Foundry furnaces + sprinkler system

Clranald - Wednesday, April 25, 2007 - 7:10pm

My university recently built a new building for its sculpture department, and has placed the foundry furnaces directly under a sprinkler system attached to the outdoor hood in our courtyard. It seems likely that the furnaces will set off the sprinklers as they are placed now.

Does anyone know anything about issues relating to foundry furnaces and sprinkler systems as far as placement or triggering, or should the sprinklers simply be removed in this area?

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Ciranald

B.J. Severtson - Thursday, April 26, 2007 - 5:45pm

Are you a student at my university? Pictures would be very helpful. Brad

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foundry vs. sprinklers system

bpfink - Sunday, April 29, 2007 - 3:30pm

I have direct experience with that being the instructor as well. Makes for a great tale even with a humorous ending. We need a lot more information though as sprinkler heads are set to go off at different temperatures and it makes all the difference. None I ever heard of are able to handle the trials of a good 2200 degree F melting furnace with bronze ready to pour once the furnace is opened to unload the metal or they would not be doing what they should in other normal room or studio conditions. Sounds wrong to me also. bpfink

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more information is an understatement

B.J. Severtson - Sunday, April 29, 2007 - 6:05pm

Here are a few more questions. Is this a liquid or drychemical system? Is the system functional, turned on? Is the line for this area on it's own valve? Zoned system? Who knows how to shut it off? What's the procedure? Does anyone have a plan? Is this system subject to freezing? Will the liquid freeze? Do you need another skating pond? How far are these heat sensors from the heat source? melt temp of the switch? Does this outside furnace get wet in the rain? Do you set the pcs to be cast in a sand pit? is it covered to keep out moisture? What's the capacity of your crucible? My mind pictures big. but we really have no idea? What metals are you going to pour ? Iron, brass bronze aluminum tin lead pewter? Is this furnace gas or electric? It's been four days since your post..you ok? Brad

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Higher temperature heads

visitor - Monday, April 30, 2007 - 3:10pm

I would definitely recommend higher temperature heads.

The following may be of interest

"For example, in summer, the fusible link type of actuators can fail by creep, without a fire or actual melting of the link. How? Sprinkler head links for ordinary temperatures are usually made with "Wood's Metal" (an alloy of 50% bismuth, 25% lead, 12.5% tin, and 12.5% cadmium), which has a melting point of only 158ºF. These heads are intended for use where ceiling temperatures do not exceed 100ºF. (Other higher-temperature heads can be provided). Prolonged exposure of a head to higher-than-recommended temperatures can result in creep failure whereby the solder joint can fracture due to time-dependent permanent deformation (creep) of the fusible alloy."

The other suggestion that I would have is to have a way to stop the water flow if a sprinkler or sprinklers opens up. They make poles with plugs on them that supposedly allow one to plug a sprinkler head while the water is gushing out of it. Alternately, know where the shut off valve is. However, in many cases the shut off valves are padlocked to prevent tampering.

Once upon a time I was a fire protection engineer. I doubt that the fire code requires sprinklers in such a setting, but I could be wrong. It ultimately comes down to how the local authority interprets the code.

One thing that you might try would be to install a remote reading thermometer near one of the sprinkler heads, and then open the door to the furnace and watch what happens. A few seconds might not pop a head open, but let somebody leave the door open for a few minutes, and they might blow.

richard

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