Mall corridor with shoppers viewed from elevation

Fire Protection Maintenance for a Shopping Mall In Gauteng

Description of Project

Elite Fire Protection was contracted to perform maintenance at a shopping mall in Gauteng.  

Regular fire protection maintenance is crucial for ensuring the reliability of safety systems, preventing equipment failures, and safeguarding lives and property. It ensures that fire suppression and detection systems are always ready to respond effectively in emergencies.  

Maintaining fire protection entails regularly inspecting, testing, and maintaining fire safety systems to avert malfunctions during a fire incident. This encompasses fire sprinkler systems (including valves), smoke detectors, fire alarms, hose reels, hydrants, and fire extinguishers.  

In this case study, we discuss the routine inspections and testing performed for smoke detection, diesel driven fire pump set, sprinkler control valves and handheld fire equipment. 

ProjectFire Protection Systems
SizeNot Applicable
ScopeMaintenance
DisciplineFire Protection

PROJECT SCOPE

Maintenance of fire protection equipment and systems: 

  • Smoke Detection 
  • Diesel Driven Fire Pump Set 
  • Sprinkler control valves  
  • Handheld fire equipment 

PROCESS OUTLINE

Smoke Detection 

The client has a smoke detection system with 2 (two) fire detection panels that need to be serviced.  

Regular fire detection service every 6 months ensures reliable operation, identifies potential issues, and enhances early detection capabilities, minimizing risks and safeguarding lives and property effectively. 

Diesel Driven Fire Pump Set 

Diesel driven fire pump sets are required to be serviced every year. However, prior to this, a fire pump set should have weekly routine inspections done at intervals of not more than 7 (seven) days. 

*Routine inspections and testing involves: 

  • Checking lubricating oil levels 
  • Reducing water pressure on starting device 
  • Recording the starting pressure 
  • Flow of cooling water 
  • Diesel engine restarting test 

*These are just some examples found on our checklist 

Sprinkler Control Valves

Installation control valves, also known as sprinkler control valves, are also required to have weekly routine inspections done at intervals of not more than 7 (seven) days.  

Inspections involve but are not limited to checking:  

  • That the valve chamber is clean & tidy 
  • Various components as per our checklist are either open or closed as they should be found. 

A valve service or overhaul on sprinkler control valves should be performed every 3 years. 

sprinkler control valve

Handheld Fire Equipment 

Fire Extinguishers

The client has 180 4.5kg DCP fire extinguishers on the property requiring annual services. 
There are various classes of fire extinguishers available in the country.  

Inspections of fire extinguishers are performed monthly and usually involve checking that the fire extinguishers are visible and accessible, have not been tampered with, the pressure gauges are in the green, the next service date, and operating instructions are facing outward. 

fire extinguisher with blue stickers

Hose Reels

40 (forty) Hose reel routine inspections are performed on monthly intervals. They are important to confirm: 

  • The hose reel is visible, unobstructed & its dedicated location. 
  • Check the hose reel for evidence of damage, corrosion, faults & obstruction. 
  • Look for evidence of obvious leakage in the surrounding area. 
  • Check condition of frame, hose & stop cock. 
  • Ensure the drum assembly is free to rotate as required. 
Fire hose reel on white background

Fire Hydrants

A fire hydrant is a connection point that is used by firemen to tap directly into piped main supplies or water supply to add on to their emergency water tanks. Fire hydrants are strategically placed along roads, streets, and workplaces and they are often highlighted for visibility to the public and firemen. 

Monthly routine inspections include: 

  • Confirm the hydrant is free from obstruction.  
  • Check lip & valve seal, and hand wheel. 
  • Check booster is free from obstruction. 
Fire hydrant valve on white background

A weekly checklist sheet of routine inspections and testing is made available to the client and inserted into a maintenance folder.  
Where maintenance or servicing are successfully performed, a certificate of completion is provided to the client.  

Maintenance Challenges:  

This project was delivered with no challenges experienced during the maintenance.