Some online retailers are more interested in making a quick buck than ensuring proper fire safety standards. There’s bound to be trouble when profit comes before safety, so trust professional Orlando fire sprinkler maintenance services for your fire sprinkler equipment.

Buying from online retailers is nothing new. If you need a toaster for the breakroom or pens for the supply cabinet, ordering from Amazon is likely your go-to. And you’re not alone – 85% of all product searches start on either Amazon or Google. Amazon gets the majority of online shoppers with 49%, and Google gets the other 36%. 

While many products sold through these online mega-retailers might not raise safety concerns if they fail to adhere to regulatory standards, the situation takes a different turn regarding fire safety equipment. Where you buy your fire sprinklers matters, and we want to explain why you should only purchase from certified Orlando fire sprinkler maintenance providers.

“Certified” or “Listed” Fire Sprinklers

When a product is “certified,” a recognized safety organization has thoroughly tested it. NFPA 13 indicates that a “listed” product is one… 

“…whose listing states that either the equipment, material, or service meets appropriate designated standards or has been tested and found suitable for a specified purpose.”

The importance of purchasing listed and certified products is obvious – you want them to work if there’s a fire. And buying products that do not bear such certifications may or may not work. Your safety is too important to guess whether or not your fire sprinklers are legit.

How To Tell The Difference Between Real and Fake Sprinklers

Spotting a counterfeit sprinkler can be challenging. Without industry knowledge and decades of experience working with them, all sprinkler heads may look the same to a layperson. To help the public recognize this danger, UL Solutions, a global safety science leader, frequently warns of counterfeit sprinkler heads in their public notices. 

Meanwhile, FM, a premier property loss prevention testing company, strenuously tests products based on their efficacy in performing the life-saving tasks they are intended for. One FM approval product alert compared an authentic Globe brand fire sprinkler head with a counterfeit one.

The only indications of the fake are:

• The orientation of the year.
• The differences in the compound used around the load screw.
• There is a slight difference in the length of the slots stamped out of the deflectors.

These minor differences can mean significant safety risks.

Some Amazon-listed fire sprinkler heads are even categorized under “lawn and garden,” which should be a huge red flag. The seller may list them this way to avoid regulatory compliance, or it’s a way to boost their algorithms on Amazon. 

Either way, avoid “lawn and garden” fire sprinklers to protect your property and building occupants.

Where Can You Find Listed/Certified Fire Sprinklers?

The temptation to grab your phone, perform a quick search, and hit the “buy now” button can be intense. We’re all used to getting what we want right now. But when your safety is at stake, take a breath and do some homework before ordering substandard fire safety equipment. 

Professional Orlando fire sprinkler maintenance companies like DynaFire only carry authentic, tested, certified fire safety equipment. When you work with us, you know your fire sprinkler system will be installed correctly and function properly when needed. You can also turn to us for regular inspections, repairs, replacements, and any other Fire & Life Safety solutions your business needs. 

Don’t get burned by fake fire safety products. Trust the experts. Contact us today for more information.