FireLockTM IGS Style V9 sprinkler couplings and grooved sprinklers from Victaulic have not only eased the manner and speed in which fire protection systems are installed, but offer increased job site safety and system confidence.
As the world’s leading manufacturer of mechanical pipe-joining systems, Victaulic knows all too well the impact that a simple system solution has on its effectiveness.
Victaulic released the first UL-listed grooved mechanical coupling for fire protection piping in 1952. Today, Victaulic technology includes a complete offering of fire protection grooved couplings, fittings, sprinklers, devices and accessories to meet the needs of fire protection piping systems.
According to Marcel Ley, regional manager Victaulic South Africa, the innovations were created to replace conventional threads on both outlets and sprinklers, with the mechanical connection redefining sprinkler system design and installation in exposed applications, particularly in the storage and warehousing segments.
"The storage, warehouse and distribution centre segments have undergone significant growth and transformation, creating a need for fire suppression that is easily installed, maintained, and reconfigurable," explains Ley. "Victaulic already has a unique portfolio of products and services that offer value and versatility from the street to the sprinkler head, and installation-ready sprinkler technology compounds the advantages of using Victaulic.”
He explains that a single bolt makes up the joining of the innovative coupling design, which in turn is fitted onto sprinklers with a connection size of 1⁄2-inch, 3⁄4-inch or 1-inch, and transitions to 1-inch to allow for standardisation to 1-inch IGS outlets. This makes projects easier to plan, design and weld.
The simplification of the coupling leads to simplified installation, which increases on-site job safety and allows for ease of maintenance in the future. Successfully introduced by Victaulic in 2005, the company’s installation-ready technology allows for ease of installation on site, with the sprinkler and coupling arriving pre-assembled, with no loose parts or preparation required before installation.
“The biggest time-saver and labour management advantages seen with the introduction of installation-ready technology to sprinkler installations are the elimination of sprinkler preparation work and the associated consumables such as tape and other fittings,” notes Ley. “By eliminating the need to fit consumables, fitters can instead focus on installing system components, therefore reducing installation time and unnecessary effort.”
Other advantages of the solution are that it requires no complicated training or tools. Utilising visual confirmation of one bolt pad for proper installation instead of using a torque wrench makes installation simple and gives users peace-of-mind.
With installers currently fitting sprinklers with a sprinkler wrench, this physically demanding repetitive motion may lead to unnecessary damage to the sprinkler itself as a result of over-torqueing. This problem is alleviated with Victaulic’s solution due to the utilisation of a mechanical connection with a single bolt allowing the fitter to use a power tool to save both wear and tear on their body, while avoiding applying torque directly to the sprinkler frame.
“Reducing the amount of torque applied to the sprinkler frame and replacing the frictional connection with a mechanical one reduces the likelihood of leaks when the system is pressurised. Rework due to leaks can add an average of one day per system, which will ultimately result in unnecessary cost to any project.”
“We at Victaulic are committed to providing our customers with simplified solutions that save time and money, all while increasing overall system confidence. With the advent of our installation-ready sprinkler solutions, customers now have access to what has to be the easiest and safest installation method on the market today, which ultimately improves productivity and their work environment,” concludes Ley.
