Blog Archives

A Consolidated Floor Control Valve Breakout

6/23/2021

Back in 2016 and again this time last year, I put together some material and a cheatsheet for Floor Control Valve Assemblies. I loaded up the cheatsheet with inclusions of most pieces of equipment that could possibly be located as part of that package - pressure reducing valves, test outlets, and a five-piece inspector's test & drain.

I heard quite a bit - that's great - but what about a combination test & drain? What about when we don't have pressure reducing valves? What about a normal assembly?

Well today is the day for a more common arrangement of a floor control assembly on a combination standpipe/sprinkler riser.

GET THE original CHEATSHEET HERE

One key simplification here is the combination inspector's test & drain, which since its introduction has helped reduce a significant amount of labor by combining the site glass, inspector's test valve, drain valve, and pressure relief all in a single device.

Related, but not correlated, we're happy to have AGF is our sponsor this month and if you haven't checked out their new offering, be sure to see the link here.

WHAT'S NEW AROUND MEYERFIRE
I hear weekly about what I see is the central issue that affects just about every small to midsize fire protection consultant, contractor, and review authority - recruiting and training young staff.

It's not that we need more warm bodies in the industry, we need knowledgeable and motivated people.

It's a big ask, and it falls right within the wheelhouse of our efforts around here to do something about it. We're all about combining knowledge & resources to help you do your work better. When you do that, we all win.

1 - ILLUSTRATED HANDBOOK
The first step towards that effort is a Handbook we're writing that will debut this fall. It will be a 200-page, full-color collection of all the best flowcharts, cheatsheets, checklists and breakdowns that we've ever created.

If you want an update when it is up for sale, pop your email here and we'll be sure to keep you updated.

2 - AN ALL-NEW TRAINING PLATFORM
The second step towards helping new hires go from zero to about three years experience-equivalent is training & mentoring. Courses are good, but they're often expensive, require travel, and when they're done they're done.

We are in the early stages of an all-new mentor & training platform that has a searchable video content library, daily video training, on-demand mini-courses, and our full suite of software tools. If you are interested in learning more as we develop this for Fall 2021, email Joe at joe@meyerfire.com and we'll be sure to keep you informed.

Thanks & have a great rest of your week!

We Need YOU in Fire Protection

6/15/2021

We need you to go all-in on fire protection.

But, you might say, I already do fire protection.

Yes, but we need you to go all-in. We need your help.

TOO FEW IN THE INDUSTRY
There are far too few in the Fire Protection space.

For every licensed Fire Protection Engineer, there are 8 (eight!) licensed Mechanical Engineers.

Same goes for other disciplines, for every licensed Fire Protection Engineer, there are 4 Electricals, 11 Structurals, and 18 Civils.

We are outnumbered, and it’s not even close.
[aren’t most people in fire protection not FPEs? Yes, but the same goes for the other disciplines, too.]

WHY DOES IT MATTER?
Why does it matter? Isn’t less competition good for business?

It matters because fire protection is very important, yet is overlooked and unaddressed on many construction projects around the world.

If you are in consulting or nuclear power and all you see is fire protection around you – that is great – but take a step back and look at the industry as a whole.

Ask a local contractor what they see across all their bid drawings. Ask your local AHJ what kind of fire protection input they get across all their projects.

What they see may surprise you.

Many projects, especially midsize and smaller, have zero pre-construction fire protection involvement. Many other projects have such little or poor fire protection input they would make a consultant blush.

I once was helping a contractor review bid documents for a multi-story hospital which called for Automatic Standpipes, but no fire pump. The water supply was marginal. I called the consultant to ask whether Automatic Standpipes were required. His response was that he “designed 19 of these hospitals across the country in the past year,” and he “doesn’t have time to figure out what’s required for each job.”

This, coming from a sizeable MEP firm who advertises fire protection design and runs it under their plumbing designers.

I come across this attitude about fire protection from many people that are on the ‘fringe’ of the industry… those that mainly do mechanical, plumbing, or electrical but then also put together basic plans and specifications for their projects.

I’ve seen the same from HVAC engineers who also “cover” fire protection. Light Hazard designations for commercial utility truck parking, running pipe entirely underneath buildings, or asking if we could “just use the better flow test result”.

