Weston County commissioners discussed a recent incident at the county’s public health/library building after staff discovered an expansion tank in the building’s fire-suppression system that is not rated for sprinkler service.

County staff reported finding a spec sheet stating the tank should not be used in a fire sprinkler system; the system’s operating pressure is about 90 psi while the tank was rated to 80 psi. A county official said a vendor inspection noted loose screws inside a sensor and that repairs had been completed to stop nuisance activations, but the tank itself is not appropriate for the application.

Staff told the board they are searching archived contracts and construction records from 2005–2007 to learn which contractor installed the system. They said the installation paperwork and blueprints for the fire suppression system were not available in the county’s plan vault and that Western States (a contractor name mentioned in the file review) may not have left record drawings.

Rapid Fire (the vendor the county contacted for pricing) was asked for a repair and refill quote. Staff estimated the tank replacement could be on the order of about $1,200, but commissioners and staff noted the county’s insurance deductible is $25,000; that means the county is likely to pay repair costs directly rather than file a claim unless larger damage is found.

The board directed staff to: continue tracking down the original installation contractor and contracts, request a firm written quote from the fire vendor for repair/replacement, and determine whether any contractor could be asked to reimburse costs if installation did not meet appropriate specifications.

Commissioners also discussed operational impacts: the glycol feed and expansion hardware differ between boiler and sprinkler systems, and staff said the library’s sprinkler system remains a water-fed system separate from boiler expansion tanks in other buildings. Staff will present cost estimates and any contract findings at a future meeting.