Abstract:
An apparatus and method for clean, efficient removal of water and odor from a sprinkler systems including a vessel, a pump which creates a reduced pressure in the vessel, and a connector for attaching the device to the sprinkler system to remove trapped water. The vacuum pump is powered by a power source, and the reduced pressure created by vacuum pump is controlled by a regulator such that the vacuum pressure is maintained and does not cause damage to the gaskets in the sprinkler system.

Description:
This application claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 60/336,230, filed Oct. 29, 2001, the complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to the field of fire safety systems. More specifically, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for the removal of water from piping systems which prevents contamination or leakage of water from sprinkler system pipes during repairs. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Most commercial buildings, hotels, hospitals and nursing homes are required by law to include fire extinguishing sprinkler systems incorporated into the building&#39;s structure. These sprinkler systems are generally housed in the ceilings of buildings, or the ceilings of each floor in a building, and are comprised of pipes of varying diameters. The systems are typically fed directly from a city water main, and are designed to deliver large amounts of water to a fire upon activation by the heat emanating from the fire. The pipes of a typical sprinkler system run from the water main, through the walls or core of the building, and along the space above ceilings. Smaller pipes drop off from the pipes in the ceiling spaces. Such smaller pipes, or “drops” provide water to the sprinkler heads located in the ceilings of the rooms or areas serviced by the sprinkler system. A sprinkler head is typically located at the end of each pipe “drop.” Water is contained in the pipes at almost all times, as needed in case of a fire. 
   Generally, when a sprinkler system needs to be repaired the entire system of pipes must be drained of the water, especially when the sprinkler heads must be removed and replaced. Drainage of the system generally occurs at a main drain, often called a gang drain, that is typically located outside the building, or outside each floor of the building. Draining the system entails opening the main drain valve, and waiting until the water stops flowing out of the main drain. 
   However, this method does not drain the entire system. Stagnant trapped water, often called “black water,” remains in the “drops” at each sprinkler head. Black water is malodorous, dirty and appears to contain bacteria rendering it particularly unsafe in clean or sterile environments, such as hospitals, nursing homes and laboratories. The existence of the black water in the sprinkler drops makes the removal of each sprinkler head, as needed for repairs and replacements, a messy, time-consuming process. 
   To remove a sprinkler head, the person removing the sprinkler head must carry a container up a ladder, and hold the container beneath the drop while the sprinkler head is removed. As the head is removed, the black water drains from the drop. Too often, the black water spills or splashes out of the container onto the surrounding walls and/or the floor below. 
   One potential problem with using a vacuum system to establish a pressure differential within the pipes of a sprinkler system in order to remove the black water would be to dislodge the gaskets in the system pipes. Gaskets are used in sprinkler system pipelines to seal the joints where two ends of pipes come together. The gaskets are held in place by a metal casing or coupling, internal pressure provides the final seal to hold the gaskets in place. However, if the vacuum pressure is too high inside the pipes, the gaskets may be drawn out of the couplings and out of the pipes, thus causing breaches in the pipelines where the pipes are joined. 
   As a result, there is a need in the art for a clean, efficient method to repair sprinkler systems and remove sprinkler heads without damaging the gaskets at the pipe joints. 
   SUMMARY 
   The present invention provides a method and apparatus to cleanly and efficiently repair sprinkler systems and remove sprinkler heads by creating a pressure differential within the system that is high enough to remove trapped water from the sprinkler drops, but does not damage the gaskets, or otherwise damaging the components of the system. 
   In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a vessel for containing water withdrawn from the sprinkler system, a connector for attaching the vessel to the sprinkler system, and a vacuum pump for creating a reduced pressure within the vessel, and, in turn, within the sprinkler system. Preferably the apparatus will also include a pressure regulator for maintaining an appropriate stable pressure differential within the vessel. 
   In one embodiment, the vessel is centrally positioned on skids, wheels or a trailer, and the connector is operably attached to a first end of the vessel, allowing for connection to sprinkler systems to remove water trapped in sprinkler system pipes. Also, the vacuum pump is driven by a power source that is attached to the apparatus, and is protected by a filter or trap that prevents water or solids within the water collected in the vessel from being drawn into the vacuum pump. 
   In one embodiment, the pressure regulator includes a pressure gauge and a pressure regulating valve that allows the individual operating the apparatus to monitor and control the reduced pressure within the vessel. 
