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 …
– 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 …
Why do I need a Motor Starter on my Dry Pipe System Air Compressor? In short, to prevent this from happening: What you see here is a burnt motor on one of our LT Series lubricated tank mounted units. In this instance the air compressor was run with no oil, causing the pump to seize.
After reading our post “DO NOT USE A RETAIL AIR COMPRESSOR FOR A FIRE PROTECTION APPLICATION” David Walencewicz of P&J Sprinkler Company in Connecticut felt the need to share some pictures of a horrifying air compressor installation that he recently came across. We at General Air Products all died a little inside having looked at… Read more …
On October 6, 2011 we received an email from Teresa M. King, S.E.T. from Front range Fire Protection in Colorado, Terry asks: “Can you tell me why you recommend a tank mounted air compressor when there is an accelerator used in a dry pipe sprinkler system?” In short, yes we can. I’ll refer to Ray… Read more …
This LT Series lubricated, tank mounted reciprocating fire protection air compressor was installed in a dry pipe sprinkler system in the Pittsburgh area. Our customer notified us that the unit was too noisy. After trying to troubleshoot the issue over the phone, while the unit was still in the field (our preferred method), we determined… Read more …
On June 15, 2011 we received an email from Michael Perrin a representative for a condominium in Surrey, B.C. Canada regarding the mounting of an air compressor to the fire protection systems’ riser. Michael asks: “We had an air compressor installed by our local fire protection contractor. The compressor was attached to the riser by… Read more …
On July 7th, 2011 we received an email from John Roddick of Bruce Carscadden Architects in Vancouver regarding the installation location of one of our OL Series compressors for a dry pipe system John in working on. He asks: “We have specified an OL Series Oil Less Air Compressor and were planning to locate it… Read more …