Regarding the anti-freeze loop RPZ, you also now need a means of conducting forward flow test of the backflow.
Forest Wilson Cherokee Fire Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry -----Original Message----- From: David de Vries <ddevr...@firetecheng.net> Date: Thu, 15 Jan 2009 08:15:59 To: <sprinklerforum@firesprinkler.org> Subject: RE: partial freeze damage Could be that there was not enough length of dry sprinkler in the heated space, or the insulation between heated and unheated was inadequate or compromised such that the freeze-up occurred at the connection of the dry sprinklers to the wet pipe. That could damage the seal and cause leakage. I have seen a wide variety of damage due to freezing or partial freezing of sprinkler systems, included popped sprinklers, partially popped sprinklers, frames distorted and leaking at the seat, broken fittings, burst pipe, broken valves, etc. If the uprights were exposed to ice in the system, even if the fusible element appears intact, they should probably be replaced. Remember, 25 requires leaking sprinklers to be replaced, so if you can see evidence of seapage around the seat, replace the sprinkler. I agree with Craig, if you can configure the space to be protected with dry sprinklers, use them. Anti-freeze loops are a pain in the ... .You will probably have to add an RPZ either locally at the loop or back at the supply, an expansion tank, a means for draining and checking the level of anti-freeze, etc. It guarantees a higher level of ITM will be needed and that can mean a lower level of reliability. Dave David A. de Vries, P.E., CSP Firetech Engineering Incorporated 2715 Harrison St. Evanston, IL 60201 Tel: 847-733-0944 Fax: 847-866-6255 --- On Thu, 1/15/09, craig.pr...@ch2m.com <craig.pr...@ch2m.com> wrote: From: craig.pr...@ch2m.com <craig.pr...@ch2m.com> Subject: RE: partial freeze damage To: sprinklerforum@firesprinkler.org Date: Thursday, January 15, 2009, 9:56 AM If the dry heads "tripped" because of the ice, your wet heads will probably do the same. Were they dry sidewalls or dry pendants? How did exposure to ice cause them to open? Did the heads actually have ice on them?' There are a lot of issues with anti-freeze loops and you need to check with the AHJ and possibly Health and Environmental Services departments to make sure what restrictions may be in place in your area. But dry barrel sprinklers if installed properly should not have been compromised by exposure to cold. Craig L. Prahl, CET Fire Protection Specialist Mechanical Department CH2MHILL Lockwood Greene 1500 International Drive PO Box 491, Spartanburg, SC 29304-0491 Direct - 864.599.4102 Fax - 864.599.8439 craig.pr...@ch2m.com http://www.ch2m.com -----Original Message----- From: sprinklerforum-boun...@firesprinkler.org [mailto:sprinklerforum-boun...@firesprinkler.org] On Behalf Of douglas hicks Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2009 10:45 AM To: sprinkler board Subject: partial freeze damage We have had some cool weather lately. One of our accounts has a canopy at the front entry, protected by a wet system and dry heads. Two of the dry heads tripped because of the ice. I am proposing to replace the dry heads to standard heads and make that part of the wet pipe system into an antifreeze loop. I have included replacement of the upright heads in the canopy as an option. I have seen heads that leak after exposure to freezing. Not a failure, but seeping because the seat has started to leak because of the pressure of the ice. My first concern is that the seepage can cause water deposits that may prevent the head activating because of the water deposits. My second concern is that the head will fail because the seal at the seat is compromised. Am I right about my concerns, or am I wrong. Douglas Hicks General Fire Equipment Co of Eastern Oregon, Inc _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum For Technical Assistance, send an email to: techsupp...@firesprinkler.org To Unsubscribe, send an email to:sprinklerforum-requ...@firesprinkler.org (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field) _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum For Technical Assistance, send an email to: techsupp...@firesprinkler.org To Unsubscribe, send an email to:sprinklerforum-requ...@firesprinkler.org (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field) _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum For Technical Assistance, send an email to: techsupp...@firesprinkler.org To Unsubscribe, send an email to:sprinklerforum-requ...@firesprinkler.org (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field)
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