In response the Omega/GB problem has not gone away since there are probably thousands that have not been changed out or replaced.
If the industry is really serious about ensuring the residential systems work just mandate the "Put the Water in the Bucket" test and do an on the site test that the system delivers the correct water to the remote sprinklers. It is my understanding that Upnor does that with each system that is installed. When the "Put the Water in the Bucket" test was first introduced in Cobb County, GA there were quite a few systems installed by sprinkler contractors that did not pass the test. Residential systems should be field tested to insure that the installation will provide the water and pressure required. Michael L. Brown Manager of Technical Services The Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Company, Inc.' [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.reliablesprinkler.com (864) 843-5228 -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2008 10:48 AM To: sprinklerforum@firesprinkler.org Subject: Re: Fire Systems and Plumbers/Last Thought I was going to add to Greg's submission that, theoretically (?), there should be an "AHJ" both reviewing 'shop' drawings/calc's AND doing a rough-in & final inspection to check for 'compliance' whether sprinks or plumbers are doing the actual installation...That said, my biggest concern here in the State of New Mexico is that we currently have 10 -12 Fire Extinguisher/Hood System contractors that are (State) licensed to inspect, test, repair and INSTALL both residential and commercial fire sprinkler systems. These are contractors that somehow got into the sprinkler industry - for lack of a better term - through the "back door". My point being, many of them have ZERO credentials - no NFSA/AFSA apprenticeship, no "on-the-job" training, no training classes, zilch. They are now installing home fire sprinkler systems in single-family dwellings in New Mexico. Pardon the 'pun', but (to me) some of the plumbers are suddenly looking "better". Bottom line: We escaped the OMEGA/GB debacle with no loss of life (to my knowledge)...With untrained, unsklilled, unethical PEOPLE installing residential fire sprinkler systems, the loss of life - in sprinklered homes - is inevitable. You read it here first. Jerry D. Watts, SFPE ACCENT FIRE ENGINEERING INT'L. Ltd. Santa Fe/Albuquerque, NM Seattle, WA San Diego, CA Phoenix, AZ e: [EMAIL PROTECTED] web: www.accentfire.com (800) 503.1961 ************** Create a Home Theater Like the Pros. Watch the video on AOL Home. (http://home.aol.com/diy/home-improvement-eric-stromer?video=15?ncid=aolhom00030000000001) _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list Sprinklerforum@firesprinkler.org http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[EMAIL PROTECTED] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field) _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list Sprinklerforum@firesprinkler.org http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[EMAIL PROTECTED] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field)
