Viking Introduces Industry s First 14K Upright ESFR

Transcription

1 On Fire August 2000 SupplyNet 210 N. Industrial Park Road Hastings, MI Phone: Fax: Web: Viking Introduces Industry s First 14K Upright ESFR The Viking Corporation has introduced the industry s first 14K Early Suppression Fast Response (ESFR) Upright Sprinkler. We re pleased to offer the advantages of a pendent ESFR with the added benefits of our new upright model, said Del Dornbos, Viking s General Manager. Unlike pendent ESFRs, Viking s Model A-4 ESFR Upright sprinklers may be installed above certain cross bracing and in web members, giving warehousers an extra degree of protection, according to Dornbos. This sprinkler can be installed directly onto branch lines up to a nominal 3 in diameter without the use of a sprig and is allowed to be installed with its fusible element between 4 and 13 inches below a ceiling, Dornbos continued. Although it is not recommended to intentionally position sprinklers above any potential obstructions, testing shows that Viking s upright ESFR isn t hindered by structural steel members such as cross bracing and bottom chords of steel joists. There is also less chance the sprinklers will be damaged from mechanical and human activity. In addition, depending on the product under protection, Viking s ESFR Upright Sprinklers allow warehouse storage height up to 30 feet under a 35 foot ceiling. Viking s Model A-4 is equipped with a fast response fusible link, a K-factor of 14, and a special deflector that directs water downward into the fire plume. The 3 /4 NPT ESFR upright sprinklers are FM approved. For more information, contact Viking Technical Services at or your local Viking SupplyNet office. In This ISSUE Viking ESFR Pendent... 2 Low Profile Sprinkler... 2 Personnel-ly Speaking... 3 E-Z Trim... 4 HP Dry System... 4 Product Announcements... 5 Ask the Tech Rep... 6

2 ESFR Pendent Sprinkler Added To Viking Line In order to successfully serve customers need for design options, the Early Suppression Fast Response (ESFR) pendent sprinklers have been added to Viking s product line. Del Dornbos, Viking s General Manager, explains the new addition to the line. Our customers want the convenience of getting everything they need from one source. Adding the ESFR pendent helps us better meet our customers needs. Viking s Model S-1 ESFR Pendent Sprinkler combines a fast response fusible link with a 14 K-factor and a special deflector to create large, high-momentum droplets that suppress fire quickly. Designed for severe-challenge storage conditions including palletized and solid pile, single and multiple row, and portable rack, Viking s Model S-1 is approved for specified materials in buildings with ceilings up to 45 feet (13,7 m) with up to 40 feet (12,2 m) of storage when installed using applicable NFPA and FM standards. The 3 /4 brass sprinklers are approved for use with most storage commodities, including cartoned expanded and unexpanded, uncartoned unexpanded plastics, Classes I through IV commodities (encapsulated or unencapsulated), and other storage arrangements. For more information about the Viking Model S-1 ESFR Pendent Sprinkler, give us a call or check out Viking s website at New Low-Profile Flush Horizontal Sidewall Sprinkler Viking s new Model H-4 Quick Response Flush Horizontal Sidewall Sprinkler is the perfect answer for those sidewall installations that require a low profile. Whether your concern is for smooth, unobtrusive good looks or for a sprinkler that may minimize the potential for damage, the Model H-4 is ideal. In some installations, such as college dorms and fraternity houses, it can be the answer to concerns for damage from occupants hanging items on frame style sprinklers. The Model H-4 installs 4 to 12 below smooth, flat, horizontal ceilings with a decorative escutcheon that leaves only the fusible link exposed. With a polished chrome or white painted body and a choice of four different escutcheon finishes polished chrome, bright brass, white or Navajo white the H-4 can blend in with most decor. For those installations where adjustability is critical, the new H-4 gives you up to 1 /2 horizontal adjustment. And, unlike some surface mounted frame style sprinkler installations, the escutcheon can be easily removed so walls can be cleaned or painted without removing the sprinkler. Designed specifically for use with concealed piping in light hazard applications, the H-4 is UL and cul listed up to 175 psi (1,207 kpa) with a 5.5 K-factor (7,9 metric). And its low zinc content brass alloy and Belleville