Best Pipe Type for 10-inch Fire/Domestic Feed?

4/30/2025

We have an existing building where site constraints have us running a 10-inch pipe at the ceiling level of the first floor for about 100 feet in the building to the sprinkler riser room, which also houses the backflow preventer and domestic riser.

This 10-inch pipe needs to be of a material suitable for the potable water supply, comply with NFPA 13, and not be prone to leakage.

Any thoughts on the best pipe material option?

Our initial thought was cement-lined ductile iron, but we understand that it can be a bit leaky, so I'm curious if there are better options, and what others may have done in the past?

Thank you!

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6 Comments

Glenn Berger

4/30/2025 08:19:33 am

Since your application requires the piping to installed indoors, my recommendation would be to use standard Black Steel piping.

4/30/2025 08:32:35 am

If pipe feed is to be potable, it needs to conform to plumbing code for water if I read the question correctly. We have always had galvanized pipe up to the backflow when splitting off for domestic.

4/30/2025 09:13:21 am

Types 304L and 316L welded stainless steel piping has been successfully used in over 100 PWTPs and related potable water applications in North America.

Dan Wilder

4/30/2025 09:26:11 am

Well...how deep are the financial pockets?

Ideally, as soon as the 10" come into the building, make a room, split the feeds, and put the backflows there to allow more conventional materials to run across the building into the actual risers. I understand that may not be an option (until someone sees a bill).

Cement lined with fabricated (threaded or welded) flanged joints is an option.

DI pipe & Flanges can be used along with an epoxy coating on the inside as a possible alternate.

HDPE could be used but the support assemblies may be an issue pending your structure.

Large diameter copper or stainless is an (expensive) option.

Jack G

4/30/2025 06:03:10 pm

I agree with the above comments, but I have the following concerns.
First you d have to choose a pipe that was suitable for potable water.
The next concern I have is the weight of the pipe filled with water and hanging it to the roof and if the roof is rated for that size pipe.
D.I. Cement lined pipe with 40 # of water weight could weigh over 80 # per foot . If possible I try to run those pipes close to the floor about the height of the backflow preventer. If a new or existing building retrofit I rfi the engineer to cmya if they want it hung to the structure ( hanger types and hanger calculations) .
Next, this run of piping basically will be unsupervised ( for leaks, ruptures, water flow , hanger/ roof collapse damaging the pipe)
I would find some way to supervise this pipe run.
Stainless steel would be the lightest weight pipe.

Jack G

4/30/2025 06:06:03 pm

I also would push hard for them to move the riser room and eliminate the 100 ft run.

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Best Pipe Type for 10-inch Fire/Domestic Feed?

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