ECS UNIVERSITY ONLINE

Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (M.I.C)

Bad Water

Oxygen

Materially Defective Sprinkler Pipe

Oxygen, Heat & Fuel

Oxygen, Liquid Water & Steel

Oxygen, Ice & Steel

Oxygen, Carbon Dioxide & Water

Stair stepped pits

Shiny bumps

Smooth deep pits

Galvanized flakes

More activity in a sprinkler system increases the amount of corrosion

Less activity in a sprinkler system increases the amount of corrosion

More activity in a sprinkler system decreases the amount of corrosion

Activity in a sprinkler system does not affect the corrosion process

In the mains where there is no trapped water

In the branch lines where there is no trapped water

In the mains where trapped water exists

At a highpoint where there is no trapped water

In the mains where there is no trapped water

In the branch lines at the air water interface

In the branch lines where there is no trapped air

At a highpoint where there is no trapped water

Black Steel

Stainless Steel

Copper

Galvanized Steel

Replace the sprinkler system

Remove the corrosive gas

Install chemical inhibitor system

Install plastic piping

Video Scoping

Water Sample

Ultrasonic

Visual Inspection

Temperature does not affect the corrosion process

An 18°F (10°C) decrease in temperature doubles the corrosion rate

Temperatures below 32°F (0°C) doubles the corrosion rate

An 18°F (10°C) increase in temperature doubles the corrosion rate

When it sounds like a good idea

During building occupancy/acceptance testing

When sprinkler system leaks become an unacceptable risk

After the building has been torn down

NFPA 13 (2016 edition or later)

FM Global 2-1and 2-81 Data sheets; and FM Global Technical Report

ECS White Papers and Case Studies

All of the above

Wet pipe systems because there are so many more than dry pipe and preaction systems

Dry pipe and preaction systems using an air compressor

Wet pipe sprinkler systems that are never serviced

Dry pipe and preaction systems using a nitrogen generator

Galvanized systems greater than 3-years old

Galvanized systems less than 3-years old

New black steel systems

Black steel systems less than 10-years old

Surgical pipe replacement is less expensive than complete system replacement

Reduces or stops the corrosion process

Extends the life of the sprinkler system

All of the above

Automatic air vents for wet pipe sprinkler systems

Nitrogen generators for dry pipe systems, preaction systems and cold storage applications

Wet pipe nitrogen inerting for wet pipe sprinkler systems

All of the above

Wet pipe sprinkler system using schedule 10 black steel piping

Wet pipe sprinkler system using schedule 40 black steel piping

Dry pipe and preaction systems using schedule 10 galvanized piping

Dry pipe and preaction systems using schedule 40 galvanized piping

Nitrogen rich atmosphere stops the corrosion process

Warranties can be extended

Multi-year service contracts and be offered

All of the above

When the 2016 edition of NFPA 13 has been adopted by the municipality

After 12/31/2016

When the 2016 edition NFPA 13 is issued

When the 2016 edition of NFPA 13 is printed

Systems using galvanized steel piping

Leak frequency is increasing

Recent replacement of pressure maintenance compressors

All of the above

In the trapped water in the sprinkler system

In the trapped air in the sprinkler system

In the sprinkler mains

In the incoming water source

The amount of trapped air is reduced

The amount of corrosion is reduced

The sprinkler system life has been extended

All of the above

At the air/water interface near a high point

In the fluid pack portion of the piping network

In the air packed portion of the piping network

In the sprinkler mains

Increases the amount of fluid packed piping

MIC cannot sustain life with less oxygen

Air/water interface is relocated to a portion of the pipe that isn’t corroded

Decreases the amount of air packed piping

2016 when NFPA included the requirement into NFPA

When a municipality adopts the 2016 edition of NFPA 25

When a municipality adopts the 2016 edition of NFPA 13

There is no requirement

Easy installation

Doesn’t need to be piped to a drain

Provides visual indication of issues with primary float assembly

All the above

Removes some of the corrosive oxygen

Removes all of the corrosive oxygen

Has no benefit

Increased corrosion

Liquid nitrogen

Nitrogen generator or nitrogen gas cylinders

Argon

Compressed Air

None

Multiple

One

All of them

Aids with the gas mixing

Provides a gas sampling port on the sprinkler system

Exhausts trapped oxygen if WPNI protocol is not followed

All of the above

Wait for the pipe to break or leak

Look for water spots on the floor

Install an In-Line Corrosion Detector

Install a Corrosion monitoring Station

Simulates corrosion activity by measuring the metal loss in the coupons

Determines corrosion activity through the site glass on the detector

Determines the location of the corrosion by the discoloration of the sprinkler water

