Home fire sprinkler head

#160 – CPVC, Copper, Steel, and PEX: Trends in Home Fire Sprinkler Systems

Fire sprinkler installers looking to compete in the home fire sprinkler market have a wide variety of piping materials at their disposal. QRFS estimates the prevalence of piping materials, including PEX and CPVC fire sprinkler pipe, and explains how some factors—namely, cost—have left copper and steel with a much smaller role.

Integral Storz on a fire hydrant

#158 – Storz FDCs and Fire Hydrant Storz Connections: Adapters or Integral Storz?

Quick-connecting Storz couplings can simplify the task facing firefighters and significantly reduce the time required to connect fire hoses to fire hydrants and fire department connections. QRFS looks at the benefits and drawbacks of three products designed to make these devices Storz-ready: removable Storz adapters, permanent Storz adapters, and integral fire hydrant Storz connections.

Heat trace cable on an upright sprinkler

#157 – Heat Tracing Fire Sprinkler Systems: When, Where, and How

Heat tracing can protect sections of pipe in wet fire sprinklers from freezing, providing a viable alternative to installing or retrofitting more complex and expensive dry pipe or preaction systems. QRFS explains various types of heat tape, including NFPA standards, cost, and maintenance requirements.

A firefighter at a hydrant

#152 – What is a Carlin Valve and When is it Necessary?

At the fire scene, the engine company sometimes designates a person to stay with the fire hydrant while the engine and the crew advance on a burning building. QRFS explains how Carlin valves, a displacement-activated hydrant gate valve, can keep the engine company whole while facilitating safe and speedy hydrant activation.