ROV inspection of sprinkler tanks without draining: methodology and benefits for service providers

Why inspect a sprinkler tank?

Visit sprinkler tanks play a vital role in fire protection systems. They guarantee the availability of water in the event of a fire. But over time, deposits, corrosion and cracks can compromise their effectiveness.

Regular inspection is therefore mandatory for :

• check the integrity of internal walls and structures,
• check the condition of strainers and pipes,
• detect deposits or corroded areas,
• ensure compliance with standards (APSAD, NFPA, EN12845).

Without reliable inspection, the system may be unusable in the event of a disaster, with dramatic consequences.

The limits of traditional methods

Until now, inspections were often carried out by :

• Complete tank emptying costly and time-consuming.
• Human diving heavy logistics and major risks.
• Manual cameras limited scope and incomplete data.

These methods have a major impact on overall costs, site downtime and operator safety.

ROV inspection of sprinkler tanks: the modern solution

A ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle), also known as underwater drone, allows you to inspect a sprinkler tank without emptying it and without diver.

✅ Key benefits :

• Security no human endangerment.
• Efficiency inspection completed in just a few hours.
• Economy no prolonged system shutdown.
• Data quality HD video and photos for use in your reports.

Clearly, the ROV represents a reliable, flexible and cost-effective solution for specialized sprinkler inspection service providers.

ROV inspection methodology

1. Site preparation : securing the area, checking access and calibrating equipment.
2. Launching the ROV Immersion via trapdoor or manhole.
3. Full visual inspection : walls, bottom, pipes, strainers, deposits.
4. Documentation video recording, photos, annotations.
5. Final report The customer receives a copy of the contract with visual evidence and recommendations.

ROV EXPERT solutions

At ROV EXPERT, we supply specialized service providers with the underwater drones best suited to the task.’sprinkler tank inspection :

• CHASING M2S ROV: compact, precise and easy to use.
• QYSEA FIFISH V6 Expert versatile, compatible with a wide range of sensors.
• Custom configurations additional lighting, turbidity probes, UT sensors (thickness).

👉 Available to purchase to integrate into your fleet,
👉 Or for rent for one-off assignments.

Best practices for service providers

• Provide a dual external lighting for murky waters.
• Create a complete ROV check before each mission (battery, motors, cameras).
• Define a reproducible inspection plan to track the evolution of anomalies over time.
• Systematically integrate photos, videos and measurements in your customer reports.

Conclusion

L’ROV inspection of sprinkler tanks has become a standard method:

• safer (no divers),
• faster (no draining),
• more economical (reducing costs and lead times),
• more reliable (usable visual data).

By choosing ROV EXPERT, you can access high-performance, flexible solutions, perfectly adapted to your needs as a service provider.

📞 +33 (0) 756 432 799
✉️ titouan@rov-expert.com