Regular Inspections Needed for Water Storage Tanks in Oklahoma Fire Protection Systems

We’ve heard, “If you don’t use it, you lose it.” But you might say, “If you don’t maintain it, you may lose it all.” In a way, this expression could be applied to an Oklahoma business’ fire protection system.

A company’s fire protection system is in itself a major capital investment. Thus, if not properly maintained, it loses its effectiveness and the investment could be lost. But far more significant and costly a loss is the life and property damage that can be caused by an Oklahoma fire protection system that doesn’t work properly in the event of a fire. To make sure the fire protection system works correctly, regular maintenance must be done.

Included in this proper upkeep is regular inspection, testing, and maintenance (ITM) to all features of the fire protection system. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) provides detailed standards as to the minimum requirements of ITM.

One facet of the Oklahoma fire suppression system that may get overlooked is the water storage tank. These storage units commonly are the principal source of water for the fire pumps and fire protection systems, so they’re, of course, a vital part of the fire safety system. A very in-depth inspection of these storage tanks is required by the NFPA25 at least every 5 years, depending on the type of tank.

The NFPA 25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems, is the foremost standard used to establish requirements on water storage tank maintenance. This standard describes the minimum requirements for regular examination of these tanks and other portions of the fire protection system like sprinklers, valves, standpipes, and more.

Different workings of the water storage tank require different frequencies in testing and maintenance. For instance, the condition of the water in the tank should be inspected monthly or quarterly, depending on if it has a supervised water level alarm. The water temperature must be inspected either daily or weekly in colder weather conditions so that the temperature of the water doesn’t fall below 4°C (40°F).

Interestingly, the exterior of the tank is inspected at different intervals than the interior. As a minimum requirement, the NFPA25 says that the exterior should be inspected quarterly for signs of damage and weakening.  The interior of steel tanks without corrosion protection should be inspected every 3 years and all other types of tanks should be inspected every 5 years.

As you can imagine, inspecting the interior of a water storage tank can be quite an ordeal. During this and other inspections, alternative water supplies may need to be added in case there’s a fire during the testing and inspection. The NFPA25 sets out detailed instructions for this testing, which should be completed by a qualified inspector. The tank manufacturer as well as local and state authorities may also have other recommendations or requirements based on the exact type of tank or location. Although these tests require a great deal of effort and expertise, they are vital to ensure there is an adequate water supply in the event of a fire.

It’s also important to keep detailed written records of all inspections, testing, and maintenance in accordance with the NFPA 25.

Water storage tanks are a crucial link in a fire suppression system, so regular and thorough maintenance is vital to keeping lives and property safe. Mac Systems, Inc. offers comprehensive inspection, testing, and maintenance to make sure your entire fire protection system is operating properly and is code compliant.