These issues are not just regional either.

From the MEP standpoint, some feel that architects and owners are not willing to pay for fire protection. As a result, they put in an effort together commiserate with their fees.

ISSUES WITH FIRE PROTECTION AS A SUB-DISCIPLINE
There are so many issues here, yet it happens all the time.

First, from a bidder’s perspective it would be better to have no fire protection plans or specs, than plans or specs which are clearly wrong, get in the way, and do not address issues specific challenges of a project.

Second, the fire protection industry is extremely wide, and extremely deep. There’s life safety, passive fire protection, egress, fire alarm, suppression, special hazards, smoke control, explosion prevention, risk, and a host of other applications. People can spend their entire careers in just one of these areas.

How can someone say that they “do fire protection” when their main focus is something like HVAC design?

Can one person truly do fire protection well if they are spending less than five hours in it a week?

Are these people going to fire protection for continuing education, industry publications, organizations, or credentialing?

Not likely if it’s only a secondary effort.

There was a day when one engineer could handle all MEP disciplines for an entire building. Basic structures, when codes were 1/10th of their current thickness, and when industries were less nuances – sure – I could get behind someone doing wholistic design.

In today’s world? The handbook of NFPA 13 alone is over a thousand pages, and I would content that understanding only that standard does not itself make a great designer or engineer.

So why do we so commonly see other disciplines advertise and “do” fire protection, when in reality their documents and specifications hardly scratch the surface of what biddable documents should include?

SO FULL DESIGN ON EVERY JOB?
Just to be clear, I am not advocating that every building needs full-design fire suppression with every pipe & fitting shown on bid documents. In some cases that’s a great value to the owner, in some cases its not.

I do advocate for a minimum set of information that a consultant needs to address in their documents, when they “do” fire protection. We even put together a PDF checklist of these things here: https://www.meyerfire.com/blog/a-practical-read-world-design-spec-checklist.

DROP THE SPLIT JOB TITLE
But this is just one aspect of why we need you to be all-in on fire protection.

We need you to be the “fire protection person”. Not the “plumbing / fire protection designer”, “mechanical / fire protection engineer”, or any other split title.

We need you to be the fire protection person. No split. This industry needs you, and needs you bad.

Why does the distinction matter?

When you make fire protection your primary focus, you will look for fire protection content, first.

You will do continuing education in fire protection.

You will meet other people in the industry in fire protection organizations and learn from them.

You will jump in and figure out answers for fire protection challenges on projects, and not just ‘defer it to the contractor’.

You will distinguish yourself as the fire protection pro, and it will be awesome.

WHY GO ALL-IN?
Why go all-in on fire protection?

You’ll help save lives. While other design disciplines are important, none can say they regularly engage in a profession that has a number one priority of saving lives.

If you want to spend 30+ years contributing something positive in the world, this is a phenomenal way to do it.
You can be an expert in something that few people know about.

Want to be unique? Want to impact an industry? Go all-in on fire protection.

It is very possible to work your way up and into standards and code committees, organizations, and a countless other opportunities and actually change the industry.
You can do very well for yourself financially.

If you’re experienced, a good communicator, knowledgeable and credentialed in fire protection– then you’re a Purple Cow.

You know what a good economy means for Purple Cows? They work where they want, with who they want, and they make great money doing so.

I know because I hear from owners constantly about how expensive and difficult it is to hire these same people.

AREN'T WE COMPETITORS?
Why am I advocating that you get out of MEP and into Fire Protection? Aren’t we competitors?

First – because Fire Protection is awesome – and that’s why you should get out of MEP.

Second – just because you and I both work in the industry doesn’t mean you and I have to split the same pie. If you and I both do our work well and advocate for fire protection, what happens? More opportunities. More involvement on more projects. We make more pies. It’s not a zero sum game – it’s an abundance opportunity.

When you’re all in and do great work and provide value to building owners and architects, they’ll seek out more fire protection involvement in the future.

When that happens, we all win (life safety, property protection, and industry pros).

GO ALL IN.
Think about it. Talk to your boss. Make the shift.

You won't be alone - most of our industry started out in something other than fire protection.

Be the fire protection person.

We’re just getting started, and we need your help.

