Winter fire is a real threat. There are higher incidents of building fires during winter months. This can be attributed to several reasons. One being that people are appliances and methods for heating. Another reason is that fire suppression systems have trouble functioning during very cold months. Fortunately, there are ways to make sure that a fire suppression system is ready for the winter.
Check for leaks. Deteriorated seals and corroded pipes can lead to leaks which in turn makes the suppression system less efficient at delivering the suppressant to the cause of fire if ever a fire does occur. In suppression systems that uses additives, the leak can cause the additive content to lower over time.
Make sure sprinklers are in working order. Sprinkler heads are prone to blockage by dirt and rust buildup. The buildup can interfere with the amount of water the suppression system can deliver to the scene of the fire. It also cause undue pressure within the fire suppression system which can cause pipes and linkages to leak or burst.
Use fire suppression antifreeze. The fire suppression antifreeze prevents liquid suppressants from solidifying due to extreme cold during winter. It ensures that the suppressant is able to flow freely within the system so that when a fire does happen, the system can send sufficient amount of suppressant and put out the fire quickly.
The fire suppression antifreeze also prevents the delivery system from getting damaged by the intense expansive pressure generated when water turns into ice.
