Are Blocked Nozzles and Flow Restrictions Compromising Your Deluge System?
Overview
Deluge system nozzles and pipework can become blocked by corrosion debris, scale, marine growth, or biofilm over time.
Blocked nozzles reduce system coverage, creating dead zones in fire protection that may not be detected until a live fire event — by which time the consequences are catastrophic.
Why It Happens
Between test intervals, deluge pipework is typically dry and unpressurised, creating an environment where corrosion products, scale, and biological debris accumulate. These deposits migrate to nozzle orifices during system activation. Conventional wet testing may not detect individual nozzle blockages if overall system pressure appears acceptable, masking localised coverage failures.
How It Can Be Fixed
Test the system with Paradigm’s Dry-Flo® technology, which measures individual flow rates per nozzle and identifies specific blockages and restrictions through graphical and numerical data output. Follow up with Paradigm’s specialist system cleaning and remediation services to clear identified blockages and restore full nozzle coverage and design flow performance.
Why Paradigm
Paradigm’s Dry-Flo® system provides nozzle-level flow data that conventional wet testing cannot reliably deliver — pinpointing exactly which nozzles are blocked and where restrictions exist in the distribution network. Paradigm’s fire protection division then offers system cleaning, repair, and replacement services to clear the identified faults, with temporary fire protection cover maintained during any remediation work.
Case Studies
Fire Protection
Services
Services
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Maintenance of fire suppression systems involves routine inspections, testing and servicing to ensure the equipment operates effectively in an emergency. It typically includes checking components such as controls, extinguishing agents (gaseous), piping networks, discharge mechanisms for damage
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