Protecting lives and property is the top priority when installing a fire sprinkler system.
It’s also a good investment that enhances the property’s value, reduces liability and ensures codes are met. To enhance return on investment, you want to complete the project as economically and efficiently as possible.
Material selection will make all the difference. The most common choices are traditional steel piping and CPVC, such as the BlazeMaster® Fire Protection System. Here are three key areas where CPVC offers advantages over steel.
Lower Material Costs
Traditional steel piping costs more than CPVC, as it has since the early 2000s. Depending on the building structure and the amount of pipes and fittings used, BlazeMaster CPVC offers up to a 30% cost advantage over steel. In addition, fluctuation in the cost of steel can cause unpredictable cost increases that impact the project budget.
The superior performance of BlazeMaster CPVC also contributes to the cost advantage. Because of the hydraulic capabilities of CPVC, smaller diameter piping can be used compared with a steel system, further reducing costs.
Faster, More Efficient Installation
Installing steel systems is a cumbersome, labour-intensive process. It requires a power source, open-flame torches (which may require a costly hot work permit) and noisy threading machines.
By comparison, BlazeMaster CVPC utilizes a simple one-step joining system. Installation is a one-man job using simple hand tools, which reduces labour costs and eliminates costly equipment rentals. Since no power source or flame is needed, installers can do the work efficiently and safely even in tight, confined spaces. The lightweight materials are easy to handle, particularly when installing in hard-to-reach places.
On-site adjustments are also simpler. With steel systems, installers must often pull down the pipe to rework the configuration on the ground – a time-consuming task that can increase labour expenses. Fabrication is often performed off-site. With BlazeMaster CVPC, installers use hand tools to cut the pipe to precise measurements, as needed.
While these factors create cost advantages, they are also more convenient for residents during installation and still offer top-notch fire safety for years to come. At the Callow Mount high-rise retrofit project in Sheffield, installation averaged one day per flat. This meant none of the residents needed to relocate during the retrofit. That would likely not have been the case with a steel system.
Lower Maintenance Costs
Steel systems are prone to issues such as corrosion and scaling, which require costly maintenance to prevent and repair. Corrosion occurs due to the combination of water, treatment chemicals and oxygen. It may lead to pinhole leaks, which can occur in less than two years from installation.
Repairs are costly because the pipes must be replaced rather than patched to ensure system integrity. If leaks are not caught in time, they can cause total system failure. To prevent corrosion, building owners often choose to invest in costly nitrogen generation systems and related monitoring and hardware devices, adding to the system’s cost and complexity.
Scaling occurs when minerals build up in pipe due to hard water and constrict or even prevent the flow of water. The solution is an expensive de-scaling process, which may have to be repeated depending on the hardness (pH level) of the water.
By comparison, CPVC piping resists scaling and corrosion – even in salt air environments with fluctuating water pH balances. Any needed repairs are quick and easy compared with steel.
With lower material costs, efficient installation and reduced maintenance costs, BlazeMaster CPVC fire protection systems offer a clear advantage over traditional steel.
Learn more with our free guide to CPVC fire sprinklers.
