Thom, Indeed, in your area, the local water authority REQUIRES an RPZ on wet systems (see Article 9, Mount Werner Water District). I personally object to RPZ being used inside and in pump rooms. As you know, virtually no contractor installs the recommended 2x ID RP drain [primarily due to costs]. In certain failure modes the RPZ relief can fully open [and stay open] impairing the fire sprinkler system, and in my case, possibly flooding the fire pump room. Further, RPZs are indirectly responsible for "contaminating" anti-freeze loops - further impairing systems in the winter. Recognize that virtually all suppression contractors use food grade additives, the use of the RPZ in these situations is problematic. But, alas, we comply with the applicable costs.
Byron Freedom Fire Longmont, CO -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, April 22, 2007 11:00 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Sprinklerforum Digest, Vol 18, Issue 20 Send Sprinklerforum mailing list submissions to [email protected] To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can reach the person managing the list at [EMAIL PROTECTED] When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of Sprinklerforum digest..." Today's Topics: 1. Re: Sprinkler Drainage (Thom McMahon) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Sat, 21 Apr 2007 11:11:03 -0600 From: "Thom McMahon" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: Sprinkler Drainage To: <[email protected]> Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1"; reply-type=original Actually there is no gray area that needs discussion. The Fed. "Safe Drinking Water Act - 1986 Title XIV Backflow prevention is required for all non-potable water connections to potable water supplies. Yes a wet sprinkler system is a non-potable water connection. (A low hazard one and therefore able to be protected with a double check assembly.) An antifreeze system or any system which has additative's present (Yes that includes MIC treatment) is a high hazard system and requires a reduced pressure zone type backflow preventor. In addition to the SDWA-1986 OSHA is also in on backflow requirements for any workplace, with the Standards (29 CFR 1910) Subpart J 1910.141 a) and b). Then there are the additional requirements from individual states, which each of you should become familiar with in those states where you install systems. And finally the purveyor may have additional regulations for discharge of non-potable and waste water, as well as backflow requirements that exceed the fed. or state requirements. Just be aware, that if a purveyor doesn't have a backflow prevention program in place that does not mean you don't need to do it, it just means that you'll share the liability if there is ever a problem. Thom McMahon Firetech, Inc. 2560 Copper Ridge Dr Steamboat Springs, CO 80488-2136 Tel: 970-879-7952 Fax: 970-879-7926 ----- Original Message ----- From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, April 20, 2007 5:34 PM Subject: Re: Sprinkler Drainage > > This issue was discussed briefly at the recent meeting of the NFSA > Contractors Board. > I have heard about the issue of treating sprinkler water as a contaminant > in > Southern California. > I read the article you linked to, and don't think the author has a clear > understanding of the annual tests we perform on sprinkler systems. For > example, > he writes that Main Drain Test's are rarely conducted. In reality, they're > probably the most important part of an annual inspection. > > One issue to consider: If the system contains additives (ie anti-freeze), > then there may be cause for concern. > What does the local water purveyor say? If he allows sprinkler systems to > be > connected without backflow devices (ie Detector Check Assembly), then he > says > the system is good enough to mix with his Water Supply. > > If he requires a Double Check Backflow, then he say's it's a "low Hazard." > (ie, it may smell bad, taste funny , etc) > > If he requires an RPZ Backflow, then he considers it high hazard > contaminant. (These areas may be the ones that want sprinkler water > discharged into > sewers). > > I think the NFSA, AFSA and AWWA should jointly study this issue and write > a > paper to guide municipalities on this matter. Perhaps they have? > > Forest Wilson > Cherokee Fire Protection Co. > Dayton OH 45434 > > > > > > > > > In a message dated 4/17/2007 6:24:26 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, > [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: > > --- David Autry <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > >> This article has come to my attention. I'm just >> wondering if anyone else has >> seen this. Anyone have any thoughts? >> >> >> >> > http://www.plumbingengineer.com/april_07/designers.php >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> David Autry >> >> Plans Examiner >> >> Nebraska State Fire Marshal's Office >> >> 246 S. 14th Street >> >> Lincoln, NE 68508 >> >> 402-471-9659 >> >> 402-471-3118 fax >> >> www.sfm.ne.gov >> >> >> > > > > > > > > ************************************** See what's free at > http://www.aol.com. > _______________________________________________ > Sprinklerforum mailing list > [email protected] > http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum > > To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field) > > ------------------------------ _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[EMAIL PROTECTED] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field) End of Sprinklerforum Digest, Vol 18, Issue 20 ********************************************** _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[EMAIL PROTECTED] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field)
