Inspection, Maintenance, and Troubleshooting
What the candidate must know
Inspection and maintenance keep the system reliable. Candidates should know the routine checks: gauges, valve position (open and supervised), alarm devices, spare head stock, and head condition (no paint, corrosion, or damage). Understand that flow switch and alarm testing should be periodic, that the main drain test is a quick indicator of supply degradation, and that any head that has operated or been damaged is replaced with a matching spare. Troubleshooting starts with symptoms: no alarm, low pressure, water at the gauge, or a valve found closed.
Concepts to master
- Valve supervision and status; locked or supervised open valves.
- Gauge readings and what a pressure drop may indicate.
- Spare head cabinet with the correct heads and wrench.
- Alarm and flow switch periodic testing.
- Recognizing corrosion, leaks, and physical damage.
- Documented inspection findings and corrective actions.
Traps in questions
Traps include replacing a head with a different temperature rating or model; ignoring a valve found partly closed; and assuming a quiet system needs no testing. Another trap is treating a low gauge reading as a gauge fault without checking supply and valve status.
Worked example / rule of thumb
Rule of thumb: "Symptom, then system, then component." For a no-alarm complaint, check valve position and supply pressure, then test the flow switch, then inspect wiring and the alarm device. Replace any operated or damaged head with an exact matching spare and record the action.