Many times, local fire code requires that sprinklers be installed in users' critical spaces. When water leaks are a concern, pre-action sprinklers offer a great alternative to regular water sprinklers.
Water-based fire sprinklers are designed to protect building structures, not critical assets such as electronic equipment, data, or even collectibles and irreplaceable artifacts.
Pre-Action Sprinkler System v/s regular sprinklers
Unlike regular sprinklers, pre-action sprinklers keep water out of users' critical space with an automatically controlled valve. Only supervisory compressed air is inside the sprinkler pipe during normal operation.
In the event of a leak in the piping network, compressed air, not water escapes the pipe. The loss of compressed air will lower the air pressure in the pipe, causing a control panel to notify users of the trouble condition. Water only flows to a sprinkler head when: A smoke or heat detector exceeds a pre-determined level of alarm and a sprinkler head melts due to fire
Advantages of Pre-Action Sprinklers
- Water does not flow if the sprinkler pipe breaks.
- Water does not flow if a sprinkler head is damaged.
- Water damage to valuable assets is less likely to occur due to accidents or natural disasters such as an earthquake.
Pre-action sprinklers are often used in conjunction with clean agent fire suppression systems. The clean agent fire suppression system acts as the first line of defense protecting your people, assets, and business continuity. Pre-action sprinklers meet minimum local fire code requirements and act as the second line of defense protecting the building structure.
Corrosion of Sprinkler Pipes
Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC)
- MIC inside sprinkler pipes is caused by several different types of microorganisms.
- MIC combines with other elements to form tubercles and pits inside of sprinkler pipe.
- MIC has been discovered in Sprinkler Piping across the United States. Data Centers, Industrial Facilities, Warehouses, Hospitals, and Offices.
- MIC does not discriminate among fire sprinkler types. MIC exists in every type of sprinkler system.
Why does corrosion occur in sprinkler pipes?
It is easily explained in the Corrosion Triangle below:
Oxygen + Water/Moisture + Piping = Corrosion
Oxidation Corrosion
- Corrosion is a major industry concern.
- The efficiency of the fire protection systems is heavily impacted.
- System failure in a fire and/or ongoing costly repairs (leaks).
The corrosion affects many types of sprinkler systems and the losses from the systems not operating properly have been in the millions. Slime/sludge can restrict the flow of water in the sprinkler piping not allowing the sprinkler system to perform properly.
How to stop the corrosion?
Replace supervisory compressed air with high purity, dry, supervisory nitrogen.
Industry Reports on Corrosion in Fire Sprinkler Systems
Even a well-designed fire protection system can collect moisture and potentially malfunction
Nitrogen Inerting for Corrosion Control in Fire Sprinkler Systems by Engineered Corrosion Solutions. This document provides users with answers to solutions for eliminating corrosion in fire sprinkler systems.
Nitrogen for Freeze Protection in Dry and Pre-action Sprinkler Systems by South-Tek systems. Dry and pre-action fire protection systems are vulnerable to the accumulation of condensate and ensuing freeze-ups as a result of inadequate sloping, failure to drain a system correctly, improper maintenance, and lack of testing.
However, even a well-designed fire protection system can collect moisture and potentially malfunction due to freezing.
FireFlex TP3 N2 System
FireFlex TP3 N2 System is FM approved integrated Nitrogen System. Corrosion inhibiting system that limits the liability of early pipe replacement.
All system electrical and mechanical components are contained in one single unit. Significant cost savings by using black pipe in a combination of nitrogen.
Potter NGP-SPV – Nitrogen Self-Purge Valve
Potter’s Self Purge Valve is the easiest way to ensure high-purity nitrogen is equally distributed
The Potter Nitrogen Self Purge Valve (NGP-SPV) is designed to work with Potter Nitrogen Generators Systems to effectively purge corrosive oxygen from a fire sprinkler system while maintaining adequate system pressure.
Potter’s Self Purge Valve is the easiest way to ensure high-purity nitrogen is equally distributed throughout the fire sprinkler system.
Control & Detection for Pre-Action System
Since its inception in 1990, Facilities Protection Systems (FPS) has made customer satisfaction our number one priority.
Selecting the right solutions for fire suppression needs is their specialty. FPS can furnish users with a complete fire suppression solution ranging from fire detection and controls to clean agent fire suppression and fire sprinklers.
