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Sprinkler and Standpipe Piping and Fitting Installation

This article is about Sprinkler and Standpipe Piping and Fitting Installation in commercial buildings, plants and refinery projects related to Plumbing Engineering System as per international codes and standards.

Sprinkler and Standpipe Piping and Fitting Installation

Pipe or tube used in above ground sprinkler, standpipe or combined system shall be of the materials listed in Tables 2-3.1(A) and 2-3.1(B) of SAES-S-050, as shown below.

Table 2-3.1(A) – Piping Materials For Use With A Raw Water Supply

Materials / Dimensions & Standard Standard
Pipe, steel, schedule 30, black or galvanized for piping  8 inch nominal pipe size (NPS) and larger ASTM A53
API  STD 5L Grade B
Pipe, steel, schedule 40, black or galvanized for piping less than 8 inch NPS ASTM A53
API  STD 5L Grade

Table 2.3.1 (B) – Piping Materials for Use With A Sea Water Supply

Materials and Dimensions  Standard
Pipe, steel, Schedule 30, cement lined or FBE lined per SAES-H-002 or piping 8 inch NPS and larger ASTM A53                     API STD 5L Grade B
Pipe, steel, Schedule 40, cement lined or FBE lined per SAES-H-002 for piping less than 8 inch NPS ASTM A53                     API STD 5L Grade B
Tube, copper-nickel or UNS S31254, seamless, 20 bar (2000 kPa) for piping 4 inch NPS and smaller, 16 bars (1600 kPa) for piping larger than 4 inch NPS:
Material designation in Standard90/10 Copper-nickel-iron (CN 102)
CuNi 10 Fe (Material No. 2.0872)
UNS S 31254		 BS 2871: part 2 and EEMUA Publication No 144.
DIN 17671/ DIN1755 ASTM A312
  1. All piping and tubing shall withstand a minimum working pressure of not less than1026 kPa (175 psi).
  2. Ferrous pipe shall not be used downstream of any copper nickel pipe or tube
  3. Carbon Steel pipe schedule 40, 2″ or smaller shall be galvanized.
  4. Fittings used in sprinkler, standpipe or combined systems shall be of the materials listed in Tables 2-4.1 (A) and 2-4.1 (B). See Attachment 1
  5. Fittings shall withstand a minimum working pressure of not less than1026kPa (175 psi)
  6. Steel pipe larger than 4 inch NPS shall not be joined by threaded connections.
  7. Joints for copper-nickel tube shall be made by one of the following methods:
    a) Composite flanges;
    b) Butt welding;
    c) Socket welding:
    d) Copper nickel capillary brazing fitting or connectors.”
  8. Joints between steel pipe and copper nickel tube shall be made with an insulating flange or a dielectric union.
  9. Cement lined pipes and fittings shall be joined in accordance with Saudi Aramco Engineering Standard Drawing AD-036090
  10. FBE lined pipes and fittings shall be joined using flanges or approved (Acceptable by the Authority Having Jurisdiction) mechanical couplings
  11. Pipe joined with grooved fittings shall be joined by a listed combination of fittings, gaskets and grooves. Grooves cut or rolled on pipe shall be dimensionally compatible with the fittings.
    (NFPA 13 Para 2.5.3.1)”
  12. Grooved fittings including gaskets used on dry pipe systems shall be listed for dry pipe service. (NFPA 13 Para 2-5.3.2) “
  13. Underground firewater supply pipe or tube from the discharge end of the isolation valve, isolating the firewater supply pipe from the water main, to the first flange above ground of the sprinkler, standpipe or combined system shall be of the materials listed in Tables 7-1.2.2(A) and 7-1.2.2(B). See Attachment No.2

