Can Floating Dock with Hose Valves Use PVC?

3/1/2024

Can a floating dock standpipe with hose valves in the ocean be ran with PVC pipe?

NFPA 307 doesn’t go into detail about materials used but reverts back to NFPA 20, 22 and 24. This is in Florida. The AHJ wants it full of water so I have to issues, it’s too heavy to mount on the side of the dock, it’s not very big and it will be in the water or very close with high tide, so corrosion is inevitable.

Is there anything stating Schedule 40 or 80 PVC is listed or acceptable for such use?

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13 Comments

Pete H

3/1/2024 06:57:05 am

Stainless Steel Pipe might be an answer? It'll be heavy, but it's corrosion resistant, covered in NFPA 13 and I'm pretty sure it's what I see for hose valves on bridges. I used google earth to look at the Throg's Neck bridge and I think it's stainless steel for the hose valves, but it's painted red whenever it's like within 15' of the valve.

Brian David Logan ODea

3/7/2024 07:40:54 am

We used schedule 80 plastic for a hose valve system on a dock at Orange Beach Alabama. Local AHJ just needed the specs for the plastic.

Dan Wilder

3/1/2024 07:06:32 am

NFPA 14-19' Chapter 13
Section 13.2 (Maritime Standpipes & Hose Systems)
Table 13.2.1.1 - The plastic pipes listed are CPVC (SDR-PR), PVC (AWWA C900/C905) & PolyEthylene (C906).

13.2.1.2 allows UG piping to be installed under piers with AHJ approval along with a general allowance within 13.2.1.3.
13.2.1.4 allows HDPE with AHJ approval

I'm very sure the local respondents can provide much more detail, but strictly by NFPA requirements, the PVC piping would need to comply with AWWA-C900 based on what I think the pipe sizing would be.

Previous discussion below:
https://www.meyerfire.com/daily/approved-pipe-material-for-pierdock-standpipe

Anthony

3/1/2024 08:08:11 am

Dan's got it with the C900.

I'd add be careful with pressure ratings on PVC and standpipe pressures.

3/4/2024 06:30:15 am

C900 is not permitted. I don't understand why people keep referring it when the sun's uv destroys it. unfortunately the AHJ's have no idea what to use. They change their minds every 6 months. Also, if you're protecting an ocean dock, good luck with anything steel due to salt corrosion. Stainless steel is the best bet of course, but at the cost, good luck trying to sell that. Another company will come in with a lower bid using material that won't last. Heavily paint the pipe and tar the joints maybe, and then use stainless steal the the 2-1/2" pipe to the hose connections? For the moving joint areas of the dock, the stainless steel flex connections has worked the best.

Jesse

3/1/2024 08:12:30 am

Echoing what Dan said. And I'd urge you to involve the AHJ. its not their first rodeo and they may have more stringent local amendments.

3/1/2024 08:13:57 am

Use caution with c900 due to UV degradation.
Copper Nickel is used off shore.
I also think HDPE can be a good option if planned correctly.

Aaron L

3/1/2024 08:15:15 am

On the wharfs I've done for container terminals I spec fused HDPE and transition to brass threads via fusible adapter at the hose valves. All brackets and fastners are 316 or 410 SST and make sure to design in expansion loops and anchors/guides as the pipe will grow and shrink.
Hope this helps.

Jack G

3/1/2024 09:53:40 am

Please review Meyer Fire : date: 6-6-2023
Which fully addresses material for maritime , dock, standpipes.
My opinion- if it is a long pier or dock I d be concerned with being trapped on the pier/ dock and the fire compromising the standpipe ( steel pier - Atlantic City NJ- around 1982. Was an arson fire . Compromised the 8 inch standpipe. Broke it).
I would recommend open sprinkler spray nozzles with plugs or caps in a separate system operated thru the fdc. ( in addition to the standpipe - below the pier/ dock- spraying up to the pier) if combustible.

Dave

3/1/2024 11:11:00 am

Years ago we spec'd one with fused HDPE piping, but double check, I think I have since found that, HDPE was susceptible to UV and not to be used above ground. We spec’d grooved stainless on a recent one.

Dan Wilder

3/1/2024 11:19:26 am

Interesting....all the mining sites we have main lines that are all HDPE pipe feeding both hydrants and sprinkler/standpipe systems. They just cut/fuse in fittings or pipe as they adjust the mine routing roads and excavation/fill.

Ultimately, it's on them for that distribution network but good to know.

Eddie

3/4/2024 09:12:50 am

Has anyone had or seen problems with stress corrosion cranking with stainless steel in marine applications?

James Art, FPE, Pleasanton, Ca

3/6/2024 11:21:15 am

When I was FPE for City of Oakland,
and the steel pipe sprinklers under a small dock rusted thru, from salt water exterior exposure,
we allowed CPVC pipe, coated with latex paint to reduce exterior exposure to reflected solar.

Q, What is the maximum diameter they sell?

They coated the hangers with epoxy, and used coated sprinklers, too.

Another thought might be steel pipe and epoxy coating.

At Lawrence Livermore Lab they assemble parts of steel underground first, then send those out to be epoxy coated.
That takes care of grooves that would otherwise need to be hand coated.

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Can Floating Dock with Hose Valves Use PVC?

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