Description of Project
Elite Fire Protection is currently responsible for the manufacture and installation of piping and brackets support for the gas suppression system.
| Project | Fire Protection Systems – Gas Suppression |
| Size | 6000m2 |
| Year of completion | 2022 |
| Scope | Manufacture & Installation of Gas Suppression Piping |
| Discipline | Fire Protection |
Project Scope
Manufacture and install:
- Schedule 40 piping
- 3000 LBS fittings
- Brackets to support heavy duty piping
- Specialised welding of main piping
Process Outline
Schedule 40 piping are commonly used for gas and water lines. It makes a great pipe due to its versatility and performance strength.
Schedule 40 piping was installed throughout the data centre at high level within the roof void with droppers coming through the ceiling to feed the gas suppression nozzles.
Normal sprinkler piping could not be used because it cannot withstand the pressures of Gas Suppression. Schedule 40 piping is therefore the piping of choice for this specific job to be able to withstand the pressure.
The diameter of the piping, 65-150mm, were required to be welded.
3000LBS fittings were installed with all threaded piping to ensure it could withstand the pressure of the gas suppression system.
Schedule 40 piping with a diameter of 25-50mm were installed using 3000LBS fittings.
Brackets vary depending on how the pipes are being installed. In this case specialised brackets were fabricated and installed, and the main consideration was the weight of the schedule 40 piping.
Brackets Supporting heavy duty piping
Brackets vary depending on how the pipes are being installed. In this case specialised brackets were fabricated and installed, and the main consideration was the weight of the schedule 40 piping.
Brackets normally used for fire sprinkler piping (SABS 062), would not have been strong enough to withstand the weight of the schedule 40 piping.
Specialized welding of main piping
Due to lack of victaulic couplings all main piping, that it is schedule 40, were required to be welded. Elite Fire utilised the services of Double-Coded Welders throughout the installation to fulfil this requirement.
Challenges
Lifting heavy duty piping to required height was difficult due to the weight. EFP hired additional scissor lifts to distribute the weight evenly.
