
Back to Basics: Sprinkler Piping Materials
- Steel Pipe. Steel pipe has long been the mainstay of piping materials for sprinkler piping systems. Steel is considered strong, durable and resistant to fire.
- Copper Tubing. Copper tubing is another piping material listed for sprinkler use in NFPA 13. ...
- Plastic Pipe. Plastic pipe also is permitted for certain types of sprinkler systems. ...
What is the best pipe for a sprinkler system?
- BEST OVERALL: Orbit 57632 3/4 Anti-Siphon Valve
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: DIG 1/2 in. ...
- BEST INLINE VALVE: Rain Bird 3/4 in. ...
- BEST VALVE MANIFOLD: Orbit 57253 3-Valve Heavy Duty Manifold
- BEST EASY-ACCESS VALVE: Orbit Sprinkler System Jar Top Valve
- BEST BALL VALVE: Apollo 3/4 in. ...
- BEST BATTERY-OPERATED: Orbit Battery Operated Sprinkler Timer with Valve
Which are types of pipe use in fire sprinkler?
What are the types of fire fighting systems?
- Wet Fire Sprinkler Systems. – The wet-pipe system employs automatic sprinklers attached to a piping system connected to a water supply.
- Dry Pipe Systems.
- Special Hazard Fire Protection Systems.
- Dry Chemical Fire Suppression Systems.
- Gaseous Fire Suppression Systems.
- Foam Fire Suppression Systems.
What kind of pipe is used for sprinkler systems?
Pipe & Tubing
- Shop Irrigation Pipe And Sprinkler Tubing At Sprinkler Warehouse. Sprinkler Warehouse is the place to shop for all of your sprinkler pipe and irrigation needs. ...
- Shop Underground Sprinkler Tubing Online Or In-Store. ...
- Browse Our Tutorial Series For All Things Related To Sprinkler Pipe Repair. ...
- Sprinkler Pipe & Tubing Tutorials
- Frequently Asked Questions
What type of PVC to use for a sprinkler system?
How do you cap a PVC irrigation pipe?
- Put on protective gloves.
- Wipe all dirt from the T pipe using a paper towel.
- Remove the cap from the T pipe.
- Shake a PVC cement can to thoroughly mix it.
- Slide the cap onto the T pipe, twisting it as you push.

What type of pipe is used for sprinklers?
The two piping types most commonly used for irrigation systems are white PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and “black roll pipe ” (polyethylene).
Which pipe is best for fire sprinkler system?
With a melting point that falls between a whopping 2,600°F and 2,800°F (1,427°C and 1,538°C), steel pipe can withstand the heat of a burning building and keep water flowing onto a fire. Steel pipe is suitable for all fire protection systems.
Are sprinkler pipes PVC?
Schedule 40 and Schedule 80 PVC Pipe When it comes to selecting PVC irrigation pipe, both Schedule 40 and Schedule 80 pipe are common types of irrigation PVC pipes.
What metal is used in fire sprinklers?
carbon steelFire sprinkler pipe and related fittings are generally made of carbon steel or ductile iron material and used to carry water or other liquid to connect firefighting equipment. It is also called fire protection pipe and fittings.
Can PVC pipe be used for fire sprinkler system?
Certain CPVC plastic pipe and fitting systems listed to system standard UL 1821 can be used to supply water to fire sprinklers for low-rise residential occupancies according to installation standard NFPA 13R and to supply light hazard occupancies according to NFPA 13.
What is difference between PVC and CPVC pipe?
What are the differences between CPVC and PVC? The main difference between CPVC and PVC is the range of temperatures each is capable of withstanding. CPVC can handle temperatures up to 200° Fahrenheit, while PVC peaks at 140° Fahrenheit.
Is PVC pipe breakable?
PVC that is run above ground and exposed to sunlight can break down faster than it normally would. The ultraviolet rays from the sun can actually break down the structure of PVC material and make it brittle and breakable.
Is PVC pipe fire resistant?
PVC is resistant to ignition. The temperature required to ignite rigid PVC is more than 150oC higher than that required to ignite wood. The ignition resistance of common flexible PVC formulations is lower, but with specialised formulations it may be significantly increased.
What size pipe is used for fire sprinklers?
The sprinkler pipe size from the water supply source to a sprinkler shall be not less than 3/4 of an inch (20 mm) in diameter. Threaded adapter fittings at the point where sprinklers are attached to the piping shall be not less than 1/2 of an inch (15 mm) in diameter.
What is standard sprinkler pipe size?
When you install a sprinkler system, you might use PVC or polyethylene piping to deliver water to the sprinkler heads. If you use PVC, the typical diameter of the pipes is between 1/2 inch and 2 inches.
Can you use galvanized pipe for fire sprinkler system?
Never use galvanized steel piping for wet pipe fire sprinkler systems. If galvanized steel piping is used for dry and preaction systems, then an FM Approved nitrogen generator must be used for pressure maintenance to prevent oxygen corrosion.
Can copper pipe be used for fire sprinklers?
Copper is a strong, durable, malleable metal that's been used in fire sprinkler piping since 1961.