What do I mean? Look at the picture - and let me explain.
I took this picture the other night while in a "big box store". This kind of thing DRIVES ME NUTS!!! They apparently had a leak at one point. I'll make the assumption that it was a "pin hole" leak somewhere in the bottom third of the pipe. Just a guess. So the big box store needed it fixed.
It's a "dry system"....so the end user often gets sold on having galvanized pipe installed. "Because galvanized pipe won't corrode!" Well. That's what the unscrupulous, or uneducated contractor tells them. (Unscrupulous or untrained - I wouldn't want either working on my life safety systems). They can/will then charge more money, because galvanized pipe is more expensive. A good way to help boost revenue and profits. But better yet....a GREAT way to increase the number of service calls in the (near) future.
What?
Yes. Galvanized pipe is not the answer. Sure, the galvanized coating protects the pipe from corroding on the outside surface. The aforementioned unscrupulous/untrained contractor will tell you that the code says that the pipe is required to be galvanized. Which is almost correct. What it says in fact, is that the pipe needs to have a coating that will protect it. Which would be better achieved by painting the pipe with a weather resistant paint.
Ok. Still. What's the difference?
The difference is what happens INSIDE of the pipe. Look at the picture again. You will see other sections of pipe that were not replaced. These other sections of pipe are galvanized and also have a protective coating of paint (I know they are galvanized because I know this big box store's sprinkler pipe specifications-and they need to be revised). So if the galvanized pipe also had a protective coating applied, then how in the world could it corrode, right?
It rots away from the inside.
Here's the deal. Galvanized pipe is nothing more than regular (black) steel pipe, that has been coated with zinc by a process called "hot dipping". They literally dip the pipe into molten zinc and coat the pipe, more or less. So if there are ANY imperfections on the inside of the pipe (and there are) then that "black" carbon steel will be exposed at the imperfection. Maybe not right away. But believe me when I say...it will be exposed.
When it is finally exposed....even if the exposed area is only as big as the head of a pin....that tiny area of exposed carbon steel will then be attacked by oxidation...better known as corrosion. And because every other area around that "pin head sized area" of exposed carbon steel is still protected by zinc....it ends up taking the brunt of the oxidation. Until the oxidation eats through the wall of the pipe, forming.....yes....a "pin" hole.
The "painted" pipe in the picture is corroding on the inside as well. Believe me. Once corrosion has started....it just won't stop itself. In fact, adjacent to the pipe in this picture, there were a few more sections of pipe that were (not so) "randomly" replaced. They were undoubtedly sections with exposed carbon steel inside.
Corrosion is a huge problem. HUGE.
The example above is only a very tiny glimpse into the reality of corrosion.
And this is not just an "opinion" as many of the untrained/unscrupulous contractors might argue when confronted. There have been numerous independent studies conducted on this very topic. If you would like more information on the independent studies, go to our website and fill out the contact form, and just ask. We would be happy to forward you some reports.
One more thing....if you have a contractor that refers to "M.I.C." when they are talking to you about corrosion....or they tell you that your pipe has "M.I.C."....it's time to change contractors. Microbial Influenced Corrosion (M.I.C.) is a real thing. But it is only found in less than 10% of corrosion issues. Also, you can not just look at corrosion or sediment buildup, and say "it's MIC!!!" A sample has to be tested, and confirmed in a lab. Which seemingly, almost nobody does. They just like to say "you have MIC". Because it sounds good. And they can get you to spend a lot of money that you don't need to spend. No kidding.
Corrosion can be mitigated. Stopped in its tracks. It's not always an easy or inexpensive process. But neither is replacing your sprinkler system....one piece at a time.
We have real solutions to your problems. We don't just have a bunch of band-aids that keep falling off.
Get in touch with us if you think that you may have a corrosion issue in your fire sprinkler pipes.
321FireProtection.com
Call or Text
484-321-FIRE (3473)
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