spring sealing mechanism mean that you can specify the H-4 with the confidence that it is designed for consistent, long term performance. To provide trouble-free handling and installation, the H-4 is shipped with a plastic protective cap that is not removed until the escutcheon is installed. For more information on Viking s new Model H-4 or any of our other products, call us or visit our website at Changes to Viking Price Book (Feb 2000) On page 58, there are two errors in the part numbers for the 2 1 /2 Foam Maker and Foam Chamber. The extension of /1721 should be /0721. Please make a note of this in your book. Also, on page 45 under Firecycle III components, we refer to a 15 amp hour battery under Batteries 12VDC and Battery Cabinet. This battery is actually rated to 18 amp hours. Product Changes UL and FM occasionally change the standards to which our products are measured and tested. Because of this, there are a few products where we have chosen not to continue UL listings based on sales volumes. Please note the changes to listings for the following products: The Model A-2 Quick Response Extra Large Orifice Sprinkler is no longer listed. Please note that this quick response product never carried FM approval as a large drop sprinkler and was only UL listed as an ELO sprinkler. In many cases the Model M QR ELO can be used in its place. In addition, the Model M has a lower starting pressure than the A-2. Part numbers affected are 09812A and 09813A in all temperatures. These will continue to be available without the UL listing. Model H Horizon Flush Sprinklers and Model M Fusible Link Sprinklers in 220 F are no longer FM approved, but retain their UL, ULC, and NYC listings. 2

3 Personnel-ly Speaking Paul Cress has been named National Product Manager for Viking SupplyNet. In this position, Paul is involved in vendor selection and negotiations, new product sources, cost reduction and containment, and claims. Paul has been involved in the fire sprinkler industry since the early 1970s when he became a salesman for Firematic Sprinkler Devices. Experiences at Guntersville Fabrication and Cochran- Prather, a Nibco distributor, prepared Paul for a job as the Fire Protection Division Manager with PVF Marketing, a Nibco subsidiary in Columbus, Ohio. Shortly after he started there in 1981, Paul s association with The Viking Corporation began, as PVF Marketing became one of the first independent Viking distributors in the country. He worked there, developing fire protection equipment sales throughout the Midwest, until 1988, when Viking purchased Nibco s fire protection divisions. At that time, Paul became an employee of The Viking Corporation as General Manager and handled the transition of PVF to Midwest Sprinkler Supply Company. During Paul s tenure, Midwest Sprinkler Supply became Supply Network and, ultimately, Viking SupplyNet. In 1993, Paul was offered the chance to move to Phoenix, Arizona as Viking SupplyNet Regional Manager for the western portion of the U.S., a position he s held for the last 7 years. We wish Paul the best as he moves into his new position as National Product Manager. Randy Robinson joins Viking SupplyNet as Territory Manager, taking over Paul Cress sales territory of Arizona and New Mexico. Randy started in the industry in 1980 after serving six years in the U.S. Air Force. For 12 years, he worked for Grinnell Supply, first as a warehouseman, working his way up to outside sales. In 1992, Randy worked outside the sprinkler industry, returning in 1997 to work at Reaction/Hughes Supply. Randy has been married for four years and, together, he and his wife have 5 children ranging in ages from 7 to 24. When not involved in family activities, Randy enjoys playing golf. Kevin Kane is the new Territory Manager for the Northwest U.S., including Oregon, Washington and western Idaho. Kevin has 20 years experience in the fire sprinkler industry. Before coming to SupplyNet, he worked at Grinnell/Gem, where he was in outside sales. Previously, Kevin worked in inside sales for Grinnell, United Supply and Liberty Equipment. Kevin grew up in Rockford, Illinois and attended Illinois State University. He s been married for 16 years to Chari and has two children, Adam, age 12 and Nicole, age 6. Viking SupplyNet has named Bob Fischer the new Territory Manager for the Midwest. Bob brings 17 years of industry experience to Viking SupplyNet. He began working with Grinnell Supply Sales Co. in 1983 and spent the first 3 years in the Cleveland, Ohio office in inside sales. Bob then moved to outside sales and managed