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Inspecting Listed Antifreeze: Information for Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs)

Get the knowledge needed for inspecting fire sprinkler systems with listed antifreeze

The information here is accurate as of April 2022 and will be updated should NFPA issue any changes.

When you have hundreds or even thousands of properties you’re responsible for, changes to NFPA standards can cost precious AHJ time. The theoretical “the unlisted antifreeze deadline is coming” is speeding towards reality: NFPA 25’s September 30, 2022, deadline is mere months away. Knowing what’s included in NFPA 13 and 25, what the differences between listings are and how to inspect a system with listed antifreeze are the keys to conducting a successful listed antifreeze inspection and ensuring compliance.

Project inspection reference sheet
UL Certified Safety

Fire Sprinkler System Listed Antifreeze Inspection

There are three key actions in a quick, thorough inspection of an antifreeze fire sprinkler system: glance, look and check.

  1. GLANCE: First look at the hang tag’s general condition. If it looks old, worn, or well-written-on, the system is almost certainly still filled with legacy antifreeze, which must be replaced. A missing hang-tag is a major red flag.
  2. LOOK: Next, look at the hang tag to see if its form and content meet NFPA 25 specifications 4.1.9.1 and 4.1.9.2 (a permanently marked metal or rigid plastic information sign including location served, auxiliary drains, location of antifreeze and location of heat tape) and 4.1.10 (an antifreeze information sign indicating the manufacture type and brand, concentration by volume and volume of solution).
  3. CHECK: Finally, use the listed antifreeze’s installation guide to confirm that the listed antifreeze used is compliant with the building’s occupancy and pipe materials. Remember that each listed antifreeze product has a unique listing. Keeping the installation guide on your device will let you quickly inspect compliance.
Freezemaster antifreeze in testing beakers

Not All Listed Antifreeze is the Same

Listed antifreeze must pass performance standards as tested by an agency like UL. But not all listings are the same.

freezemaster™ antifreeze is UL-listed and meets all NFPA 25 requirements. Many qualities make freezemaster™ antifreeze the most popular listed antifreeze product on the market. In addition to its temperature and volume listings, freezemaster™ antifreeze is dyed blue for easy visual identification during installation and maintenance and offers a breakthrough corrosion resistance package that effectively reduces pipe corrosion by up to 65%, outperforming alternative listed antifreeze products.  

AHJs should be willing to work with other AHJs and with ISM contractors to find the best solution for each case. And Lubrizol is also here to help – the freezemaster™ antifreeze team can consult as needed and can answer all AHJ questions.

 

Sprinkler head, installed to NFPA standards

Compliance and the 2022 NFPA 25 Deadline

Antifreeze systems are covered in four NFPA standards: NFPA 13, NFPA 13R, NFPA 13D, and NFPA 25.

The 2012 update to NFPA 25 stipulated listed antifreeze for new systems and in existing systems by September 30, 2022. Therefore, it’s likely that you haven’t yet inspected an antifreeze fire sprinkler system with listed antifreeze. But soon, all fire sprinkler systems that use antifreeze must drain their unlisted fluids and switch to a listed antifreeze or must convert to a dry system. NFPA 25 represents a mandatory change that AHJs must check for during inspection time.

Inspect Listed Antifreeze with Confidence

The NFPA 25 deadline arrives in less than a year. Conduct listed antifreeze inspections efficiently by knowing what to look for and when. Remember to glance, look and check, and keep installation guides handy to do your part for proper freeze protection in fire sprinkler systems.

Get the inspection reference sheet

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