Method and apparatus for drying sprinkler piping networks
First Claim
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1. A fire suppression sprinkler system comprising:
- a plurality of sprinkler heads;
a source of pressurized water;
a piping network connecting said sprinkler heads to said source of pressurized water;
a supply valve positioned in said piping network between said source of pressurized water and said sprinkler heads and controlling flow of water thereto, said supply valve being operable in the event of a fire allowing water to flow to said heads;
an air vent positioned in said piping network and providing fluid communication between said piping network and ambient air before the event of said fire; and
a compressor in fluid communication with said piping network between said supply valve and said sprinkler heads, said compressor adapted to force ambient air through at least a portion of said piping network, said ambient air being exhausted back to the atmosphere through said air vent.
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Abstract
A sprinkler system and a method for mitigating scaling, microbiological influenced corrosion and oxidative corrosion are disclosed. The system includes a piping network in fluid communication with a source of pressurized water and an air pump. The network is vented to the ambient. The air pump moves initially dry ambient air through the system, either by maintaining a negative or a positive air pressure within the network. The dry air absorbs residual water within the network and exhausts it to the ambient. Rate of air flow through the system is controlled by restrictor elements such as orifices, throttle valves or venturies within the piping network.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A fire suppression sprinkler system comprising:
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a plurality of sprinkler heads; a source of pressurized water; a piping network connecting said sprinkler heads to said source of pressurized water; a supply valve positioned in said piping network between said source of pressurized water and said sprinkler heads and controlling flow of water thereto, said supply valve being operable in the event of a fire allowing water to flow to said heads; an air vent positioned in said piping network and providing fluid communication between said piping network and ambient air before the event of said fire; and a compressor in fluid communication with said piping network between said supply valve and said sprinkler heads, said compressor adapted to force ambient air through at least a portion of said piping network, said ambient air being exhausted back to the atmosphere through said air vent. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A fire suppression sprinkler system comprising:
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a source of pressurized water; a piping network formed of at least one branch, said one branch being in fluid communication with said source of pressurized water; a supply valve positioned in said piping network between said source of pressurized water and said one branch and controlling flow of water thereto, said supply valve being operable in the event of a fire allowing water to flow to said one branch; a plurality of sprinkler heads mounted on said one branch; an air vent positioned at an end of said one branch and providing fluid communication between said one branch and ambient air before the event of said fire; and a compressor in fluid communication with said piping network between said supply valve and said one branch, said compressor forcing ambient air through at least said one branch through said air vent. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of drying a piping network, said method comprising:
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providing an air vent in said piping network, said air vent being open during a period of time before a fire; compressing air from the ambient into said piping network; moving said air through said piping network; and exhausting said air back to the ambient through said air vent during said period of time before said fire. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification