What causes corrosion in fire sprinkler systems?
Wet and dry fire sprinkler systems are primarily composed of metal pipe, water and trapped or compressed air. Any environment which has oxygen, metal and untreated water in prolonged contact with each other is subject to corrosion (e.g. rust). Bacteria and other corrosion mechanisms can accelerate and concentrate previously occurring corrosion in fire sprinkler systems.
What is microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC)?
Microbiologically influenced corrosion or MIC, is an electrochemical process which involves bacteria that can accelerate previously occurring corrosion in both wet and dry pipe fire sprinkler systems. MIC always involves bacteria but MIC never occurs by itself.
What causes pinhole leaks in fire sprinkler systems?
Pinhole leaks can be caused by a variety of corrosion mechanisms. Though mostly attributed to microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) in fire sprinkler systems, pinhole leaks can also be a result of oxygen differential cell or under deposit corrosion.
Why have I not heard about microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) before?
Many other industries (e.g. transportation, utilities) have been aware of microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) for decades. These industries have spent millions of dollars developing products and methods to control corrosion in their systems – including MIC. The fire protection industry has recently begun exploring corrosion’s adverse effect on fire sprinkler systems.
Why is microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) becoming a problem now?
Corrosion may have always been an issue in fire sprinkler systems but due to lack of knowledge, fire sprinkler system corrosion mechanisms may have been overlooked and misdiagnosed as “bad water” or “bad pipe”. Additionally, more commercial space requires sprinklers now than ever before. More sprinklers mean more sprinkler piping with the potential to fail. Finally, fire sprinkler pipe wall thickness has been reduced over the past 10 to 15 years due to the introduction of “engineered” or thin wall pipe. With a thinner wall pipe, there is less pipe wall to penetrate if a fire sprinkler system does develop a preferred environment for corrosion.
Where does microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) occur in fire sprinkler system?
Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) can occur anywhere in a fire sprinkler system which provides an environment favorable to bacteria colonization. Bacteria must obtain food (eat), mature (grow), exchange gases (breath), excrete (dispose of waste) and reproduce (multiply). Unfortunately, this type of environment may exist in a variety of places within a fire sprinkler system.
What are the warning signs that I have microbiologically influenced corrosion or MIC?
Obviously leaks and obstructions would be potential indicators of microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) or other fire sprinkler system corrosion problems. However, discolored or foul smelling water along with evidence of tubercles and/or deposits on the interior of a fire sprinkler pipe wall are also indications of corrosion activity.
Where can I learn more about microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC)?
There is an extensive amount of published independent research on microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) and other forms of corrosion. However, a limited amount of the research pertains to MIC in fire sprinkler systems. Information about controlling MIC in other systems (e.g. cooling towers, pipelines) may not be directly applicable to controlling MIC in fire sprinkler systems. Additionally, since MIC is a secondary source of corrosion in fire sprinkler systems, other corrosion mechanisms (e.g. oxygen differential cell, under deposit) should also be researched.
What should I do if I suspect I have microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) in my fire sprinkler system?
Conducting a thorough fire sprinkler system corrosion assessment is the best way to determine what type of corrosion activity is present in a fire sprinkler system – including MIC.
What is the best way to prevent fire sprinkler system corrosion including microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC)?
The most cost effective approach to both fire sprinkler system corrosion prevention and remediation is to treat all water entering a fire sprinkler system with a corrosion inhibitor that controls both bacterial growth as well as inhibits other forms of corrosion. fpsCI-100 is a corrosion inhibitor specifically designed for fire sprinkler systems.
What is a fire sprinkler system assessment?
A fire sprinkler system assessment may consist of testing a fire sprinkler system’s water and makeup water source; removing sections of the fire sprinkler system’s piping for laboratory analysis; and/or performing video scoping or ultrasound scanning to determine the extent of a fire sprinkler system’s corrosion activity. Ideally, assessment participants (owners or contacting firms) would possess familiarity with the system’s design and layout as well as knowledge of the system’s maintenance history, including past incidents of corrosion activity.
Who should conduct a fire sprinkler system corrosion assessment?
A thorough fire sprinkler system corrosion assessment requires the proper sampling and scanning equipment as well as access to professional laboratory analysis methods and techniques. Engaging a professional consulting firm to provide direction and supervision to an owner and contracting company is the most cost effective approach to fire sprinkler system corrosion assessments.
Who can I contact for a fire sprinkler system corrosion assessment?
fpsCMI provides complete fire sprinkler system corrosion assessment services. fpsCMI partners with building owners and contracting firms to determine which corrosion mechanisms are present in a fire sprinkler system as well as provides remediation recommendations to inhibit further corrosion damage.
Which fire sprinkler corrosion management solution is the best?
Controlling corrosion, including microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) in a fire sprinkler system requires a combination of corrosion management products and services. Selecting fire sprinkler corrosion management products from a reputable manufacturer and partnering with a corrosion consulting firm that has extensive knowledge and experience of fire sprinkler systems saves time and money. Engineered Corrosion Solutions manufactures a suite of corrosion management products specifically designed for fire sprinkler systems. fpsCMI has over 30 years of fire protection industry experience and offers a comprehensive corrosion management program for both new and existing fire sprinkler systems.
What is a fire sprinkler system water test?
A fire sprinkler system water test analyzes water collected from a fire sprinkler system and/or from the system’s make-up water supply. Laboratory tests are conducted on the water sample’s inorganic (chemical) and/or organic (biological) content. Laboratory water test results should report on the potential corrosion indicators present in the water sample. Specific water tests can measure a sample’s various chemical parameters such as Iron, pH, sediment, etc., as well as report on the presence of bacteria that may potentially lead to microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC).
Who should perform fire sprinkler system water testing?
A qualified water testing laboratory should perform all fire sprinkler water sample analysis. Accurate water test results require scientific sampling, testing, evaluation, presentation and interpretation. Owners, contractors, underwriters and design professionals may depend on the accuracy of the water testing results. fpsCMI works only with independent qualified water testing laboratories to insure the most accurate fire sprinkler water testing results possible.
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