This mechanical method statement covers the installation of fire sprinkler system piping network.
Procedure defines the method used to ensure the installation has been carried out as per contract requirements and best industry practices.
The method statement gives details of how the work will be carried out and how the health and safety issues and controls shall be implemented.
All the firefighting equipment and components will be installed in strict compliance with manufacturer’s recommendations for each component.
References & Standards
- Contract Specifications
- IFC Drawings
- Approved shop drawings
- Inspection and Test Plan
- Project Safety Plan
- Project Quality Plan
- Project Logistics Plan
- QMS Procedure
- Job Safety Analysis JSEA
- Related International standards
Roles and Responsibilities
Project manager will be overall responsible for supervising and ensuring the complete site works.
Plumbing site engineer & approved specialist firefighting subcontractor will be responsible for installation of fire sprinkler system.
Foremen will control and guide the workers and will report to site engineer.
Safety Engineer/Officer will be responsible for implementation and assurance of safety and environmental requirements (JSEA).
Quality Control engineer will be responsible for the assurance of the implementation for this method statement and requirements of Inspection and Test Plan (ITP).
Tools & Equipment
Below is list of mandatory tools and equipment for performing the sprinkler system piping installation works.
- Drill machine
- Portable electric drill
- Forklift
- Step Ladders
- Plat form scaffolding
- Welding Machines
- Threading machine
- Measuring Tape
- Helper’s tool box
- Spirit Level, Water tube & Plumb
- Hammer
- Hacksaw
- Marker and Masking tape (consumables)
- Pipe Wrench (Adjustable & Fix)
- Bench Vise
- L- Key Set
- Pipe Cutter
Material Delivery, Handling and Storage
Materials, equipment and components when arriving on site will be stored as recommended by the manufacturer and proper storage/shelter will be provided.
Any materials and equipment should not be dropped onto hard surfaces and should not be dragged along the ground.
Loading and unloading will be carried out by hand or forklift, and adequate protection will be provided to prevent mechanical damage during off-loading.
Storekeeper will inspect for any damage during shipping, handling and storage and will be responsible for proper storage as per the requirements.
Provide protective covering sheets over the item or keep the manufacturer protective covering for the materials until the time to move the materials to the required installation location.
All the materials, equipment and components received at site will be inspected by the consultant in accordance with approved material submittals.
Fire Sprinkler System Pre-installation Checks
Ensure the materials, equipment and components are as per approved material submittal and as per technical project specifications.
Make sure that the available drawings at site are current / up to date and marked “Issued for Construction”.
Ensure that the areas of installation are cleared and free from debris, dust & dirt prior to commencing the works.
Materials will be moved to the work site in a safe manner and shall not block access / egress to the site.
Make sure that adequate number of tradesmen and proper tools are available at site.
Inspect carefully the relevant area for any possible clashes with other services. if any clashes found should be resolved before starting the fire sprinkler piping installation works.
Installation of Fire Sprinkler Piping System
Once the area for installation is cleared start the installation work by marking drilling the holes as per the pipe routing.
Now cut and install pipes using the approved hangers, supports and fittings inline with approved drawings.
Fix supports and hangers with approved material, as per approved layout drawings.
Cut all excess hanger rods to leave only 25mm lengths below the support for final adjustment of levels, if required.
Machine cut the pipes square to required length and ream the pipes to remove burrs and clean thoroughly before installation.
Pipe work up to 50mm shall have threaded joints and pipes 65mm and above shall be with grooved coupling joints.
Health and safety risk assessment should be considered during the sprinkler system installation and necessary controls must be implemented as per recommendations.
All operatives will attend the Project Safety induction prior to commencing work on site.
Use below procedures for making the joints of pipes for different sizes as per approved procedure and specifications.
Threaded Joint & Fittings (up to 50mm 2 Inches)
For pipe sizes up to and including 50mm (2 inches), threaded fittings shall be used for joining the firefighting pipes.
Threaded joints shall be in accordance with approved drawings and material.
Screw threads shall be clean and true.
Proper threading machine shall used for making pipe threads.
Skilled machine operator should be only designated for operating the threading machine.
Use appropriate coolant and lubricant while doing the threading works.
In addition, all internal threads must be checked for quality, any indication of damage shall be rejected and removed from site.
All pipes shall be reamed or scraped to remove internal burrs after threading.
Before joint processing make sure the site approach for levels and architectural requirements for pipes and hence sprinklers.
Threaded joints shall be made using fine quality jute & joint adhesive compound.
Joints shall be pulled up tightly and all extruded jointing material shall be removed in order to achieve neat and clean joints.
Grooved Joints & Fittings ( 65mm 2.5 Inches and above)
Proper sized grooved machine should be used for making grooved ends for 2.5 inch and above pipe and fitting joints.
Skilled machine operator should be designated for operating machine.
Proper cooling should be incorporated while the grooving machine is in operation.
Groove depth should be checked properly for any damaged edges to avoid any joint failure.
For making the grooved joints ductile iron housing and EPDM rubber lined Grooved fitting UL listed FM approved should be used.
General Installation Instructions for Sprinkler Piping
Install pipe work at heights and to gradients shown on approved drawings, in a neat and tidy manner.
Hole saw cutter shall be used to cut holes in the pipe work where required for fixing mechanical Tees etc.
Approved Sleeves of suitable sizes shall be provided at wall crossings and fire stopping with approved material shall be completed.
Only standard fittings shall be used for changes in directions, reduction in pipe sizes, Tee joints, etc.
Expansion couplers shall be installed at location where piping crosses the building expansion joints.
All vertical pipes shall be installed & plumb with at least 25mm clearance from the wall / surface.
Install valves, supervisory switches, flow switches, pressure gauges etc. as per approved drawings and manufacturer’s instruction.
Install drain valves at all low points as shown on approved drawings and ensure that water can be drained from all sections of pipe work.
Inspectors test drain valves of suitable size shall be provided at the farthest point in the system in each zone as per approved drawings.
Check and ensure easy access is available for maintenance and removal of all components such as valves, switches etc.
The droppers for sprinkler heads are installed at location as per approved layout / coordinated drawings.
Plug or cap-off all open ends in the piping during the installation phase.
Flush and clean the entire piping with clean water until the system is clean.
Install correct type of sprinkler heads as per approved drawings and manufacturers instruction.
Clean the pipe work thoroughly to remove all dirt, soil, oil, etc. and apply one coat of primer.
Provide identification and flow directional arrows to the pipe work, valves and other components as per approved submittals / details.
Perform the pressure testing as per the standard requirements.
As per project requirements the pressure tests of all pipe work to be carried out at 1.5 times the system working pressure.
Raise an inspection request to the Consultant/ client for inspection as per approved formats in the project quality plan.
Obtain the consultant and then the local authority i.e. civil defense approval.
Inspection Checklist for Fire Sprinkler Installation
| S. No | Inspection Description |
| 1 | Check that relevant MIR & Shop drawing are approved. |
| 2 | Check the routing is as per approved drawing or as per condition on site. |
| 3 | Check the support are properly fixed as per approved drawings. |
| 4 | Check the identification of the services provided on pipes. |
| 5 | Check the accessories, valves, flexible connector, are properly installed as per approved drawing. |
| 6 | Check the schedule of pipes that installed are correct as per approved drawing. |
| 7 | Check the accessibility of the services for maintenance and inspection atc. |
| 8 | Hydrostatic testing of the system, 1.5 times working pressure for 2 hours. |
| 9 | Check the possible leakages in all areas and joints. |