In July, the insured experienced a significant loss when a fire sprinkler system failed to perform as expected during a fire-related incident. This occurred despite a routine annual inspection by the contractor a month prior. Additionally, recent building expansion and sprinkler system modifications raised concerns about whether the system had been updated or altered correctly.
Our investigation revealed issues with system components, along with potential gaps in the contractor’s maintenance and communication, all of which contributed to the loss.
The root cause of the failure was identified as improper materials and installation practices. The corrugated flexible plastic hose that connected the circulation relief valve to the floor drain lacked any markings or certifications, indicating that it was likely not listed for this application. Furthermore, the way this hose was connected – using a gear clamp and electrical tape – was not adequate for this application.
The contractor’s annual inspection reports and maintenance history were reviewed in detail to determine whether any previous issues or shortcomings in system performance had been identified and addressed. The contractor had inspected and maintained the system for several years and had previously flagged the status of the jockey pump. According to the contractor’s inspection report, the jockey pump had been left off, with the expectation that the fire pump would start automatically if pressure dropped. However, the failure to resolve or address this issue was a significant oversight.
Recommendations included replacing the faulty hose with a certified, compliant material and proper fittings, enforcing stricter maintenance protocols – particularly for critical components like the jockey pump – and regularly testing pressure levels in the system. This case underscores the importance of adhering to fire safety codes and maintaining fire protection systems in optimal working order to prevent such failures.
