A question that we are frequently asked is “How long would you expect a fire sprinkler air compressor to last?” The correct answer is – it varies… a lot. There are so many variables at play that will affect the overall service life of a fire protection air compressor in a dry pipe sprinkler system… Read more …
In November of 2015 we received the following question from a customer: We are replacing an air maintenance device on a Grinnell F302 dry valve, can we replace the existing device with a General air maintenance device or must we use a listed Grinnell device? Is it OK to use the General device on any… Read more …
General Air Products, the leading manufacturer of air compressors designed for the fire sprinkler industry, has released a new line of quiet fire protection air compressors – the Q Series.
General Air Products has been contacted frequently about nitrogen generators and that contact has increased greatly over the past year. As such we are responding to industry demand with our own line – the GeN2Pac is a new line of nitrogen generators for the industrial process market. While the nitrogen generators themselves are a new… Read more …
We were recently asked by a fire protection contractor in California the following question: “How do I remove condensate water from the piping between the compressor and the DPV (Dry Pipe Valve) when I am using an OL Series riser mounted unit (no tank)?” As you know, when air is compressed condensate is created and… Read more …
– No, we aren’t kidding you might need a 2 gauge wire. It is not uncommon for our customer service associates to get a phone call or email when an installer or designer reads the recommended wire size listed for our air compressors in the installation manual. The question usually sounds like this: “I’m installing… Read more …
In a previous post I listed the NEC requirements for “permanently installed devices” such as an air compressor in a dry pipe sprinkler system. #5 on that list states that the air compressor on a dry pipe sprinkler system must “Be connected to a listed motor-circuit switch rated for horsepower”(NEC 430.109) which is also referred… Read more …
We are asked with increasing regularity why a contractor can’t just use any old air compressor for a dry pipe sprinkler system. This is an issue we have covered thoroughly in our article “Do Not Use Retail Air Compressors for Fire Protection Applications” but there is a piece that we are often asked about that… Read more …
Internal, External and Why it is ALWAYS Recommended Before we begin on the titled subject understand that this article will focus on why we at General Air Products recommend a motor starter for overload protection with every unit. If you would like to know more about what a motor starter is please view our motor… Read more …
Another reason we don’t use a run timer is that it may work perfectly thereby causing the fire not to be extinguished.