a 4-state territory selling pipe, valves and fitting products into the fire protection, mechanical and plumbing markets. He worked in that area for 14 years, until he joined Viking SupplyNet where he will manage sales in Ohio, West Virginia, Eastern Kentucky, and Western Pennsylvania. Viking SupplyNet welcomes Mark Consigny as the Territory Manager in Florida. Mark has over ten years in the underground utilities business with distribution and manufacturing experience. Before coming to VSN, he was employed by M & H/Kennedy Valve Company as a District Sales Manager. Mark is originally from New Hampshire and attended the University of New Hampshire. He is married to Lynette and has a son, Austin, age 4, and a new daughter, Ciara. In his free time, Mark likes to spend time with his family, fish, work out and golf. He may be new to managing a Viking SupplyNet territory, but Louis T. Connole knows the fire protection terrain pretty well. After all, it s a long way from Pocettello, Idaho, where Louis got his start, to Los Angeles, where Louis now serves as Viking SupplyNet s territory manager. How d he get where he is today? Louis graduated from Embry Riddle at the University of Utah in 1965, and joined ITT Grinnell Supply Sales in Shortly afterward, he moved to Los Angeles, did a five year stint at corporate headquarters, then returned to Los Angeles as Western Gem Regional Sales Manager. That s where we found him and you can now reach him through Viking SupplyNet s Fullerton facility. Welcome, Louis. Dan Hall is the person best suited to fill Viking SupplyNet s newly-created Process & Inventory Manager position. How do we know? Could be his years of training and experience as an Industrial Engineer. Could be extensive experience in customer service, distribution, and manufacturing. Or possibly his most recent experience as Project Manager for an ERP software implementation. But we think it s the unique combination of all three that make Dan the right person to analyze Viking SupplyNet processes and streamline our operations out of our office in Atlanta. Welcome, Dan we re glad you re here. 3

4 Tolco #27 Stand-Off Hangers It s sometimes difficult for contractors to mount sprinklers directly against a truss or other wood structure due to the diameter of the fittings or design of the sprinkler itself. In the past it was necessary to nail a wooden block to the structure so that the sprinkler pipe could stand off and allow proper installation. This process was not expensive in terms of materials used, but was an extra step in the installation process that increased labor costs. Tolco has developed the Fig. 27 Stand-Off hanger that eliminates the need to install the wooden block to keep the sprinkler pipe away from the structure. The Fig. 27, made from galvanized carbon steel, is UL and cul listed for use in CPVC systems and is available for 3 /4 and 1 pipe sizes. The flared edge design protects CPVC pipe from abrasion and the snap in feature holds the pipe firmly in place during installation. It meets or exceeds the requirements of NFPA 13, 13D and 13R. This hanger can be installed in both vertical and horizontal piping runs regardless of mounting surface orientation. Two self-threading hex head screws are included with each hanger. When vertical restraint is necessary, use the Fig. 27A insert with the Fig. 27 to meet UL restraint requirements. Both Fig. 27/27A have been UL tested when mounted on 3 /8 composite wood web materials, similar to TJIs, without the use of back-up wood blocking. When installed in these situations and when vertical restraint is necessary to meet UL requirements, use two Fig. 27B reinforcing speed nuts. Fig. 27B is UL and cul listed only when used with Tolco products. Contact your local Viking SupplyNet office for additional information and samples of Tolco s Fig. 27 Stand-Off hangers. E-Z Trim The new E-Z Trim for use in Viking Deluge and Preaction systems minimizes the need for loose piping to run out drains saving time, trouble and expense in coordinating additional drain piping. Its dependable design is easy to maintain, so building engineering and maintenance staff will have no problem complying with system maintenance and inspection requirements, resulting in optimal long-term performance. E-Z Trim s unique Prime Shut Off Valve (PSOV) technology uses alarm line pressure to shut the prime water line off preventing the inadvertent closure of the deluge valve due to releasing device failure, such as loss of power and battery back-up on an electrically operated system. Its simple design