Dry-Pipe Sprinkler Valve Heated Enclosure
Posted November 07, 2014
Data Sources: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Codes and Standards:
NFPA 13 – Installation of Sprinkler Systems
NFPA 25 – Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems
Dry pipe sprinkler systems are designed for use inside buildings that are unheated, inadequately heated, or that must be open to outside cold temperatures for appreciable time periods. Under these conditions, it is clear that wet-pipe systems are likely to freeze up and burst their piping.
It is mandatory that water always be present in supply piping up to the clapper of the dry pipe valve – compressed air then fills the piping from the clapper on to the outermost sprinkler head. Therefore, arrangements must be made to prevent the water in the supply piping to the dry-pipe valve from freezing. The following guidelines should help you design and install a system to accomplish this.
Enclosure
The best arrangement is a dry-pipe valve enclosure, suitably heated at all times to at least 40°F. Such an enclosure is depicted, but its size has been exaggerated for clarity of constructional detail. Actually, the enclosure need merely provide working room on all sides of the dry-pipe valve, such as 30 inches to all walls from the valve. This would provide an enclosure that is 6′ x 6′ x 6′ in size.
The water supply pipe should come up through the floor in the center of the enclosure if possible. If the floor is concrete laid directly on earth, without air-space, the supply pipe will be adequately protected by ground cover until it emerges in the valve enclosure. But if the floor of the enclosure is wood or any other material having appreciable air space beneath it, then the supply pipe must be enclosed beneath the floor and protected with insulation, sand or earth over its entire exposed portion until it enters the valve enclosure.
Wall studding should be sheathed on both sides with noncombustible material and the space between filled with insulation. The door to the room should be of equivalent construction and fit tightly so as to conserve room heat. Outer corners of the enclosure should be protected with 2″ angle iron. Masonry construction of these enclosures makes for better closure and minimal heat loss. A small screened ventilator allows the room to “breathe” and thus minimize condensation.
Automatic sprinkler protection should be provided in the enclosure.
Drainage
Since water spillage (or occasional leakage} may occur during valve maintenance work, it is desirable to have a small floor drain connected to the sewer. The floor should be sloped toward the drain.
Heating
Lighting can be ordinary electric. Heating can be electric from strip heater under thermostatic control (so that 40°F is always maintained). If steam is available on 24-hour basis from plant boilers, steam heat can be used. If central station alarm service is used on the property, the temperature within the valve enclosure can be supervised by it.
Content Provided by CNA Company
The information and suggestions presented in this document have been developed from sources believed to be reliable, but they should not be construed as legal advice. CNA accepts no legal responsibility for the correctness or completeness of this material or its application to specific factual situations.
Consult competent legal counsel before deciding how to proceed in any specific situation. This document is for illustrative purposes only and is not a contract. Only an insurance policy can provide actual terms, coverages, amounts, conditions and exclusions. CNA is a service mark registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Copyright © 2005 Continental Casualty Company. All rights reserved.
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