Sprinkler

  1. Screwed unions shall not be used on pipe larger than 2″” (51m). Couplings and unions of other than screwed-type shall be of types listed specifically for use in sprinkler systems. (NFPA 13 Para 2-4.4)”
  2. A one piece reducing fitting shall be used wherever a change is made in the size of the pipe.
    Exception: Hexagonal or face bushings shall only be permitted in reducing the size of openings when standard fittings of the required size are not available (NFPA 13 Para 2-4.5)”
  3. Return bends shall be used where pendent sprinklers are supplied from a raw water source. Return bends shall be connected to the top of branch lines in order to avoid accumulation of sediment in the drop nipples in accordance with Fig 4-13.17 (Return Bend arrangement).
  4. Exception 1: Return bends shall not be required for Deluge Systems
    Exception 2: Return bends shall not be required where dry-pendent sprinklers are used.(NFPA 13 Para 4.13.17).

    Sprinkler and Standpipe Piping and Fitting Installation

  5. In new installations expected to supply sprinklers below a ceiling, minimum1″ (25.4 mm) outlets shall be provided.
  6. Where corrosive conditions are known to exist due to moisture or fumes from corrosive chemicals or both, the sprinkler system, the standpipe system or the combined system shall be coated in accordance with SAES-H-002
  7. Steel pipe, where exposed to weather, shall be coated in accordance with SAES-H-002
  8. All sprinkler pipe and fittings shall be so installed that the system can be drained. (NFPA 13 Para 4.14.3.1)”
  9. On wet pipe systems sprinkler pipes shall be permitted to be installed level. (NFPA 13 Para 4.14.3.2)”
  10. Provisions shall be made to properly drain all parts of the system. (NFPA 13 Para 4.14.3.4.1)”
  11. Drain connections for systems supply risers and mains shall be sized as shown in Table 4.14.3.4.2 ê. (NFPA 13 Para 4.14.3.4.2)
  12. Sprinkler and Standpipe Piping and Fitting Installation
  13. “Where an interior sectional or floor control valve(s) is provided, it shall be provided with a drain connection having a minimum size as shown in Table 4.14.3.4.2 (see above table) to drain that portion of the system controlled by the sectional valve. Drains shall discharge outside or to a drain connection.
    Exception: For those drains serving pressure-reducing valves, the drain, drain connection, and all other downstream drain piping shall be sized to permit a flow of at least the greatest system demand supplied by the pressure reducing valve.(NFPA 13 Para 4.14.3.4.3) “
  14. Auxiliary drains shall be provided where a change in piping direction prevents drainage of system piping through the main drain valve. (NFPA Para 4.14.3.5.1)
  15. Direct interconnections shall not be made between sprinkler drains and sewers. The drain discharge shall conform to all relevant Saudi Aramco standards and codes. (NFPA 13 Para 4.14.3.6.1)
  16. Drain pipes shall not terminate in blind spaces under buildings. (NFPA 13 Para 4.14.3.6.3)
  17. Where exposed to the atmosphere, drain pipes shall be fitted with turned-down elbows. (NFPA 13 Para 4.14.3.6.4)

