Some useful tips if you instruct a company to install a domestic fire sprinkler system
Make sure you use a local company: sometimes it is tempting to instruct a company which is based on the other side of the country to install the system just because their price is cheaper than a local company. This is never a good idea because their backup service is never going to be as good as a local company and the servicing cost will most likely be more expensive as well.
Always use a fully accredited company.
Either LPCB or FIRAS accreditation is essential.
Systems connected to the mains water supply are cheaper than storage-based fire sprinkler systems. Often a company will tell a customer that their existing mains water supply is adequate in order to get the job based on a cheap price then later demand more money for a storage-based system once they are on-site to commence the installation and actually test the water supply. Don’t get talked into having a system connected to the mains water supply until the fire sprinkler company has tested the dynamic pressure of the water supply to the property. A fire sprinkler system can seldom be run through a standard domestic water meter.
Always make sure that the fire sprinkler installation company that you choose is well established and that it specialises in domestic or residential fire sprinkler systems. The industry is unregulated and there are many companies that claim to have the experience. Always ask for references from other customers in your area.
Never allow a company to install a storage-based system if they don’t guarantee that the pump will be monitored automatically by ‘turning over’ every month. There are many companies which say this is not necessary. However, there is not a single pump manufacturer who would recommend that their pumps remain idle indefinitely.
- Find a local, well-established company
- Check their accreditation is FIRAS or LPCB
- Be prepared for a storage-based system rather than a mains-powered system
- Fire pumps must be always be automatically monitored
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