Continue to Site

Eng-Tips is the largest engineering community on the Internet

Intelligent Work Forums for Engineering Professionals

  • Congratulations IDS on being selected by the Eng-Tips community for having the most helpful posts in the forums last week. Way to Go!

Antifreeze replacement schedule?

Status
Not open for further replies.

RainbowFS

Mechanical
Apr 12, 2010
33
Is there a specified schedule for antifreeze replacement? A respected colleague swears that antifreeze is to be replaced every 10 years, but can't cite the code. I can't find anything in NFPA 25 stating anything about antifreeze longevity. I have a good number of antifreeze systems to service and am of the opinion that if it tests as adequate, it's good to go, regardless of antifreeze age.
Does anyone know of a specified schedule for antifreeze life?

Alex Traw
Rainbow Fire Sprinklers
Albany, Oregon
 
Replies continue below

Recommended for you

not sure how you want to interpret this section:::


5.3.4.3.2 If the test results indicate an incorrect freeze point at any point in the system, the system shall be drained, the solution adjusted, and the systems refilled.



5.3.4.3.3 For premixed solutions, the manufacturer's instructions shall be permitted to be used with regard to the number of test points and refill procedure.
 
TIA 10-2 to NFPA 13 will scare the crap out of you if the antifreeze system is in a R-2 occupancy under the IBC. It essentially says no antifreeze in a group R IBC occupancy. And for good reason.
 

stookeyfpe (Specifier/Regulator)


TIA 10-2 to NFPA 13 will scare the crap out of you if the antifreeze system is in a R-2 occupancy under the IBC. It essentially says no antifreeze in a group R IBC occupancy. And for good reason.


Stookey, which section of 10-2 is saying that the use of anti freeze not allowed in R???
 
In Georgia the attached handout was sent to members of the Georgia Fire Sprinkler Association last August as a result of discussions with the state fire marshals office. We're pretty fortunate in Georgia to have Dwayne Garrison as our state fire marshal who often comes to sit in and visit at the associations monthly meetings.
 
 http://files.engineering.com/getfile.aspx?folder=62eaa85e-49e5-468b-a915-62280aec9ce0&file=Scan_Doc0043.pdf
We have had some spirited discussions here at the FM office about the risk assessment. Based on the NFPRF report on antifreeze, we will wait and see what someone will propose, as we suspect some designer will believe they have a magic bullet. FYI, I've been in discussion with UL and they are currently evaluating one manufacturer and testing an antifreeze solution for listing. They are also developing an outline for investigation and working towards an ANSI standard on this subject.

 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Part and Inventory Search

Sponsor