Standpipe & Hose Station

  1. Aboveground Pipe and Tube shall be as specified as in item A1 of this SAIC.
  2. Fittings used in the standpipe system shall be as specified in Item A5 in this SAIC.
  3. Underground Pipe and Tube shall be as specified as in item A18 of this SAIC.
  4. Dry standpipes shall not be concealed in building walls or built into pilasters. (NFPA 14 Para 4-1.1)
  5. Standpipe system piping shall not pass through hazardous areas and shall be located so that they are protected from mechanical and fire damage.(NFPA 14 Para 4-1.2.1)
  6. Standpipes and lateral piping supplied by standpipes shall be located in enclosed exit stairways or shall be protected by a degree of fire resistance equal to that required for enclosed exit stairways in the building in which they are located.
  7. Exception 1: In buildings equipped with an approved automatic sprinkler, lateral piping to 2½”” (63.5 mm) hose connections shall not be required to be protected.
    Exception 2: Piping connecting standpipes to 1½ (38.1 mm)hose connection. (NFPA 14 Para 4-1.2.1)
  8. Manual standpipe systems shall not be used in high rise buildings. (NFPA 14 Para 3-4.1)
  9. Class I *and class III * standpipes shall be at least 4 in. (102mm) in size (NFPA 14 Para 5-6.1) * Classification is in accordance with NFPA 14″
  10. Standpipe that are part of a combined system shall be at least 6 in. (152 mm) (NFPA 14 Para 5-6.2)”
  11. Each hose connection for manual standpipes shall be provided with a conspicuous sign stating “”Manual Standpipe for Fire Department Use Only. (NFPA 14 Para 3-4.2)”
  12. Apartment buildings, offices, schools, hospitals, laboratories , clubhouses , dining halls, theaters and similar buildings shall be provided with stations for for flat folding hoses per Table 1 of SAES-B-019
  13. 1½-inch flat folding hose shall be a listed, rubber-lined, single synthetic-jacket fabric, in either 15 m or 30 m (50 ft or 100 ft) lengths, depending on required coverage (refer to SAMS 21-045-056). Hoses, nozzles, pin racks, angle valves, wrenches, and adaptors shall be mounted in a metal cabinet specifically designed and manufactured for this purpose. The door shall have a glass panel so that the contents are readily visible. Pin racks are required.
    The nozzle shall be a combination spray/stream type with capability of continuous adjustment from shut-off through spray pattern to solid stream. Nozzles shall comply with SAES-B-019, Section 7.
  14. Closets and cabinets used to contain fire hose shall be of sufficient size to permit the installation of the necessary equipment at hose stations and so designed as not to interfere with the prompt use of the hose connection, the hose, and other equipment at the time of fire. Within the cabinet, the hose connections shall be located so that there is at least 1″” (25 mm) between any part of the cabinet and the handle of the valve when the valve is in any position from fully open to fully closed. the cabinet shall be used for fire equipment only, and each cabinet shall be conspicuously identified. (NFPA Para 2-7.1.1)
  15. Where a “”break glass”” type protective cover for a latching device is provided, the device provided to break the glass panel shall be securely attached in the immediate area of the “”break glass”” panel and shall be arranged that the device cannot be used to break other glass panels in the cabinet door. (NFPA Para 2-7.1.2)
  16. Where a fire resistive assembly is penetrated by a cabinet, the fire resistance of the assembly shall be maintained as required by the Saudi Aramco Building Code.
    (NFPA 14 Para 2-7.1.3)
  17. Each rack or storage facility for 1½”” (38.1 mm) hose shall be provided with a label that includes the words “”Fire Hose for Use by Occupants”” and operating instructions. (NFPA 14 Para 2-7.5)
  18. Hose connections shall have external NH standard threads, for the valve size specified, as specified in NFPA 1963 Standard for Screw Threads and Gaskets for Fire Hose Connections. Hose connections shall be equipped with caps to protect hose threads.
    Exception: Saudi Aramco shall designate the hose threads to be used. (NFPA 14 Para 2-8)
  19. Signs shall be permanently marked and shall be constructed of weather-resistant metal or rigid plastic materials. (NFPA 14 Para 2-10)

Attachment 1 – Fittings For Use With A Raw Water Supply and Sea Water Supply

Attachment 1 - Fittings For Use With A Raw Water Supply and Sea Water Supply

Attachment 2 – Underground Raw Water Supply Piping Material

Attachment 2 - Underground Raw Water Supply Piping Material

Sprinkler and Standpipe Piping and Fitting Installation

Sprinkler and Standpipe System Material Selection Technical Requirement

International Codes and Standard References for Sprinkler and Standpipe System

1-SAES-S-050 – Sprinkler and Standpipe Systems in Building.
2-NFPA 14 – Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems.
3-NFPA 13 – Installation of Sprinkler Systems.

Sanitary Sewer Pipe LayOut and Design Guidelines

Sprinkler and Standpipe System Material Selection Technical Requirement

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