Vacuum Pump to Drain Sprinkler Line???
Vacuum Pump to Drain Sprinkler Line???
(OP)
I have a fire protection sprinkler line above a finished space that needs significant modification. The mains are no problem to drain; however, each drop down to the heads is about 6' long. Those drops will not drain until the heads are removed, thereby making a mess all over my office space. We will of course put down tarps, buckets, etc. but I would like to get all of the water out before breaking the line.
There is a liquid ring vacuum pump on site. Can it be used to suck out the water? If so, how would this be done? Would I need to put in a tank between the pump and the sprinklers to catch the water as it is coming back? Any ideas?
There is a liquid ring vacuum pump on site. Can it be used to suck out the water? If so, how would this be done? Would I need to put in a tank between the pump and the sprinklers to catch the water as it is coming back? Any ideas?





RE: Vacuum Pump to Drain Sprinkler Line???
The way I've seen this handled is to unscrew the branch connections at the headers, far less water. I've also seen just removing the heads as you state and not causing too much mess.
Either way you do this make sure you have some replacement pipe and few heads on hand.
RE: Vacuum Pump to Drain Sprinkler Line???
RE: Vacuum Pump to Drain Sprinkler Line???
RE: Vacuum Pump to Drain Sprinkler Line???
RE: Vacuum Pump to Drain Sprinkler Line???
works every time.
hope you are a sprinkler contractor because you are dealing with a life safety system not just the plumbing!!!
G3
RE: Vacuum Pump to Drain Sprinkler Line???
RE: Vacuum Pump to Drain Sprinkler Line???
G3
RE: Vacuum Pump to Drain Sprinkler Line???
So, seem you back to letting in some air at the sprinklers with complications - no better a method than the method pipedream suggested.
Having a vacuum pump on-site and a suggestion of the end-user is not an imperative that it is done that way.
Naresuan University
Phitsanulok
Thailand