Abstract: A fire sprinkler system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a pipe having a first pipe portion and a second pipe portion. The first pipe portion includes a wall having a first wall thickness, and the second pipe portion includes a wall having a second wall thickness that is greater than the first wall thickness. The fire sprinkler system further includes structure coupled to the pipe and defining a sealed chamber between the structure and at least the first pipe portion, and a sensor for sensing a pressure in the sealed chamber. Example corrosion monitoring devices and methods for monitoring corrosion in pipe systems, including fire sprinkler systems, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A wet pipe fire protection sprinkler system and method of operating a wet pipe fire sprinkler system includes providing a sprinkler system having a pipe network, a source of water for the pipe network, at least one sprinkler head connected with the pipe network and a drain valve for draining the pipe network. An inert gas source, such as a nitrogen gas source, is connected with the pipe network. Inert gas is supplied from the inert gas source to the pipe network. Water is supplied to the pipe network thereby substantially filling the pipe network with water and compressing the inert gas in the pipe network.

Abstract: A wet pipe fire protection sprinkler system and method of operating a wet pipe fire sprinkler system includes providing a sprinkler system having a pipe network, a source of water for the pipe network, at least one sprinkler head connected with the pipe network and a drain valve for draining the pipe network. An inert gas source, such as a nitrogen gas source, is connected with the pipe network. Inert gas is supplied from the inert gas source to the pipe network. Water is supplied to the pipe network thereby substantially filling the pipe network with water and compressing the inert gas in the pipe network.

Abstract: One example of a redundant vent for a water-based fire sprinkler system having a pipe network includes a unitary valve body defining a primary valve chamber and a redundant valve chamber, a primary float valve positioned within the primary valve chamber, and a redundant float valve positioned within the redundant valve chamber. The primary float valve and the primary valve chamber form a primary gas vent. The redundant float valve and the redundant valve chamber form a redundant gas vent. The primary gas vent is coupled to the redundant gas vent. The primary gas vent and the redundant gas vent are each configured to vent gas but not water from the pipe network when the redundant vent is coupled to the pipe network. Various optional features, components and water-based fire sprinkler systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting oxygen in ambient air from entering a water supply system having at least one ingress point at which a fluid can enter the water supply system includes supplying an inert gas to the at least one ingress point of the water supply system. The inert gas enters the water supply system at the at least one ingress point and substantially inhibits ambient air including oxygen from entering the water supply system at the at least one ingress point to substantially inhibit oxygen corrosion in the water supply system. Example pump assemblies for coupling to water supply systems, piping networks, and water- based fire sprinkler systems for inhibiting ambient air, including the oxygen it may contain, from entering the systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fire protection system includes a dry pipe system and a controlled discharge gas vent. The dry pipe system and controlled discharge gas vent operate using a breathing cycle to displace oxygen and/or water vapor from within the piping network of the dry pipe system. The controlled gas discharge vent allows displacement of pressurized air with nitrogen, for example, using manual or automated processes that can employ one or more sensors. Corrosion resulting from oxygen, water, and/or microbial growth is reduced or nearly eliminated.

Abstract: A wet pipe fire protection sprinkler system and method of operating a wet pipe fire sprinkler system includes providing a sprinkler system having a pipe network, a source of water for the pipe network, at least one sprinkler head connected with the pipe network and a drain valve for draining the pipe network. An inert gas source, such as a nitrogen gas source, is connected with the pipe network. Inert gas is supplied from the inert gas source to the pipe network. Water is supplied to the pipe network thereby substantially filling the pipe network with water and compressing the inert gas in the pipe network.

Abstract: A fire protection sprinkler system and method of inerting a fire protection sprinkler system includes connecting an inerting system to the piping network of a fire protection sprinkler system having a piping network and at least one sprinkler head connected with the piping network. The inerting system includes an inert gas source that is adapted to supply inert gas to the piping network and an inerting gas vent assembly. The gas vent assembly has a gas vent adapted to discharge gas, a solenoid and a control. The solenoid is adapted to selectively open the gas vent and to close the gas vent. The gas vent discharges gas when the solenoid opens the gas vent and does not discharge gas when the solenoid closes the gas vent. The control is adapted to operate the solenoid in a manner that allows the gas vent to discharge gas for a limited amount of time.

Abstract: A fire protection system comprising at least one sprinkler, a source of pressurized water, a piping network connecting at least one sprinkler to the source of pressurized water, and a nitrogen generator coupled to the sprinkler system. The nitrogen generator may be a nitrogen membrane system or a nitrogen pressure swing adsorption system. The present systems and methods reduce or nearly eliminate corrosion that typically affects conventional fire protection systems, such as caused by oxygen and microbial systems, which can deteriorate or compromise function. Initial, repeated, or continuous displacement of oxygen with nitrogen in the fire protection system significantly reduces or eliminates corrosion.

