Best Sprinkler Type for Salt Spa Therapy Room?

7/12/2021

I am an AHJ and have a salt spa in our jurisdiction with sprinklers in the salt therapy room. Not surprisingly these sprinklers are heavily coated with salt deposits.

What is the best type of head to use in this environment?

If we require wax-coated corrosion resistant heads we are still concerned with salt deposit build up.

Any other suggestions on ways to protect heads in this room?

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10 Comments

Craig S

7/12/2021 07:40:45 am

I would say that if the concern is corrosion, your best bet would be either a wax coated or a polyester coated heat (like a white semi-recessed sprinkler). These are both safe choices for corrosion resistance. If your concern is for buildup, your best bet might be to go with a concealed head with a cleanroom gasket. This will protect the sprinkler element from any salt, and the cover plates can be more easily wiped down by staff as needed.

MattC

7/12/2021 08:38:30 am

I agree with Craig above.
PTFE or wax coated will likely still need to be changed relatively frequently (I've seen PTFE coated heads flaking in less than 5 years in pools) and the wax can accumulate deposits rather easily.

For the best longevity (and ease of cleaning) I second the use of the cleanroom sprinkler that Craig mentioned. Make sure it has a gasket to seal between the cover plate the ceiling opening. Their low profile will drastically reduce the quantity of any salt deposits.

I've also seen 'electroless nickel' plating with a PTFE coating which are supposedly recommended for use in 'salt air areas' (Viking has a datasheet on this), but haven't heard what others have experienced with using them. Strongly recommend checking that out.

Also, stainless steel may be an option too.

Justin Phillip Milne

7/12/2021 09:43:07 am

I agree with Craig and MattC on the corrosion topic. Only adder is that some sources state a salt fog environment 20% or greater needs to be UL 199: Standard for Automatic Sprinklers for Fire-Protection Service listed. At least that's my understanding.

Regarding the salt buildup - may consider a corrosion resistant protective covering to prevent buildup on the head and faulty operation. We might consider this a correlative measure with protective spray paint booth covers preventing paint buildup. Note: will want to make sure the O&M manual includes annual or more regular inspections of the salt spa sprinkler heads. Corroded or compromised heads must be immediately replaced.

Brad K

7/12/2021 10:02:48 am

I was thinking the same as the above from Justin.
-More frequent inspections.
-If buildup occurs regardless of materials, consider spray booth type protection from NFPA 13.
-I do like the concealer/cleanroom option also but if buildup occurs on the plate solder points, this could lead to failure.

CJ Bonczyk

7/12/2021 09:44:57 am

We have used in many areas where the atmosphere was corrosive the Victaulic Firelock PTFE, VS-250, or Stainless Steel sprinklers. The sprinklers themselves have a UL & FM listing for various types of corrosion resistance. If you contact there technical assistance department and give them the compounds and or chemical percents that the sprinklers will be exposed in the atmosphere the most they will tell you which coating is best for your application.

https://www.victaulic.com/assets/uploads/literature/TB-901.pdf

Jay

7/12/2021 09:58:40 am

I would use standard heads but protect them using the rules in NFPA 13 for paint spray areas, by covering the heads with cellophane or thin paper bags. See 2016 NFPA 13:22.4

Pete

7/12/2021 10:27:57 am

My "hot take" poorly researched answer that doesn't know the level of salt build up already observed in these spas:

Based on NFPA 13 (2016 ed.) 6.2.6.1 and A.6.2.6.1, I'd say you'd be fine with wax coating as long as they are listed corrosion resistant sprinklers.

A.6.2.6.1 states that corrosion resistant is required due to salt build up in (14) Salt Storage Rooms, which I'd say should make at the very least an equivalent salt presence as a spa (if not more would be in the storage room).

https://www.vikinggroupinc.com/sites/default/files/databook/bulletins/012513.pdf Here's a quick pdf from viking on the different levels of corrosion resistant heads based on method. You're honestly likely fine to meet code with a listed poly finish, very likely for wax-coated, and essentially a downright certainty at stainless steel.

franck

7/12/2021 11:39:51 am

Believe it or not, but salt spa should have more salt built up on sprinklers than altt storage rooms.
Salt storage rooms is normally dry, while in a spa, the humidity level will bring the salt and deposit ot to colder surfaces, like a sprinkler.
In both case, it is the chlorine contained in the salt that will cause corrosion (and this will happen, if the room is dry or wet... but quicker if wet).

Randy K.

7/12/2021 11:08:15 am

All excellent comments and suggestions! These help us quite a bit. Thank you each for your insights and expertise.

Franck

7/12/2021 11:36:17 am

I would go for corrosion resistance sprinklers (as mentioned above), combined with a cellophane or thin paper bag.
The first one will cope for corrosion issue.
The second one will cope for salt built-up (easier to remove and replace the bags, than to carefully clean the sprinklers).
I would keep anyway the corrosion ressitant covering as the paper/cellophane bag might not be fully corrosion tight.

I work for an insurace company,; so I always ask for the belt and suspenders... But then, it's more reliable :)

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