Fire Sprinkler 

A Fire Sprinkler System is an active Fire Protection method, consisting of a Water Supply System, providing adequate Pressure and Flowrate to a Water distribution Piping System, onto which Fire Sprinklers are connected. Since Fire Sprinkler Systems need to be in working order at all times, they need to be Inspected Annually to ensure they will operate Properly during a Fire Emergency. During a Fire Sprinkler System Test, physical checks are Performed on all the parts of your Fire Sprinkler System. These include Water Flow Tests, Fire Pump Tests, Alarm Tests, and Trip Tests of Dry Pipe, Deluge, and Pre-Action Valves. Sauer Fire Protection Can Handle All types of Fire Sprinkler Systems including Wet Pipe Systems, Pre-Action Systems and Deluge Systems as well as Standpipe Systems and Fire Pumps. Here’s a little about the Different Types we can take care of four Our Customers:

  • Wet Pipe Sprinkler Systems The most common type of Sprinkler System. This Automatic Sprinkler Piping System is connected to a Water Supply so that water discharges immediately from Sprinklers opened by heat from a fire. They also are the Most Reliable, because they are simple, with the only operating components being the Automatic Sprinklers and the Automatic Alarm Check Valve. 
  • Dry Pipe Sprinkler Systems Dry Pipe Systems are the second most common Sprinkler System type. Dry Pipe Systems are installed in spaces in which the ambient Temperature may be cold enough to freeze the water in a Wet Pipe System, which would make the system inoperable. A Sprinkler System employs Automatic Sprinklers that are attached to a Piping System containing Air or Nitrogen under pressure. The release of the Air or Nitrogen permits the Water Pressure to open a Dry Pipe Valve, allowing the water to then Flow into the Piping System and out through the Opened Sprinklers.
  • Pre-Action SystemsPre-Action Sprinkler Systems are specialized for use in locations where accidental activation is especially undesirable, such as in Museums with rare art works, manuscripts, or books,  Data Centers, for Protection of computer equipment from accidental Water Discharge. Pre-Action Systems are Hybrids of Wet, Dry, and Deluge Systems, depending on the exact system goal. There are two Main Sub-Types of Pre-Action Systems: Single Interlock, and Double Interlock.
  • Deluge Sprinkler System These systems are used for Special Hazards where rapid-Fire spread is a concern, as they provide a simultaneous application of Water over the entire Hazard. A Sprinkler System employing open sprinklers attached to a piping system that is connected to a water supply through a valve that is opened by the operation of a Fire Detection System installed in the same areas as the sprinklers. When this valve opens, water flows into the Piping System and discharges from all Sprinklers attached thereto.

.      Maryland Contractor License # MSC-602

Standard Wet System in the Sprinkler Room of one of Our Great Customers 

HODGMAN Model A Dry Valve from the 1950's 

 


     Fire Extinguishers

Sauer Fire Protection provides excellent and low-cost Service, Inspections, Installation of Portable Fire Extinguishers and other Fire Suppression and Protection Equipment in Maryland. Sauer Fire Protection is one of the regions leaders of Sales, Service, Testing, Inspecting and Maintenance of Portable Fire Extinguishers. There's nothing worse than needing an extinguisher in an emergency only to discover that it isn't charged and will not operate. We will ensure while on site that the extinguishers we inspect are fully functional and are up to NFPA 10 requirements. We also, guarantee next day Service for Empty / Discharged Extinguishers. We are expertly qualified and experienced to Service, Inspect, Maintain and Repair all types of Clean Agent Systems including FM200, Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and Intergen as well as many other clean agents. Below is the Applications for Extinguishers that Sauer Fire Protection Services:

  • ( BC ) Dry Chemical - Suitable for flammable liquids, greases, gases and energized electrical equipment (Class B and C designations)
  • Multi-Purpose ( ABC ) Dry Chemical - Suitable for wood, cloth, paper, rubber, many plastics, flammable liquids and gases, greases, oils and energized electrical equipment and is particularly effective on combination fires.
  • Carbon Dioxide ( CO2 ) - These are designated for Class B and C - Suitable for Flammable Liquid and Electrical Fires. Carbon Dioxide extinguishers work by displacing oxygen, or taking away the oxygen element of the Fire Triangle. 
  • Clean Streaming Agents - Clean agents are electrically non - conductive, leave no residue, and are environmentally safe in occupied spaces. Well suited for flammable liquids and energized electrical equipment. 
  • Pressurized Water - Fires in ordinary ( Class A ) combustible materials, such as wood, cloth, paper, rubber, and many plastics. 
  • Special Applicable Extinguishers - These include Class K agents ( for Restaurant Kitchen hazards ), Class D agents ( for combustible metals such as magnesium, sodium, potassium, lithium and uranium ) and Foam Types  ( for Ordinary combustibles and flammable liquids ) 
  • Wheeled Extinguisher Units - Large capacity extinguishers that are designed to protect areas where Class B and C fires can occur like Power Plants and Airports.

