Pipe corrosion has long been a problem within dry pipe fire sprinkler systems, and for almost 20 years Nitrogen has been a possible solution in reducing it to minimise leaks and extend the lifespan of steel-piped systems.
Although the use of Nitrogen is growing in some sectors, it is neither suitable nor cost-effective for all:
- for instance, we would certainly not recommend a nitrogen system for cold or freezing storage (for a number of reasons, but that’s for another day), and
- there is a system size limit due to the much lower flow at which nitrogen generators can work when compared to air compressors (either plain or dry air), which is mainly due to the fact that nitrogen needs to be at 98% purity in order to have an impact on corrosion and system lifespan.
The systems use membrane technology to filter out oxygen from the air, leaving high-purity nitrogen for the sprinkler system, and automatically monitor and purge air in order to allow maintenance and top-up with the inert gas.
Although we are not a manufacturer of such technology ourselves, we have for many years regularly supplied back-up air compressors (which are our speciality!) for NiGen systems.
But now *stop press* we have teamed up with partners from ‘across the pond’ (where the technology was first developed, in fact) to enable us to supply Nitrogen Generating Systems into the UK as a complement to our other dry pipe offerings.
If you are considering NiGen as part of your sprinkler system design, or may be interested in learning more, then please Contact Us .