Corrosion in Fire Sprinkler Pipes: How to Spot It Early and What to Do About It

Sprinkler pipe corrosion is a widespread problem, and you could argue that it couldn’t really be any other way. The combination of water, metal, and oxygen all but guarantees that a fire sprinkler system will be affected by corrosion at some point or another. 

Still, the inevitability of sprinkler pipe corrosion doesn’t mean that property managers get to turn their heads the other way. With corrosion impacting fire sprinkler system functionality, it's vital that any issues are identified and handled as soon as possible. 

In this post, we’ll take a deep dive into fire sprinkler pipe corrosion, outlining the risks, how to spot it early, and what to do about it. 

The Risks of Fire Sprinkler Pipe Corrosion

Corrosion in fire sprinkler pipes poses threats to the system’s structural integrity and functionality, including causing leaks, rust build-up, head corrosion, and ultimately total system failure. 

Leaks

Fire sprinkler pipe corrosion can result in pinhole leaks that are difficult to detect but, over time, can cause significant damage. In addition to leaking water and damaging property, pinhole leaks impact the functionality of the system by compromising the watertight seal required for the system to have sufficient water pressure. When that occurs, the system may be unable to deliver enough water over the full surface area to fight a fire. 

Rust Build Up 

Fire sprinkler pipe corrosion can lead to a buildup of interior rust that limits water flow. Over time, rust particles accumulate within the pipe, forming an obstruction that blocks water from reaching the sprinkler head.

Fire Sprinkler Head Corrosion

Fire sprinkler heads have to be in full working condition to activate in the event of a real emergency, and to avoid activating when there’s no fire. Corrosion in fire sprinkler pipes can lead to fire sprinkler head corrosion, impacting their ability to function correctly.

System Failure

Ultimately, as time goes on and the corrosion becomes more pronounced, the fire sprinkler system experiences failure. Studies have shown that a significant portion of fire sprinkler systems suffer from corrosion problems within twenty years, making it vital that property owners and managers take proactive steps to ensure their systems are not affected. 

How to Spot Sprinkler Pipe Corrosion Early

Sprinkler pipe corrosion is, in many ways, like most other things: the earlier you catch it, the easier it is to treat. 

Catching pipe corrosion early can be the difference between undertaking a straightforward job and having to replace the entire system. The problem, however, is that rust is often more subtle than we’d like it to be.

With that said, it’s not invisible. By knowing a few of the telltale giveaway signs, you can spot potential corrosion issues as early as possible. 

Look For Discolouration

Rust-coloured marks anywhere across the fire sprinkler pipes require further investigation. If corrosion is present, orange-brown marks will appear around fittings and sprinkler heads.

Water Stains

Water stains indicate leaks, which in fire sprinkler systems are commonly caused by corrosion. Pay particular attention to leaks near sprinkler heads or pipe fittings, which are particularly prone to being weakened by corrosion. 

Brown Water During Testing

Corrosion can produce brown, or sometimes even black, water that can be visible during testing discharge. 

Check Water Pressure

Corrosion can impact water pressure before it shows visible external signs. If the system’s water pressure is lower than usual, then that could indicate that sediment, such as rust, is causing an obstruction. 

False Alarms or Failed Activations

Sprinkler pipe corrosion can spread to the sensors in control of activating the system in the event of a real fire. If there’s a false alarm or the system fails to activate during a testing exercise, then that could indicate corrosion.

Perform Regular Inspections

By far the most effective way to catch fire sprinkler pipe corrosion early is to schedule regular inspections. Fire sprinkler servicing carried out by a professional can reveal early-stage corrosion in sections of the system that are easy to miss through visual inspections alone. 

What To Do About a Corroded Fire Sprinkler

Nobody wants to discover that their fire sprinkler pipes are suffering from corrosion. With that said, it’s a common problem that most systems experience at some point or another — and by catching it early, you’ll be putting yourself in the best possible position to take action and fix the problem, all the while preventing the effort and expense of having to replace the entire system.

Don’t Ignore It

It can be tempting to ignore a corroded fire sprinkler and hope that the issue simply goes away. However, not only will the issue not go away, but it’ll also continue to worsen unless the issue is addressed.

Taking a proactive approach to repairing corroded fire sprinkler pipes helps, in the long run, to save time, energy, and money, all the while offering peace of mind that your facility’s fire sprinkler system is working exactly as it’s supposed to. 

Don’t Attempt To Clean

Removing corrosion from fire sprinkler pipes isn’t something that you can do by yourself. Not only does attempting to clean rust from a fire sprinkler system fail to address the underlying cause, but it also runs the risk of causing significantly more damage to the system. 

Get In Touch With a Professional

A professional fire sprinkler technician can help to determine the extent of the corrosion, as well as create a treatment plan. If it’s caught early, then it’s usually possible to simply repair the affected parts of the system.

Contact Fire Sprinkler Servicing Today

The best way to avoid corrosion-related fire sprinkler problems is to address them as early as possible. At Fire Sprinkler Servicing, our team of fire sprinkler technicians is on hand to provide a comprehensive suite of sprinkler repair jobs, including pipe corrosion. 

To make an appointment with a member of our team or to learn more about how we can help, don’t hesitate to reach out to Fire Sprinkler Servicing today.