Listed heat tracing - do they have one specifically listed for branch lines yet?
Listed heat tracing - do they have one specifically listed for branch lines yet?
(OP)
Being in the deep south I recently had a couple jobs where the mechanical engineer specified heat tracing for sprinklers under an open canopy.
As far south as I am if the building is unheated but insulated we've never had a problem but a branch line exposed to the outside will eventually freeze and burst.
From a 2010 article
Mr. Isman goes on to say how he doesn't think it is possible to develop a listed heat trace system for branch lines but I suppose anything is eventually possible.
Does anyone know of a system that is listed for branch lines? I bet the answer is no but I got to ask anyway.
As far south as I am if the building is unheated but insulated we've never had a problem but a branch line exposed to the outside will eventually freeze and burst.
From a 2010 article
Quote (Ken Isman 2010)
"Heat Tracing for Fire Sprinkler Systems"
Heat tracing can be used on risers and mains of fire sprinkler systems to prevent the piping from freezing. As of right now, heat tracing cannot be used on branch lines of fire sprinkler systems unless the heat tracing receives a special listing for this use, and we are unaware of any companies that have received this special listing.(Isman 2010)
Mr. Isman goes on to say how he doesn't think it is possible to develop a listed heat trace system for branch lines but I suppose anything is eventually possible.
Does anyone know of a system that is listed for branch lines? I bet the answer is no but I got to ask anyway.





RE: Listed heat tracing - do they have one specifically listed for branch lines yet?
Raytheon is the name you are looking for.
R/
Matt
RE: Listed heat tracing - do they have one specifically listed for branch lines yet?
https://www.pentairthermal.com/products/heating-ca...
RE: Listed heat tracing - do they have one specifically listed for branch lines yet?
The indicated IEEE standard is not referenced in Section 2.3.7 of NFPA 13 Section 2.3.7. Interestingly the heat trace controller is also not listed other than to the aforementioned standards. My jurisdiction has accepted these given they are listed and the IEEE standard is an ANSI recognized standards writing organization. The fact that the system can be supervised by a fire alarm system does alleviate many of my jurisdiction's concerns. Frankly, it's a good solution when it's properly designed and installed. My experience is that these systems commonly require 2-3 plan reviews because of the level of detail required and coordination between the fire protection (water based and fire alarm & detection), electrical, insulation and general contractors.
RE: Listed heat tracing - do they have one specifically listed for branch lines yet?
Personally, from what little I have read so far, I don't think these are a solution other than providing freeze protection to a short piece of exposed main. The more I read the less appealing it seems.
And if I got it right if it gets 10 below you can forget it anyway?
To risky for me. I do not like it when someone outside my company can put me in a position to be responsible for something we didn't do.
Anyone know about the costs? Figure a total of maybe $5,000 for 12 head aux. dry system that I can feel comfortable with. What are we looking at in monetary terms for the same 12 heads on a heat trace system?
RE: Listed heat tracing - do they have one specifically listed for branch lines yet?
I currently have an installation underway at the local airport with about 600 feet of 6-inch feed main that feeds the heated area of a 180,000 sq. ft. terminal expansion. We asked about the possibility of moving the main into the heated space to avoid the 800 linear feet of heat trace cable, 4 heat trace controllers, 4 separate electrical disconnects and all the insulation. No mas, this is what they want. So I can see several hours of acceptance testing in my near future.
RE: Listed heat tracing - do they have one specifically listed for branch lines yet?
http://www.emersonswan.com/ckfinder/userfiles/file...
It is listed for branch lines, I believe.
Travis Mack
MFP Design, LLC
www.mfpdesign.com
"Follow" us at https://www.facebook.com/pages/MFP-Design-LLC/9221...
RE: Listed heat tracing - do they have one specifically listed for branch lines yet?
There was a job that I was going to bid where the engineer of record specified heat tape on everything and after doing some research it made me feel so uncomfortable I just backed off.
This was in a hospital and I could just see lawyers having a real good time if something happened.
RE: Listed heat tracing - do they have one specifically listed for branch lines yet?
This one truly boils down to listed/acceptable. Now I am wondering why UL listing omits sprinklers... You would think they understood the defining attribute of a Branch line is..., Sprinklers.
It has been years since I bought one, but gut reaction is the price you named may be a couple k light. The selling point being no other sprinkler system requiring more expensive maintenance.
R/
Matt
RE: Listed heat tracing - do they have one specifically listed for branch lines yet?
When this comes up in the bid market I typically punt or sell a dry valve/dry sidewalls and exclude the heat trace spec on my proposal. Once the GC knows how much it costs my company is usually out. Someone will inevitably forget to include it and they'll get the contract and all the headache that comes with it.
I don't think heat trace is a good solution to the freezing problem. A lazy architect or engineer does.
RE: Listed heat tracing - do they have one specifically listed for branch lines yet?
RE: Listed heat tracing - do they have one specifically listed for branch lines yet?
RE: Listed heat tracing - do they have one specifically listed for branch lines yet?
Probably but I was thinking something real small say 6 sprinklers.
That said heat trace does not impress me.