Dry Pipe & Pre-Action System Best Practices

C-Aire's dry pipe & pre-action fire sprinkler system best practices guide explains the correct and incorrect air maintenance device configurations, according to NFPA 13 8.2.6.6. Dry pipe and pre-action systems play a crucial role in fire protection, and it is imperative to have them set up correctly to prevent potential issues. C-Aire's fire protection air compressors are ETL Listed to UL Standard 1450 & CSA Standard C22.2 NO. 68 and have been specifically tested and certified for use in sprinkler systems when installed in accordance with NFPA 13, "Installation of Sprinkler Systems." View the single-valve and multiple-valve system diagrams below.

Dry Pipe & Pre-Action System Best Practices

Use this visual guide as a starting point when reviewing compressed air arrangements for dry pipe and preaction sprinkler systems. Begin by identifying whether the project uses a single valve or multiple valves, then trace the air path shown in the applicable diagram.

Identify the arrangement. Match the project to the single valve or multiple valve example.
Review each component. Note the compressor, receiver tank, air maintenance device, pressure controls, isolation points, and connections shown.
Confirm the project requirements. Verify model selection, electrical requirements, system pressure, fill time, and accessories using current C-Aire documentation and the project specifications.
Validate before installation. Check the arrangement against the valve manufacturer's instructions, the locally adopted code, the engineer's design, and the authority having jurisdiction.

Important: These diagrams are educational references, not project specific installation drawings. Installation and service should be performed by qualified personnel following applicable safety and energy control procedures.

Download the printable PDF below for an easy reference, then use the single valve and multiple valve illustrations for a closer look at each arrangement.

C-Aire Best Practices Flyer - Dry Valve & Pre-Action Systems - 2023

Download Best Practices Guide

Single Valve Systems

A single valve arrangement has one dry pipe or preaction valve serving one sprinkler system. The compressor supplies supervisory air to the system.

In a dry pipe system, operation of one or more sprinklers reduces system air pressure so the dry valve can trip. A preaction valve follows its listed releasing configuration, which can require detection, loss of air pressure, or both. Always follow the valve manufacturer's instructions and the approved system design.

For a baseplate or riser mount compressor with a C-Aire Digital AMD, the Digital AMD controls system pressure. Install the required check valve between the compressor and the system valve.
For a compressor with a receiver tank, install a regulator style air maintenance device between the receiver and the system valve.
Do not add a second air maintenance device downstream of a Digital AMD that is already controlling the single system. Competing controls can cause short cycling.
For compressor flow greater than 5.5 CFM at 10 psi, use a receiver tank and a regulator style air maintenance device with a bypass and restrictor, as shown in the C-Aire guide.

S164 & S550 Fire Protection Air Compressors from C-Aire

Multiple Valve Systems

A multiple valve arrangement uses one or more compressor sources to supply supervisory air to two or more independent dry pipe or preaction systems. Each branch must regulate its own required system pressure so a leak or pressure change in one system does not directly control the others.

Use a compressor with a receiver tank and verify its capacity against the combined system volume, required fill time, operating pressures, and expected leakage for all connected systems.
Install a separate regulator style air maintenance device in the branch before each dry pipe or preaction valve, as shown in the visual guide.
Do not install one common air maintenance device upstream of multiple valves. Each system requires its own pressure regulation.
Do not use one Digital AMD as a shared air maintenance device or feed individual air maintenance devices from a baseplate or riser mount compressor whose Digital AMD is already controlling system pressure. These arrangements can cause short cycling.

Confirm the compressor and receiver sizing, individual pressure settings, branch piping and components, alarms, and releasing sequence against the approved plans, each valve manufacturer's instructions, the locally adopted code, the design professional's requirements, and the authority having jurisdiction.