fire sprinkler system condensation

[cdafd]

I had a place call me that has a conditoned building with a wet pipe fire sprinkler system.

He is saying that they are getting a lot of condensation off of the pipe.

The ceiling is kind of a high peak with the pipe near the top.

I have not seen a system create condensation before??

any ideas/// thoughts???
If so any solutions?


I am going to go look at it Tomorrow

 

[SprinklerDesigner2]

The only things I can think of is 1)water running through the sprinkler pipe which should not be happening or 2)wild, and I mean really wild, swings in temperature.

 

[cdafd]

The temp change is one thing

Plus possible location of the pipe in the building between a hot and cold layer

 

[MatthewJWillis]

Every time I have been called to investigate a "leaking sprinkler system", it turned out to be condensation from a duct, plumbing pipe, or a roof leak.
As stated before, the water does not normally run thru the pipe so the temperature is as static as the water.

Past experiences would cause me to look for other causes first. Unless you can actually see the condensation being caused by the pipe. If so, I would then figure out how a lower temp water is entering the pipe.
This would cause a concern for other things in the system since introducing fresh water also brings oxygen and other stuff if present in your area.

R/
Matt

 

[cdafd]

Looked at it today

About a thirty foot run of three inch pipe is the problem

Did not see the condensation today, had a change of weather overnight.

No real other pipe/ duct in the area.

Seems everyone agrees high humidity/ moisture levels in the building at times.

It is a small church, so the hvac is shut off during the week

 

[Woodrow57]

My experience is conditioned building (kept cool) the pipe is high in the peak, is it getting any reflected thermal energy that would heat the sprinkler pipe & water or is it leaving an attic where it is hot compared to the conditioned space? That could cause condensation. I have also found pipe leaving a cool area and exposed to warmer ambient temperatures? Perhaps the water filled pipe is leaving a cool area at 60 deg f and going out into a warehouse, even though conditioned, where the temperature is 90 deg f in the peak. Again, my experience is that would cause condensation.

PW located in the heart of America-
Fire sprinkler contracting since 1978
NICET and ICC certified

 

[MGXFP]

The last time I investigated this the owner had an opening on the roof of a building allowing the attic space to reach outside ambient temperatures. The conditioned space below the ceiling was intact. This lead the pipes to accumulate condensation just as if they were outside the building. This is the only time I've seen it happen. Every other time was a leaky drip pan from a mechanical unit or leak in a roof and the water accumulated on the fire sprinkler pipe and dripped down to a drop.