Identifies microbiologically influenced corrosion

Installed in areas where sprinkler piping is susceptible to corrosion

Installed in locations where a combination of oxygen, water and steel are present

The thin wall portion of the detector is sacrificed before the sprinkler piping obtains significant damage

All of the above

Near the sprinkler riser

On the feed main

On a floating main

On a high point at the air/water interface

At a highpoint air/water interface location

In a horizontal portion of the mains where water exists

In the vertical portion of the mains

Next to the control valve

When the In-Line Corrosion Detector turns green

When the pressure switch on the detector activates and monitored by the remote test station or building alarm system

When the water turns green

When the sprinkler water turns black

On a wet pipe sprinkler system filled with water

On a deluge system open to atmosphere

On a dry pipe or preaction sprinkler system filled with gas

On a special hazards protection system

From the vent installed on the riser

From the air vent installed on a high point

From the nitrogen generator

From the injection port

At the sampling in the nitrogen generator when the generator is running

At the sampling port of the PAV-D or PSV-D vents

At a remote gas sampling port

All of them

At the injection port

At the automatic air vent vent sampling port

At the nitrogen inerting vent sampling port when gas is in the sprinkler system

At the nitrogen inerting vent sampling port when water is in the sprinkler system

10%

25%

50%

100%

0° F (-18° C)

32° F (0° C)

45° F (7° C)

60° F (16° C)

Two (2) supply lines must be used from the air source to the sprinkler system in the refrigerated space

The air source must originate from the room of the lowest temperature to reduce moisture

The supply lines must be easily accessible

All of the above

The air source must originate from the room of the lowest temperature to reduce moisture

One (1) supply lines must be used from the gas source to the sprinkler system in the refrigerated space main with no requirement for the gas source

Two (2) supply lines must be used from the air source to the sprinkler system in the refrigerated space main

The use of nitrogen is not allowed

Quarterly

Semi-Annually

Annually

Weekly

Weekly

Monthly

Semi-Annually

Annually

Increase the time permitted to restore the sprinkler system

Make the gas source harder to obtain

Provide a higher degree of prevention of formation of ice blocks

Increase the run time of the gas source

-40⁰F (-40⁰ C)

-60⁰F (-51⁰ C)

-100⁰F (-73⁰ C)

One (1)

Three (3)

Five (5)

Quantity is based on sprinkler system volume

One (1)

Three (3)

Five (5)

Quantity is based on sprinkler system volume

Continuous source of nitrogen and a vent

Air compressor

Continuous source of nitrogen, a vent and a method

Argon cylinder and a vent

Converts liquid nitrogen into gas nitrogen

Converts gas nitrogen into liquid nitrogen from nitrogen cylinders

Filters the nitrogen from the atmosphere

Separates the oxygen molecules from nitrogen molecules in the compressed air source

Vacuum Swing Adsorption and Membrane Separation

Pressure Swing Adsorption and Membrane Separation

Temperature Swing Adsorption and Oxygen Concentrator

Pressure Swing Adsorption and Cryogenic Distillation

No moving parts in the separation membrane

Doesn’t require a refrigerated dryer

No periodic maintenance

All of the above

At the end of the zone at a high point

On every branch line

On the sprinkler riser above the control valve

On the feed main

Constant pressure method

Sweep through purging

Fill and Purge pressure cycling

Vacuum purging

Dilutes the oxygen level to 2% within 14-days

Changes the gas mixture by adding 3-5 psi of nitrogen and exhausting the gas mixture

Eliminates the need for a nitrogen storage tank by using the sprinkler system as the tank

