Vacuum fire protection technology
The VACTEC Sprinkler® Vacuum System is a complete FM-approved fire protection technology offering outstanding features and benefits such as corrosion inhibition and the use of mesh-type piping networks. A versatile and durable solution, the system can operate with any available water source, including wastewater, industrial water, river water, rainwater and seawater.
Fully tested and ready for connection to the water supply and sprinkler piping network, the system includes control valves, vacuum pump, control panel and vacuum controller.
These vacuum fire protection systems are available in automatic or pre-action configurations (without, single or double interlock).
Available sizes
| Dimensions* | Empty weight | ||||||
| Vacuum unit | Feeder ∅A | Riser ∅B | Drain manifold ∅C | Length L | Width W | Height H |
|
| DN80 (3") | DN80 (3") | DN80 (3") | DN50 (2") | 1168mm (46") | 635mm (25") | 1956mm (77") | 412 kg (908.3 lbs) |
| DN100 (4") | DN100 (4") | DN100 (4") | DN50 (2") | 1168mm (46") | 635mm (25") | 1956mm (77") | 460 kg (1014.1 lbs) |
| DN150 (6") | DN150 (6") | DN150 (6") | DN50 (2") | 1168mm (46") | 635mm (25") | 1956mm (77") | 537 kg (1183.9 lbs) |
| DN200 (8") | DN200 (8") | DN200 (8") | DN50 (2") | 1372mm (54") | 787mm (31") | 2057mm (81") | 740 kg (1631.4 lbs) |
| * precision : ± 6,4mm (1/4″) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Specifications
- Assembled, programmed and tested to ISO-9001 standards
- Viking Model F-1 vertical outlet deluge valve
- Stand-alone system using Viking VFR-400 control panel
- Compact, attractive and easy to move
- Neoprene seals on all doors to eliminate vibration
- No open drain funnels inside the cabinet
- Access hatch for emergency manual release valve
- Serial number assigned to each unit for traceability
- Standardized operation and maintenance manual
Other features & benefits
- Inhibits corrosion by removing oxygen and moisture
- Prevents the formation of ice plugs by automatically eliminating residual water
- Enables the design of cost-saving mesh-type networks
- Allows use of a roughness factor of C = 120 with black steel pipes
- Extremely fast system start-up (<5 s)
- Real-time monitoring of vacuum atmosphere
- Calculation software available to estimate filling time
Vacuum controller
The vacuum pressure controller controls the vacuum pump, maintaining the vacuum level in the piping network between -180 mbar (-2.6 psi) and -150 mbar (-2.2 psi). It displays the pressure level, time and frequency of vacuum pump operation in real time, providing useful information on any changes in the pipe network.
In the event of fire, the vacuum controller detects the activation of a sprinkler head, generates an alarm and triggers the system in less than 5 seconds.
Corrosion inhibition
Vacuum technology inherently inhibits corrosion by removing oxygen and moisture from piping.
It offers an economical, long-term solution on applications where piping corrosion, blockages and ice plugs can affect system performance, and where maintenance problems are a concern.
The inhibiting atmosphere is created rapidly, with normal pressure reached within minutes of system activation, creating the right atmosphere to inhibit corrosion. System pressure is then monitored in real time by the controller, ensuring the required vacuum level is always maintained.
Vacuum pump
Vacuum is created using a controlled vacuum pump.
The vacuum pump can establish the required level of vacuum in the piping network in less than 4 minutes for a 3,800-liter system, saving on commissioning and maintenance time.
The vacuum pump’s advantages over an air compressor include silent operation and minimal maintenance.
valve
Isolation valve
For easier maintenance, an isolation valve is installed on the riser. It also allows full-flow testing without filling the system piping. A sight glass on the main drain provides visual confirmation of water flow.
Sprinklers for vacuum system
The sprinklers used must be specifically approved for use on vacuum systems. Consult us for a list of approved sprinklers or refer to the manufacturers’ technical data sheets.
Control panel
The Viking VFR-400 panel is cULus listed, FM approved and meets the requirements of UL 864-9. The panel includes menu-driven programming for easy configuration. It is compatible with linear and point thermal fire detectors, smoke detectors, flow indicators, low and high pressure switches, and manual trigger stations.
Options for Vactec Sprinkler®units
- Semi- or fully flanged option
When required by the customer, the Vactec Sprinkler® unit can be fitted with semi-flanged or fully flanged connections. - Galvanized option
This option includes the main manifold and the vacuum station riser in galvanized steel.
Preaction & Automation
Vacuum sprinkler systems operate in much the same way as dry-pipe sprinkler systems, but with much higher overall performance. They also enable network configurations previously reserved for wet-pipe sprinkler systems: large networks, meshed networks, looped networks, etc.
Pre-action mode operation
Automatic mode operation
