Fort Gordon Fire Department tests water pressure at Signal Towers

2009-08-21 / Spectrum


Photos by Bonnie Heater Fort Gordon firefighters ran a hose from the fire truck in the parking lot up to the 10th Floor of Signal Towers Aug. 12 for an annual inspection, test, and maintenance of the water-based suppression system in the building. Photos by Bonnie Heater Fort Gordon firefighters ran a hose from the fire truck in the parking lot up to the 10th Floor of Signal Towers Aug. 12 for an annual inspection, test, and maintenance of the water-based suppression system in the building. Donnie Richard of IAP World Services on Fort Gordon fires the hose off the 10th Floor of Signal Towers. "The Fort Gordon Fire Department came over to assist us," he said. "The Class II Dry Standpipe has no water source. A fire truck must be hooked to it to test it." Approximately 8,250 gallons of water were used during the test. Donnie Richard of IAP World Services on Fort Gordon fires the hose off the 10th Floor of Signal Towers. "The Fort Gordon Fire Department came over to assist us," he said. "The Class II Dry Standpipe has no water source. A fire truck must be hooked to it to test it." Approximately 8,250 gallons of water were used during the test. Kenny Hinegardner, (right) Fort Gordon's assistant fire chief, observes the test alongside firefighter La Mar Price. According to Hinegardner, the standpipe system is designed for firefighters to use to put out a fire in high rise facilities. Kenny Hinegardner, (right) Fort Gordon's assistant fire chief, observes the test alongside firefighter La Mar Price. According to Hinegardner, the standpipe system is designed for firefighters to use to put out a fire in high rise facilities. Donnie Richard records the results of the test. "If the stand maintains a constant flow during the 30 minute time period it indicates it's working effectively. This means there are no obstructions in the pipe and it meets the design criteria." According to Richard, the tests indicated the valves need to be replaced. "We need to change out the valves in the fire hose cabinets on every floor including the basement," he said. "This will be done by Aug. 28 , depending on how soon the new valves can be ordered." Donnie Richard records the results of the test. "If the stand maintains a constant flow during the 30 minute time period it indicates it's working effectively. This means there are no obstructions in the pipe and it meets the design criteria." According to Richard, the tests indicated the valves need to be replaced. "We need to change out the valves in the fire hose cabinets on every floor including the basement," he said. "This will be done by Aug. 28 , depending on how soon the new valves can be ordered." 100 psi [pounds per surface inch] of water [at the top of the standpipe system] were applied on the 10th Floor of Signal Towers, plus another 175 psi of water from the fire truck in the parking lot. According to Brent Spivey, design managerwith Fire Tech LLC of Augusta, who helped test the system, about 275 gallons of water per minute flowed via a hose from the fire truck through the standpipe system up to the 10th floor. The testers were looking for obstructions and making sure the integrity of the system was still intact. 100 psi [pounds per surface inch] of water [at the top of the standpipe system] were applied on the 10th Floor of Signal Towers, plus another 175 psi of water from the fire truck in the parking lot. According to Brent Spivey, design managerwith Fire Tech LLC of Augusta, who helped test the system, about 275 gallons of water per minute flowed via a hose from the fire truck through the standpipe system up to the 10th floor. The testers were looking for obstructions and making sure the integrity of the system was still intact.

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