* The TECenter is Now the FlashPoint Center

Welcome to our latest issue of USAutomatic Sprinkler eNews. Our newsletter is a free quarterly publication that focuses on brief, but useful information about the fire protection industry. We highlight new products, innovations, and code changes that affect fire protection.

USAutomatic Sprinkler Corporation renames the technical education center. The TECenter is now called the FlashPoint Center. The training center is a unique hands-on, live-event training facility geared toward educating:

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Risk Managers

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General Managers

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Insurance Agents

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Private Business Owners

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Plant & Production Staff

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Property and Maintenance Managers

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Operations Managers

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Architects and Engineers

USAutomatic Sprinkler Corporation asked Reliable Automatic Sprinkler’s David L. Asphlund, P.E., to teach a session for the quarterly workshop held April 21, 2006. David holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Colorado and is a registered fire protection engineer. He sits on the NFSA Engineering and Standards Committee. David was a fire protection contractor for nineteen years and has been with Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Company, Inc. for ten years. Reliable’s Terry Rodeman, Midwest Regional Sales assisted David.

By: David L. Asplund, P.E.

Predicting water transit times for fire sprinkler systems controlled by conventional differential dry pipe valves has long been the nemesis of the design technician. Section 4-2.3.1 of the 1999 edition of NFPA #13 states that not more than 750 gallons (2,839 L) of system capacity shall be controlled by one dry pipe valve. The “exception” to this limitation allows the system piping volume to exceed 750 gallons (2,839 L) provided that the system design is such that water is discharged from the inspector’s test connection in not more than 60 seconds. This exception gives contractors the opportunity to test the limits of their design creativity and nerve.

Revised 2/27/2002

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