The Effects of a Poorly Maintained Sprinkler System
Just like dry and wet risers,
sprinkler systems require regular maintenance to ensure they work effectively in an emergency.
According to BS EN 12845 — the UK’s standard for commercial and industrial sprinkler systems —
these systems should undergo:
- Weekly visual inspections
- Quarterly inspections of pipework and heads
- A full annual system test
However, many building owners and managers fail to adhere to these requirements,
assuming that if there’s water in the pipes, the system will automatically perform when needed.
Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Even the most reliable systems can experience:
- Blocked or obstructed pipes
- Internal corrosion and scale buildup
- Dust or debris covering sprinkler heads
- Corrosion of flow or alarm switches
All of these issues can stop your sprinklers from activating correctly in a fire. So, what happens when they fail?
What Happens if Sprinkler Systems Fail?
In the best-case scenario, you might get lucky — perhaps dealing only with significant water or smoke damage.
But even this can be costly.
Did you know that extinguishing a fire with a hose uses 95% more water
than an automatic sprinkler system? The financial impact can include high repair costs, business disruption,
and potential compensation claims.
The worst-case scenario is far more serious — injuries or even loss of life.
According to Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service,
there have been zero recorded fire fatalities in buildings fitted with a functioning sprinkler system.
While emergency services typically take around 10 minutes to arrive, a sprinkler can activate in under three minutes
and bring a fire under control within five — dramatically improving evacuation safety.
Why Do Sprinklers Fail?
Data from the
British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association (BAFSA)
shows that 93% of sprinkler systems operate correctly during fires.
Of the remaining 7% that fail, most failures are caused by human error, not system defects.
- 10% are due to poor or neglected maintenance.
- The majority of others stem from incorrect system design, improper installation, or manual shutdowns.
- Only 2% of failures are due to physical damage to the sprinkler system itself.
This clearly demonstrates that regular maintenance is the single most effective way to ensure system reliability
and compliance with fire safety regulations.
Maintaining Your Fire Protection Systems
If you’re unsure where to begin with maintaining your sprinkler system — or need a reliable contractor
for your annual inspection — Eversafe can help.
Our fire protection maintenance service
covers everything from visual checks and pressure testing to load testing and minor repairs.
To book your next service or discuss your maintenance requirements, contact us at
info@eversafefire.com
or call 01795 713123.