I can't speak for contractors, but one approach we've taken is to keep the pressure above the required minimum while visually verifying absence of physical leakage. In one situation the boundary of the test section included an existing closed gate valve. Yes, water leaked past the gate. We told them to run the test pump as needed to keep the pressure above the minimum and inspect the work (all visible) to make sure there are no leaks.
Applying that approach to what you described - if the ball drip is the only thing leaking and the test pressure was never allowed to go below the minimum, I'd say it passed. My thoughts, Scott -----Original Message----- From: Sprinklerforum <[email protected]> On Behalf Of John Denhardt via Sprinklerforum Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2021 10:36 AM To: [email protected] Cc: John Denhardt <[email protected]> Subject: [External] Re: Does a remote free standing FDC require a valve pit? I would like to know how contractors are passing the required initial and the periodic NFPA 25 hydrostatic test of the free standing FDC when an automatic ball drip is installed in the underground piping? Thanks, John John August Denhardt, PE *Vice President, Engineering and Technical Services* *American Fire Sprinkler Association* m: p: 301-343-1457 214-349-5965 ext 121 w: firesprinkler.org <https://www.facebook.com/firesprinkler.org/> <https://twitter.com/afsa/status/1039528345367732224> <https://www.linkedin.com/company/american-fire-sprinkler-association-afsa-/> <https://www.instagram.com/firesprinklerorg/> *Our members are at the heart of everything we do* *Expand your business with ITM* Professionalize the role of your inspection team with AFSA’s ITM Inspector Development Program. This comprehensive 20-month program provides a blended learning environment teamed with robust curriculum created by top industry leaders. Plus, the first six-months of instruction is online. Now enrolling for Spring 2021 <https://www.firesprinkler.org/itm>. On Thu, Mar 11, 2021 at 10:15 AM Dewayne Martinez via Sprinklerforum < [email protected]> wrote: > Do you wrap the ball drip in landscaping fabric to keep it from > getting clogged with sediment? > > Thank you, > > Dewayne Martinez > Fire Protection Design Manager > > TOTAL Mechanical > Building Integrity > > W234 N2830 Paul Rd. > Pewaukee, WI 53072 > [email protected] > Ph: 262-522-7110 > Cell: 414-406-5208 > http://www.total-mechanical.com/ > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Sprinklerforum <[email protected]> > On Behalf Of Jamie Seidl via Sprinklerforum > Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2021 11:27 AM > To: Sprinklerforum <[email protected]> > Cc: Jamie Seidl <[email protected]> > Subject: Re: Does a remote free standing FDC require a valve pit? > > We've typically installed a ball drip in gravel similar to a french > drain at the low point. > > On Wed, Mar 10, 2021 at 11:17 AM Dewayne Martinez via Sprinklerforum < > [email protected]> wrote: > > > I see a trend starting in our area where the architect is specifying > > a remote free standing FDC without a valve pit when the check valve > > can be placed inside the building. Upon talking to my field > > superintendent he was concerned that some check valves let multiple > > gallons of water through whenever a system is drained and refilled > > and that the remote pipe may eventually fill up and freeze. We were > > toying with the idea of installing a return bend in the FDC pipe > > downstream of the check before it leaves the building to help > > prevent this. A ball valve would be installed between the return > > bend and check to drain out the pipe. Anyone else have insight on this? > > > > Thank you, > > > > Dewayne Martinez > > Fire Protection Design Manager > > > > TOTAL Mechanical > > Building Integrity > > > > W234 N2830 Paul Rd. > > Pewaukee, WI 53072 > > [email protected] > > Ph: 262-522-7110 > > Cell: 414-406-5208 > > http://www.total-mechanical.com/ > > _______________________________________________ > > Sprinklerforum mailing list > > [email protected] > > > > http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprin > > kl > > er.org > > > _______________________________________________ > Sprinklerforum mailing list > [email protected] > http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkl > er.o > rg > <http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprink > ler.org> _______________________________________________ > Sprinklerforum mailing list > [email protected] > > http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkl > er.org > _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkler.org _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkler.org
