Contractor: Rockridge Fire Protection
Location: Las Vegas Valley, NV
Customer: CubeSmart Storage Facilities
Installation Dates: June 2024 – Present
Vapor Pipe Shield Models installed: VPS 500A , VPS-1000A, VPS-1500A & VPS-2000A (18 Vapor Pipe Shield Units, 20 More Scheduled for 2025)
System Type: Dry Pipe Sprinkler Systems (All Retrofit Installations)
Corrosion Protection for Aging Dry Sprinkler Systems
Since June 2024, Rockridge Fire Protection has retrofitted Vapor Pipe Shield (VPS) units into 18 CubeSmart storage facilities throughout the Las Vegas Valley. This large-scale effort addresses the challenges of corrosion in aging dry pipe sprinkler systems, providing CubeSmart with a reliable and cost-effective solution to protect their infrastructure and customers’ property.
The Vapor Pipe Shield’s ease of installation and affordability compared to nitrogen generators has made it the ideal choice for these retrofits, allowing CubeSmart to enhance system performance with minimal disruption to operations.
The Challenge: Corrosion in Aging Dry Pipe Systems
Dry pipe sprinkler systems are critical in environments like storage facilities, where water-filled pipes can be a liability. Over time, these systems are prone to internal corrosion, leading to increased maintenance, higher costs, and potential failures. For CubeSmart, this growing concern necessitated a solution that could address corrosion effectively without requiring a complete system overhaul.
While nitrogen generators have been a popular option in some locations, their higher upfront costs and complex installations posed challenges for widespread adoption. CubeSmart sought a more practical, budget-friendly alternative for protecting their sprinkler systems across multiple facilities.
The Solution: Retrofitting with Vapor Pipe Shield
To meet CubeSmart’s needs, Rockridge Fire Protection turned to Vapor Pipe Shield. VPS units use Vapor Corrosion Inhibitors (VCIs) to protect the interior surfaces of sprinkler pipes by creating a molecular barrier that prevents corrosion from taking hold. The technology is particularly well-suited for retrofits, requiring minimal modifications to existing systems.
Between June 2024 and the present, Rockridge has installed 17 VPS units of various sizes across CubeSmart properties. These retrofits have been completed efficiently, ensuring CubeSmart’s fire protection systems are upgraded without lengthy downtime or major costs.
Why Vapor Pipe Shield
- Cost-Effective Solution: VPS units offer a lower-cost alternative to nitrogen generators, making them an accessible option for property owners managing multiple systems.
- Streamlined Installation: Vapor Pipe Shield is simple to retrofit into existing systems, enabling contractors to perform installations quickly with minimal impact on facility operations.
- Corrosion Mitigation: The VPS technology effectively halts corrosion, extending the lifespan of dry pipe sprinkler systems and reducing long-term maintenance expenses.
- Enhanced Peace of Mind: By protecting aging sprinkler systems, VPS retrofits provide CubeSmart with a reliable solution to safeguard their facilities and customers’ property.
Rockridge Fire Protection’s Role
As a trusted contractor in the Las Vegas Valley, Rockridge Fire Protection has played a key role in implementing Vapor Pipe Shield technology across CubeSmart properties. Their expertise in retrofitting fire protection systems has been instrumental in ensuring the success of these installations.
The retrofits highlight the practical benefits of Vapor Pipe Shield for property owners managing aging infrastructure, showcasing how a targeted solution can offer significant advantages over more complex alternatives.
Looking Ahead
The success of these retrofits has prompted CubeSmart to schedule an additional 20 Vapor Pipe Shield units for installation in 2025. With this proactive approach, CubeSmart and Rockridge Fire are ensuring that these existing sprinkler systems remain reliable as they age, protecting both their facilities and their customers’ assets.
Vapor Pipe Shield continues to demonstrate its value as an accessible, effective option for corrosion mitigation, offering peace of mind to property owners and setting a new standard for retrofitting dry pipe sprinkler systems.
The cost difference between this and nitrogen generators is pretty significant. That, right off the bat, is what catches the customer’s attention.
Operations Manager, Rockridge Fire Protection
Join our latest webinar to learn more about Vapor Pipe Shield, or request a quote for your next project. Want to stay informed on the 2025 NFPA 13 updates for Vapor Corrosion Inhibitors? Check out our latest blog below.