The companies developed a Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitor delivery system for the corrosion mitigation of fire sprinkler systems.
By drawing on its expertise in compressed air and nitrogen purge systems for fire sprinklers, General Air Products has partnered with Cortec® Corporation in order to develop the Vapor Pipe Shield, a Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitor delivery system for the corrosion mitigation of fire sprinkler systems.
The Vapor Pipe Shield is a convenient alternative to nitrogen blanketing or dried air for protecting fire sprinklers from corrosion. Relying on the Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitors developed by Cortec, it creates a protective molecular shield on the inside of the sprinkler piping system without requiring any other special equipment, as the cartridge is compatible with standard sprinkler setups and it is easy to install between the air compressor and the piping.
Inhibitors diffuse throughout all branches of the piping system to form an active layer on the metal surfaces, continuing to protect them as long as the system remains closed without depending on a constant source of electricity.
“Vapor Pipe Shield is a game-changing innovation in corrosion prevention technology for dry and pre-action fire sprinkler systems. We are excited about the opportunities that it opens for facility experts and consulting engineers to apply the benefits of VpCI® technology of Cortec to critical fire suppression systems” has stated Raymond Fremont, the president of General Air Products.
General Air Products reported that preliminary testing of a treated sample showed better protection than samples treated with nitrogen and compressed ambient air. It also evaluated the speed of VpCI® vapor migration throughout a dry sprinkler piping system test, determining that a full distribution and consequently protection could be achieved within one week of installation. In addition, the solution received the UL certification for use in dry fire sprinkler systems.