It is February. A dry fire sprinkler system’s auxiliary drain sits quietly in a loading dock. Overnight temperatures drop, water in the drum drip freezes, and the ice cracks the lower ball valve. By morning, the system has tripped, and water discharges onto the floor that is now frozen. The building is now dealing with a flooded and icy loading dock, a disabled fire sprinkler system, and possible business interuptions but this did not need to happen.
In many dry and pre-action systems, the drum drip is not the most complex component, but it is often the most vulnerable. Auxiliary drains, commonly referred to as drum drips, are installed at low points to collect condensation that forms inside the piping and to drain the trapped section of piping. While this moisture accumulation is expected, improper management of condensate presents a significant risk during cold weather conditions.
Continue reading Comparing AGF’s Heated Cabinets for Drum Drip Freeze Protection →
When it comes to protecting fire sprinkler systems from over-pressurization, pressure relief valves are a key component. But for years, there’s been confusion about what the pressure rating on these valves actually means, especially when it comes to the opening and closing pressures.
