You can only trace valves if the product says it is listed for protecting 
valves in NFPA 13 systems or something similar.

You can’t automatically assume you can do anything.  What does the listing 
state, that’s where you start.


Craig L. Prahl
Fire Protection Group Lead/SME
CH2M
200 Verdae Blvd.
Greenville, SC  29607
Direct - 864.920.7540
Fax - 864.920.7129
CH2MHILL Extension  77540
[email protected]


From: Sprinklerforum [mailto:[email protected]] On 
Behalf Of Dewayne Martinez
Sent: Thursday, December 01, 2016 3:53 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: RE: pipe heat trace [EXTERNAL]

So I can heat trace the sectional valves since they are not specifically 
excluded per NFPA 13 and 14?

From: Sprinklerforum 
[mailto:[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>]
 On Behalf Of Roland Huggins
Sent: Thursday, December 01, 2016 10:23 AM
To: 
[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>
Subject: Re: pipe heat trace

NFPA 14 has similar requirements for the dry pipe valve but this is a sectional 
control valves (another term from 13 since 14 does not differentiate by name 
but it helps focus the discussion).


Roland Huggins, PE - VP Engineering
American Fire Sprinkler Assn.       ---      Fire Sprinklers Saves Lives
Dallas, TX
http://www.firesprinkler.org<http://www.firesprinkler.org/>



On Nov 30, 2016, at 12:11 PM, [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> 
wrote:

Heat trace systems for fire protection are to be Listed for their intended 
purpose.  You need to look at the listing to see what the system’s installation 
limitations are.  Some systems may only be used for pipe up to a certain size 
for example.

No you cannot use heat tape on system valves.

The systems are also to be electrically supervised, typically accomplished 
through the fire alarm system.

See 2013, NFPA 13, 8.16.4.1.4 – 8.16.4.1.4.2 for more info.

NFPA 13, 2013: 7.2.5.2.3 Heat tape shall not be used in lieu of heated valve 
enclosures to protect the dry pipe valve and supply pipe against freezing.
This is under Dry Pipe Valves, there is also similar verbiage under preaction 
and deluge valves in 7.3.1.8.2.3 since dry, preaction or deluge would be the 
most likely systems used where the system could be subject to freezing.  it 
would be assumed that a wet pipe system valve would automatically be located in 
a heated area.




Craig L. Prahl
Fire Protection Group Lead/SME
CH2M
200 Verdae Blvd.
Greenville, SC  29607
Direct - 864.920.7540
Fax - 864.920.7129
CH2MHILL Extension  77540
[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>


From: Sprinklerforum [mailto:[email protected]] On 
Behalf Of Dewayne Martinez
Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2016 11:17 AM
To: 
[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>
Subject: pipe heat trace [EXTERNAL]

I need to heat trace some standpipe feed mains in a parking garage when running 
from the riser room to the stairwells.  Is it acceptable to also heat trace the 
standpipe control valves?  They would prefer to keep them out of the stairwells.
Thanks,
Dewayne
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