is used to hydraulically latch the deluge valve open so it continues to discharge water until the system shut-off valve is closed and the alarm line pressure is relieved. There are no small orifices, HP Dry System Viking releases the new HP Dry System. This dry system, now available in 1 1 /2, 2, 3, 4 and 6 inch sizes, is rated for pressures up to 250 psi. Because this system is available in 1 1 /2 and 2 sizes, it is ideal for installations, such as attics, garden shops, loading docks, etc. in lieu of antifreeze systems or larger dry valves. By eliminating reduced pressure backflow preventors and expensive to install and maintain anti-freeze loops, costs can be minimized. This system consists of a Viking Deluge Valve with E-Z Trim and a special release kit. The arrangement is UL listed and FM approval is pending. For part number information when placing an order, please refer to Technical Data Page 132a-g. moving parts, or restrictions, so E-Z Trim delivers trouble-free operation, even on systems using gray or sea water. E-Z Trim is UL listed and FM approved to 250 psi water working pressure. It s available in brass and stainless steel in addition to galvanized, so it s easy to cover a wide variety of service conditions. For additional installation ease, it s available preassembled. For availability please contact your local Viking SupplyNet representative. 4

5 Product Announcements Threaded Adjustable Escutcheons Released Viking has released a new threaded 2- piece adjustable escutcheon. This Model E-2 escutcheon is UL listed and can be used to replace the standard Model E-1 adjustable escutcheon. These new escutcheons are available in white and polished chrome for 1 /2 NPT sprinklers. Check with your local Viking SupplyNet office for availability. New Firecycle Cable We are in the process of changing suppliers for the Firecycle cable used in conduit, part number The new cable, which will keep the same part number, will be a direct replacement for the current cable and will be compatible with the old cable for additions to existing systems. The new cable will carry the same listings and approvals as the old and meets the criteria for Power Limited Fire Alarm Cable, type FPL, UL standards 2196 and 1724 and the 1999 National Fire Alarm Code, NFPA 72. Look for the new cable in September. Grate Nozzle Viking has introduced the Grate Nozzle for use in aircraft hangars. This nozzle was developed in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Defense and a UL listing is being sought. Using the Grate Nozzle, foam/water solution can be delivered to a hangar floor without fear of damaging stored aircraft and without expensive oscillating monitors that take up floor space, are maintenance-intensive, and are easily obstructed. Grate Nozzles are installed on piping in trench drains located at 50 foot intervals for the width of the hangar. Grate Nozzles are located on this pipe 25 on center the length of the trench drain. The Grate Nozzles discharge the foam/water solution in a 360 degree pattern at a height between 12 and 18 above the floor. This new delivery system can eliminate oscillating monitors and other under-wing foam/water delivery systems and the problems that exist with them. The Grate Nozzle is not a pop-up nozzle, it is mounted in the grate provided with the product and has no moving parts. New Sprinkler Model Numbers and No Pintle Screws In an effort to simplify product identification, the listing agencies and NFPA are requiring all sprinkler manufacturers to provide new sprinkler identification numbers (SIN) for all sprinklers, nozzles and sprinkler accessories beginning January 1, At the same time, the requirement to have a pintle screw in sprinklers with other than 1 /2 or 17 /32 orifices has been rescinded. These new SIN numbers will consist of one or two alphabetic characters unique to a manufacturer, followed by a series of numerals unique to the product. We have already begun to mark some sprinklers with our VK numbers and are discontinuing the pintle screw as well. We are also in the process of changing our technical data and price book to show the new VK numbers. Each sprinkler style, regardless of temperature or finish, will be assigned the same SIN number. For example, our current Model M Standard Response 1 /2 Upright Sprinkler, part number 10138, will be assigned a new model designation of VK100. These new SIN numbers will be used to show listings and approvals in the UL and FM guides and will ultimately replace our current model designations. Viking part numbers will not be