Applications of Air Compressors in Sprinkler Blowout.
Why do sprinklers need to be blown out?
According to common sense in physics, when water freezes at 0°C, its volume will increase by about 9%, that is, when 100 cubic meters of water turns into ice, its volume will increase by 9 cubic meters.
If this expansion occurs in a PVC pipe or sprinkler head filled with water in sprinkler system, it will force the pipe to expand and burst, the rigid PVC pipe is more likely to rupture and burst, while flexible polyethylene pipe is more likely to leak slowly.
In order to winterize and prevent burst damage to the sprinkler system, it is necessary to cut off the water supply as well as blow out sprinklers before the cold winter.
Air compressor for sprinkler blowout
The best way to winterize sprinkler systems is to use best air compressor for blowing out sprinklers. Other methods such as automatic drainage and manual drainage methods on sprinkler systems cannot ensure that all the water is drained out and no left in the pipes and sprinklers. With even the smallest amount of water left, when the water freezes and expands, it will cause the risk of rupture to the irrigation system.
In addition to this, common drainage methods are still not 100% reliable because underground pipes may change positions and directions over time. As they move, the drainage angle changes, and the water may not be drained completely by gravity alone.
Learn how to drain water from air compressor and how to use the best air compressor for blowing out sprinklers to prevent cracked pipes and leaks in winter.
Common types of sprinkler systems
The garden water sprinkler system is a modern automatic control irrigation system. Compared with the traditional manual irrigation method, the garden sprinkler system can automatically adjust the water spraying volume and irrigation time according to different plant species, growth stages and soil moisture. This system not only improves the irrigation efficiency and ensures the healthy growth of plants, but also reduces the waste of water resources.
There are also many types of fire sprinkler systems, such as wet, dry, pre-action and repeated opening and closing pre-action sprinkler systems. The pipes of the wet sprinkler system are filled with pressurized water. Once a fire occurs, the sprinklers will spray water immediately after the action. It is mainly used in buildings and places with an ambient temperature of not less than 4°C and not more than 70°C.
The dry automatic sprinkler system is a closed system in which the water distribution pipe is filled with pressurized air developed by dry sprinkler air compressor for starting the system in the quasi-working state.
Since there is no water in the sprinkler pipes network after the alarm valve of the dry sprinkler system, it can avoid the danger of freezing and water vaporization, and is not restricted by the ambient temperature. It can be used in some places where wet systems cannot be used, such as underground garages and cold storages without heating.
In the quasi-working state, the pre-action sprinkler system does not fill the water distribution pipe. After the automatic fire alarm system automatically opens the rain alarm valve, water is supplied to the open sprinkler nozzles, and it is converted into a closed system of wet system.
It is composed of dry sprinkler air compressors, open sprinkler heads or water curtain sprinkler heads, deluge alarm valve groups or temperature-sensitive deluge valves, and water flow alarm devices (water flow indicators or pressure switches), etc., and is used for water spraying systems that block smoke, prevent fire, and cool partitions.
The repeated opening and closing pre-action sprinkler system can automatically close the valve after extinguishing the fire and open the valve again to spray water when the fire re-ignites. It is suitable for places where water spraying must be stopped in time after extinguishing the fire.
There are two forms of this system: one is that the sprinkler has the function of automatic repeated opening and closing, and the other is that the system realizes the repeated opening and closing function of the system through the control valve of the smoke and temperature sensor control system.
How to winterize sprinkler system with air compressor?
Gravity drainage
Before using air compressor for sprinkler blowout, first use the drain valve to automatically or manually drain most of the water in the sprinkler system. Before opening the drain valve, stop the pump and check whether the drain well or other drainage channels are unobstructed.
To avoid poor drainage due to vacuum suction, make sure the drain pipe is unobstructed. Usually, some high-placed quick water valves are opened to increase atmospheric pressure and promote smooth water flow. When gravity drainage is completed, close all drain valves and quick water valves.
Although the exhaust valve and drain valve of the sprinkler system are respectively located at higher and lower points in elevation, not all low points in the system have a drain valve, and there will always be some water remaining in the pipeline elbows, valves;
In addition, there is residual water on the upper part of the water inlet valve in the solenoid valve nozzle housing, the rotary drive device and the inside of the solenoid valve assembly. If these parts are filled with water, they will become freezing fault points. So this is why need to size the best air compressor for blowing out sprinklers.
Using air compressor for sprinkler blowout
It is not possible to completely blow out sprinkler system with air compressor at once, because the air compressor cannot continuously pump air into the sprinkler system due to the material of sprinkler pipes can not withstand excessive pressure, it may cause the sprinkler pipes to burst before blown out sprinkler system with air compressor.
Therefore, it is necessary to separate the area where each sprinkler head is located from the rest of the system.
Close the exhaust valve of air compressor for sprinkler blowout, and connect the coupler to the end of the air compressor hose, and then connect it to the air compressor blow-out adapter on the sprinkler system.
First open the branch valve and sprinkler at the farthest end of the system. When the area is blown clean, close this area and operate the next area.
If the system is located on uneven terrain, first connect the air compressor for sprinkler blowout to the relatively high quick water supply valve in the area, and continue to do this until the entire area is blown clean.
When performing blowing out sprinkler systems with air compressors, slowly open the air compressor for sprinkler blowout and gradually increase the pressure until the recommended PSI requirement for the sprinkler system is reached.
