By Alex Hassel, Storage.com
Fires happen frequently at self-storage facilities all over the U.S. Sure, you might have a fire protection system, but how certain are you that it will do its job when the time comes? Corrosion-related failures in sprinkler systems are on the rise. However, AGF Manufacturing Inc. says its new CORRinSITE Corrosion Monitors can help detect corrosion issues.
Corrosion-related failures can happen for a number of reasons, like when fittings become rusty after water damage. Jim McHugh, President of AGF Manufacturing, says corrosion is always present. “The speed or end result is affected by location and flow of the piping system. It is happening significantly more often, enough to warrant an entire chapter in the upcoming NFPA code book,” he says.
McHugh continues, “Opinions vary, but two of the main reasons is the industry is using thinner wall pipe, which is lighter and less expense, and second, the pipe has more recycled content, which research shows deteriorates faster.”
AGF’s solution: CORRinSITE Corrosion Monitors. The devices were built to show hidden corrosion issues in any fire protection system. Both models, the 7700 and 7800, are made from the same mild carbon steel as a sprinkler system’s piping, and its surface corrodes the same way a sprinkler pipe would. When the monitor corrodes past its breaking point, moisture penetrates its sealed chamber and turns what’s normally a white sight glass into a bright orange color, indicating corrosion has occurred.
The 7700 can be fitted onto new sprinkler system construction or retrofitted into an old one. The 7800 is only meant for retrofitting.
McHugh says when it comes to the safety and security of your self storage facility and your renter’s belongings, it is vital to ensure your fire protection system works properly. “I would think that the ongoing expense of operation is extremely important, as it is the annuity income to the storage owner. Excessive system maintenance or failure drops directly to eating all profits from the bottom line,” he says.
The product has been out for a little while under a soft launch. So far, the monitors have had a lot of great feedback. “Extremely positive,” says McHugh. “Most respondents agree that we are offering an affordable diagnostic tool that will help them make rational Capex expenses and budgets without the wild claims or expensive solutions of much more complicated corrosion-related products.”
Alex Hassel is News Reporter for Storage.com. If you’d like to pitch Alex a self storage industry news story, email alex.hassel@storage.com or call 402-779-7328.