   The method of removing water from pipes includes creating a stable reduced pressure within the system to remove water from the “drops” in the sprinkler system as the sprinkler heads are removed. In one embodiment, the method includes connecting the apparatus to the sprinkler system, actuating the apparatus to create the reduced pressure, and removing the sprinkler heads from the system, preferably one or more at a time. In one embodiment, the method also includes at least partially draining the system of water by opening a drain, such as the alarm drain or gang drain. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view of one side of the apparatus, showing the vessel, power source, vacuum pump, and pressure regulator. 
       FIGS. 2 and 3  are parts views of one embodiment of the apparatus. 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of a mock-up sprinkler system, which was used to test the method and apparatus of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of the apparatus is shown from the side. The apparatus includes a vessel  30 , upon which is mounted frame  40  which supports power source  50  and vacuum pump  60 . Power source  50  is operably connected to and powers vacuum pump  60 . The vessel  30  has a suction inlet with a ball valve  32  on one end, and a sight glass  34  on the opposite end. Drain valve  20  extends from the bottom of vessel  30  on one end. The vessel  30  is mounted on two supports  36  with apertures  38  for conveniently mounting to skids or wheels (not shown). Above one end of the vessel  30 , and supported by frame  40  is power source  50 . Power cord  54  extends from the side of power source  50  and is coiled on hook  56  which is located centrally on the apparatus above the vessel  30 . Pressure gauge  52  is proximally located to power source  50 . Adjacent to power source  50  on the other side, moving along the top of vessel  30 , is stainless steel coupling guard  58 . Stainless steel coupling guard  58  sits centrally above vessel  30 , and in between power source  50  and vacuum pump  60 . On the same side of vessel  30  as vacuum pump  60 , is pipe  64 , which connects vessel  30  to a filter  66 . Pipe  64  then connects filter  66  to vacuum pump  60  on the top end of vacuum pump  60 . Sight glass  62  is located on pipe  64 . Attached to pipe  64  is pressure regulator  70 , which extends vertically from the top of the vacuum pump  60  and pipe  64 . Pressure regulator  70  is connected to muffler  74  above vacuum pump  60 . Coiled behind muffler  74  is hose  80 , stored on storage hook  82  which is connected to support channel  84 . 
     FIGS. 2 and 3  illustrate the individual parts of the preferred embodiment. Vessel  30  is preferably an ASME compliant tank, of variable size. Typically, vessel  30  has a 10 to 50 gallon capacity, and most preferably is of a size that does not make the apparatus difficult to move and transport. Vessel  30  is made of a material impervious to water, preferably metal. Although a tank is depicted as vessel  30  in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , it is recognized that any type of suitable container may be contemplated in this invention. In this embodiment, the drain valve  20  is 1 ½ inches in diameter and protrudes from the bottom of vessel  30 , however it is recognized that other means for draining vessel  30  may be contemplated in this invention. 
   As depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , vacuum pump  60  is preferably positioned on frame  40  directly above vessel  30  on one side of the apparatus. Vacuum pumps contemplated for use with the invention include piston, fan and screw type pumps, e.g. cylinder bounded devices for moving fluids such as air. For example, the disclosed embodiment uses a piston type vacuum pump operating at 1725 revolutions per minute, and capable of generating a reduced pressure/pressure differential of 0 to 29.9 inches of mercury. Here, vacuum pump  60  creates a stable reduced pressure of about 10 to 29.9 inches of mercury pressure. It is also recognized that any vacuum pump capable of generating a stable reduced pressure of about 10 to 29.9 inches of mercury pressure may be used and still fall within the scope of the invention. 
   Power source  50 , illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , is an electric motor capable of generating about 3 horsepower. However, it is also recognized that any power source or engine capable of generating power sufficient to operate vacuum pump  60  may be used and still fall within the scope of the invention. For example, by using a larger motor with increased maximum horsepower, and one would increase the stability of the reduced pressure, and allow one to remove an increased number of sprinkler heads at once. 
   As indicated by  FIG. 1 , power source  50  provides power to vacuum pump  60 . In this embodiment, power source  50  is positioned on frame  40 , directly on top of vessel  30  on the opposite side of vessel  30  from the position of vacuum pump  60 . Stainless steel coupling guard  58  covers the coupling that runs between power source  50  and vacuum pump  60 . In the embodiment depicted, power source  50  has an external power source, e.g. an electric outlet, and power cord  54  is coiled for storage on hook  56 , which is located on the side of the apparatus and attached to the apparatus between power source  50  and vacuum pump  60 . 
