The peak of the wildfire season is coming to a close in British Columbia, marking an end to the fourth-worst year for hectares burned on record. The recent escalation of wildfire incidents in the province have led many businesses to adopt wildfire protection equipment to safeguard their structures and livelihoods.
While wildfire protection equipment is the most effective way to protect your assets from damage, it needs to be properly maintained so it’s ready for use when you need it. Wildfire protection equipment maintenance is especially important during the off-season when your equipment might spend months out of use.
Fortunately, wildfire gear care doesn’t have to be complicated. By learning best practices and committing to fire safety equipment upkeep, you can keep your systems in top condition year-round. This reduces risks to you, your business, your community, and your local firefighters.
In this article, we’ll show everything you need to consider when it comes to wildfire protection equipment maintenance. We’ll provide a maintenance checklist for firefighting tools. We’ll also offer some equipment longevity tips to ensure your systems can serve you for years to come. Let’s get into it.
Importance of Regular Maintenance for Wildfire Protection Equipment
We can’t understate the importance of equipment maintenance when it comes to wildfire protection in British Columbia.
Ultimately, you need to be able to count on your systems for protection in the worst-case scenario. And given wildfires often arrive without advance warning, the only way to guarantee that protection year-round is through routine maintenance.
To further demonstrate why regular upkeep is so essential, here’re five reasons preventative maintenance benefits you:
Equipment reliability
Regular maintenance ensures your wildfire protection equipment is efficient and reliable, giving you the assurance you can depend on it when you need it most.
Consider a sprinkler trailer that’s low on water capacity or a sprinkler kit with a clogged or damaged head. These problems take no time at all to fix, but if left unchecked, the impact can be catastrophic.
Ensuring reliability is especially important when your wildfire protection equipment has been dormant for an extended period, as this is the perfect opportunity for dust and debris to build up. It’s vital not to wait until a wildfire hits to check if your equipment can reliably protect you.
Reduced risk of failures
Inspecting your equipment regularly also allows you to uncover potential issues before they become a serious problem.
For instance, if you discover during a checkup that your system’s water pressure isn’t as powerful as you expect, this could be caused by a few issues. It may be something minor like a clogged sprinkler head. Or, it could be a serious concern, such as a pump failure.
Routine maintenance will give you the opportunity to diagnose and fix this problem before it becomes severe. This is vital when unexpected downtime could be the difference between safety and disaster during a wildfire.
Firefighter safety
Our heroic BC firefighters work tirelessly to keep our province safe. Wildfire protection systems are there to support them and make it easier for them to safeguard our structures. However, faulty equipment at the wrong time can make it difficult for them to provide effective support.
It also offers a false sense of security. If a firefighter relies on a sprinkler trailer but it fails, this could potentially put their life in danger. Regular maintenance keeps our firefighters safe, so they can keep us safe in return.
Equipment lifespan extension
Lastly, routine maintenance will help to extend the longevity of your wildfire protection equipment.
Cleaning, lubrication, and frequent repairs will help to avoid common issues that can crop up over time. This prevents the hassle of having to replace your equipment regularly, saving you money over time.
Essential Maintenance Practices for Wildfire Protection Equipment
Maintaining wildfire gear isn’t complicated, but it’s important to understand the basics so you can keep your systems in good condition for longer. Let’s explore all of the best maintenance practices for wildfire protection equipment.
Cleaning Procedures for Wildfire Protection Equipment
Cleaning fire equipment is essential to prevent blockages. When a wildfire does occur, ash and debris can quickly build up on sprinklers and pumps, reducing water flow and contributing to reduced longevity if left unmaintained.
Start by inspecting gear for signs of buildup. Remove any surface dirt or ash after every use using a soft brush and cold, clean water. Pay special attention to sprinkler heads and nozzles, as these components are typically most prone to clogging.
If needed, use a mild, non-corrosive detergent for equipment sanitization. Avoid using bleach. Using harsh chemicals for gear disinfection can damage the fire resistant qualities of your equipment over time.
When cleaning fire equipment and washing fire-resistant clothing, the same rules apply. You should hand wash your garments and avoid using fabric softeners or bleach for decontamination. These chemicals can significantly reduce the lifespan of your gear.
The key to cleaning wildfire gear is to do it regularly before buildup has the opportunity to embed itself in your gear. After every use is always best. You should also periodically clean your equipment during the off-season to check for dust, mould, or mildew.
Inspecting and Testing Equipment
Inspecting wildfire equipment regularly is vital for ensuring it is functional and efficient during emergencies. Periodic equipment integrity checks and functional testing will help you identify issues proactively, before they become a serious concern.
Examine every component of your wildfire protection system for signs of wear and tear, corrosion, or cracks. Assess that every seal is secure and free from leaks, as this could compromise your equipment’s reliability.
Also test the water flow of your gear to ensure it’s as efficient as you expect. If you notice a problem, this could be a sign of pump issues, leaks, or clogs. Contact the manufacturer in this case.
If your system has automated controls, perform equipment integrity checks to ensure these components are calibrated. Faulty gear calibration can cause a delay in system activation when it’s most important.
We suggest conducting functional tests before and after wildfire season. Simulating a real-world scenario in a robust performance evaluation ensures your equipment will perform when it matters. We also recommend a visual inspection every month.
Lubricating Tools and Equipment
Lubrication can be the difference between efficient equipment and an unreliable system. After you’ve cleaned the equipment thoroughly, lubricate all moving parts like sprinklers and pumps to ensure they work as intended.
In all cases, you should use the lubricants recommended by your equipment provider. High-grade synthetic lubricants are almost always the best course. Avoid using general-purpose oils, as these may struggle to withstand high temperatures.
As for your schedule, it’s best to use an eye test to determine whether your equipment requires lubrication. Assess moving parts during your routine inspections for friction or resistance.
If the pump is harder to operate, or you notice any unusual squeaking or grinding noises during use, this usually indicates it’s time to lubricate. When you do so, apply sparingly. Over-lubricating can be just as harmful as under-lubricating.
Storage Recommendations for Wildfire Gear
During the off-season, you should store all of your wildfire gear in a well-ventilated, dry, cool place. Thoroughly clean your equipment to remove debris, chemicals, and ash before you store, then allow the equipment to air dry to prevent mould and mildew.
In addition, drain any excess water from your sprinklers and tanker systems. In the cold British Columbia winter, this water can freeze, causing hoses and nozzles to expand. This isn’t the kind of damage you want when wildfire season rolls around next year. Make sure to dry the inside of your tankers before you store them away.
It’s vital to cover your tanker units and sprinklers to shield them from the elements. Direct sunlight, rain, frost, and snow can degrade rubber and lead to rust on metal components.
Summing Up
Remember that just because your equipment is stored away doesn’t mean you should neglect it. Inspect it once a month and provide any maintenance as needed. And if you identify a problem, get in touch with your manufacturer. When it comes to wildfires, planning ahead for the season is always better than responding to damage when it’s too late.
Looking to protect your structures from the elements? Spiedr can help. Our innovative wildfire sprinklers and sprinkler trailers will protect your home and business from the worst-case scenario. Don’t wait until it’s too late to make sure your structures, family, and community are safe—get in touch today to get that peace of mind you’ve been holding out for.
