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fire service pipe insulation

fire service pipe insulation

fire service pipe insulation

(OP)
Need to insulate an exposed portion of an 8" fire service that typically does not have flow in a northern climate. What is a suitable type of insulation and to what R value?

RE: fire service pipe insulation

You can't insulate a no flow line and expect it to remain above freezing for long.  Without heat input from some flow from a warmer part of the line, it will eventually cool off and freeze if the temperature remains cold outside.  R values are "resistance" to heat loss.  It just slows heat loss down.  It doesn't stop it.

OK, what you need is insulation and some heat tracing.

**********************
"Pumping accounts for 20% of the world's energy used by electric motors and 25-50% of the total electrical energy usage in certain industrial facilities."-DOE statistic (Note: Make that 99% for pipeline companies) http://virtualpipeline.spaces.live.com/

RE: fire service pipe insulation

Use 2" thick fiberglass ASTM C547 or C612. Owens Corning ASJ/SSL-II; with

Alum Roll Jacketing (0.16 thickness),

Bands: 1/2" x 0.015 SS,

and furnish and install a self-regulating heating cable suitable for contact with the piping, Raychem BTV-CT or equal with indicating light

RE: fire service pipe insulation



...and/or depending on surrounding conditons (nordic climate can be anything from arctic with permafrost up to some degrees below frezzing point some days a year) dig the pipeline down underground at frost-free depth.

RE: fire service pipe insulation

And because this piping is for fire protection service, I would recommend the heat trace cable be connected to a supervisory circuit if the site has a fire alarm system. If the heat tracing fails, it needs to be repaired and fire alarm supervision would make the notification immediately.

RE: fire service pipe insulation

Have you looked at a dry type fire line
The entire line is kept drained and filled with compressed air at about 20 psi. A special valve senses the air pressure so if there is demand (fire) the valve will allow the water to enter the pipe.  After a use, the lined is drained again and filled with air.  A small air compressor is needed to maintain steady air pressure.

There are also antifreeze solutions that can be used, needs to be a potable type, and a RP backflow device installed.
Hydrae

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