I'm contacting you as I have visit your site on the internet and it might be that you could help or guide me to solve the problems mentioned below.

I'm dealing with a "deluge" system (dry fire water sprinkler system) on a platform in the North Sea. We test the system each 6 month in order to verify if any of the spray nozzles are blocked. This initiates 2 problems.

1) The test is carried out by using sea water which increase the corrosion in the piping system and thereby also increase the possibility for blockage of the nozzles.

2) The water deluged over the equipment damage some of our electrical systems.

My wish is to extend the test period (ex. each 2nd year) but this will not be granted by the authorities unless I can prove that the system is reliable. I'm searching for idea how to test the system without using water, i.e. is there any other opportunities on the marked where it will be possible to test the nozzles for blockage (foam, smoke, air etc.)

I hope that you have dealed with the above-mentioned before and have some sort of recommendation or solutions.

I agree that reduc).).ing test frequency to once every two years is not a good idea. NFPA 25 required test frequency is once a year. Flowrate: full flow for 15 minutes (in order to check spray pattern for each nozzle etc(Suber-water pumps)).

As far as I know, testing with sea water is common practice at offshore platforms. It should be possible to test with fresh (sweet) water, but this requires modifications to the system (fresh water tank with pump and piping).

Testing with fresh water reduces the corrosion problems and maybe also the problems with electrical equipment.

When you test with foam, smoke or air you may see whether any nozzles are blocked, but you cannot check the spray pattern.

You write that you have problems with corrosion of the (fire water) piping system when you test with sea water. This raises the question whether the correct material has been selected. For these systems, I am used to see Copper/Nickel or even titanium pipes. (Galvanized) carbon steel is not acceptable because of the corrosion and blockage issues.

Running with fresh water would be optimal, but due to the large volume required, it is usually impossible.  I may suggest to do your normal function testing with sea water, then follow up the test with a smaller freshwater flush.  this will reduce the corrosion problems within piping and on equipment.  As for your electronics, you must cover them during the test.

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