The Reliable Sure-Off Tester is a mechanical device that you manually attach to an existing sprinkler pipe as a temporary drain when the sprinkler system does not have a drain, or when you cannot verify that the system is no longer under pressure.
HAZARD
Property damage caused by water continues to occur due to the improper installation of the Reliable Sure-Off Tester. The design of the Sure-Off Tester is for use on 1” to 2” diameter solid metal pipe. When you attach the device to rigid metal pipe smaller than 1 inch, or larger than 2 inches, the gasket will not seal correctly resulting in a leak. The Sure-Off gasket will also leak if you attach it to flexible head connections.
The following are two examples of how a VSC technician’s improper use of the device created water damage to customer property because the rubber gasket of the Sure-Off Tester pipe clamp did not provide a proper seal. Water began to leak when the drill bit punctured the pipe.
- Installed the device on the steel nipple attached at the end of a flexible head connection (the end that the sprinkler is attached to and attaches to the ceiling grid frame)
- Installed on a 1’’ CPVC (non-metallic) fire sprinkler pipe
PREVENTATIVE MEASURES
- When VSC technicians are performing service on fire sprinkler systems de-energized by someone other than a VSC employee, or when the VSC technician cannot be sure that there is only one feed into the subject work area, the Reliable Sure-Off Tester shall be properly installed. Note: if you have a direct, in line of sight drain valve directly connected to the system you are servicing, the Sure-Off Tester is not required.
- You should also use the Sure-Off Tester when draining trapped runs of piping where a drain valve was not installed.
- Follow installation instruction as outlined in the Reliable Bulletin #277 (May 2019) “Sure-Off Tester”.
- Install the Sure-Off Tester only on thread-able (black or galvanized) piping size diameters that match the mechanical tee size installed on the Sure-Off Tester