Water with Ph4.3 for steel pipes and brass accesories

[DavidCR]

There is availability of an acid water with a pH of 4.3 to be used for the fire protection system.

The water reservoir is a concrete tank, that feeds by gravity the fire system.

We have a regular water based fire protection system, yard mains, hydrants, hose connections, sprinklers. Exposed pipes are ASTM A53, common brass sprinklers, common brass valves, hydrants. Buried pipes are ductile iron and PVC C900 with ductile iron accessories.

We´d like to have a better understanding on the possible effect of such an acid water on our materials, so I´d appreciate if somebody can give hints, references, experiences, that help us to know how to handle this condition, and to see if we are in a need of a water treatment system.

Thanks.

 

[b1ueshift]

Well, acid eats metal pipe and the cement lining from DI pipe, although your water is not a strong acid (Google tells me it's as strong as tomato juice). Maybe a corrosion specialist could tell you if it will take one year or a thousand years to significantly corrode the metal in your system. If the rate of corrosion is sufficiently low, then maybe it doesn't matter.

Even so, I doubt anyone has attempted to make such a system before. In matters relating to fire safety, it's good not to be the first person to try a new idea unless the owner is prepared to take out the system and replace it, in the event that it doesn't work as well as you thought it would.

 

[DavidCR]

Thanks.

Your tomato juice comparison is useful, it is easier to find info for this than for acid water.

Yes. I don´t want to be the first with a corroded system after a few months. But this is the only available water jet, so I´m just looking for good ideas the deal with this condition.