1/2 copper piping in scheduled system c/w images 3

[ContractorDave]

Hello

I've been browzing the books and it seems to me there was once mention about the use (or restrictions) of 1/2" copper. I've uploaded a couple of photo's to

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9995775@N05/?saved=1

pics DSC01204 and 05.
References and thoughts appreciated.

Regards
Dave

 

[SprinklerDesigner2]

From NFPA #13 2002

14.4.1.2 Pipe sizes shall be no less than 1 in. (25.4 mm) nominal for ferrous piping and ¾ in. (19 mm) nominal for copper tubing or nonmetallic piping listed for fire sprinkler service.

¾" steel pipe was allowed to be used into the 1930's (I think it was the 1939's)

Obviously this work was accomplished without calculations by plumbers.

 

[cdafd]

My answer would be if it met code when installed than it is allowed.

Now there may be a problem if remodeling

 

[LCREP]

3/4" inch steel pipe was permitted until 1942.

The max length of 1/2" pipe is 4 inches, it appears the length is more then 4 inches. Most likely a plumber did the install not a sprinkler contractor....

 

[ContractorDave]

Thanks for the code reference SD2. And yes, though I tend to try not to say it in a demeaning way (it was done by plumbers!) whoever did the install at the time did not know what they were doing. In saying this, whoever was responsible for allowing the install should be held accountable also. This particular system has never met code.

Regards
Dave

 

[cdafd]

Do you know what year it was installed??

Was this at an amusement park by chance??

Hate to ask the question, but do you know if was required when installed??

 

[ContractorDave]

Hey cdafd

Installed circa 1974. Amusing but no, not at an amusement park. Yes it was required, probably much to the chagrin of the owner(s) who then decided to farm the work out to whomever would do it cheapest, and in those days it was quite common for plumbers to take on the work, as a sprinkler contractor would have had to come up from down south. And quite frankly, this situation is not uncommon. Nor is the fact that nothing will probably be done about this type of thing until the rules for grandfathering are clarified.

Regards
Dave

 

[stookeyfpe]

Grandpa is dead. If it was installed after the date indicated by InspLCrep, you may retrospectively apply NFPA 13 and require the pipe nippled diameter to be increased to 1-inch.