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The Water Flow Switch is mounted on a wet-pipe system only. The water flow in the pipe deflects the paddle. The deflection of the paddle produces a switched output. All detectors will activate on a continuous flow of water greater than 10 gallons per minute (gpm) but will not in subtle surges of less than 4 gpm.

Information from Potter Electric Water Flow Alarm Switch Installation Guide:

“The units should not be installed within 6″ (15cm) of a fitting which changes the direction of the water flow or within 24″ (60 cm) of a valve or drain.”

The Water Flow Switch should be mounted 6 to 7 feet above the floor to minimize the switch from being damaged.

Below are two pictures of a Wet Pipe Sprinkler Riser, One was installed properly and the other is “WRONG”.

Incorrect Installation

Correct Installation

I’ve been in the fire protection business for many years and when I see something like this it makes me mad. I cannot believe that a fire protection contractor can let this happen, then the AHJ approved it. I hope by showing the correct and incorrect ways of installation of fire protection equipment will help us all.

New North Carolina Laws in Effect February, 2010

What You Need to Know Right Now!

July 4th fireworks are just around the corner and many jurisdictions have special events between now and then that may involve pyrotechnics. As a result of last year’s tragic event in NC with a fireworks display, the 2009 legislature enacted requirements (NCGS 14-410) that anyone who discharges or operates outdoor pyrotechnics or proximate (indoor) pyrotechnics must attend a training course and earn a pyrotechnics operator permit from the Office of State Fire Marshal before conducting a display in NC. The last thing you need is to get to the day of the event and learn that there are new laws that affect your ability to issue a permit for the event and no time left for compliance.

It is important to note that these new laws work in conjunction with existing laws that involve additional requirements:
- Permits for use of Pyrotechnics can only be issued by a NC Certified Level III Fire Prevention Code Inspector.
- In addition to the permit for code compliance, the event must be approved in writing by the county commissioners or city board as detailed in NCGS 14-413.

For your convenience and preparation for pyrotechnic events in your jurisdiction, checklists has been provided on our website at: Go Here.

There is much more information concerning this safety program there if you are interested.

If you have questions, or if you have an emergency related to unpermitted operators, please contact Rob Roegner (rob.roegner@ncdoi.gov) at 919-661-5880 Ext. 249 or Natalie Pollard (natalie.pollard@ncdoi.gov) at 919-661-5880 Ext. 259.

Source: North Carolina Department of Insurance, to subscribe – Go Here!

This is a guest post by Michael T Skinner. If you want to Guest Post, check out the Guidelines here.

Imagine that you, your spouse and your three children live in a 2,200 square foot, 2 story, 4 bedroom house in Anytown, USA. It is 1:30am and you are awaken by the shrill of your smoke detectors activating. As you leap from you bed, you are immediately forced towards the floor since the smoke makes it unbearable to stand erect and breathe. Your pulse rate doubles as adrenaline is being feverously dumped into your bloodstream. Thoughts enter your mind faster than you are able to process them: “What the ….?” “Where are the kids?” “How can we all get out?” “Why is this happening?”. As you open the door to the hallway you can’t see anything except an orange glow towards the stairway. Panic takes over, what do you do next? Every day in America people die in fires, most time in there own home. In 2005, 3,675 civilians died along with 87 firefighters, averaging to over 10 people dying in fires each day.i Children 5 years and under face the highest risk of home fire death.ii There is a way to reduce these numbers considerably, that way is the installation of fire sprinklers in your home. Fire sprinklers have been around for more than a century in factories, warehouses, commercial properties and public building such as schools, hospitals, and hotels. They were around long before smoke detector technology was invented and are highly reliable, yet they are resisted due to numerous myths concerning them. Fire sprinklers save lives by providing the necessary protection that allows the occupants to escape a building fire as well as reduces property damage.

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Welcome to Fire Safe Life,

Fire Safe Life came about as a place for Fire Protection Professionals to come together and discuss fire prevention. We searched the Internet for a website that was open to everyone and after a thorough search we did not find it. We found many fire sprinkler sites that were run by big companies and governing bodies, but nothing for the rest of us.

Fire Safe Life wants all Fire Protection businesses and Fire Fighter’s to take part. Without your help this venture will not be possible. We would like readers to send in questions and have the pros answer them. This is a place to share and help each other.

Fire Safe Life is not here to change the world, but to spread the word on how important fire protection is to your community.

Fire Safe Life is open to all. If you have something to say, a question to ask, a story to tell, we would like to hear it. Let’s be helpful to the designer, the engineer and others that might need a little inspiration. We would like advice from our more experienced practitioners to make Fire Safe Life a pool of knowledge for all.

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