Use Standard Sidewall (Not Dry) in Cold Room?

8/10/2021

Can I use a horizontal sidewall fire sprinkler (not a dry horizontal sidewall) in cold rooms where there is risk of freezing?

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14 Comments

Alex

8/10/2021 06:33:27 am

Hi Anonymous,

No, you cannot use a standard sprinkler on a wet pipe system with this application. A sprinkler does not act as an insulation barrier and will not prevent the water in the arm over from freezing.

If you do not have a dry sprinkler system, you can look into a dry barrel sprinkler (Similar to Tyco TY3355).

Best of luck with your design,
Alex

Alex

8/10/2021 07:00:09 am

My apologizes, I have a type-o in my response. I meant, if you have a wet sprinkler system, you can look into a dry barrel sprinkler.

Dan Wilder

8/10/2021 08:28:51 am

With that revision/clarification, yes and it occurs frequently.

Any location that has a cooler or freezer will have dry sprinklers protecting it, including any location with exterior protection requirements.

As others have said, if the sprinkler protects an area that will have a temp below 40°F, the pipe directly suppling that sprinkler cannot be wet (dry barrel, dry system, preaction system, antifreeze are approved alternates).

Jake

9/14/2021 04:56:53 am

Hi! thanks for your comment. I forgot to tell that the system is dry sprinkler system. Ive seen normal sprinklers in dry systems in cold places like car parks outside a mall.

Jeremy

8/10/2021 08:07:48 am

Any where that the temperature is subject to dropping below 40°F, should have a dry barrel sprinkler.

schulman

8/10/2021 08:16:25 am

just in case you need one more vote ...
Dry Barrel sidewall.

Glenn Berger

8/10/2021 08:30:24 am

Too risky to use a standard sidewall. Use dry sidewall with a length to ensure that the water is not close to the cold perimeter of the room.

Taylor Schumacher

8/10/2021 08:36:51 am

You may use a sidewall in that area if it is fed from a dry-system.

Jake

9/16/2021 06:39:34 am

Yep, its fed from a dry system. sorry i forgot to include this fact in my question.. is there a rule about this situation in NFPA 13?

Alex

9/16/2021 07:30:58 am

Jake,

Just to clarify, you have a dry system and looking to see if you can install a sidewall? If that is the case, yes you can.

NFPA 13 (2013) 7.2.2 bullet 4 states that you can use a horizontal sidewall sprinkler on a dry system if it is installed so that water is not trapped.

Alex

Jesse

8/10/2021 08:43:02 am

No, you can't.

You can use an intermediate temp. dry horizontal sidewall or dry pendent.

Mike

8/10/2021 08:44:45 am

If you use the dry barrel, don't forget to use a tee with a plug.

DAVE

8/10/2021 10:42:05 am

And with a dry-barrel sprinkler, utilize the correct dry-barrel length according to exposed temperatures and seal the penetration openings appropriately.

John G.

8/10/2021 11:54:16 am

Sorry. Should be a no brainer. Did your designer " fall out of the turnip cart? "

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Use Standard Sidewall (Not Dry) in Cold Room?

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