Scale and Corrosion Inhibitor Chemicals
Before using a biocide or chemical corrosion inhibitor in your fire sprinkler system consider the following:
- When using a chemical corrosion inhibitor is the sprinkler system equipped with a reduced pressure zone (RPZ) type backflow preventer and if not how much will it cost to upgrade to prevent contamination of potable water with potentially toxic chemical corrosion inhibitors?
- How can an even distribution of chemical be applied (essential for corrosion protection) to a system containing trapped gas pockets?
- How toxic are the chemicals used in the solution, can the system be drained to a sanitary sewer, and what are the products of degradation over time?
- Can the chemical supplier provide compatibility data to prove it will not degrade sprinkler system components that eventually lead to failures at fittings, joints, sprinkler gaskets, etc?
The edition of NFPA 13 states:
24.1.5.3 Where listed biocides and/or corrosion inhibitors are used, they shall be compatible with system components. Where used together, they shall also be compatible with each other.
Currently, there are no providers of chemical corrosion inhibitors or biocides that can provide data showing full compatibility with all fire sprinkler system components.
