Altran FPS Kit Detects Corrosion in Fire Sprinkler Systems.

Business Editors

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 28, 2001

With its FPS Kit, Altran Corporation makes it easy for building and facilities managers, fire protection system engineers, and water quality consultants to detect and characterize corrosion in fire protection systems. Corrosion is a leading cause of failure in activated fire sprinkler systems. It is also fairly easy to identify and prevent. In systems on standby, corrosion can cause pinhole leaks, which may damage structural systems, ceilings and equipment. During a fire, corrosion products--rusty deposits and tubercles--can plug sprinkler heads, rendering the system useless.

Sprinkler system corrosion failures can occur as a result of

-- Improper materials selection, such as the use of dissimilar metals susceptible to galvanic corrosion

-- Poor installation and maintenance practices, such as improper slope in dry systems, improper cleaning of corrosive flux, and failure to flush system after installation.

-- Improper water chemistry or poor water quality

-- Microbiologically-induced corrosion (MIC)

Each of these failure mechanisms requires different methods of detection, repair and prevention. Determining the correct cause of failures is the first step in developing remedial treatment and preventive maintenance programs. Improper treatment of corrosion in sprinkler systems--or treating the wrong corrosion mechanism--can result in repetition of the failure and costly repairs.

Altran's FPS Kit is a prepaid sample mailer that can be used to ship material and water samples to Altran's Boston laboratory for analysis. Upon receipt, Altran's lab and engineering staff will analyze the samples to assist in the proper identification of the corrosion mechanism, and follow up with a comprehensive analytical report of findings and recommendations. Altran does not limit the analysis to a single cause of corrosion, such as MIC. Its staff of materials engineers, corrosion scientists, chemists, and biologists have the expertise to recognize all corrosion mechanisms in sprinkler systems. For more information on the FPS Kits, or to place an order call 617-204-1000.

Founded in 1986, Altran Corporation is an independent consulting firm that provides engineering and analytical services to a wide range of regulated and non-regulated industries. Altran offers a wide range of services to the fire protection industry, including internal inspection and assessment (video-borescope), corrosion testing and analyses, materials testing and specification, and biocide selection.