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FDC Auto Ball Drip

Question asked by Kevin Rowe on Dec 17, 2017
Latest reply on Dec 19, 2017 by Charles Stewart

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8.17.2.6* Drainage. The piping between the check valve and
the outside hose coupling shall be equipped with an approved
automatic drip in areas subject to freezing.

In an installation where the FDC check valve is installed at the system main 10'-0" above the floor and the Single Clapper, FDC is located at 3'-0" above the floor, there is no trapped piping and because it is only a Single Clapper FDC, the FDC piping would automatically drain when the fire hose is removed, so there would not be a freezing condition, would an Approved Automatic Drip in areas subject to freezing still be required?

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cda cda Dec 17, 2017 7:49 PM
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Yes required

No cap on the fdc??

Check valves do fail, not to often
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Kevin Rowe Dec 17, 2017 8:58 PM
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I don't think you understand the question. If the building was in Phoenix, AZ and the FDC line would not be subject to freezing, then NO auto ball drip would be required, But in an area of the country that is subject to freezing but there is not trapped water in the FDC because of the use of a single clapper FDC, would the auto ball drip be installed.

Caps on the FDC in the question posed is not relevant because the fire department has a hose attached to the FDC.

Again, its a single clapper FDC not a double clapper FDC. If we installed the more expensive double clapper FDC, we would install a auto ball drip. Even though a double clapper FDC are brass to brass seats and the water will eventually seep past.

What does check valves failing have anything to do with the question?
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cda cda Dec 18, 2017 9:23 AM
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Yes in an area that there is possible freezing, an automatic ball drip is required.

No matter if the fire department hose is hooked up 24 hours a day seven days a week.

Yes check valves leak, filling the pipe with water, and have seen it happen, even mentioned in the NFPA 13 commentary.

And with some cities using tight fitting storz fittings and caps, the possibility of water in the pipe increases.
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Charles Stewart Dec 19, 2017 9:40 AM
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Absolutely an automatic ball drip is required.

Sometimes quick connect FDC caps or brass caps are used. The ball drip will insure that water doesn't get trapped between the FDC and the check valve and then freeze.
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FDC Auto Ball Drip

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