Simple, Accurate Listed Antifreeze Volume Calculations
Codes, Standards & Approvals | cpvc fire sprinkler systems | fire sprinkler installation
Before NFPA Standards required the use of listed antifreeze solutions, installation, testing and maintenance (ITM) contractors could site-mix antifreeze fluids to meet the volume requirements of a system. But now NFPA guidelines stipulate factory-premixed, agency-listed antifreeze as a safer alternative to site-mixed fluid.
To maintain its agency listing, listed antifreeze must never be diluted in any way, including with water or with a different brand of listed antifreeze. This makes it even more important to accurately calculate the volume of a system to aid ordering precision and avoid the risks of miscalculation. The freezemaster™ antifreeze team created a system volume calculator to help.
Risks of Volume Miscalculation
Newly designed fire sprinkler systems very likely have detailed data on system volumes. But ITM contractors servicing existing systems rarely find this data available. This will require the contractor to take measurements for an accurate estimation of the volume of antifreeze needed for any given system.
The main drawback of overestimating volume is that ITMs end up with too much extra listed antifreeze. This is more an inconvenience than a true risk, as the additional antifreeze can be used at other job sites.
A major risk, however, is underestimation. While, in the past, service technicians could “top off” a system with additional site-mixed, unlisted fluids, listed antifreeze cannot be diluted. Running out of listed antifreeze before a system is filled to working pressure will mean putting the building on fire watch per NFPA 101 Life Safety Code—stationing a human worker to watch for fire at all times in affected areas—until more of the same brand of listed antifreeze arrives at the site. NFPA 25 adds rigor to this by requiring that only “trained personnel” may conduct fire watch. Though very important for safety, this is a waste of time and money for all parties.
freezemaster™ Antifreeze’s System Volume Calculator
The experts behind freezemaster™ antifreeze have experience in and existing relationships with ITM technicians in the field. We recognize that volume calculation is a learning curve to listed antifreeze and wanted to do our part to ease the transition.
The first of its kind among listed antifreeze manufacturers, the freezemaster™ antifreeze system volume calculator is a free tool that does the math for you with just a few simple inputs. The volume output can be used to inform ordering through Viking SupplyNet and its distribution partners. The only listed antifreeze supplier that has no minimum order quantities, contractors can order as much (or as little) freezemaster™ antifreeze as needed—from a single five-gallon bucket to 55-gallon drums to 275-gallon totes.
Tips for Calculator Use
The freezemaster™ antifreeze system volume calculator has six fields:
- Project Title
- Piping Size (in.)
- Piping Length (ft.)
- Drop (ft.)
- Drop Quantity
- Expansion Tank (gallons)
The calculator auto-populates BlazeMaster® CPVC piping. Use the “Add piping” and “Add drops” button to choose Schedule 10 or 40 steel. The steel data is accurate for galvanized piping of the same Schedule (freezemaster™ antifreeze is the only UL-listed antifreeze approved for use with galvanized piping). Unnecessary material may be removed from the calculator using the trashcan icon. For systems that don’t use an expansion tank, contractors should enter zero.
Once all data has been input, click “Calculate.” The freezemaster™ antifreeze system volume calculator will display three results:
- Total Needed
- 10% Safety Factor
- 20% Safety Factor
These results allow ITM contractors to build a buffer into their ordering plans without having to guess.
Use the freezemaster™ antifreeze team’s simple but effective calculator to minimize calculation time and to order listed antifreeze with confidence.