Requirements for Drains in Fire Sprinkler Systems

6/10/2021

Drainage from a fire sprinkler system can often be overlooked as it does not directly fight the fire. However, those involved in inspections & testing of sprinkler systems know all too much about how poor drain design for a sprinkler system can negatively impact how tests are conducted, how long it takes a system to drain, and what messes building owners have to deal with.

Here are various components for drains on a sprinkler system, and some of the common requirements that pair with them.

For best viewing of the table below, click here: requirements-for-drains-in-fire-sprinkler-systems.html

Component	Notes / Description
Purpose	Properly sized and arranged drains help minimize the amount of time a system is out of service. For pre-action and dry systems, drains also help minimize the amount of time water is prone to freezing temperatures. Some drains also help verify the water supply. [NFPA 13 2002 §8.15.2, 2007-16 §8.16.2, 2019 16.10]
Approval / Listing	Approval / Listing: Drains are not required to be listed but must be approved. [NFPA 13 2002 §6.1.1, 2007-10 6.7.3, 2013-16 §6.1.1.5, 6.6.3, 2019 §7.1.1.5, 16.9.1.1]
Discharge Location	Drains must discharge to the outside or to drain capable of handling drain flow. [NFPA 13 2002 §8.15.2.4.4, 2007-16 §8.16.2.4.4, 2019 §16.10.4.4] Drains cannot discharge in blind spaces under a building. [NFPA 13 2002 §8.15.2.6.4, 2007-16 §8.16.2.6.4, 2019 §16.10.6.4] Cannot direct connect to sewer and must conform to health/water dept. regulations. [NFPA 13 2002 §8.15.2.6, 2007-16 §8.16.2.6, 2019 §16.10.6]
Floor Drain Capacities	The following are approximate plumbing floor drain intake capacities, according to Standard Detail P-33 from Plumbing Engineer. In many cases, floor drains are not acceptable to handle flow from main drains, PRV discharge, or inspector's tests. 2” Floor Drain = 7 gpm 5” Floor Drain = 78 gpm 3” Floor Drain = 10 gpm 6” Floor Drain = 126 gpm 4” Floor Drain = 43 gpm 8” Floor Drain = 272 gpm
Signage	Clear permanent signage of weatherproof metal or rigid plastic is required to identify a drain valve, secured with corrosion-resistant chain or wire or other approved means. [NFPA 13 2002-13 §6.7.4.1, 2016 §6.6.4.1, 2019 §16.9.12.1] For dry or pre-action systems with auxiliary or low-point drains, signage is required at the riser indicating quantity and location of each individual drain. [NFPA 13 2007-16 §8.16.2.5.3.7, 2019 §16.10.5.3.7]
Size of Main Drain	Serving risers and mains, size according to riser/main size. [NFPA 13 2002 Table 8.15.2.4.2, 2007-16 Table 8.16.2.4.2, 2019 Table 16.10.4.2] Riser Size Drain Size 1” to 2” ¾” or Larger 2-1/2” to 3” 1-1/4” or Larger 4” or More 2” or Larger Serving pressure-reducing valves, sized to allow flow of greatest demand of PRV. [NFPA 13 2002 §8.15.2.4.5, 2007-16 §8.16.2.4.5, 2019 §16.10.4.5]
Size of Drain Riser	Drain risers acting as a common riser for multiple floor control valves must be piped one-size larger than any drain connection typing into it. [NFPA 13 2002 §8.15.2.4.7, 2007-13 §8.16.2.4.7, 2016 §8.16.2.4.8, 2019 §16.10.4.8]
Where Required	Antifreeze Pendents: Water must be drained from entire system after hydrostatic test if completed with water. [NFPA 13 2007-16 §7.6.1.3, 2019 §8.6.1.3] Antifreeze Riser/Backflow: Must be capable of draining antifreeze system. [NFPA 13 2002 §7.5, 2007-16 §7.6, 2019 §8.6] Antifreeze Remote Point: At the most remote portion of the system (with test). [NFPA 13 2007 §7.6.3.5, 2010-16 §7.6.3.6, 2019 §8.6.3.6] Exposure Protection System Riser: Except for top-fed, open systems. [NFPA 13 2002 §7.7.4.1, 2007-13 §7.8.4.1, 2016 §7.7.4.1, 2019 §8.7.4.1] Fire Department Connection: Pipe between check valve and outside connection in areas subject to freezing must have an automatic drain valve, that is approved and in an area that permits inspection & testing. Where trapped, auxiliary drain is required. [NFPA 13 2002 §8.16.2.6, 2007-16 §8.17.2.6, 2019 §16.12.7] Floor Control Assemblies: At floor control valve assembly for buildings over two stories in height, except on top-level if sprinklers are fed from level below. [NFPA 13 2013 §8.16.1.5.1, 2016 §8.2.4.1, 2019 §16.9.11.1] System Valve (Main Drain): Each system must be capable of being drained. [NFPA 13 2002 §8.15.2.1, 2007-16 §8.16.2.1, 2019 §16.10.1] Trapped Pipe (Wet or Non-Freezing Pre-Action): Where trapped section of pipe: - contains less than 5 gallons, auxiliary drain, single pendent sprinklers capable of draining section, or flexible coupling must be provided, - contains 5 gallons or more, minimum ¾” auxiliary drain must be provided - contains 50 gallons or more, minimum 1” auxiliary drain must be provided. [NFPA 13 2002 §8.15.2.5.2, 2007-16 §8.16.2.5.2, 2019 §16.10.5.2] Trapped Pipe (Dry or Pre-Action): Where system is trapped: - containing less than 5 gallons, min. ½” auxiliary drain valve with plug or nipple/cap - tie-in drains required for multiple adjacent trapped branch pipes. [NFPA 13 2002 §8.15.2.5.3, 2007-16 §8.16.2.5.3, 2019 §16.10.5.3]