Choose the best air compressor for blowing out sprinkler of appropriate specifications and do not force the water discharge to exceed the flow rate when the system is normally sprinkled.
In addition, after blowing each sprinkler or area, close the shutoff valve on the compressor. Then alternately open and close the return valve several times to release any remaining air pressure in the pipe.
Security tips when using air compressor for sprinkler blowout: Never leave the machine unattended. The owners of best air compressor for blowing out sprinklers have rich experience and can turn their machines into the best air compressor for home garage.
Good antifreeze can make the sprinkler system work better.
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Contact your local Kotech dealer today and discover how an air compressor can increase your productivity and safety.
What do fire sprinkler air compressors do?
In the pre-action sprinkler system of fire protection equipment, fire sprinkler air compressors can improve the stability and efficiency of the system, maintain the air pressure balance of the system, and ensure the normal operation of the system. Thus, large areas and high-risk places can be protected, and fire sources can be effectively extinguished in the early stages of a fire. Although air compressors for sprinkler blowout are not necessary, they can help improve the efficiency and reliability of the sprinkler system and reduce the harm of fire.
How pre-action sprinkler system works
Pre-action sprinkler system is a fire-fighting equipment used in fire and explosion hazardous places. Its working principle is to spray tiny water droplets through the sprinkler to form a water mist protective layer to achieve the purpose of isolating air, cooling and extinguishing fire. Pre-action sprinkler system can protect large areas and high-risk places, and can effectively extinguish fire sources in the early stages of fire.
Problems with pre-action sprinkler systems
In the application process of pre-action sprinkler system, some problems may be encountered, such as unstable water mist, insufficient pressure, nozzle blockage, etc. Among them, unstable water mist is one of the most common problems, which will affect the extinguishing effect of the system. Therefore, in order to solve these problems, many pre-action sprinkler systems are equipped with best air compressors for blowing out sprinklers.
Pre-action sprinkler system with air compressor
After the automatic fire extinguishing sprinkler system detects the fire and starts working, the sprinkler opens to release the pressurized gas, then the pressure on the dry alarm valve system side decreases, and the water supply pressure is greater than the pressure on the system side (producing a pressure difference), causing the valve flap to open and the water supply to flow to the sprinkler to extinguish the fire.
Normally, the system maintains air pressure balance. When there is a slight air leak in the pipeline, the firefighter compressor for sprinkler blowout will replenish air. The pressure switch installed on the air supply pipeline monitors the air pressure change of the pipeline to ensure the normal operation of the system.
In the pre-action sprinkler system, the efficiency of the water pump is very important because the water pump provides the water source and pressure. If the water pump is inefficient, the sprinkler cannot spray normally, which will reduce the effect of extinguishing the fire source.
An air compressor can increase the efficiency and pressure of the water pump, making the water mist more stable and easy to use, so that the system can extinguish fire more effectively.
In addition, the working principle of the sprinkler truck also involves the use of air compressors. The engine of the sprinkler truck drives the gearbox, and the power take-off on the gearbox drives the sprinkler pump through the transmission shaft to generate power, spraying the liquid in the tank through the pipeline.
The best air compressor for blowing out sprinklers is used here to maintain the internal air pressure of the system stable to ensure the normal operation of the sprinkler truck.
What size compressor for blowing out sprinklers
To avoid blowing out sprinklers, what size compressor for blowing out sprinklers do I need? How many gallon tanks? How many CFM? How many PSI? When choosing the best air compressor for blowing out sprinklers, or an air compressor for winterizing irrigation systems, it is important to consider the following factors:
- Power source: Depending on your specific needs and the availability of power, you can choose an electric portable compressor or a diesel air compressor.
- Noise level: Do not over estimate people’s tolerance for noises, especially when operating an air compressor in a residential area.
- Portability: Think about the size, weight, and mobility of air compressor. Small systems may require a more portable air compressor, while large sprinkler systems may require a larger towable air compressor (video).
- Duty cycle:
The air compressor needs to ensure that it can run at the required CFM for at least five minutes at a time. Most reciprocating air compressors require at least a 10-gallon air tank to achieve this, but for large sprinkler systems with multiple zones, a 20, 30, or 50-gallon air tank may be required.
In contrast, rotary screw air compressors operate at 100% duty cycle and produce a steady stream of compressed air rated at 100% CFM. Therefore, rotary screw air compressors typically do not require an air tank.
- FAD and air pressure:
Select an air compressor that ensures it can deliver enough air delivery and pressure to effectively blow out the sprinkler system. The appropriate CFM calculation is to divide the gallons per minute (GPM) of the sprinklers in each zone by 7.5 to get the air compressor CFM value required to blow out the sprinkler heads in that zone. Sizing The psi of the air compressor depends on the material of the sprinkler pipe.
Excessive pressure may cause the pipe to burst. For PVC sprinkler pipe, the air pressure should not exceed 80 PSI, and for polyethylene irrigation systems, the air pressure should not exceed 50 PSI. A simple sizing list of best air compressor for blowing out sprinklers is as follows:
Air Compressor(CFM) | Zone GPM(Gallon Per Minute) |
20CFM | 150GPM |
30CFM | 225GPM |
40CFM | 300GPM |
50CFM | 375GPM |
60CFM | 450GPM |
70CFM | 525GPM |
100CFM | 750GPM |
Explore Kotech’s sprinkler blowoutair compressors
Kotech is an experienced sprinkler blowout air compressor manufacturer and is always the first choice of all your air compressor needs.
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