   Returning to  FIG. 1 , a filter  66  is attached to pipe  64 , which runs between vacuum pump  60  and vessel  30 . A sight glass  62  may be positioned on pipe  64  to allow for monitoring the existence of water backing up into vacuum pump  60 , and filter  66  prevents solids in the water in vessel  30  from entering vacuum pump  60  when the apparatus is being operated. Pressure regulator  70  is connected to vacuum pump  60 , and also to muffler  74 . In an alternative embodiment, muffler  74  may not be attached to the apparatus. Pressure gauge  52  is positioned, in the present embodiment as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , along side power source  50 . 
   As seen in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , situated behind the muffler, hose  80  is coiled for storage on hook  82 , which is attached to support channel  84 . Although a hose  80  is depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , it is recognized that any flexible or bendable pipe, hose, or other suitable device may be used to attach the apparatus to a sprinkler system. Hose  80  is preferably 5 to 50 feet long. More preferably, hose  80  is 25 to 50 feet long, and is either integrally connected to the vessel  30  at one end, or is attached to the vessel  30  via a fitting, e.g. half of a male to female pipe fitting or friction fitting. Also, the end of the hose  80  which may be attached to the sprinkler system drain preferably ends with a fitting, e.g. a pipe fitting complementary to that found on the gang drain of the sprinkler system, or a friction fitting. However, it is recognized that any length hose or suitable device may be used in the apparatus so long as its material is water and vacuum resistant, and is of sufficient length to connect the apparatus to the system. 
   It is also recognized that components of the apparatus may be positioned differently, but still fall within the scope of the invention. For example, pressure gauge  52  may be positioned anywhere on the apparatus that provides for measuring the vacuum pressure established by vacuum pump  60 . Similarly, pressure regulator  70  may be positioned differently within the apparatus as long as it continues to regulate the vacuum pressure, e.g., it is in fluid connection with the interior of the vessel and can maintain the stable reduced pressure established by vacuum pump  60 . In addition, sight glass  34  may be placed anywhere in the wall of vessel  30  to allow the apparatus&#39; operator to view inside vessel  30 , and sight glass  62  may be placed anywhere along pipe  64  such that it provides a view of the inside of pipe  64 . 
   In a preferred embodiment, vessel  30  is a 30 gallon metal ASME tank with sight glass  34  on one end of vessel  30  and 20 foot long hose  80  attached to the other end of vessel  30 . Filter  66  is at least a 5 micron filter, pressure regulator  70  is set at 10.18 inches Hg, and power source  50  is a gasoline-powered 3 hp motor. Also, the apparatus has muffler  74  to dampen operating noise, and the apparatus is mounted on supports  36  with apertures  38  for conveniently mounting to skids or wheels (not shown) for ease of movement. 
   The method of the invention provides several advantages over the prior methods of removing sprinkler system heads. The compact construction of the apparatus, mounted on wheels or skids, provides for ease of movement of the apparatus to one location at which the apparatus will be attached. The pressure differential created in the sprinkler system pipes creates a siphon when a sprinkler head is removed for cleaning, repair or replacement. The siphon removes the water from the sprinkler head drop as the head is being removed from the drop, greatly reducing if not eliminating the risk of black water spilling from the pipe and contaminating the area below the sprinkler head. In addition, the method can preferably be operated and carried out by one person per head removal. 
   The method also prevents drawing of the pipe gaskets from the couplings that join the sprinkler system pipes. Certain manufacturers of the grooved piping systems used for sprinkler systems recommend that the vacuum pressure in pipes not exceed 10 inches Hg pressure, or the gaskets may be drawn out of the pipes. Manufacturers that provide grooved piping systems include, but are not limited to, Victaulic, Central Grooved Pipe Products, Star Pipe Fittings, Gruvlock, and Grinnell. 