Where Are Pressure Gauges in Sprinkler Systems?

6/2/2021

We're back this week with an overview of Pressure Gauges in Fire Suppression Systems. NFPA 13, 14, and NFPA 20 provide guidance on where pressure gauges are required, and recommendations for various aspects around pressure gauges. This week's checklist includes various aspects and code references all-around pressure gauges.

What tips & tricks would you recommend surrounding pressure gauges based on your experience? Let us know here.

COMPONENT	NOTES / DESCRIPTION
Accessible	Accessible: Gauges must be accessible of operation, inspection, testing & maintenance. [NFPA 13 2002-16 §8.1.2, 2019 §16.1.1]
Approval / Listing	Approval / Listing: Gauges are no longer required to be listed but must be approved. [NFPA 13 2002 §6.1.1, 2013-16 §6.1.1.5, 2019 §7.1.1.5]
Freezing	Location: Gauges must be installed where they will not be subject to freezing. [NFPA 13 2002 §8.16.3.4, 2007-16 §8.17.3.4, 2019 §16.13.4, NFPA 14 2000 §3-6.1, 2003 §5.6.1.1, 2007-19 §5.5.1.1]
Rating	Max. Pressure: At least twice the normal system working pressure at location installed. If for a fire pump, also not less than 200 psi (13.8 bar). [NFPA 13 2002 §8.16.3.3, 2007-2016 §8.17.3.3, 2019 §16.13.3, NFPA 20 2003 §5.10.1.2, 2019 §4.12.1.2]
Removal	Removal: Must be located where they can be removed, and the gauge connection must be equipped with a shutoff valve and means for draining. [NFPA 13 2002 §8.16.3.2, .4, 2007-16 §8.17.3.2, .4, 2019 §16.13.2, .4, NFPA 14 2000 §3-6.1, 2003 §5.6.1.2, 2007-19 §5.5.1.2]
Locations in Sprinkler & Standpipe Systems	Backflow Preventer: Before and after each backflow preventer [NFPA 13 2002-16 §7.1.1.2, 2019 §8.1.1.2, NFPA 14 2007-19 §5.5.1.4] Alarm or Riser Check Valve: Above and below each alarm check or system riser check valve, except for floor control assemblies where a gauge is only required downstream (above) from an alarm or check valve. [NFPA 13 2002-16 §7.1.1.2, 2019 §8.1.1.2, NFPA 14 2007-19 §5.5.1.4] Deluge Valve: Below the deluge valve. [NFPA 13 2002-16 §7.3.1.3, 2019 §8.3.1.3, NFPA 14 2007 §5.2.3.5, 2010-19 §5.2.3.4] Dry Valve: Before (water side) and after (air side) of each dry valve, at quick opening devices(s), where the air is received (where provided), at each independent pipe from supply to dry system, and at the air supply. [NFPA 13 2002-16 §7.2.1, 2019 §8.2.1, NFPA 14 2007-19 §5.2.1.1] Main Drain: At each main drain and each drain associated with floor control valve. These each require a gauge shutoff (test-cock) and provisions for draining. [NFPA 13 2002 §8.16.3, 2007-16 §8.17.3, 2019 §16.13, NFPA 14 2003 §5.6.1, 2007-19 §5.5.1] Pre-Action Valve: Above and below each pre-action valve, and on air supply to pre-action valve. [NFPA 13 2002-16 §7.3.1.3, 2019 §8.3.1.3, NFPA 14 2007 §5.2.3.5, 2010-19 §5.2.3.4] Pressure Reducing or Regulating Device: On each side of a pressure-reducing or pressure-regulating device. These each require a gauge shutoff (test-cock) and provisions for draining. For standpipes, pressure gauge outlets must be installed on upstream and downstream side of device.