRIESTLEY TODAY TO DISCUSS FIRE SPRINKLER TANK INSPECTIONS

What is a fire sprinkler tank?

A fire sprinkler tank stores the water supply for sprinkler systems in all types of buildings, including domestic, residential, industrial, and commercial premises.

However, fire sprinkler tanks are not just simple water storage tanks.

They are specially designed with valves and outlets to supply water at consistent pressure for effective fire suppression. Tough materials such as galvanised steel or polythene are used in their construction to ensure durability.

Why are fire sprinkler tank inspections crucial?

Sprinkler tank inspections are essential for two reasons.

To ensure compliance with mandatory standards

Your entire fire sprinkler system, including the sprinkler tank, will need regular inspections to achieve mandatory compliance with BS EN 12845. Typically, two-yearly inspections are required.

To ensure effective fire protection

The size of your sprinkler tank is designed to ensure coverage for the size of your buildings and their contents.

If the tank is leaking, the velocity and quantity of the water dispersed by the sprinkler heads may be inadequate for effective fire suppression.
If the outlets or valves are compromised, the water distribution speed may be too slow or too fast.

If the water supply to the sprinkler system fails, the opportunity to control a fire before it gets out of control may be lost, endangering life and risking extensive property damage.

Common problems with sprinkler water storage tanks

Detailed inspections of sprinkler tanks often discover the following weaknesses:

Rust and corrosion – although galvanised steel offers greater durability than untreated steel, it will rust eventually.
Internal lining degradation – tank liners will rust and degrade, weakening the integrity of the tank overall.
Coating failure – older bitumen coatings are prone to deterioration.
Cracks in concrete tanks – cracks and fissures allow seeping and leaks to develop.
Failed joints – any panelled or sectional tanks can develop leaks when joints fail.
Buildup of debris – corrosion can cause a buildup of debris in your tank, which could block outlets, pipes, and valves.

Common water storage issues

Our tank inspections report will also contain the results of contamination and water quality testing.

Standing or stagnant water in poorly maintained tanks can provide a breeding ground for bacteria, including Legionella, the cause of Legionnaire’s disease.

Environmental hazards for sprinkler tanks

Regular checks are crucial during the year, as environmental changes can damage the tank.

Freezing temperatures can damage pipes and valves.
High temperatures can cause cracking in some materials and may also encourage bacterial growth.

Sprinkler tank inspections with Armstrong Priestley

Sprinkler tank inspections are just one part of the comprehensive, detailed inspections we provide to our clients. We also check sprinkler heads, pipes and pumps if present. Once we have completed our inspection, we will make our recommendations and carry out any repairs if required.

You can choose the frequency and type of your sprinkler tank inspections from our range of maintenance packages here.