   The preferred method of removing water includes providing an apparatus as discussed herein, connecting the apparatus to the gang drain valve on a sprinkler system, and creating a reduced pressure within the system. The main gang drain valve may reside on the inside or outside of the building which houses the sprinkler system, and a multi-story building may have only one gang drain valve for the entire system, or one gang drain valve for each floor of the building. In this preferred embodiment, once a vacuum pressure is established in the apparatus by turning on power source  50  which provides power to vacuum pump  60 , water is removed from the sprinkler system pipe drops by unscrewing the sprinkler head off of each sprinkler drop. Once each sprinkler head is unscrewed, the vacuum pressure established by vacuum pump  60 , which creates a pressure differential between the pressure in the sprinkler system and the atmospheric pressure outside the sprinkler system, creates a siphon or vacuum that removes the trapped water from the sprinkler head drop. The trapped water is siphoned from the sprinkler head drop through the sprinkler system pipes, possibly all the way to vessel  30 . The filter  66  prevents water from backing up pipe  64  from vessel  30  into vacuum pump  60 . 
   It is recognized that the apparatus may be attached to any point on the sprinkler system where the hose  80  can be connected such that there is an airtight seal between the hose  80  and the connection point on the sprinkler system. The sprinkler system may be breached at any point on a sprinkler head drop such that the inside of the pipe drop is exposed to air at the atmospheric pressure, causing the siphon that transports the trapped water in the sprinkler drop to vessel  30  on the apparatus. 
   EXAMPLE 1 
   The method and apparatus were used on a sprinkler system with 183 sprinkler drops. The embodiment of the apparatus used in this example is depicted in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3  and included a thirty gallon ASME vessel  30 , mounted on supports  36  with wheels (not shown) attached at apertures  38 . The power source  50  was a 3 hp electric engine, operating at 220V and 1725 rpm. The vacuum pump  60  was Gast Model 6066-V103, operating at 1725 rpm, connected to a filter  66 . The pressure regulator  70  was set to maintain 10.18 in. Hg of pressure. The hose  80  was attached to the main alarm valve drain on the sprinkler system. The sprinkler system piping had a one (1) inch outer diameter, and each sprinkler drop was about 18 inches in length. During the replacement of all 183 sprinkler heads in the system, the apparatus and method successfully prevented any substantial release or spillage of water from each of the sprinkler drops. 
   EXAMPLE 2 
   In another example, the method and apparatus were used on a sprinkler system with 210 sprinkler drops. The embodiment of the apparatus used in this example is depicted in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , and included a thirty gallon ASME vessel  30 , mounted on supports  36  with wheels (not shown) attached at apertures  38 . The power source  50  was a 3 hp electric engine, operating at 220V, and 1725 rpm. The vacuum pump  60  was Gast Model 6066-V103, operating at 1725 rpm, connected to a filter  66 . The pressure regulator  70  was set to maintain 10.18 in. Hg of pressure. The hose  80  was attached to the main alarm valve drain on the sprinkler system. The sprinkler system piping had a one (1) inch outer diameter, and each sprinkler drop was about 24 inches in length. During the replacement of all 210 sprinkler heads in the system, the apparatus and method successfully prevented any substantial release or spillage of water from each of the sprinkler drops. 
   EXAMPLE 3 
   In another example, the method and apparatus were used on a mock-up of a sprinkler system, as shown on  FIG. 4 , having 14 feet of 3 inch diameter pipe plus 42 feet of 2 ½ inch diameter pipe with eight drops of various lengths from 1 foot to 4 ½ feet long. The pipes are connected with mechanical couplings: 4-2 ½ inch couplings, 1-3×2 ½ inch reduced couplings, and 3-3 inch couplings. The piping is so arranged that it contains 6 gallons of trapped water, weighing approximately 50 pounds. The embodiment of the apparatus used in this example is depicted in  FIG. 1 , and included a thirty gallon ASME vessel  30 , mounted on supports  36  with wheels (not shown) attached at apertures  38 . The power source  50  was a 3 hp electric engine, operating at 220V, and 1725 rpm. The vacuum pump  60  was Gast Model 6066-V103, operating at 1725 rpm, connected to a filter  66 . The pressure regulator  70  was set to maintain 10.18 in. Hg of pressure. The hose  80  was attached to the main alarm valve drain on the mock-up sprinkler system. Several sprinkler drops were tested, including the longest sprinkler drop of 4 feet, and no water remained in any of the drops after the test. Also, the removal of two sprinkler heads at the same time did not result in water leakage. The apparatus successfully removed the water from the entire system. 
   Although the invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is to be clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the spirit and scope of this invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.