one more antifreeze

[cdafd]

So for old and new timers

How exactly do you fill an antifreeze system both using the fill cup and pumping into the system?????


Have looked for and have not found any specifics on filling an antifreeze system???

Is there any????

 

[Cidona]

Cdafd,
I see you are looking for more information on these anti-freeze systems, presumibily because you got such a good response to the first post
As far as the pumping/filling procedure, it depends on the piping and valve arrangement (height of antifreeze piping in relation to the filling location). Solution can come in a premixed or mixed on site form.
My understanding of the procedure; if you look at figure 7.5.3.1, close the Approved indicating valve that is upstream of the fill location and drain the entire system of any water that may have existing from testing. Close drain valve. Since the height of the sprinkler pipe in the unheated section is higher than the fill cup, you would have to pump the solution into the filling cup location rather than gravity (pouring it in). You could remove the cup and attach a hose to the nipple of the fill cup. Both test valves would be closed. When you think you're close, open test valve A and verify solution is brought up to that point. Close the test valves, Close the filling cup location valve, open the indicating valve (upstream of the loop). ITM of solution in accordance with NFPA 25.
Variations exist pending backflow arangements, pipe elevations and existing valving.
Hoping others can jump in with some other insight/experience.

 

[cdafd]

Cidona


thanks for the reply

seems like there would be something out there on how to fill a system

Also seems like there should be a requirement for a drain or test connection at the far end, in order to pump into the system till you get solution out of the drain/ test, and also seems like that would be a good place to do the annual test.

 

[Cidona]

NFPA 13 2007 section 7.6.3.5 specifically requires that systems over 40 gallons shall have a drain/test connection at a remote point on the system for the purposes you have noted in addition to the test locations at the fill location/loop. It would seem prudent if not specifically required to do so on smaller systems where pratical also to check consistancy of the solution.

 

[cdafd]

Thanks for the 2007 reference, still under 2002

I guess with the bigger systems more in use now a days they decided a change was needed.

 

[Cidona]

I flip betewen the 2002 and 2007; depending on where I'm working. The 2007 had big changes for antifreeze including requiring calculation of antifreeze by Darcy-Weisbach formula )see 22.4.2.1.3.

Happy New Year!!!

 

[fireguy519345]

Cidona, thank you for the reference to 22.4.2.1.3. I missed that when researching for todays project, an estimate to change part of a wet system to an antifreeze loop.

To answer cdafa
When we change antifreeze our process it to measure the piping and figure the volumn needed. We drain the lines. Sometimes we can remove a head at the end of each branch line. We then use a cheap shop vac to remove as much liqued as possible. We then tighten the heads, but not leak tight. We measure the amount of fluid, and compare that with our pipe volumn calculation. We then mix our antifreeze, testing it to insure we have the proper freeze protection. We usually pump the new solution w/our pump. We pump the antifreeze in until we get some seepage at the end of the branch lines. Then we tighten the heads. Before I bought the pump, we would remove a head, install a
bell adaptor and nipple. We poured the antifreeze in the
piping. The pump is better.

 

[cdafd]

fireguy519345

thanks for th info

 

[Cidona]

Fireguy, very welome for the reference, glad it helped. Thank you for your detailed description on the filling process.