I have one ceiling fire sprinkler that is in my basement that is not positioned low enough for when you drywall the ceiling. I have looked at the plumbing and the fire sprinkler system in not tied directly into the city main water. So I can turn the water off myself. I can then drain the sprinkler line from the test spinket. The pressure drops to 0. Can i then unscrew the sprinkler, cut the pipe, lenghten the pipe and then screw the sprinkler back on myself. Look as though sprinkler head just screws into end of pipe and teflon tape on the screws.

Can I do this myself? Suggestions.

Thanks

Matt

mikespike1733

Yes you can do it yourself, just be careful and make sure pressure is at 0 before unscrewing the head, good luck!

mattp

i was told that once u take the head off and put the new lenght on that the system will need to be repressurized because all he pressure will be released when pipe is open. is this true how do u do that?

mikespike1733

Thats true, what i reccomend is that when you open your valve to the system, if at all possible open slowly until pressure builds (turn valve on a few turns at a time)up gradually!

labman

I have sent a request to move this thread to plumbing. There are sprinkler systems in unconditioned spaces that are dry systems, pressurized with air to avoid freezing. What I know most about them is that I was relieved when as a factory manager, I was allowed to call in professional plumbers rather than having to help my millwrights figure out how to fix the system on our outside truck dock. Over the years, the air leaked out and the system did freeze up and break.

If it is not a dry system you can* easily do the work yourself. Just shut the water off and redo the piping. Don't worry about repressurizing the system. Once the water is turned back on, it will be pressurized the same as the rest of you plumbing.

*I think our plumbers will confirm that you SHOULDN'T do it because code restricts working on sprinkle systems to licensed plumbers. That is why I was authorized to blow good money on things my people could have done. That was over 20 years ago, and I doubt code is less strict now.

mattp

I actually called a fire sprinkler installation compnay and the guy hooked me up wtih some extensions do I dont even need to cut the pipe. Should be fairly easy to do now. Thanks for all your help.

Matt