- #WET FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM DESIGN PLAN VIEW MANUAL#
- #WET FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM DESIGN PLAN VIEW CODE#
#WET FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM DESIGN PLAN VIEW CODE#
Some versions currently on the market have a history of spitting, and as a result, include redundancy, drain lines, or drip pans - which are not required by code - to collect expelled water. When the system is full, the vent should be closed.Īutomatic air vents are the most effective at preventing corrosion because they vent air while the system fills and automatically continue to vent air as the system settles or internal pressures fluctuate. When the water reaches the valve, the ball check will prevent it from overflowing.
#WET FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM DESIGN PLAN VIEW MANUAL#
At least one manual vent currently on the market includes a ball check to remove the need for an extra person. This requires an extra person to watch the valve and close it at the right time. Traditional manual vents are opened when the system is filled and closed when water reaches the vent to prevent overflow. They vent air while a system is being filled. Manual air vents are the most economical and basic way to fulfill that code requirement and prevent corrosion. The heated and insulated cabinet contains an auxiliary drain with a float switch to monitor water levels and can be wired to a fire panel or BMS for remote notification. The auxiliary drain features a temperature-controlled cabinet to deter system failure due to freezing condensation in a dry fire sprinkler system. It requires a single manual, automatic or other approved air vent to be located near a high point on each metal wet pipe sprinkler system.ĪGF’s COLLECTanDRAIN Model 5400 heated auxiliary drain cabinet is installed in a warehouse. Based on those studies, the 2016 edition of NFPA 13 adopted the requirement for air vents as part of the main text. Venting any amount of air was found to reduce the amount of resulting corrosion. Long term studies by the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) and Factory Mutual have found that trapped air in wet pipe sprinkler systems is a major contributing factor of corrosion. If the check for corrosion-caused obstructions leads to more corrosion, what can be done to stop the cycle? Ironically, the fresh water and trapped air that is introduced into the system during those inspections will actually increase the rate of corrosion. Periodic internal inspections are required by NFPA 25 to check for obstructions to prevent this. While corrosion-caused pinhole leaks in pipes can result in thousands of dollars in property damage and repair cost, the real concern is it can also cause obstructions that impair system performance and put lives at risk. In wet pipe fire sprinkler systems, the combination of water, metal and oxygen from trapped air creates corrosion. By including new products such as air vents, self-draining auxiliary drains in heated cabinets and flood elimination devices, engineers can design systems better equipped to protect themselves against the common pitfalls of corrosion and freezing. Recent innovations have presented a few possible answers to that question.
How can engineers design wet fire sprinkler systems equipped to prevent corrosion and dry systems equipped to prevent freezing? That has long been a question central to code requirements and new product development.