Normally deluge systems, water spray systems, open water-mist systems, foam systems and compressed-air-foam systems require yearly mandatory function testing. Since these open extinguishing systems are the primary means of protection in the case of a fire, function testing is a mandatory requirement for personnel, equipment and environmental reasons. They are typically annually tested with brackish or seawater. During these wet function tests unforeseen complications within the system pipework, as well as risks to personnel during the complete process.
Understandably traditional wet deluge testing is a very time-consuming process and therefore a costly maintenance routine due to preparations and operation.
The patented SIRON Dry Deluge Test eliminates many of the regular problems. It uses a pressurised water-based vapour instead of sea water. Any flow problem in pipes and nozzles will be detected quickly and can be carried out in an uncomplicated and cost reducing way within the HSE / NORSOK / NFPA guidelines. Whilst not a complete replacement for wet deluge testing, the use of SIRON Dry Deluge Testing can potentially extend the periods between wet testing to 5 years or more.
The 110v/240v vapour generation unit heats up an integral element to heat the test fluid which then produces a water-based vapour. A 2” hose is connected immediately downstream of the deluge valve via a check valve on the deluge system that is to be tested. Once at temperature the unit fan is initiated allowing the water-based vapour to migrate downstream of the deluge system ultimately exiting the deluge nozzles. Whilst migrating downstream any corrosion or particulate within the system is quickly identified by erroneous spray patterns coming from the nozzles. Any anomalies found re-investigated by using a portable borescope camera. Damaged nozzles can be quickly identified also due to erroneous spray patterns of the water vapour during the test. Damaged nozzles are one of the most common failure modes on any fire protection system and can affect the density application rates or in worse cases can affect the overall hydraulic balance of the deluge system.
Since the introduction in 2010 Dry Deluge Testing has been conducted on deluge systems
throughout Northwestern Europe. Examples are:
Dry Deluge Testing is a very simple, cost-effective operation. Two operators can do the complete test in a few days. Exact timing will depend on the scale of the deluge system, but typically a single deluge system can be tested in less than one shift regardless of the size. All equipment needed, can be shipped on a pallet and has a small footprint. If testing is combined
with maintenance of the deluge system or expansion of the existing system, a 10ft. container will be shipped to the site.
Ever since the initial inventing and optimization Dry Deluge Testing SIRON sought for a means to protect this innovative procedure both as intellectual property as well as the methodology and operation. Patenting of Dry Deluge Testing proved to be the most effective protective measure for the intellectual property and as such SIRON now hold a Global Patent for the technology.
The patent SIRON Dry Deluge Testing holds, is conforming to the HSE Section 10.2.1.4 and allows other maintenance intervals to be set dependant on the results of visual inspection and operational tests. (Health and Safety Laboratory RR1046 Research Report)
Dry Deluge Testing is also in line with the NORSOK Standards; if intervals for full-scale testing of facilities in seawater-resistant materials give two independent successful results, the interval can be increased to a maximum of six years. (Norwegian Oil and Gas recommended guidelines #075 for water based firefighting systems)
Dry Deluge Testing is also according to the following NFPA Standards.
NFPA 25 Paragraph 11.3.2.3
Where discharge from the system discharge devices would create a hazardous condition or conflict with local requirements, an approved alternate method to achieve full flow conditions shall be permitted. (Full Flow Test to be achieved through a Test Header and tests shall be conducted to ensure that the foam-water system(s) responds as designed, both automatically and manually.)
When tested wet or alternative method nozzles should always be checked on:
NFPA 25 Paragraph 11.3.2.6.1
The discharge patterns from all of the open spray devices shall be observed to ensure that patterns are not impeded by;
-Plugged discharge devices and to ensure that
-Discharge devices are correctly positioned and that
-Obstructions do not prevent discharge patterns from
covering surfaces to be protected.
NFPA 25 Paragraph 11.3.2.6.2
Where obstructions occur, the piping and discharge devices shall be cleaned, and the system retested.
The patented SIRON Dry Deluge Test has been given an attestation by Bureau Veritas:
Cert. No. 15ABD11103 Rev. 0
In the Clearwater attestation Bureau Veritas writes:
The SIRON 240v Vapour Generation Unit is fit for purpose and if operated as per QA 021 Rev 01 –
Performance Standard for dry testing of deluge systems with the use of the SIRON 240v Vapour
Generation Unit.
The Bureau Veritas inspection report 15ABD11049 Rev A also allows the use of the SIRON 110v
Vapour Generation Unit as long as the unit is operated as per QA 021 Rev 01.
Correct use of the SIRON Vapour Generation Unit will identify the following deluge Failure Modes:
References:
Author- Mr. Avnish Sharma, Vice President, SHM Shipcare SE Asia
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