Pumping in to an empty pipe

[carlosgw]

A sump pump to transfer the drainage from a sprinkler release. We need to transfer water to tanks if the sprinklers ever release. Obviously we expect it never to happen. but if it does we are pumping say 700 GPM up through empty pipe to some storage tanks. Because it is a chemical production plant I was thinking PVC discharge iping. But because the pipe will be full of air I am thinking that PVC is a bad ideaand should use steel. Agree? I should probably add some pretty good vents at the end of the piping above the point where it goes into the tank.?.

 

[ChrisConley]

PVC is probably not a bad choice if you see the pipe as sitting empty most of the time. Air and steel equals rust. Vents should be the same size, or larger, then the discharge pipe going into the tank.

 

[willard3]

If the sprinklers have released, the PVC pipe is full of water so fire shouldn't be a problem.

Is the storage tank above or below the pump?