Nitrogen vs. Compressed Air for Dry Sprinkler Systems

Many facilities use compressed air for dry sprinkler systems, due to convenience and a lower initial investment. However, compressed air is also a common failure point for these systems, as its use can lead to pinhole leaks. (See how pinhole leaks form in “Experience in Brief, below.”) Since these leaks can compromise entire sections of the dry sprinkler system, daily operations must be shut down to replace the affected sections.

Such fixes, though, address the symptom and not the cause. To prolong your sprinkler system, consider the use of a nitrogen system. Nitrogen systems mitigate the risk of corrosion by taking oxygen out of the equation: With no oxygen, there can be no corrosion.

In addition to removing oxygen, nitrogen also has a lower dewpoint than compressed air. This makes nitrogen ideal for coolers, freezers and exterior applications. Since the water vapor inside the pipe is unable to condense, the risk of ice plugs is reduced.

Of course, a nitrogen system will typically cost as much as 75% more compared to a standard compressor/dryer package approved for sprinkler systems. This pricing difference can be surprising initially, but this initial investment may be easier to bear when compared to the overall costs of lost production time, coupled with the cost of piping system replacements. From that perspective, facilities focused on maintaining seamless and safe operations may find that nitrogen systems aren’t just an alternative – they’re a positive investment in the future.