Author Archive
Class vs Pounds The Rating of fittings
What is the pressure rating of a Class 125 fitting? What is the pressure rating of a Class 250 fitting? The answer to both of those questions is the same. It depends!
One thing that’s been a problem over the years in dealing with fittings is the nomenclature used. For years we called our cast iron fittings 175 pound fittings. And then when we needed higher pressures we called for 300 pound fittings. I’ve had plenty of discussions with engineers over what fittings to use due to a general misunderstanding of how fittings are rated. I learned to start by trying to educate people about this subject.
Glass Bulb Sprinklers
Grinnell Quartz Bulb 1931
I’m sure everyone is familiar with glass bulb fire sprinklers. So much so in fact that they may not be familiar with fusible link sprinklers. The glass bulb is considered the standard type of sprinkler operation today. But, us older folks in the sprinkler community remember a time when the fusible link sprinklers were the standard. But did you know that the glass bulb sprinkler has been around over 80 years!
The History of Automatic Sprinkler Protection Part 4 – Frederick Grinnell
The History of Automatic Sprinkler Protection
Part 4 – Frederick Grinnell
Frederick Grinnell was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts. In 1855, he graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Earlier in his career, he was draftsman, construction engineer, and manager for various railroad manufacturers. He designed and oversaw construction of more than 100 locomotives.
Frederick Grinnell’s career in fire protection began at the age of 33 with his purchase of the Providence Steam and Gas Pipe Company. In the early days the company started in fire protection installing perforated piping systems, one of the first to do so. Grinnell took out a large number of patents. Under him the company became the leading fire protection company in the country. Many of the installation rules can be traced back to this company.
Protection of Fire Protection Systems from Freezing
With the harsh winter many areas of the country are suffering from lower than normal temperatures making the protection of their fire protection systems from freezing more of an issue. As stated in NFPA 13
8.15.3.1.1 Unless the requirements of 8.15.3.1.2 are met, where portions of systems are subject to freezing and temperatures cannot reliably be maintained at or above 40°F (4°C), sprinklers shall be installed as a dry pipe or preaction system.
8.15.3.1.2 allows the use of antifreeze systems in small areas in lieu of dry pipe or preaction systems. As NFPA does not define small areas with a specific number the size is usually up to the contractor to determine due to the cost of the system verses a dry pipe system. Also the local building codes may specify and the Authority Having Juristiction (AHJ) may have input as to area and size limitations. In Florida we use NFPA 1 and it has no specifics on size limitations.
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