ECS’s In-Line Corrosion Detector (ILD-X) is the ideal way to monitor for on-going corrosion in a fire sprinkler system.
Its unique design allows it to be installed anywhere on the system so it can be placed at those locations where the most severe localized corrosion is expected to occur:
| For wet pipe systems this is at high points in the piping where trapped air will accumulate, typically in the branch lines. | In dry/pre-action systems this is in low points where trapped water accumulates, typically in the system mains. |
The main downside of other corrosion monitoring devices, which often rely on corrosion coupons installed at the system riser, is that corrosion at the riser may not be representative of corrosion occurring at other locations in the system.
Because corrosion in fire sprinkler systems is often very localized, the ability to install the Corrosion Detector anywhere on the system allows corrosion to be monitored in-situ.
Design
The patented design of the Detector starts with a section of pipe that is selected to match the diameter, schedule, and material of the fire sprinkler system it will be installed on.
A portion of the exterior of the pipe is thin-milled to 35 mils (0.035”), which is approximately a quarter the thickness of schedule 10 pipe. This design allows monitoring of corrosion on 360 degrees the internal pipe surface.
An outer sleeve is welded over the thin-milled section, creating a pressure chamber which is monitored by a pressure switch. If internal corrosion were to occur, the thin-milled portion of pipe would be breached and the pressure switch would be activated.
The pressure switch can be monitored by the Building Automation System, the Fire Alarm Panel, or the push button Remote Test Station which is included with each Detector.
Activation
Activation of the detector acts as an early warning that an appreciable amount of corrosion has occurred within the system piping and that corrective action should be taken.
In cases where a corrosion control strategy has been put in place, this may indicate an issue with the corrosion prevention equipment or that proper protocols are not being followed. If a corrosion control strategy is not being utilized, activation of the Detector can be used as an indication that one should be put in place before leaks begin to develop in the system.
The activated Detector can also be sent directly to ECS for analysis to determine the mode of failure. This ensures that appropriate steps are being taken to address the corrosion this specific system is experiencing.
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Click below for more information on the In-Line Corrosion Detector.
