Abstract: A fire protection sprinkler system inerting apparatus and method includes selectively connecting an inert gas source and a gas vent to the fire protection sprinkler system with a valve system and controlling the valve system. The valve system is controlled to selectively connect the inert gas source with the sprinkler system to add inert gas to the sprinkler system to increase the proportion of inert gas in the gas mixture within the sprinkler system and to operate the gas vent to discharge a portion of the gas mixture from the sprinkler system.
Type:
Application
Filed:
September 16, 2011
Publication date:
July 4, 2013
Applicants:
HOLTEC GAS SYSTEMS, FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS CORROSION MANAGEMENT, INC.
Inventors:
Jeffrey T. Kochelek, Adam H. Hilton, Kenneth Jones, Thorstein Holt
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.
Type:
Application
Filed:
August 4, 2011
Publication date:
February 9, 2012
Applicant:
Fire Protection Systems Corrosion Management, Inc.
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.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 15, 2011
Publication date:
September 22, 2011
Applicants:
Fire Protection Systems Corrosion Management, Inc., Holtec Gas Systems
Inventors:
David J. Burkhart, Jeffrey T. Kochelek, Kenneth Jones, Thorstein Holt
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.
Type:
Application
Filed:
October 27, 2009
Publication date:
April 28, 2011
Applicants:
Fire Protection Systems Corrosion Management, Inc., Holtec Gas Systems
Inventors:
David J. Burkhart, Jeffrey T. Kochelek, Kenneth Jones, Thorstein Holt
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.
Type:
Application
Filed:
September 15, 2008
Publication date:
March 18, 2010
Applicants:
Fire Protection Systems Corrosion Management, Inc., Holtec Gas Systems
Inventors:
David J. Burkhart, Jeffrey T. Kochelek, Kenneth Jones, Thorstein Holt