Since your from CO you must also be aware that a relief is required in all
rooms containing a backflow prevention device. (Hole in wall, hole in door
ect. in case floor drain fails.) Also the plumbing code requires floor
drains in a "Mechanical rooms and water entry rooms" if your not getting
them, ask because somebody violated the code.
Yes Mt Werner is one of our water purveyors, but they only supply half of
the city the Steamboat Springs water district is the other half, with
different rules. (Total right now is about 29 water districts in our county)
P.S. RPZ's used outside here freeze and break every winter, no matter what
"Hot Box" you use!
Thom McMahon
Firetech, Inc.
2560 Copper Ridge Dr
Steamboat Springs, CO 80488-2136
Tel: 970-879-7952
Fax: 970-879-7926
----- Original Message -----
From: "Byron Blake" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, April 23, 2007 5:46 AM
Subject: RE: Sprinklerforum Digest, Vol 18, Issue 20
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]
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Sent: Sunday, April 22, 2007 11:00 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Sprinklerforum Digest, Vol 18, Issue 20
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Today's Topics:
1. Re: Sprinkler Drainage (Thom McMahon)
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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
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