Equipment Selection Guides

It’s simple to select the correct NITROGEN-PAC™ Equipment – just use our interactive equipment selection guides.

Nitrogen-Pac Self-Contained (SC) Series

With just a few pieces of information, you can select the proper NITROGEN-PAC™ system equipment for your facility. Here’s what to do:

Determine the number of sprinkler risers to be protected by one system.
- If you have 1 through 5 risers, start with our SC Series Equipment Selection Guide.
- If you have 6 or more risers, move up to our M Series Equipment Selection Guide.

For each riser, determine the volume of the sprinkler pipe.
- If you have plans or calculations, the information may be available by examining those documents.
- If not, simply survey the length and pipe size of each pipe segment.
- Each of our Equipment Selection Guides has a handy Pipe Volume Calculator where you can enter the lengths of each size of pipe, and the volume is determined for you!

For each riser, determine the supervisory pressure.
- If you have plans or calculations, the information may be available by examining those documents.
- If not, simply look at the air gauge on the sprinkler valve and record the value.

Determine if the NITROGEN-PAC™ system will perform the initial-fill function. Initial-fill of the sprinkler pipe with supervisory pressure must be accomplished in 30 minutes or less per NFPA 13, Standard for Installation of Sprinkler Systems. This initial-fill is done with air, not with nitrogen.
- A new system design may use the NITROGEN-PAC™ compressor for both initial-fill and nitrogen generation.
- An existing system may leave existing compressor(s) in place, or remove existing compressor(s) and rely on the NITROGEN-PAC™ compressor.

Determine the highest available power supply voltage.
- For SC Series systems, the answer is easy. All SC Series systems operate on 115 VAC, 60 Hz, 1 phase.
- For M Series systems, the compressor motors are larger. Determine the highest voltage available (up to 460 VAC 60 Hz). It is worth checking to determine if 3 phase power can be run, as it is superior to 1 phase power when using larger motors.

Find out if any authority having jurisdiction will require that 98% nitrogen purity be accomplished in 24 hours or less. As the system is initially filled with air (78% nitrogen), it takes time to purge out the air and replace it with high-purity nitrogen (98% nitrogen).
- For SC Series systems, the answer is easy. All SC Series systems are designed to provide for 98% purity in 24 hours or less.
- For M Series systems, the process may take longer (a few days or weeks). It is worth determining if any authority will object to a slightly extended time, as the system will be more economical if the additional time is permitted.

Determine if new Air Maintenance Devices (AMDs) are needed. AMDs are required to regulate the pressure entering the sprinkler system piping.
- On an existing system, the AMDs presently installed may be suitable if they have been properly maintained. If there is any doubt, plan for new devices to be supplied.
- For new systems, plan on qty. (1) new AMD per riser.

Determine the number of Purge Vent Assemblies (PVAs) required. Purge Vent Assemblies (PVAs) allow the purge function to take place without allowing sprinkler water to discharge from the vent in the event of a fire.
- Plan on minimum one (1) PVA per riser.
- If the sprinkler systems appear to be very complicated, or there are sprinkler heads on more than one level (as may happen if there are heads both on and above a suspended ceiling), 2 or more PVAs may be needed per riser.

Enter the information into the Equipment Selection Guide. The Guide AUTOMATICALLY does the rest. You will know exactly what size system you will need. Of course, UNITED Fire Systems is always available to help. Simply call us (8:00AM – 5:00PM USA Eastern Time) and we’ll go through it with you!

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