Dry sprinkler system and 250.104(B)
- Thread starter roger
- Start date
- Status
JohnJ0906
Senior Member
- Location
- Baltimore, MD
IMO, it is not "likely to become energized", so, no - bonding not necessary.
The theory behind the system is not the issue, the question is, if there is no water or chemicals in these pipes and there is nothing electrical connected to them, is there any requirement to bond them, there is nothing hidden in the question.
Roger
I would think the contents of the pipe would be of no importance. We are bonding the metallic pipe to reduce the hazard of it becoming energized.
250.104(B) states "metal piping". In the case of most sprinkler systems, the with the non-conductive couplings it is impractical to bond them as you would need to bond each section.
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
I think the point in nakulak's post is that a dry system is normally connected to an electrically power compressor.
Normally that is true but, in this case I am told it is not, it is connected to a water main that must be opened manually so there is no compressor or pump involved, just an empty pipe system
Roger
Last edited:
so when theres a fire, someone has to go turn a big red handle that says "Rotate Clockwise In The Event Of Fire" on it?
So what about the bonding requirement?
Roger
chris kennedy
Senior Member
- Location
- Miami Fla.
- Occupation
- 60 yr old tool twisting electrician
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
I don't think it is called a "dry system" then. I believe the correct term would be "manual deluge system". That being said, given the code wording change, a couple of cycles ago, from "may become energized" to "likely to become energized", I don't think the piping in question requires bonding and I don't think it would be "likely to become" energized even if there was a compressor.
Note: CMP 5 is on record as saying these two terms mean exactly the same thing.
Unless terms have changed, my experience with a "dry system" is that a compressor keeps the system filled with air which keeps a valve closed to the water supply thus keeping the pipes from freezing. Once a sprinkler head is opened the air escapes allowing the valve to open and sending water into the system.
These systems are normally supplied by a fairly large underground water line, often iron which, IMHO, makes a good grounding electrode. I have heard refernce to a fire code that does not allow bonding to this main, but I have not actually seen such. In this area it is commonplace for that 1st section of sprinkler supply pipeing to be used as a grounding ekectrode per 250.52(A)(1)
These systems are normally supplied by a fairly large underground water line, often iron which, IMHO, makes a good grounding electrode. I have heard refernce to a fire code that does not allow bonding to this main, but I have not actually seen such. In this area it is commonplace for that 1st section of sprinkler supply pipeing to be used as a grounding ekectrode per 250.52(A)(1)
Thanks for the clarification Don, that would be an accurate description of the system in question.
My position is that it is not required to be bonded either but, there is an inspector we have recently encountered that is not quite getting the gest of 250.104(B).
Thanks for everyone's input.
Roger
DRGREG
Member
Righty Tighty.so when theres a fire, someone has to go turn a big red handle that says "Rotate Clockwise In The Event Of Fire" on it?
- Status