Created by a wet technician for wet technicians, the Fire Catch is set to become a must-have in the toolkit. In a world-first application of ultrasonic technology, the Fire Catch takes the stress out of draining down a system and knowing you got it right. Currently, wet techs rely on block plans being updated, fire-suppression system changes being well-documented and their own expertise when draining down at the start of a job. But their own expertise is not enough if the other two are inaccurate. The cost of a live-pulled sprinkler head doesn’t stop at the financial, whether that be for lost operating time or for clean-up. The risk to the technician is real, and an incident may lead not only to substantial physical injuries but also psychological impacts to themselves, their colleagues and those involved in the clean-up.
With over 10 years in the industry, Mark Donnelly has seen his fair share of jobs gone wrong through no fault of the technician. Keeping safety front of mind, he reached out to Anthony Lima, an expert in the field of non-destructive testing (NDT), with an idea for a safe, reliable and efficient solution. At first Anthony couldn’t believe that nothing existed on the market for this purpose. He talked to people who had been working for decades in ultrasonics about the idea who ‘just couldn’t get their head around why I would want to test a pipe like that. They all thought I was testing the pipe, not looking at what’s in it.’ Combining their respective expertise and resources, they developed a theoretical model for a revolutionary method of ensuring the accurate and successful drain-down of wet fire systems. The model was then referred to Deakin University in Geelong for proof of concept, and after months of rigorous testing and refinement, the Fire Catch was born and is the flagship product of Fire NDT Pty Ltd (est. 2022). The product is patented in Australia, with international patents pending.
Officially launched by Fire NDT at the Fire Australia 2024 Conference and Tradeshow on the Gold Coast, the Fire Catch caught the eyes of those in and outside the field. Not to be mistaken for a flow-tester, live demonstrations of the Fire Catch made it immediately apparent that the unit is user-friendly and the results instantaneous. By using a cutting-edge application of accurate and reliable ultrasonic technologies, the Fire Catch detects the pressure in the piping behind the sprinkler heads. Utilising an easy-to-read screen with text and icons for additional accessibility, the device lets the tech know if the system they think they’ve drained is actually drained, allowing them to get on with the job.
The process is as simple as adding gel to the probes, connecting the clamp to the pipe, following the screen prompts and obtaining the results. The Fire Catch screens show either the correct installation selected (also showing a thumbs-up) or the wrong installation selected (also showing a thumbs-down).
The Fire Catch can be used in a range of settings including retail, broader commercial, logistics and offices. Over time, fire-suppression layout plans can become outdated, whether through modification to the system, renovations to the building, or simply through the age of the building. Technicians frequently encounter inaccurate plans but are often unaware of these inaccuracies until they pull a live sprinkler head. The potential for these inaccuracies shadows every job, and raises the stress for the wet techs even if they are confident they have drained the right installation.
The costs of a drain-down going wrong are many and varied. Foremost in Mark’s mind when developing the Fire Catch was technician safety. Being a wet tech himself, he is acutely aware of the negative flow-on effects for techs, colleagues, responders and clean-up crews. ‘It doesn’t even have to be you,’ he states, ‘just one of your boys and it messes with your confidence when you’re next out on a job pulling a head.’ There are numerous reports of injuries sustained as a direct result of working on a live system and even deaths. The Fire Catch provides reassurance on-site and decreases the reliance on block plans and system schematics being accurate and up to date. Moreover, each incident has a negative impact on the reputation of the contractor and their ability to provide a service, whether the incident was a genuine mistake on their part or an issue with the schematics.
Beyond that is the financial cost, with flooded premises losing time, income and potentially assets such as stock or office electrical equipment. Pulling a live sprinkler head releases water at around 2,000kPa, and costs can run upwards of $100,000. While there are no official statistics available on such incidents, anecdotally it is estimated it costs industry about $3–5 million per year. And almost everyone in the field knows of a situation that could have been, and now more easily can be, avoided. You only have to save yourself from one incident for the Fire Catch to prove its worth.
This reduction in incidents benefits everyone from the technician to the tenants, to property managers and building owners. This innovation has the potential to lower insurance premiums for property owners and contractors as the likelihood of costly accidents decreases. The non-destructive nature of the Fire Catch also means existing infrastructure is preserved, further reducing costs by minimising materials for pipe section replacement.
Benefits of the Fire Catch
- Easy to use with results provided instantly.
- Light and portable in a tradie-friendly transport case.
- Removes the need to drill, damage or replace pipes.
- Charges on-the-go through your vehicle phone charger.
- Provides logs for the previous 1,000 uses, including date and timestamps.
- 40 of the most recent log events are viewable on a screen at any time.
- Accessible screen features with text, icons and colour considered.
- The calibration can be checked by the tech anywhere – no need to send away to see if it’s still within parameters.
- Software updates delivered wirelessly, perfect for updating between jobs or on-site through a mobile hotspot.
- Multifaceted cost-savings including labour time spent, materials for replacing pipes, potential clean-up time and costs.
Australia has a rich history of innovation, and Fire NDT is contributing to this legacy. By producing a majority of the components within the country, they support local industries and contribute to the economy. The company is continually researching and developing new ways to enhance fire safety. Future iterations of the Fire Catch may include advanced features such as real-time data transmission to building management systems, providing continuous monitoring and even greater peace of mind.
Innovation and best practice are changing the landscape and moving the goalposts in every industry, and fire suppression is no different. The Fire Catch is a testament to the belief that things can be done in a safer, more efficient way. It represents a paradigm shift in fire-system servicing and maintenance that prioritises the safety of the technicians. Utilising their knowledge of industry standards, regulations and protocols for non-destructive testing and servicing and maintaining fire-suppression systems, Mark and Anthony navigated the complexities of developing a new technology that is not only effective and efficient but also complies with all relevant safety guidelines and standards. As Fire NDT continues to develop and refine its technology, the Fire Catch is set to become an indispensable tool in building maintenance worldwide. Its blend of simplicity, reliability and cost-effectiveness makes it an ideal solution for modern fire-safety challenges. By addressing a critical pain point in fire system maintenance, the Fire Catch not only protects property but also safeguards the well-being of those who live and work in these buildings.
About the Author
Mark Donnelly
Mark has 10 years’ experience as a mechanical plumber and a further 10 years as a sprinkler wet technician. With a curious mind, he’s someone who has seen first-hand the danger and damage caused by pulling a live sprinkler head.
