Property risk solutions - Risk Engineering

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Boiler Inspection Request “A comprehensive boiler and machinery maintenance program can actually increase profitability...” You may have seen the ads on TV or in magazines for one of those auto quick lube retailers in your area. They all seem to have a similar message… “Pay now or pay later!” Although many of these ads are somewhat humorous, there is a lot of truth to what they are saying. A comprehensive boiler and machinery maintenance program can actually increase profitability by improving equipment life and reliability, and limiting potential for production losses due to unplanned down time. In addition, almost all states and many local communities have regulatory requirements that make business owners responsible for the regular inspection of boilers and pressure vessels. Zurich Services Corporation Risk Engineering understands that machinery breakdown assessments and jurisdictional boiler/machinery inspections are critical elements of any facility’s comprehensive maintenance program. Zurich can provide jurisdictional inspections to meet the inspection and reporting requirements of various states that have adopted the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. You may request a boiler inspection online or by calling Zurich’s toll free number. • Online request – Go to http://www. zurichna.com/. Click on Online Services/ Customers/Boiler Request form. • Phone requests – Call us during the hours of 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. CST Monday through Friday at 800-562-5814 to speak with a Customer Services Representative or leave a message on our automated answering service anytime, day or night. For additional information about boiler and machinery services, please visit our Zurich Services Web site at www.zurichservices.com Property risk solutions 2nd Quarter 2010 | Page 2
Checking and testing your fire protection equipment “Why should I have my fire system alarms tested more often than what the fire department requires” This is a common question our clients ask when we suggest they improve their testing program. There is a lot of confusion associated with the topic, so we will try to sort it out here. NFPA 25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems, provides the basis of a comprehensive Fire Protection Inspection and Testing Program. The NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) publishes codes, standards, recommended practices, and guides used by building code authorities, the insurance industry, product manufacturers, and the fire department service. NFPA 25 is a standard, which means its language implies requirements versus recommended practices. Like other NFPA standards, it has an appendix containing explanatory and supportive information. The current edition is 2008, and standards such as this are updated about every 3 years. The NFPA also has well-known codes and standards related to installing automatic fire sprinkler systems, fire pumps and their water supplies, fire extinguishers, flammable liquids, explosion control, safety, etc. For example, the National Electrical Code® and NFPA 70 are actually the same publication. So, there is an established history here. Some insurers elect to follow their own guidelines to adjust or supplement what the NFPA says. For example, some insurers ask their insureds to install locks and chains on all fire protection system water supply valves even if they are equipped with tamper switches. Other insurers are okay with tamper switches or locks as a means of security. Some ask for monthly testing of waterflow alarms while others ask for a quarterly or semiannual routine. Zurich Services Corporation’s Risk Engineering division has an ISO 9001 certification and seeks a consistent, meaningful Fire Protection Inspection and Testing Program. This means that we follow NFPA 25 with limited exceptions. The following table highlights the checking/testing frequencies of some of the commonly found features in industrial fire protection systems with references to some other NFPA publications: Frequency Weekly Zurich Services Corporation Recommended Fire Protection Inspection and Testing Program • Visually check all fire protection control valves that are fitted with breakable seals to verify that they are open. Include valves inside ceilings, in pits, and at fire pumps. • Start and run electric fire pumps via pressure drop for at least 10 minutes and diesel fire pumps for at least 30 minutes exercising both sets of batteries. Verify that the diesel fire pump’s fuel tank is at least two-thirds full. • For dry pipe, preaction, and deluge sprinkler systems, check the gauges for proper air pressure to verify that the systems have not tripped and check their enclosures for adequate heat to prevent freezing. Comments: Years ago, the requirement for churning an electric fire pump was monthly. Not exercising a fire pump often enough can lead to drying and premature failure of packing glands. chart continues onto next page Property risk solutions 2nd Quarter 2010 | Page 3
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Property risk solutions - Risk Engineering

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