 

Extinguisher License # FE-545


Backflow Prevention 

Sauer Fire Protection Services Has Certified Backflow Prevention Technicians on our team that can Inspect, Test, Maintain and Service All types of Backflow Preventers. Having your Backflow properly Tested, Serviced and Inspected is crucial to the Domestic Water Supply we use on a daily basis. A Backflow Prevention Device is used to protect Potable Water Supplies from contamination or pollution due to Backflow. Water Pressure may fail or be reduced when a Water Main bursts, Pipes Freeze, or there is unexpectedly high demand on the Water System (for example, when several Fire Hydrants are opened). Reduced Pressure in the pipe may allow contaminated Water from the soil, from storage, or from other sources to be drawn up into the system. Backflow means the undesirable revers al of flow of a liquid, gas, or suspended solid into the Potable Water Supply; a Backflow Preventer is designed to keep this from happening. Another common location for a Backflow Preventer is the connection of a Fire Sprinkler System to a Water Main, to prevent Pressurized Water from flowing from the Fire Suppression System into the Public Water Supply. Partial List of Backflow Prevention Device and Assemblies:

  • Air gap (AG the purest form of backflow prevention)
  • Atmospheric Vaccuum Breaker (AVB)
  • Detector Check 
  • Check Valve (usually not a legally approved method of backflow prevention.)
  • Chemigation Valve ( primarily used in agriculture)
  • Double Check Valve Assembly (DCVA)
  • Dual Check Valve ( A dual check is not a testable device and is mainly used on residential customers)
  • Pressure Vacuum Breaker Assembly (PVB)
  • Reducing Pressure Zone Device (RPZ)
  • Spill Resistant Pressure Vacuum Breaker Assembly (SPVB)
  • Vacuum Breaker

Certification # BF-2023-454


Emergency / Exit Lighting

Battery - Backup

A typical Emergency Light consists of a housing that contains the Battery, a circuit board and a Transformer. There are anywhere from one to three reflective lamp heads attached to this housing, with DC light bulbs in them. The power for the light bulbs comes from the Battery, which is in turn Recharged by the Transformer and circuit board. In the case of power loss, the circuit board recognizes it, turning the unit on to provide Lighting for Emergency egress of the facility.

Fluorescent Emergency Lights

Fluorescent Emergency Lights have gained popularity in recent years. The lightweight fixture uses a Nickel Cadmium Emergency Light Battery instead of the typical sealed lead acid. This extends the average lifespan of the Battery to 2-3 years.

Wet Location Emergency Lights

Wet Location Emergency Lights are weatherproof and designed for harsh, outdoor conditions. many models come with the option for a Battery heater that allows the fixture to operate in freezing temperatures. We even have a model that can handle -40 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

 

An Emergency Exit in a structure is a Special Exit for emergencies such as Fire or other Emergencies; the combined use of regular and Special Exits allows for faster evacuation, while it also provides an alternative if the route to the regular exit is blocked. Almost all buildings require Exit Lighting and for good reasons. Various local codes, along with Insurance Company Requirements, dictate that all Commercial, Industrial, Institutional and some Multifamily Residencies have Emergency and Exit Lights. The requirements for an Emergency Exit are as follows: it must be in a location that is easily accessible, the exit must bring people to a safe area or location, it must be Well Managed and Regularly Maintained, and it must be in a permanent clearly marked location. In addition, the Emergency Exit should not compromise the security of the building or its occupants during Normal Operations. An Emergency Exit path usually ends in a strategically located (e.g. in a Stairwell, Hallway, or other likely places) outward opening door with a crash bar on it and with Exit Signs leading to it. A Fire Escape is a Special Kind of Emergency Exit, mounted to the outside of a Building. These Battery-Backed Lights activate Automatically to illuminate Exit Corridors when a building loses power. If you lose power in your Building, I'm sure you would love to still have lighting to make a Safe Exit. These lights rely on rechargeable Batteries connected to your buildings Electrical System and require periodic Testing and Maintenance to insure Proper Operation. Facility Owners are required to Inspect these lights Monthly and then, arrange for Annual Testing & Inspections by Qualified companies. An Owners representative is required to Inspect, at least Monthly, all Emergency & Exit Lights and perform a 30-second functional Test on all Battery powered equipment. All Battery powered Exit and Emergency Lights must be Tested, Inspected and Maintained at least Annually.

There are a variety of Kinds of Emergency and Exit Lights that Sauer Fire Service listed below:

Escape Route

Escape route lighting is the part of an Emergency Lighting System that enables the swift and safe evacuation of a building by illuminating its escape routes, such as corridors and stairways, and the location of Fire-Fighting Equipment (Fire Extinguishers, Safety Equipment, etc.)

Escape route lighting is a fundamental requirement of Fire Safety provision regardless of occupancy levels.

