Insulate Fire Sprinkler Pipes In The Attic

Insulation shall follow the guidelines of the insulation manufacturer.

Insulate fire sprinkler pipes in the attic. On the other hand a dry pipe system uses pressurized air or nitrogen gas to keep the pipes clear of water until a sprinkler head activates at. When foam cannot be used other insulative material takes its place. Back to back v bb single directional v sd and attic upright models available in 5 6 and 8 0 k factors to protect various roof pitches. Most sprinklers are wet pipe systems meaning they contain water at all times.

If you can safely inspect your sprinkler pipes in the attic and you can see exposed. A 8 16 4 1 6 wet pipe systems covered by 8 16 4 1 6 have water filled pipes up to the sprinklers. With no flow through the sprinkler piping under normal conditions insulating the piping in this manner can lead to freezing and subsequent water discharge from ruptured piping. All too often insulators accustomed to dealing with plumbing and heating systems wrap the sprinkler piping in insulation insulating it from the warm building envelope as well as the attic cold.

As much as possible the sprinkler contractor should try to run pipe in a single stud or joist space. This will make the job of insulating the pipe much easier. If your fire sprinkler pipes are exposed to cold exterior temperatures they are more likely to freeze. Sprinkler system installers use a special foam insulation to wrap pipes when the pipes may be subject to freezing temperatures.

When sprinkler pipe is run in an attic certain precautions must be taken. Insulate unconditioned areas where sprinkler pipes travel to keep the space as warm as possible during freezing weather. Compared to standard spray sprinklers viking s new attic sprinkler system requires fewer sprinklers and branch lines to protect most attic spaces providing significant material and labor savings. A wet pipe system shall be permitted to be installed in unheated attic spaces in areas subject to freezing where sprinkler piping is completely covered with insulation.