[1] [NFPA 13 2002 §8.15.1.2.2, 8.16.3.1, 2007-16 §8.16.1.2.2, 8.17.3.1, 2019 §16.9.8.2, 16.13.1, NFPA 14 2000 §3-6.2, 2003 §5.6.2, 2007-19 §5.5.2, §7.2.4(6)] Riser: In each system riser. See Riser Assemblies on page 14. [NFPA 13 2002-10 §7.1.1.1, 2019 §8.1.1.1, for exposure systems: 2002 §7.7.7, 2007-13 §7.8.7, 2016 §7.7.7, 2019 §8.7.7] Standpipe Bottom of Riser: Could be desirable for some equipment, particularly in high-rise buildings or large industrial facilities. Not a requirement. [NFPA 14 2000 §A-3-6, 2003 §A.5.6, 2007-19 §A.5.5] Standpipe Top: At top of each standpipe, unless standpipes are interconnected where single-gauge properly located can be used. [NFPA 14 2000 §3-6.1, 2003 §5.6.1.3, 2007-19 §5.5.1.3] [1] See NFPA 14 references 2010 §5.5.2.2 and §7.2.4(6) for further information.
Locations for Fire Pumps	Suction: On suction side of pump, minimum 3.5-inch diameter dial with ¼-inch thread and valve near the pump. This gauge monitors suction pressure to ensure pressure does not drop below 0 psi for a tank feed, which could cause cavitation or infiltration of groundwater. Vacuum gauge is required where minimum pump suction is below 20 psi for any flow condition. Does not apply to vertical shaft-turbine type pumps from open pit or well. [NFPA 20 2003-07 §5.10.2, 2010-13 §4.10.2, 2016 §4.11.2, 2019 §4.12.2] Discharge: On discharge side of fire pump, minimum 3.5-inch diameter dial with ¼-inch thread (6 mm). Discharge pressure gauge allows observation of the discharge pressure. [NFPA 20 2003-07 §5.10.1.1, 2010-13 §4.10.1, 2016 §4.11.1, 2019 §4.12.1.1] Diesel Pumps: Oil pressure gauge (or other means) for lubricating oil pressure, and pressure gauge on cooling water supply system on engine side of last manual valve. [NFPA 20 2003-07 §11.2.4.5, 11.2.6.3.1.4, 2010-19 §11.2.5.3, 11.2.8.5.3.7] Steam Turbine Pumps: Entrance side of speed governor, outlet for gauge connection on turbine nozzle chamber. [NFPA 20 2003-19 §13.2.3]
Thread	Not less than ¼-inch (6 mm). [NFPA 13 2002 §8.16.3.1, 2007-16 §8.17.3.1, 2019 §16.13.1]
Type	Fire Pump: For gauges with fire pumps, liquid-filled gauges on both suction and discharge help to diminish oscillation in pressure and make for easier reading.

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A Consolidated Floor Control Valve Breakout

We Need YOU in Fire Protection

Requirements for Drains in Fire Sprinkler Systems

Where Are Pressure Gauges in Sprinkler Systems?

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