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Wet Fire Pipe

Last updated: December 22, 2018

What Does Wet Fire Pipe Mean?

A wet fire pipe is a type of sprinkler system used to extinguish fire, in which water is constantly maintained within the piping. When a sprinkler activates, this water is immediately discharged onto the fire. An automatic water supply provides water under pressure to the system piping.

Wet fire pipe systems are frequently installed in factories, warehouses, office buildings, retail stores, and residences where the potential for freezing does not exist.

Corrosion in fire sprinkler piping systems is widespread, costly and disruptive. Corrosion in wet systems often remains hidden from the naked eye, within the interior or the pipe.

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Corrosionpedia Explains Wet Fire Pipe

A wet fire pipe employs automatic sprinkler heads attached to a piping system containing water and connected to a water supply so that water discharges immediately from sprinklers opened by heat from a fire.

Areas that require instant protection in the event of a fire, such as health care facilities, applications that have high occupancy or residential buildings, can greatly enhance safety through the use of wet fire piping systems.

Pressurized water resides in the pipe until a fire is detected by a heat-sensitive automatic sprinkler, which allows water to flow from the targeted sprinkler. Water is expelled from the sprinklers within the direct vicinity of the fire, minimizing water damage.

Advantages of wet fire pipe systems include:

  • System simplicity and reliability – It has the least number of components and therefore, the lowest number of items to malfunction.
  • Relative low installation and maintenance expense – It requires the least amount of installation time and cost.
  • Ease of modification – It is advantageous since modifications involve shutting down the water supply, draining pipes and making alterations.
  • Short down time following a fire – These systems require the least amount of effort to restore.

Wet fire pipe systems are very susceptible to anaerobic corrosion, rust scaling, and corrosion buildup. Air pockets are often found in wet systems as a result of air bubbles dissolved in the water collecting in one or more "high spots" within the system, or due to poor venting. These high spots exist in pipes due to poor installation practices or logistical requirements, and typically have accelerated corrosion rates compared to the rest of the system.

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