---
title: Big Box Stores Case Study | Engineered Corrosion Solutions
description: Discover how a large retail store operator addressed their leak risk and saved 75% on pipe replacement through a corrosion assessment program.
image: https://www.ecscorrosion.com/hubfs/WM_pic%203.png
---

[![Engineered Corrosion Solutions logo](https://www.ecscorrosion.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/Logos/ECS_CorporateLogo_NOTAG_WHITE.png?width=311&name=ECS_CorporateLogo_NOTAG_WHITE.png)](https://www.ecscorrosion.com) [![Engineered Corrosion Solutions logo](https://www.ecscorrosion.com/hs-fs/hubfs/PRI_Programs_Registrar_Certified_ISO9001_WH.png?width=311&name=PRI_Programs_Registrar_Certified_ISO9001_WH.png)](https://www.ecscorrosion.com/hubfs/PRI_Programs_Registrar_Certified_ISO9001_WH.pdf)

Corrosion Risk Assessment

This large facility needed a WPNI strategy to fight localized corrosion around pockets of trapped air in the black steel piping.

Corrosion Risk Assessment

## Project Overview

#### Project Type:

102 Big Box Stores

#### Location:

Across United States

#### Sprinkler Systems:

Overhead Wet Systems, Galvanized Dry Systems

#### Goal:

Eliminate Leak Risk While Minimizing Pipe Replacement

![WM_pic](https://www.ecscorrosion.com/hubfs/WM_pic.png)

Clean, corrosion-free pipe

![WM_pic 3](https://www.ecscorrosion.com/hubfs/WM_pic%203.png)

A view from the video scope of localized corrosion

# CASE STUDY: Big Box Stores

### Corrosion Risk Assessment

![](https://www.ecscorrosion.com/hubfs/WM_pic%203.png)

###### Project Background

In 2021, after experiencing a structural failure caused by corrosion related fire sprinkler system leaks, a large, US-based retail store operator sought to address their leak risk. Of the stores this operator owned, many were experiencing leaks to the point where total system replacement was being considered. The operator wanted to eliminate their operating expense from fixing leaks and minimize the downstream effects like business interruption and customer safety while fitting the remediation program into a limited capital budget.

ECS partnered with the operator’s national sprinkler service provider to design a corrosion assessment program that would thoroughly address the leak risk, while minimizing pipe replacement.

## Download Now **

## Assessments

ECS performed comprehensive corrosion assessments on a total of 102 stores during a one-year period, focusing on stores with the most extensive issues and where total system replacement was already being considered.

Through video scoping and pipe sample analysis, each corrosion assessment characterized the root cause of corrosion, severity of metal loss, and specific areas where corrosion was present.

###### KEY TAKEAWAYS:

- Corrosion in each system was highly localized.
- Location and severity of corrosion varied significantly depending on system layout and sprinkler system design.
- Corrosion severity was impacted by the remodel history and the number of drain and fills – Corrosion was not based on the age of the piping alone.
- Many systems without existing leaks would have leaks issues soon.
- Corrosion issues created more severe system impairments i.e., closed control valves.

![WM_graph_wet system repacement percentage-01](https://www.ecscorrosion.com/hubfs/WM_graph_wet%20system%20repacement%20percentage-01.png)

### Financial Analysis of Repair Options

**Compared to total system replacement, the reduction in pipe replacement saved the client 75%.**

## Conclusion

The goal of this assessment program was to eliminate leak risk while minimizing pipe replacement. Because corrosion was highly localized, on average only 22% of the pipe in each system was recommended for replacement.

### Get Your Project Started with ECS Today

[![Learn More](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4773030/8fd9b9e0-ce92-479c-8f9a-9b9a810f2b39.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4773030/8fd9b9e0-ce92-479c-8f9a-9b9a810f2b39)

## Elevate Your Corrosion Expertise

Get the latest fire protection research, compliance guides, and technical resources delivered to your inbox from the leaders in nitrogen inerting technology.

[Subscribe](https://www.ecscorrosion.com/ecs-communication-preferences)

### Quick Links

- [Pricing](https://www.ecscorrosion.com/pricing/)
- [Events](https://www.ecscorrosion.com/event-calendar)
- [About](https://www.ecscorrosion.com/about)
- [Careers](https://www.ecscorrosion.com/careers)

### Follow us on social

- [** ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/engineered-corrosion-solutions-llc)
- [** ](https://twitter.com/ECSCorrosion)
- [** ](https://www.facebook.com/ECScorrosion)
- [** ](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQG_zqRY5PNMf5WiZI6_dAQ)

### Newsletter Signup

© 2026 Engineered Corrosion Solutions, All rights reserved. [Intellectual Property](https://www.ecscorrosion.com/intellectual-property/) | [Privacy Policy/Terms of Use](https://www.ecscorrosion.com/privacy-policy/)

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Engineered Corrosion Solutions",
    "url" : "https://www.ecscorrosion.com/case-studies/author/engineered-corrosion-solutions"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2025-02-03T22:40:13.190Z",
  "datePublished" : "2023-09-28T23:22:33.000Z",
  "headline" : "Big Box Stores Case Study | Engineered Corrosion Solutions",
  "image" : [ "https://www.ecscorrosion.com/hubfs/WM_pic%203.png" ],
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://www.ecscorrosion.com/case-studies/big-box-stores",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://www.ecscorrosion.com/hubfs/Images/Logos/ECS_CorporateLogo_NOTAG.png"
    },
    "name" : "Engineered Corrosion Solutions"
  }
}
```