Dry Pipe System

7.2* Dry Pipe Systems.
7.2.1 Pressure Gauges. Listed pressure gauges conforming with 8.16.3 shall be connected
as follows:
(1) On the water side and air side of the dry pipe valve
(2) At the air pump supplying the air receiver where one is provided
(3) At the air receiver where one is provided
(4) In each independent pipe from air supply to dry pipe system
(5) At exhausters and accelerators
7.2.2 Sprinklers. The following types of sprinklers and arrangements shall be permitted for
dry pipe systems:
(1) Upright sprinklers
(2)* Listed dry sprinklers
(3) Pendent sprinklers and sidewall sprinklers installed on return bends, where the
sprinklers, return bend, and branch line piping are in an area maintained at or above
40°F (4°C)
(4) Horizontal sidewall sprinklers, installed so that water is not trapped
7.2.3* Size of Systems — Volume Limitations.
7.2.3.1* Unless the requirements of 7.2.3.2 or 7.2.3.3 are met, not more than 750 gal
(2839 L) system capacity shall be controlled by one dry pipe valve.
7.2.3.2 Piping volume shall be permitted to exceed the requirements of 7.2.3.1 where the
system design is such that water is delivered to the system test connection in not more than
60 seconds, starting at the normal air pressure on the system and at the time of fully opened
inspection test connection.
7.2.3.3 Piping volume shall be permitted to exceed the requirements of 7.2.3.1 where dry
systems are calculated for water delivery in accordance with 11.2.3.9.
7.2.3.4 Check valves shall not be used to subdivide the dry pipe system.
7.2.3.5 Gridded dry pipe systems shall not be installed.
7.2.4 Quick-Opening Devices.
7.2.4.1 Unless the requirements of 7.2.4.2 are met, dry pipe valves shall be provided with a
listed quick-opening device where system capacity exceeds 500 gal (1893 L).
7.2.4.2 A quick-opening device shall not be required where water is delivered to the system
test connection in not more than 60 seconds, starting at the normal air pressure on the
system and at the time of fully opened inspection test connection.
7.2.4.3 The quick-opening device shall be located as close as practical to the dry pipe valve.
Copyright NFPA
7.2.4.4 To protect the restriction orifice and other operating parts of the quick-opening
device against submergence, the connection to the riser shall be above the point at which
water (priming water and back drainage) is expected when the dry pipe valve and
quick-opening device are set, except where design features of the particular quick-opening
device make these requirements unnecessary.
7.2.4.5 A soft disc globe or angle valve shall be installed in the connection between the dry
pipe sprinkler riser and the quick-opening device.
7.2.4.6 A check valve shall be installed between the quick-opening device and the
intermediate chamber of the dry pipe valve.
7.2.4.7 If the quick-opening device requires pressure feedback from the intermediate
chamber, a valve type that will clearly indicate whether it is opened or closed shall be
permitted in place of that check valve.
7.2.4.8 Where a valve is utilized in accordance with 7.2.4.7, the valve shall be constructed
so that it can be locked or sealed in the open position.
7.2.4.9 Antiflooding Device.
7.2.4.9.1 Unless the requirements of 7.2.4.9.2 are met, a listed antiflooding device shall be
installed in the connection between the dry pipe sprinkler riser and the quick-opening
device.
7.2.4.9.2 A listed antiflooding device shall not be required where the quick-opening device
has built-in antiflooding design features.
7.2.5* Location and Protection of Dry Pipe Valve.
7.2.5.1* General. The dry pipe valve and supply pipe shall be protected against freezing
and mechanical injury.
7.2.5.2 Valve Rooms.
7.2.5.2.1 Valve rooms shall be lighted and heated.
7.2.5.2.2 The source of heat shall be of a permanently installed type.
7.2.5.2.3 Heat tape shall not be used in lieu of heated valve enclosures to protect the dry
pipe valve and supply pipe against freezing.
7.2.5.3 Supply. The supply for the sprinkler in the dry pipe valve enclosure shall be from
the dry side of the system.
7.2.5.4 Low Differential Dry Pipe Valve. Protection against accumulation of water above
the clapper shall be provided for a low differential dry pipe valve.
7.2.5.5 High Water Level Device. An automatic high water level signaling device or an
automatic drain device shall be permitted.
7.2.6 Air Pressure and Supply.
7.2.6.1 Maintenance of Air Pressure. Air or nitrogen pressure shall be maintained on dry
Copyright NFPA
pipe systems throughout the year.
7.2.6.2* Air Supply.
7.2.6.2.1 The compressed air supply shall be from a source available at all times.
7.2.6.2.2 The air supply shall have a capacity capable of restoring normal air pressure in the
system within 30 minutes.
7.2.6.2.3 The requirements of 7.2.6.2.2 shall not apply in refrigerated spaces maintained
below 5°F (–15°C), where normal system air pressure shall be permitted to be restored
within 60 minutes.
7.2.6.3 Air Filling Connection.
7.2.6.3.1 The connection pipe from the air compressor shall not be less than ½ in. (13 mm)
in diameter and shall enter the system above the priming water level of the dry pipe valve.
7.2.6.3.2 A check valve shall be installed in this air line, and a shutoff valve of the
renewable disc type shall be installed on the supply side of this check valve and shall remain
closed unless filling the system.
7.2.6.4 Relief Valve. A listed relief valve shall be provided between the compressor and
controlling valve and shall be set to relieve at a pressure 10 psi (0.7 bar) in excess of the
operating air pressure of the system.
7.2.6.5 Shop Air Supply. Where the air supply is taken from a shop system having a
normal pressure greater than that required for dry pipe system, an air maintenance device
(regulator style) shall be used to regulate air pressure and flow to the system. A relief valve
shall be installed between the outlet of the air maintenance device and dry system and set to
relieve at 10 psi (0.7 bar) above the dry pipe system operating setpoint. (See Figure
7.2.6.5.)
Copyright NFPA
FIGURE 7.2.6.5 Air Supply from Shop System.
7.2.6.6 Automatic Air Compressor.

7.2.6.6.1 Where a dry pipe system is supplied by an automatic air compressor or plant air
system, any device or apparatus used for automatic maintenance of air pressure shall be of a
type specifically listed for such service and capable of controlling the required air pressure
on, and maximum airflow to, the dry pipe system.
7.2.6.6.2 Automatic air supply to more than one dry pipe system shall be connected to
enable individual maintenance of air pressure in each system.
7.2.6.6.3 A check valve or other positive backflow prevention device shall be installed in
the air supply to each system to prevent airflow or waterflow from one system to another.
7.2.6.6.4 Where the air compressor feeding the dry pipe system has less capacity than the
discharge through a -in. orifice at 10 psig, no air maintenance device shall be required.
7.2.6.7 System Air Pressure.
7.2.6.7.1 The system air pressure shall be maintained in accordance with the instruction
sheet furnished with the dry pipe valve, or shall be 20 psi (1.4 bar) in excess of the
calculated trip pressure of the dry pipe valve, based on the highest normal water pressure of
the system supply.
7.2.6.7.2 The permitted rate of air leakage shall be as specified in 16.2.2.
7.2.6.8 Nitrogen. Where used, nitrogen shall be introduced through a pressure regulator set
to maintain system pressure in accordance with 7.2.6.7.
Copyright NFPA

Dry Pipe System

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7.2* Dry Pipe Systems.

7.2.6.6 Automatic Air Compressor.

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