Fire Protection Design Manual - Office of Construction and Facilities ...

September-2011
Note: Numerous chemicals typically found in commercial construction are known to be
incompatible with, and detrimental to, CPVC pipe and fittings. Some chemicals have
been shown to be the cause of failure of the CPVC piping. The continuous effort
required for the life of the installed system to police all of the chemicals that may affect
the CPVC piping makes this piping material a bad choice for use in the VA.
Typically, in Type V residential applications most of the piping will be installed in
concealed spaces and incompatible chemicals are less likely to be found in this type of
construction. Fire and smoke barrier penetrations need to be sealed and the known
compatibility issues with fire barrier sealants would make CPVC use an unwise choice .
See the documents and links below (also included at end of this document):
CPVC Chemical Compatibility
Potential Damage to CPVC Fire Sprinkler Systems From Spray Foam Insulation
Potential Damage to CPVC Fire Sprinkler Systems From Connection to Anti-Bacterial
Corrosion Lined Metal Piping
Flameguard Jobsite Notice
FlameGuard Turnover Notice
http://www.harvelblazemaster.com/caution_areas/chemical_compatibility.asp
http://www.harvelsprinklerpipe.com/caution_areas/pdf/chemical_compatibility.pdf
http://www.spearsmfg.com/flameguard/FGW-A-0408_0408_web.pdf
http://www.spearsmfg.com/flameguard/FGW-B-0408_0408_web.pdf
http://www.spearsmfg.com/flameguard/FlameGuard%20Jobsite%20Notice.pdf
http://www.spearsmfg.com/flameguard/FlameGuard%20CPVC%20Fire%20Sprinkler%2
0Turnover%20Document.pdf
C. Design wet pipe sprinkler systems, unless installed in areas subject to freezing. Dry pendant
or sidewall sprinklers, dry pipe, or antifreeze systems may be used in areas subject to
freezing. Propylene glycol shall be used if antifreeze systems need to be installed. Do not
use pre-action type systems.
Note: NFPA 25 requires dry sprinklers to be removed and tested every 10 years due to the
extremely high failure rates of these types of sprinklers. They are not recommended.
D. Sprinkler systems shall be hydraulically calculated by any design approach allowed by NFPA
13, except that the Special Design Approach shall not be used in Health Care. Pipe schedule
systems may be used for extension of existing pipe schedule systems where water supply is
adequate. Sprinkler systems shall be designed based on available water supply without the
fire pump operating, where possible. A safety factor shall be included by calculating the
demand to a point no greater than 10% below the available water supply curve. Or, a ten
percent safety factor shall be provided (subtract 10% from the available water supply curve)
for each sprinkler demand including the required hose streams.
E. Sprinkler densities shall comply with NFPA 13, except in rooms containing movable/mobile
shelving (high density storage) where the density shall be Ordinary Hazard (Group 2).
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