If individual sprinkler heads cannot be shut off, what should be done to stop the flow of water?

If individual sprinkler heads cannot be shut off, what should be done to stop the flow of water?

• A. Close the Main Sprinkler Control Valve
• B. Close the Water Service Valve at the Water Meter
• C. Open the Fire Department Connection Outside
• D. Open the System Drain Valve

Answer: (D)

When sprinkler lines are under pressure, water is pushed to every head. If one head can’t be shut off, the quickest way to stop the flow is to remove water from the system by using the system drain valve. Opening the drain lets water escape from the lines and allows the system to bleed down, so the pressure driving water to the opened head drops and discharge stops. This method targets the problem without flooding the whole area or shutting off water to the entire building. The other options would either cut off water more broadly or actually introduce water into the system, rather than stopping the flow to the stuck head. Draining the system is the intended step to stop water flow when a head can’t be isolated.

When sprinkler lines are under pressure, water is pushed to every head. If one head can’t be shut off, the quickest way to stop the flow is to remove water from the system by using the system drain valve. Opening the drain lets water escape from the lines and allows the system to bleed down, so the pressure driving water to the opened head drops and discharge stops. This method targets the problem without flooding the whole area or shutting off water to the entire building. The other options would either cut off water more broadly or actually introduce water into the system, rather than stopping the flow to the stuck head. Draining the system is the intended step to stop water flow when a head can’t be isolated.