Method for locating leaks in normally dry portions of fire sprinkler systems
First Claim
1. A method for locating minute leaks in a normally dry portion of a first sprinkler system in which a pressurized gas is normally present in said normally dry portion and an automatic control valve is responsive to a drop in the pressure of said gas in said normally dry portion below a predetermined pressure to admit water into said normally dry portion in response to the gas pressure therein dropping below said predetermined pressure, the method comprising:
- (a) stopping the supply of sprinkler water normally available to said control valve;
(b) introducing a first predetermined amount of a wetting agent and a second predetermined amount of a water-soluble dye into the interior of said control valve, said first and second predetermined amounts depending on the internal capacity of the normally dry portion of the sprinkler system;
(c) thereafter admitting water under pressure into said control valve and through said control valve into said normally dry portion of said sprinkler system in an amount sufficient to substantially fill said normally dry portion, and continuing to apply pressure thereto; and
(d) thereafter visually examining the exterior of the normally dry portion of the fire sprinkler system for evidence of escape of said dye.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for locating points of leakage of air from a normally air-filled portion of the piping of a fire sprinkling system by filling the normally air-filled portion of the system with an aqueous solution of an efficient wetting agent, together with a water soluble dye, and applying pressure for a sufficient time to force dye through any leaking portions of the normally dry portion of the sprinkler system, and locating the leaks by visually observing leakage of the dye and wetting agent.
20 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A method for locating minute leaks in a normally dry portion of a first sprinkler system in which a pressurized gas is normally present in said normally dry portion and an automatic control valve is responsive to a drop in the pressure of said gas in said normally dry portion below a predetermined pressure to admit water into said normally dry portion in response to the gas pressure therein dropping below said predetermined pressure, the method comprising:
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(a) stopping the supply of sprinkler water normally available to said control valve; (b) introducing a first predetermined amount of a wetting agent and a second predetermined amount of a water-soluble dye into the interior of said control valve, said first and second predetermined amounts depending on the internal capacity of the normally dry portion of the sprinkler system; (c) thereafter admitting water under pressure into said control valve and through said control valve into said normally dry portion of said sprinkler system in an amount sufficient to substantially fill said normally dry portion, and continuing to apply pressure thereto; and (d) thereafter visually examining the exterior of the normally dry portion of the fire sprinkler system for evidence of escape of said dye. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification