10th August, 2012 - Posted by genair_admin - No Comments
We are asked with increasing regularity why we don’t use pump run timers on our RFP residential fire protection pumping systems – the answer cuts directly to the heart of our design and manufacturing philosophy.
Reliable performance with quality components.
A deceptively simple philosophy for sure – It seems intuitive until you see it play out in a world that wants everything made cheaper. This dichotomy is nothing new to us and we have maintained our integrity at every turn over our 75 years in business.
22nd June, 2012 - Posted by genair_admin - No Comments
As the prevalence of code stipulating seismic qualifications and certifications for fire protection equipment increases inside and outside of California, as well as in federal government building specifications, we are increasingly asked about the seismic certification of our air compressors and pumping systems. Here is our response:
Certain nonstructural components are exempt from seismic design requirements. Specifically equipment and components that are considered to be “rugged” do not require special seismic certification. As outlined in section 2.2 of CAN 2-1708A.5 this exempted equipment includes:
- Motors and motor operators
- Horizontal and vertical pumps (including vacuum pumps)
- Air Compressors
For the long form of this information or for a letter from the manufacturer (General Air Products, Inc.) citing code along side this statement for submittal purposes please contact us by calling 800-345-8207 or by email.
1st February, 2012 - Posted by genair_admin - No Comments
Utilizing the RFP System’s Alarm Contacts
We are often asked about the availability of alarm contacts in our RFP systems as many fire protection contractors and home owners would like their system to provide a wide variety of alarms. Fortunately the engineering team behind the design of the RFP System had the forethought to provide several options regarding alarms: standard audible alarm, flow switch “dry contacts” alarm terminal, and a pump run “hot contact” terminal.
20th June, 2011 - Posted by genair_admin - 1 Comment
Residential NFPA 13D Sprinkler System Pump Live Burn Test
A few weeks ago Mike Faustina from the Centre Region Code Administration in Pennsylvania stopped by to give us a live burn demonstration of a residential fire sprinkler system using the NFPA 13D Econo RFP System that we donated to them. The traveling demonstration system, used to promote residential fire protection systems across Pennsylvania, uses a General Air Products Econo RFP NFPA 13D pumping system hooked up to one of our tanks to put the fire out. In the video below, watch how fast our 13D pump goes into action from when the sprinkler head is tripped.
4th May, 2011 - Posted by genair_admin - 1 Comment
Introducing the RFP Econo – NFPA 13D Residential Fire Protection Pumping System – Highest Quality at the Lowest Price
General Air Products has expanded its residential product line! Along with our Basic and Complete residential pump systems we now offer the Econo RFP System for NFPA 13D applications (click here for a complete features list). The Econo RFP System is designed to provide all 13D required features and functionality at the lowest possible price without compromising the high level of quality the industry has come to expect from General Air Products. (more…)
20th April, 2011 - Posted by genair_admin - No Comments
There is another sizing misconception that we would like to shed light on today regarding NFPA 13D pumps. Many times, when designing and building a development or series of houses in the same area, a pump calculation from the first house will be used to size the pumps for all of the houses – the reasoning is that the houses are all similar size and design. This reasoning can lead to many problems including undersized pumps, a non-functioning system and a big waste of money! (more…)
Don’t Get Stuck on Horsepower When Sizing a 13D Pump System!
A typical call to our customer service staff regarding our 13D pumping systems starts like this, “I’m working on a 3,000 square foot house, what horsepower pump do I need for the sprinkler system?” This question assumes that square footage and horsepower are the primary factors in sizing the pump for the system – simply put they are not.
When sizing motors horsepower is the measuring stick. A bigger motor means more horsepower, and more horsepower means more power. Simple, and for the most part true. However, when you add an impeller and casing to a motor and set it to moving water the motor becomes a pump – and the rules change slightly but significantly. (more…)
