Wet sprinkler system freezes - moving to another system
Wet sprinkler system freezes - moving to another system
(OP)
Our church's wet sprinkler system has frozen twice. The facility is used about 100 times a year, on weekends. On weekdays we turn down the temperature to 59 degrees.
The pipes that freeze are the ones closest to an uninsulated portion of the building that does not receive any heat. While we have tried to insulate that portion, we are not sure that the solution will work since that area is not heated. The rest of the building gets heated up to 59 degrees.
One solution that was given to us was to move over to a dry system. However, I assume that the change will be expensive. I was wondering if there is an inexpensive way of doing the same thing. What if the water is made to circulate all the time in the system? In that case, the water would not freeze. A pump that senses the outside temperature and starts circulating the water when the temperature drops below a set threshold, may solve our issue. I don't know how these systems work - perhaps, they are not designed to circulate the water. Maybe, that fix may also violate a NFPA code.
Thanks in advance for your answer.
The pipes that freeze are the ones closest to an uninsulated portion of the building that does not receive any heat. While we have tried to insulate that portion, we are not sure that the solution will work since that area is not heated. The rest of the building gets heated up to 59 degrees.
One solution that was given to us was to move over to a dry system. However, I assume that the change will be expensive. I was wondering if there is an inexpensive way of doing the same thing. What if the water is made to circulate all the time in the system? In that case, the water would not freeze. A pump that senses the outside temperature and starts circulating the water when the temperature drops below a set threshold, may solve our issue. I don't know how these systems work - perhaps, they are not designed to circulate the water. Maybe, that fix may also violate a NFPA code.
Thanks in advance for your answer.





RE: Wet sprinkler system freezes - moving to another system
2. insulate and heat the area where you have had freezes
3. you are right to convert to dry would cost a little to a lot, more on the lot side
4. You can ask them about changing to an anti freeze system, it does cost a little up front , and a little added each year for maintence
5. Your circulating idea for YOUR system will not work.
6. Some cities not to many allow heat trace, you would have to check with your city
7. CRANK up the heat on the colder days, pay a little extra on the heating bill, to save a repair/ clean up cost.
WHAT STATE ARE YOU IN?????????????????
RE: Wet sprinkler system freezes - moving to another system
Convert to an anti-freeze system will likely require use of a reduced pressure backflow preventer. This will add another 5 psi or so of pressure loss. If the system is greater than 40 gallons capacity (very likely) you will need to recalculate the system using the Darcy Weisbach method. Depending on the safety factors in the original system, this may or may not be feasible. You may need to upsize pipe sizing. Again, changing pipe sizes in an occupied building gets expensive.
As stated above, you could just insulate and heat the area where the issues occur. That may or may not be your least expensive issue. You should get quotes from a few in the area to get an idea of costs involved.
Travis Mack
MFP Design, LLC
www.mfpdesign.com
RE: Wet sprinkler system freezes - moving to another system
Others have mentioned potential solutions but without seeing what you are describing its hard to give a verdict. Find a sprinkler contractor near you with a good reputation and ask them to look at it. I could dream up a dozen solutions but without seeing it, there's little chance my input would be worthwhile.
RE: Wet sprinkler system freezes - moving to another system
Regards
Dave
RE: Wet sprinkler system freezes - moving to another system
RE: Wet sprinkler system freezes - moving to another system