Abstract: A fire protection sprinkler system includes a water source, a sprinkler, a piping network interconnecting the water source and the sprinkler, and an automatic gas vent coupled to the piping network and configured to discharge gas from the system. The automatic gas vent includes a sensor configured to sense a presence or absence of a liquid and an electrically operated valve. The automatic gas vent is configured to open the electrically operated valve in response to the sensor sensing the absence of a liquid and close the electrically operated valve in response to the sensor sensing the presence of a liquid. Automatic gas vent assemblies and methods of venting and discharging gas from fire protection sprinkler systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fire sprinkler system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a pipe having a first pipe portion and a second pipe portion. The first pipe portion includes a wall having a first wall thickness, and the second pipe portion includes a wall having a second wall thickness that is greater than the first wall thickness. The fire sprinkler system further includes structure coupled to the pipe and defining a sealed chamber between the structure and at least the first pipe portion, and a sensor for sensing a pressure in the sealed chamber. Example corrosion monitoring devices and methods for monitoring corrosion in pipe systems, including fire sprinkler systems, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A wet pipe fire protection sprinkler system and method of operating a wet pipe fire sprinkler system includes providing a sprinkler system having a pipe network, a source of water for the pipe network, at least one sprinkler head connected with the pipe network and a drain valve for draining the pipe network. An inert gas source, such as a nitrogen gas source, is connected with the pipe network. Inert gas is supplied from the inert gas source to the pipe network. Water is supplied to the pipe network thereby substantially filling the pipe network with water and compressing the inert gas in the pipe network.

Abstract: A fire protection system includes a dry pipe system and a controlled discharge gas vent. The dry pipe system and controlled discharge gas vent operate using a breathing cycle to displace oxygen and/or water vapor from within the piping network of the dry pipe system. The controlled gas discharge vent allows displacement of pressurized air with nitrogen, for example, using manual or automated processes that can employ one or more sensors. Corrosion resulting from oxygen, water, and/or microbial growth is reduced or nearly eliminated.

Abstract: A wet pipe fire protection sprinkler system and method of operating a wet pipe fire sprinkler system includes providing a sprinkler system having a pipe network, a source of water for the pipe network, at least one sprinkler head connected with the pipe network and a drain valve for draining the pipe network. An inert gas source, such as a nitrogen gas source, is connected with the pipe network. Inert gas is supplied from the inert gas source to the pipe network. Water is supplied to the pipe network thereby substantially filling the pipe network with water and compressing the inert gas in the pipe network.

Abstract: A fire protection system comprising at least one sprinkler, a source of pressurized water, a piping network connecting at least one sprinkler to the source of pressurized water, and a nitrogen generator coupled to the sprinkler system. The nitrogen generator may be a nitrogen membrane system or a nitrogen pressure swing adsorption system. The present systems and methods reduce or nearly eliminate corrosion that typically affects conventional fire protection systems, such as caused by oxygen and microbial systems, which can deteriorate or compromise function. Initial, repeated, or continuous displacement of oxygen with nitrogen in the fire protection system significantly reduces or eliminates corrosion.

Abstract: A fire protection system comprising at least one sprinkler, a source of pressurized water, a piping network connecting at least one sprinkler to the source of pressurized water, and a nitrogen generator coupled to the sprinkler system. The nitrogen generator may be a nitrogen membrane system or a nitrogen pressure swing adsorption system. The present systems and methods reduce or nearly eliminate corrosion that typically affects conventional fire protection systems, such as caused by oxygen and microbial systems, which can deteriorate or compromise function. Initial, repeated, or continuous displacement of oxygen with nitrogen in the fire protection system significantly reduces or eliminates corrosion.

Abstract: A fire sprinkler system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a pipe having a first pipe portion and a second pipe portion. The first pipe portion includes a wall having a first wall thickness, and the second pipe portion includes a wall having a second wall thickness that is greater than the first wall thickness. The fire sprinkler system further includes structure coupled to the pipe and defining a sealed chamber between the structure and at least the first pipe portion, and a sensor for sensing a pressure in the sealed chamber. Example corrosion monitoring devices and methods for monitoring corrosion in pipe systems, including fire sprinkler systems, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fire protection sprinkler system and method of inerting a fire protection sprinkler system includes connecting an inerting system to the piping network of a fire protection sprinkler system having a piping network and at least one sprinkler head connected with the piping network. The inerting system includes an inert gas source that is adapted to supply inert gas to the piping network and an inerting gas vent assembly. The gas vent assembly has a gas vent adapted to discharge gas, a solenoid and a control. The solenoid is adapted to selectively open the gas vent and to close the gas vent. The gas vent discharges gas when the solenoid opens the gas vent and does not discharge gas when the solenoid closes the gas vent. The control is adapted to operate the solenoid in a manner that allows the gas vent to discharge gas for a limited amount of time.

Abstract: An inerting system for a fire protection sprinkler system and method of inerting a fire protection sprinkler system to reduce the concentration of oxygen includes connecting an inert gas supply system with the piping network of the fire protection sprinkler system. The gas supply system includes a plurality of tank adapters, an automatic fill valve, an automatic vent valve and at least one pressure transducer. Each of the tank adapters is adapted to connect with a tank of inert gas and to selectively connect the tank of inert gas with said automatic fill valve. A control controls the gas supply system including operating the automatic fill valve and the automatic vent valve in order to increase the proportion of inert gas in the piping network. The control monitors the at least one pressure transducer to determine the pressure of gas at least in the tank connected with the automatic fill valve.

Abstract: A fire protection sprinkler system and method of monitoring corrosion in a fire protection sprinkler system that includes a pipe network and at least one sprinkler connected with said pipe network. A corrosion monitor assembly is provided in the pipe network that includes at least one metal coupon and an oxygen depletion area defined on a surface portion of the coupon. A mounting member positions the corrosion monitor assembly to be at least partially covered with water when the sprinkler system is in an operative state.