All of the above

Protect the sprinkler system from contaminates

Protect the separation membrane from contaminates in the air stream

Protect the air source from contaminates

Filter out the dust and dirt in the sprinkler room

Allow water to escape

Remove the nitrogen molecules

Remove the oxygen molecules

Remove the trapped air

Eliminate false trip of the sprinkler systems during the inerting period

Accelerates a sprinkler system activation

Adjust the sprinkler system operating pressure

Serves no purpose

Sprinkler system supervisory gas operating pressure and low air alarm pressure

Incoming water pressure and sprinkler valve trip pressure

Sprinkler valve trip pressure and low air alarm pressure

Air compressor cut-out (turn-off) pressure and sprinkler system trip pressure

3-5 psi above the sprinkler system AMD pressure

Same pressure as the sprinkler system AMD pressure

3-5 psi below the sprinkler system AMD pressure and 3-5 psi above the low air alarm pressure

3-5 psi below the low air alarm pressure

Adjust needle valve clockwise which increases purity and decreases nitrogen production

Adjust needle valve counter-clockwise which increases purity and decreases nitrogen production

Adjust needle valve counter-clockwise which decreases purity and increases nitrogen production

Adjust needle valve clockwise which decreases purity and increases nitrogen production

Prevents sprinkler system air pressure from entering the separation membrane

Determines the pressure to the sprinkler systems

Holds pressure on the separation membrane to assist in the nitrogen separation process

Allows any excess air to bleed off

Control the air pressure to inlet of the separation membrane

Blow off the excess air so the separate air compressor will not short cycle

Set pressure should 10 psi below air compressor shut-off pressure

All the above

Fill with nitrogen from nitrogen generator

Fill with air from nitrogen generator in the bypass mode

Fill with a combination of nitrogen and air

Fill with nitrogen from separate nitrogen cylinders

When the nitrogen generator shuts off, verify the pressure on the digital controller in the nitrogen generator decreases

With the nitrogen generator connected to the to the sprinkler system, allow nitrogen generator to fill the sprinkler systems and shut off

Isolate the nitrogen generator and when nitrogen generator shuts off, verify the pressure on the digital controller in the nitrogen generator remains constant

When the nitrogen generator shuts off, verify the pressure on the digital controller in the nitrogen generator increases

Drain 3-5 psi from sprinkler system and allow nitrogen generator to refill the sprinkler system to the supervisory gas operating pressure

Adjust the sprinkler system AMD to same pressure as the nitrogen generator cut-in (turn-on) pressure

Adjust the sprinkler system AMD using the gauge on the AMD

Adjust the sprinkler system AMD above the nitrogen generator cut-in (turn-on) pressure

Same as the cut-in (turn-on) pressure of the nitrogen generator

Above the cut-in (turn-on) pressure of the nitrogen generator

Below the cut-in (turn-on) pressure of the nitrogen generator and above the low air alarm pressure

Same as the sprinkler system trip pressure

Mode E; Scale 0,20,30,40,50,60; Range 10h; dial 35

Mode A; Scale 0,10,15,20,25,30; Range Min; dial 35

Mode C; Scale 0,20,30,40,50,60; Range Sec; dial 35

Mode E; Scale 0,10,15,20,25,30; Range Min; dial 35

Sprinkler system supervisory gas operating pressure

The volume of the largest sprinkler system connected to the nitrogen generator

Total volume of all sprinkler systems connected to the nitrogen generator

Air compressor shut-off pressure

Sprinkler system supervisory gas operating pressure

The volume of the largest sprinkler system

Whether an existing air compressor is existing to meet the NFPA 13 30-minute fill

All of the above

When connected to a single sprinkler system

When connected to multiple systems

When sprinkler systems are operating at different pressures

When multiple sprinkler systems are operating at the same pressure

Decrease the operating pressure of the higher-pressure valves and Increase the operating pressure of the lower-pressure valves

Reduce the nitrogen generator breathing range

Use a Nitrogen Interface Controller to operate the lower pressure valves

Any or all the above

Nitrogen Generator Power and Leak Monitor

Nitrogen Generator Running and Bypass Mode

Bypass Mode and Leak Monitor

Nitrogen Generator power and Nitrogen Generator Running

When project cost is a concern

When 120VAC power is not available

When human error or inexperienced personnel is unacceptable

When sprinkler riser is very congested

The ball valve closed on the PAV-D Vents

Water in the lower portion of the vent causing the float to seal

A misadjusted vent pressure regulator

Any or all of the above

45-minutes

2-hours

4-hours

Continuous

Victaulic Model 757

Reliable Model A

Tyco AMD-1

All of the above

Quarterly

Semi-Annually

Annually

Never