Sprinkler Age A Publication of the American Fire Sprinkler Association
Can You Meet the Challenge?
AFSA’s Engineering & Technical Services Department staff present technical challenges here for you and your co-workers. These exercises are also excellent preparation for professional certification tests and may count as CEUs. Check with your certification organization. Answers to this issue’s questions will be presented in the next issue.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER ANSWERS
The following questions are based on NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, 2022 edition.
1. When a waterflow test is used for the system design, how current must the waterflow test data be when submitted with the working plans?
A. Within 6 months of the working plan submittal date
B. Within 12 months of the working plan submittal date
C. Within 18 months of the working plan submittal date
D. Within 24 months of the working plan submittal date
Answer: B. Within 12 months of the working plan submittal date. Per NFPA 13, 2022 edition, Section 4.5.1.1, where a waterflow test is used for the system design, the test must be conducted no more than 12 months prior to working plan submittal unless otherwise approved by the AHJ.
2. Which of the following are the requirements for the pressure gauges used in a waterflow test?
A. Must be listed and calibrated within one year
B. Must be approved and calibrated within one year
C. Must be listed and calibrated within six months
D. None of the above
Answer: D. None of the above. Although there is no requirement in NFPA 13, AFSA believes that all test gauges should be both approved and calibrated within + percent annually, as in the requirements for all other gauges in the system. However, there are some discrepancies in the current standards. NFPA 25, 2023 edition, section 8.3.3.5.2 requires that all gauges, transducers, and device other than flow meters used for measurement during a fire pump test must be calibrated at least annually to an accuracy level of +1 percent. However, NFPA 291, 2022 edition, section 4.6.3 states that all pressure gauges should be calibrated at least every 12 months, or more frequently depending on use. Your AFSA Tech Services staff has submitted a change request in order to clarify these requirements in the next editions of the applicable standards.
3. Who is required to provide the water supply information for the design of a sprinkler system, including any necessary adjustments?
A. Building owner
B. AHJ
C. Sprinkler contractor
D. Engineer of record
Answer: A. Building owner. Per NFPA 13, 2022 edition, section 4.5.1.1, where a waterflow test is used for the system design, the test must be conducted no more than 12 months prior to working plan submittal unless otherwise approved by the AHJ.
4. Which of the following is TRUE with regard to static pressure in a typical city water main?
A. It represents a condition of zero flow through the water main.
B. It represents a condition with normal domestic waterflow through the main, but zero hydrant flow.
C. It represents a condition with both normal domestic waterflow and hydrant flow.
D. It represents a condition with hydrant flow but zero domestic waterflow through the main.
Answer: B. It represents a condition with normal domestic waterflow through the main, but zero hydrant flow. Per NFPA 13, 2022 edition, section 3.3.2020, static pressure is defined as the pressure that exists at a given point under normal distribution system conditions measured at the residual hydrant with no hydrants flowing.
JANUARY/FEBRUARY QUESTIONS
The following questions are based on NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, 2022 edition.
1. How often are diesel fuel tank level float switches and supervisory signals for the interstitial space (area between the double tank walls) required to be tested for liquid intrusion?
A. Monthly
B. Quarterly
C. Semi-annually
D. Annually
2. How often must you change the oil filter on a diesel engine driver?
A. Every 50 hours of operation
B. Quarterly
C. Semi-annually
D. Annually or every 50 hours of operation, whichever comes first
3. What is/are the criteria to determine acceptable performance during an annual test of a fire pump assembly?
A. The interpretation of the net flow test performance relative to the manufacturer’s original performance data
B. The interpretation of the gross flow test performance relative to acceptably meeting the demands of all connected fire protection systems
C. Both A and B
4. On a fire pump system utilizing a flow meter for testing, how often and to what accuracy level are flow meters required to be calibrated?
A. Annually, +/- 1 percent
B. Annually, +/- 3 percent
C. Every three years, +/- 1 percent
D. Every three years, +/- 3 percent