Surveying Existing High Deck Systems? 2

[Jondoeiowa]

I've been working in the industry for 8 years now, and still I have not found a good way to confirm pipe sizes on existing buildings in instances where say the deck is 30' up. Eyeballing it is not good enough and throwing a 100' tape over it and measuring is only a semi accurate method. Where I am able to get a ladder up to most I carry a digital caliper with me. Has anyone come up with a solution to figuring such things when survey an existing system where no plans are available?

Thank you,
Jon

 

[Sdpaddler50]

A few ideas:

Climb the roof ladder to the top rung, then look at the pipe or pipe couplings.

Look for a mezzanine, but I am sure you do that.

Get the sprinkler contractors name of the riser that installed it. Not always there, but you can ask for a set of as builts. They will likely charge you.

 

[cdafd]

Binoculars or similar??

Not sure if the couplings have any markings ?

Start at the riser, pipe should not be any larger than that, than follow it as the size goes down ???

 

[cdafd]

Two laser pointers

Set one on each side of the pipe an measure between the pointers

Not a mathematician so not sure what say a six inch diameter would measure to

 

[LCREP]

Jet pack......

Just kidding, but going from the known to the unknown is the way I do it. Pipe schedual systems are easier because you know what to expect if you have the chart with you. Sometimes you can see the fitting size if marked on the fitting. Short of getting close no real way to be 100% sure. Getting sprinkler plans, I have little luck most times the company is out of business or do not want to be bothered.

 

[cdafd]

Digital camera with good telephoto and flash??

 

[stookeyfpe]

Check to see if the jurisdiction has the plans. If the jurisdiction doesn't have plans the owner needs to do a survey. In the IFC the building owner is required to maintain the original construction plans for fire protection plans so if they are not available, said business owner gets to pay a fire protection contractor to survey the sprinkler system and determine it's design capability.

 

[msquared48]

Take the column down, measure it, and reinstall it.

Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)

 

[MGXFP]

Rent a scissor lift or boom lift, raise yourself up to the level of the piping and note the sizes on the threaded fittings and/or grooved couplings. Use a tape measure for the branch line on center dimensions between sprinklers and the line to line or line to bay dimensions. The good thing is in a large building almost all of the pipe is likely to be typical. You'll spend more time and money trying not to get a lift in the building than just doing it. You can rent a lift with diapers if you're afraid of leaking hydraulic fluid on the floor.

Your best bet is to find a set of plans from the installing contractor or owner.

Actually your best bet is getting someone else to do it!

 

[chevy4x4trucks]

I've had good luck using a telescoping pole and then affixing a half of a split pipe ring on it. You can usually get a pole that will reach about 40' and the split pipe ring (chrome plastic escutcheon) either fits or it doesn't so you can get a very accurate reading that way.

http://www.bettymills.com/shop/prod...fb-0dmgmxGX9sH1vEcBMwSdRWijA8PC24IaAmfX8P8HAQ

Something like the above would work. It's pricey but it would cost about as much as renting a scissors lift for one day and you can move it around a building much more quickly.

 

[Jondoeiowa]

Thank you all for the suggestions. Chevy you hit the nail on the head. I have a telescopic pole for doing surveys and now I just need to make a little adapter for thread on the bottom half of a split ring. I'll post pics of the final product when I finish. Thank you for the help again everyone.