Location: Several locations throughout Pennsylvania.
Installer: Impact Fire Services
Vapor Pipe Shield Models: VPS 500-A & VPS-1000A
Background
Mike Gwozdecki has been in the fire protection industry for over 40 years. As the former president of Diamond Automatic Sprinklers, he built a reputation for delivering high-quality fire protection solutions across Pennsylvania. In July 2024, Diamond Automatic Sprinklers was acquired by Impact Fire Services, and Gwozdecki transitioned into the role of District General Manager for the Harrisburg District.
Throughout his career, he has encountered numerous challenges with dry and pre-action fire sprinkler systems, particularly corrosion-related failures.
The Challenge: Addressing Recurring Pipe Failures
The Impact Fire team was frequently called to replace corroded sprinkler piping in dry systems, often within just a few years of installation.
One of the most severe cases occurred at Karen’s Catering in Middletown, PA—an aging building that had previously served as a Boy Scouts camp. The dry system utilized schedule 10 piping, which suffered from extreme temperature fluctuations, ranging from 10°F in winter to over 150°F in the attic during summer. This environment led to persistent condensation and aggressive internal corrosion, necessitating frequent pipe replacements.
The Solution: Implementing Vapor Pipe Shield
Recognizing the need for a long-term corrosion mitigation strategy, Impact Fire installed a VPS 500 system at Karen’s Catering. The installation was straightforward, and nearly two years later, the results were clear:
- No further leaks had developed.
- The air compressor was no longer running unnecessarily due to air loss.
- The system had been fully operational without the need for pipe replacements.
Expanding Applications
Encouraged by the success of their first install nearly two years ago, the Impact Fire team has since implemented or spec’d Vapor Pipe Shield in several other locations:
- Ebenezer United Methodist Church (Installed: December 2024)
- The church had suffered repeated leaks and system failures—often at the worst possible times, like before Easter or Christmas services. Vapor Pipe Shield was recommended as a proactive solution to stop further deterioration.
- Quincy Retirement Home, Waynesboro, PA (Upcoming Installation)
- The facility consists of three separate buildings, all experiencing similar corrosion issues due to their 15-year-old dry systems. Gwozdecki’s team has ordered three VPS units to address the problem.
- Capital Area Intermediate Unit (Upcoming Installation)
- The facility operates multiple dry systems, including two larger systems without accelerators. A VPS-1000 unit will be installed to protect these systems from further corrosion damage.
- Dillsburg Tavern (Upcoming Installation)
- This historic site, which serves as an educational center showcasing 1800s whiskey distillation methods, is planning to install a dry sprinkler system. Given its nonprofit status, Gwozdecki saw Vapor Pipe Shield as a preventative measure that would save them from costly pipe replacements down the line. To support the project, he has committed to installing the VPS unit himself, highlighting how easy the system is to install and ensuring the nonprofit benefits from the protection it provides.
Conclusion
With years of hands-on experience dealing with fire sprinkler corrosion, Gwozdecki is now a strong advocate for Vapor Pipe Shield. “I tell everybody to go to the website, look at the testimonials, and try it. It pays for itself in system longevity and maintenance savings.”
By integrating VPS into their corrosion prevention strategy, Impact Fire Services is not only extending the life of their dry systems but also reducing maintenance costs and unexpected failures. As Gwozdecki continues to expand its use across Pennsylvania, Vapor Pipe Shield is proving to be an invaluable tool in the fight against corrosion in dry & pre-action sprinkler systems.
I just told them let’s start from the start and install a Vapor Pipe Shield there because it’s a not-for-profit. It’s one less thing they have to worry about. So we’re going to be inspecting it now that it’s been in service for a year and I’m promoting the installation on that system.
District General Manager for the Harrisburg District at Impact Fire Services
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