Rank: Forum user 
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I wonder if anyone can advise on the following?
I recently attended a large warehouse to conduct an EHS audit, part of the audit was to look at Fire realated issues including the sprinkler system & pump house.
One of the activities the site does on a weekly basis (which I think is unnecessary) is climb the storage tanks to check the ball cock mechanism is working on the sprinkler storage tanks? There is no SSOW associated with this task, obviously weather rain,wind, ice, snow, lack of light, leaning near to a open tank full of water, it all adds up to a risk that doesn't need to be taken. They tell me that their insurers insist on it and its on the weekly check sheet? For me if working at heigh can be eliminated then it should be, why not dump a bit of water and if it fills back up then the mechanism is working this can be down from ground level. I want to tell them to stop doing this task but trying to guage opinion
Many thanks
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Rank: Super forum user
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I can't help, beyond agreeing that what you say makes sense. This area is in no way part of my "expertise". However I would also be concerned with the biological hazards of a water tank that isn't being flushed regularly. Legionella being the most obvious one.
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 1 user thanked CptBeaky for this useful post.
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Rank: Forum user
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Sounds so over the top just to check a ball cock? As you say dumping water from ground level and knowing it has refilled is sufficent and even then i wouldnt check it every week.
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http://stephenkeen.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/BS-EN-12845-2004A2-2009.pdf
Page 130 onwards should help you
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Rank: Super forum user 
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At least it would if it were the latest version of the standard currently BS EN 12845:2015 on BSI on-line / CEN
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Rank: Super forum user
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At least it would if it were the latest version of the standard currently BS EN 12845:2015 on BSI on-line / CEN
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Originally Posted by: Roundtuit  At least it would if it were the latest version of the standard currently BS EN 12845:2015 on BSI on-line / CEN
Pretty sure it will still help
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Rank: Super forum user
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The July 2019 version of The Building Regulations Approved Document B specifically references the 2015 version of standard BS EN 12845
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Rank: Super forum user
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The July 2019 version of The Building Regulations Approved Document B specifically references the 2015 version of standard BS EN 12845
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Rank: Super forum user
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Go back to the insurers and suggest it is not required under Technical Bulletin 203:2018:1 - Care and Maintenance of Automatic Sprinkler Systems. This is part of the LPC rules for automatic sprinkler systems. It sets out the daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, annual etc tests that need to be carried out. I do sprinkler testing for an insurer and this is the standard we ask clients to adhere to. Float valves need to be checked annually for correct operation and this is done by the sprinkler maintenance company. TB203.3.4.3 on page 8 of the document. TB203 is freely downloadable from the copyright holder at https://www.riscauthority.co.uk/free-document-library/RISCAuthority-Library_detail.tb203-care-and-maintenance-of-automatic-sprinkler-systems.html PS: I never bother to scale the ladders either. I do check the gauges though before and after flow testing the system.
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1 user thanked stevie40 for this useful post.
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I'm not an expert but I believe that these tanks will have an larm or a visible gauge set at eye level for this purpose rather than climbing up a tank. Given how safety ceritical they are there will be sufficient failsafes. Rather than reading the BS, which to be honest is very badly written and probably won't help, I suggest you contact a Commercial sprinkler company - I assume commercial, though large resi sprinklers use tank and pumps. I would be quite happy to provide you a contact name and number if you let me know whether you are either commercial or Residential
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Rank: Super forum user
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Originally Posted by: WatsonD I'm not an expert but I believe that these tanks will have an larm or a visible gauge set at eye level for this purpose rather than climbing up a tank. Given how safety ceritical they are there will be sufficient failsafes. Rather than reading the BS, which to be honest is very badly written and probably won't help, I suggest you contact a Commercial sprinkler company - I assume commercial, though large resi sprinklers use tank and pumps. I would be quite happy to provide you a contact name and number if you let me know whether you are either commercial or Residential
These will definately be commercial. Residential tank systems use small pressurised tanks and basic electric pumps.
Water level alarms are not fitted as a rule. The tank guages are fitted, never at eye level (I wish) but cannot be relied on 100%. The failsafes are the basic mechanical reliability of a sprinkler system coupled with a strict planned preventative maintenance programme set out in the BS / LPC rules (or FM rules if you are USA led) and the TB203 document in particular. The OP will already have a commercial LPC approved sprinkler company on board - that is the first thing we insist on. Follow the Technical Bulletin I posted earlier and you won't go wrong.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Originally Posted by: stevie40 [ These will definately be commercial. Residential tank systems use small pressurised tanks and basic electric pumps.
The many plant rooms I have been in for the towers in London have pretty big tank and pump sets installed for the Resi systems, certainly well above head height, so not a invalid comment.
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