In November of 2015 we received the following question from a customer: We are replacing an air maintenance device on a Grinnell F302 dry valve, can we replace the existing device with a General air maintenance device or must we use a listed Grinnell device? Is it OK to use the General device on any… Read more …
Compressor Motor Overload Protection
Internal, External and Why it is ALWAYS Recommended Before we begin on the titled subject understand that this article will focus on why we at General Air Products recommend a motor starter for overload protection with every unit. If you would like to know more about what a motor starter is please view our motor… Read more …
Low Pressure vs High Pressure Compressors
Jump To: Standard Pressure Compressors Low Pressure Compressors High Pressure Compressors Standard Pressure Air Compressors General Air Products’ air compressors have two standard or factory pressure settings, depending on the type of compressor you select for your dry pipe system: 1.) Oil Less Air Compressors: After the initial system pressurization or fill, our OL &… Read more …
How NOT to install a compressor for a dry pipe sprinkler system
After reading our post “DO NOT USE A RETAIL AIR COMPRESSOR FOR A FIRE PROTECTION APPLICATION” David Walencewicz of P&J Sprinkler Company in Connecticut felt the need to share some pictures of a horrifying air compressor installation that he recently came across. We at General Air Products all died a little inside having looked at… Read more …
DO NOT USE RETAIL AIR COMPRESSORS FOR FIRE PROTECTION APPLICATIONS
DO NOT USE A RETAIL AIR COMPRESSOR FOR A FIRE PROTECTION APPLICATION. The air compressors that we manufacture at General Air Products are specifically designed to meet the code set out by NFPA and therefore the demands of a fire protection application. The air compressors that many contractors buy “off-the-shelf” at a home supply store… Read more …
Questions from Customers – Code Interpretation and Air Supply Availability
On September 28th, 2011 we were asked this question by Chris Redmond, PE at Redmond Engineering & Design in Michigan: “I have specified and used General Air for years and have recently come up with a dilemma. An AHJ states that the air compressor must meet NFPA 13 requirements (2007 Section 7.2.6.2) that the air… Read more …
Questions from Customers – “Do I need an Air Maintenance Device?”
On September 27, 2011 we received an email from Fred Davidson of Metro Swift Sprinkler Corp. in Massachusetts. Fred was looking for clarification on the requirement of an air maintenance device, he asks: “It has come up a number of times, on the installation of air compressors on fire protection systems. NFPA 13 requires an… Read more …
Questions from Customers – Mounting a Compressor on a Riser
On June 15, 2011 we received an email from Michael Perrin a representative for a condominium in Surrey, B.C. Canada regarding the mounting of an air compressor to the fire protection systems’ riser. Michael asks: “We had an air compressor installed by our local fire protection contractor. The compressor was attached to the riser by… Read more …
Questions from Customers – Installation Location and Temperature
On July 7th, 2011 we received an email from John Roddick of Bruce Carscadden Architects in Vancouver regarding the installation location of one of our OL Series compressors for a dry pipe system John in working on. He asks: “We have specified an OL Series Oil Less Air Compressor and were planning to locate it… Read more …
Questions from Customers – Air Maintenance Device Required
On May 17, 2011 we received an email from Bruce Hall of Advanced Fire Protection in North Dakota. Bruce was looking for clarification on the requirement of an air maintenance device. Bruce asks: “Do your riser mount air compressors need to be installed with an air maintenance device to meet NFPA codes?” Ray DeCecco, our… Read more …