TABLE OF CONTENTS Russell P. Fleming, P.E.
Vice President of Engineering
National Fire Sprinkler Association, Inc.
Patterson, New York
Daniel L Arnold
Engineering Manager
Rolf Jensen & Associates, Inc.
Atlanta, Georgia
Fire protection systems are unique in that the majority of their service life is spent in a static, no-flow condition. However, when required to operate in an emergency, fire protection systems can be critically important to the safety of building occupants, the protection of property, and the continued operation of a facility. For these reasons, the piping associated with fire protection systems must be designed to minimize service interruptions and be capable of operating reliably over an extended period of time.
To ensure that fire protection systems are reliable, building and insurance authorities require that they be constructed in accordance with nationally recognized standards. Federal regulations or locally adopted requirements may also be applicable.
Fire protection piping, as treated in this chapter, deals with the network of distribution piping that delivers fire extinguishing agents. This chapter presents general information on piping materials, available references, and design considerations for both aboveground system piping and underground water supply piping.
There are numerous types of fire suppression systems. All of them use piping or tubing to convey fire suppression agents to a protected area or to a specific fire hazard. The type of fire suppression system selected for a particular building or location depends on the nature of the fire hazard, the value of the building and contents,...
