Thieves have made off with fire sprinkler connectors at four Olympia buildings in the past week, endangering property and safety.

“People that take life-safety equipment away are just bad people,” Olympia Fire Chief Larry Dibble said. “I mean, it’s just wrong on so many different levels.”

The metal couplings known as fire department connections, or FDCs, are used to connect water from a fire hydrant, through a fire engine, to the coupling to add pressure to a building’s sprinkler system, said fire marshal Rob Bradley.

If they’re missing and a fire breaks out, it could mean a greater loss, he said.

Fire officials say the couplings were discovered missing this week at Toys “R” Us, 1000 Cooper Point Road; Dirty Dave’s restaurant, 3939 Martin Way E.; Casa Madrona apartments, 3948 Martin Way E,; and the 128 Lilly Road Professional Building.

A couple of months ago, thieves took the FDC from The Home Depot at 1325 Fones Road S.E., just footsteps away from the fire department’s new training facility.

Bradley said the connectors could cost about $200 each to replace.

It’s just the latest piece of metal that thieves have found to turn into salvage yards for cash. Previously, Olympia has contended with the theft of copper wire, manhole covers and tree grates.

“It seems that the thieves manage to find a new source of metal on an almost weekly basis,” said Laura Wohl, a spokeswoman for Olympia police.

She added that the department hasn’t identified FDC thefts as a big regional problem.

Chief Steven Brooks of Lacey Fire District 3 said he hasn’t heard of such thefts happening in his district. Tumwater Fire Chief John Carpenter said the same of Tumwater.

Bradley remains concerned.

“I’m hopeful that the trend stops because, you know, it does have a potential impact on fire and life safety for people and the buildings that they live and work in,” he said.

Matt Batcheldor: 360-704-6869

mbatcheldor@theolympian.com