MIC Testing

Why should I test for MIC?

Does your sprinkler system have signs of corrosion, pin-hole leaks, black water, or a rotten egg smell to it? If you are experiencing leaking pipes, excessive maintenance to your sprinkler system or have a rotten egg smell when a main drain test is conducted, the system may be subject to a condition known as MIC (microbiologically influenced corrosion) and it may need IMMEDIATE attention. Signs of MIC corrosion have been detected in fire sprinkler systems all around the world. It is important to test the water in wet, dry and preaction fire sprinkler systems to determine the potential risks associated with corrosion in carbon steel & galvanized piping systems. It is important to detect MIC at the earliest possible time to reduce future repair costs.

What is MIC?

MIC refers to corrosion that is influenced by the presence of 3 specific bacterium; Acid Producing Bacterium, Iron Related Bacterium and Sulfate Reducing Bacterium. MIC and Oxidative or General Corrosion can prevent a fire sprinkler system from operating as designed and installed. The aforementioned MIC and Oxidative or General Corrosion can produce leaks and create obstructions as pictured below.

Both the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 13 and 25 latest editions, require water supplies and environmental conditions to be evaluated for the potential of microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC).

Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC)-causing bacteria seem to be everywhere. Evidence of their presence and by-products was recently reported to be on Mars.

MIC-causing bacteria are present to some degree in almost all of our potable and municipal water supplies. It is a worldwide problem, and we are all affected by it.

MIC-causing bacteria first became a concern in the fire protection industry in 1998, when their presence was detected in a nursing home in Iowa when the sprinkler system malfunctioned when tripped by a fire. The National Fire Protection Association, in updated versions of its NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, and NFPA 25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems, quickly addressed this problem. MIC committees were formed and are in existence today.

We highly recommend having your fire protection system checked today to determine if this ever-growing problem is taking place in your location. We can set up an appointment to have one of our technicians take the appropriate water samples and submit them for testing. Once samples are taken, they will be submitted for lab testing and results will be provided along with recommendations for treatment of any concerns that are found.

If you would like to request a water sample test and analysis, please email our MIC Treatment department today.