High Risk Task Area

High risk task Lighting is a specific Type of Emergency Lighting provided to ensure the safety of people involved in a potentially dangerous process or situation.

This helps people see when they need to perform a safety procedure like breaking glass to access a Shut-Off Switch, reading Safety instructions, opening an Emergency Exit, or operating a Fire Extinguisher.

LED Emergency and Exit Lights

LEDs are a great option for Emergency Exit Lights because they require much less electricity than most other forms of Emergency Exit Illumination (incandescent; fluorescent). Generally, it takes a lot of Electricity to generate light, but due to the Efficiency of LEDs, they require much less. That's why LEDs have become so Popular in Home and Businesses.


Fire Alarm

Types Of Fire Alarm Systems

Now that we know the different Fire Alarm Detectors, it’s time to break down types of Fire Alarm Systems. From Wireless Systems to Conventional Fire Alarms, there’s one to best suit everyone’s space. Here are the key differences to help with your search.

TWO-WIRE FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS

A two-wire fire alarm is founded on the standard conventional system; however, it utilizes a two-wire system. With this structure, the call points, detectors, and alarm devices are wired to two zones cables, going back to the control panel. This two-wire system allows for increased flexibility that also has additional benefits like detector recognition and isolation.

Typically used in smaller spaces, this system is fast to detect smoke and cheaper to install, however, it costs more upfront.

 WIRELESS FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS

With a Wireless System, you’ll have a Fire Alarm without cables connecting the Detection Device to the Control Panel. This system relies on multi-frequency links for heightened Functionality, Maintaining a signal strength for constant Protection. This System may be more expensive to purchase, but it’s more flexible and quicker to install. Plus, it doesn’t have all the cabling of a wired system, making it great for properties that don’t allow wiring.

CONVENTIONAL FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS

What is a Conventional Fire Alarm System? It is a type of Fire Alarm System whose devices and panels are hardwired individually to the Control Panel.

A Conventional Fire Alarm System is a 4-Wire System that is frequently used in smaller properties. This system divides space into different Detection Zones, with each wired to a dedicated circuit in a Control Panel. This allows for multiple Detectors in each zone, and in the case Fire is Detected, the Panel shows what zone the signal was triggered within. However, since it shares a zone, the location has to be checked out in person to find the specific location of the Fire, which is the reason why it’s best for smaller spaces.

This is one of the most affordable Alarm Systems and one many shops and restaurants choose to rely on.

Fire Alarm Categories: Automatic vs Manual Fire Alarm Systems

Fire Alarm Systems can be categorized into Two Main Types of Commercial Fire Alarm Systems:

  • MANUAL FIRE ALARM SYSTEM: this is a Fire Alarm System that is manned and operated 24/7 by a person and the alerts will be made Manually.
  • AUTOMATIC FIRE ALARM SYSTEM: its definition is a Fire Alarm System that gets Automatically triggered by Fire or Smoke Alarm One relies on human Supervision while the other does not.

Silent Knight IFP - 1000 Multi - Zone Addressable Fire Alarm Panel (Top)

 

Honeywell E3 Series Addressable Fire Alarm Control Panel ( Top ) 

 


Fire Hydrants

When responding to a Fire it is important that your Firefighters can gain access to Water from a Fire Hydrant as quickly as possible. The continuous Water Supply and Water Pressure that a Hydrant provides is Critical in preventing or Reducing Loss of Property and/or Life. This rapid response will be Extinguishing a Fire Quickly and Preventing further Damage. It Prides unlimited Water to Firefighting crews at any possible moment to act rapidly. They can be found Widely around Our Living Environment including Residential Buildings, Stores, Warehouses, Industrial Buildings, Factories, Airports, Harbors, Parks, along Streets and where there are other Fire risks. Here are Multiple Types of Fire Hydrants that Sauer Fire Protection will be conducting Our Quali Services onto for Our Customers:

 

  • Dry Barrel Hydrant ( Frostproof Hydrant ) : A type of Hydrant with the Main Control Valve below the Frost line between the Foot piece and the Barrel.
  • Monitor Nozzle Hydrant : A Hydrant equipped with a Monitor Nozzle capable of delivering more then 250 GPM ( 946 L/min ).
  • Wall Hydrant : A Hydrant mounted on the Outside of the wall of a Wall of a Building, Fed from Interior Piping, and Equipped with Control Valves located inside the Building that are Normally Key- operated from the Buildings exterior
  •  Wet Barrel Hydrant : A type of Hydrant that is Intended for use where there is NO Danger of freezing weather and where each Outlet is provided with a Valve and Outlet

 

We will Inspect, Exercise and Flow these Hydrants along with all your other Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems on your property to make sure they operate properly in a time of need. We will also make sure these Hydrants have the correct amount of Water Pressure/Flow Rate as designed upon Installation. 

Automatic Hydrant Flusher