Experience Files

"Is fire sprinkler system water Category 1, 2, or 3?"  This frequently asked question highlights a common misconception that there's a simple, universal answer. The reality is far more nuanced, and understanding the specifics is essential for proper restoration.

According to the IICRC S500, Category 3 water is defined as:

"Category 3 water—Is grossly contaminated and can contain pathogenic, toxigenic, or other harmful agents. Examples can include but are not limited to sewage, toilet backflows that originate from beyond the toilet trap regardless of the visible content or color; all forms of flooding from seawater; ground surface water and rising water from rivers or streams; and other contaminated water entering or affecting the indoor environment such as wind driven rain from hurricanes, tropical storms or other weather related events. Such water may carry silt, organic matter, pesticides, heavy metals, regulated materials, or toxic organic substances."

Fire suppression systems are typically fabricated from either orange CPVC with glued fittings or black iron with mechanical fittings. Both types of systems present unique considerations:

• Black iron piping often retains cutting oil residue inside the pipes, which can pose a problem upon discharge.

• Neither system is typically flushed frequently, leading to water stagnation within the lines. This often results in the discharge of a slimy goo when a sprinkler head activates. The water can frequently smell sulfuric and appear jet black leaving stains in its path.

Furthermore, sprinkler systems can be configured as either:

• Wet systems: These are constantly charged with water or a low-freezing-point liquid.

• Dry systems: These use compressed air to hold back water, preventing freezing in colder environments.

Given these variables, a simple categorization is impossible. It's highly situational:

• A new building with CPVC piping set up as a dry system might indeed produce Category 1 water if the activation is immediate and the water source is potable.

• Conversely, an older building with black iron pipe set up as a wet system would almost certainly result in a Category 3 situation due to stagnation and potential contaminants.

A Broader Question: Rethinking Water Categories?

This complexity leads to a larger, philosophical question: Should we reconsider the existing water categories altogether? At least once a week, I encounter someone confusing the classes and categories of water. Perhaps replacing numbers with letters and offering more granular options would provide greater clarity. After all, a Category 1 water loss that has sat wet for five days is vastly different from a fresh municipal sewer backflow (always Category 3).

And what about situations like the water in Flint, MI, or areas under a boil water advisory? Even if caught quickly, that water is already considered pathogenic enough that it requires filtering or boiling before consumption. Current classifications might not fully account for such pre-existing contamination.

Perhaps a more detailed classification system could better serve the nuances of real-world water damage scenarios.