affected. Use Of Teflon Tape vs. Pipe Joint Compounds In CPVC Systems The discussion continues over the best method to seal joints in CPVC piping systems. Most manufacturers of CPVC pipe and fittings say Teflon tape only, yet we all know that paste-type pipe joint compounds are used in these systems every day. B.F. Goodrich, manufacturer of the BlazeMaster resin, clearly states in their general specifications for Blazemaster pipe and fittings that Teflon tape is the recommended sealing method for metal and plastic threads in CPVC systems. In the CPVC certification training program that s conducted for installing contractors, the Teflon tape vs. pipe joint compound issue is reviewed in detail to ensure everyone understands its importance. Realistically, if you read the entire text of BFG s literature you see that the burden of determining compatibility of a pipe joint compound comes back to the installing contractor. While Teflon tape is the recommended product, paste-type pipe dope isn t entirely ruled out. It s a matter of compatibility of the compound with the CPVC pipe and fittings. If a CPVC pipe or fitting manufacturer approves a specific pipe joint compound for use with their product, it s acceptable. What makes the selection process difficult is the vast number of pipe dopes available. One of the main problems of compatibility is formulation of the compound itself. How consistent is the mix? If a specific ingredient is changed, how does that impact the compatibility of the product with CPVC pipe and fittings? A product that was fine to use six months ago might not be today if the formulation was altered and not checked for compatibility with CPVC. It s important that the contractor check with the manufacturer of the compound to determine compatibility. Use of an unapproved pipe dope is asking for trouble, and is a reason why most manufacturers of CPVC pipe and fittings still insist on a tape only approach to sealing joints in these systems. To date, Spears Manufacturing s Blue 75 is the only paste-type pipe joint compound we can truly say is approved for use with their Blazemaster CPVC fittings. There may be others and the selection list could change from day to day. In the end, a little up front investigation could save you a great deal of money and a lot of headaches should a problem develop in a CPVC system where a paste-type pipe joint compound was used. 5

6 Ask the Tech Rep... Q. How much of a drop in pressure does it take to trip an accelerator??? A. According to the standard for testing, the accelerator has to operate if the drop in pressure is between 1 1 /2 and 3 psi. Both of Viking s accelerators fall within this range, but fall on either end of the spectrum because of their design. The E-1 accelerator will trip at the low end of the scale, about 1 1 /2 psi. The D-2 accelerator trips at the high end, or about 2 1 /2 to 3 psi. As you know, the E-1 accelerator is a supply side accelerator, in that it sees a drop in either the air supply piping or the system piping. The D-2 accelerator is strictly a system side accelerator and uses the entire sprinkler system as a reservoir of air, so it is not as susceptible to supply side air loss as the E-1 is. Q. Now that Firecycle III is both UL listed and FM approved, does that change the detector spacing requirements? A. Yes. When Firecycle III first came out, it was only UL listed. Because UL does not have any specific rules on detector spacing, the requirements of NFPA 72 are followed. With FM approval of the single interlocked and wet cycling system, the spacing and location of the detectors is the same as it was for Firecycle II. See the Viking data sheet for details. Remember, for the most current information, refer to the data sheets found on the Viking web site at Viking SupplyNet s web site is open for business e-business, that is. This website, found at contains product specifications, maps to our service centers, all the latest news and links to vendors sites. In addition, we re already working on enhancements to the site to allow you to register your company in order to access the electronic version of the Purchasing Assistant Program. This feature, due later this year, will allow you to view your pricing and place orders electronically, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Check out the web site for the latest information on new products, new listings anything you might normally find in the On Fire without waiting! Call Viking TOLL-FREE You can call Viking s Technical Service Department toll-free from anywhere in the continental U.S