EFSN Technical Committee

Standards Comparison Pipework

EN 12845

Permissible
pipework

17.1.2:
Steel, Copper or other
material in accordance
with appropriate
specifications valid in
the place of use of the
system

LPC Rules Technical

Bulletin 227
supplements BS EN
Clause 17
TB227.1
Steel pipes to BS 1387,
ISO 65 or EN 10255
TB227.2.1.
Lists specifications which
pipe and fittings must
comply with.

CEA 4001
VdS CEA 4001

NFPA 13

FM 2.0

15.1.2:
As per EN 12845

6 Systems components:

2.5.2 Sprinkler System

Piping

[VdS:
Pipes in steel, copper or
other pipesystems with
VdS-approval]

TB227.2.6.
Lists conditions under
which proprietary pipes
and fittings for which
there is no equivalent BS
EN clause may be
permitted.
TB227.2.7:
Plastic pipe satisfying LPS
1260

[General clausule]
6.1 General
6.1.1. Listing
Materials or devices not
specifically designated
by this standard shall be
used in accordance with
all conditions,
requirements, and
limitations of their
special listing.
6.3:1.2: Steel
6.3.1.3: Copper
6.3.1.4 CPVC
According to table
(standards ASTM/ANSI)
or be listed for sprinkler
applications. In tables
6.3.1.1 and 6.3.6.1
6.3.8 Pipe and tube shall
be marked along its

Use only new sprinkler

system piping.
Rigid metallic, wall
thickness according to
Table 22.
Flexible metallic, non
metallic, CPVC, or
metallic with wall
thickness less then
Table 22 requires FM
Approval.

length
Permitted Use
Steel

All hazard groups

All hazard groups

All hazard groups

All hazard groups

Ensure the sprinkler
system piping is
compatible with the
environment it will be
protecting, including
the highest expected
internal pressure.
Sprinkler system piping
that is to be installed in
at typical
environments, such as
corrosive,
low-temperature or
high-temperature
enviroments need
special consideration.

Copper

May only be used in

wet pipe systems for
LH1,OH1,OH2, and OH3
downstream of any
steel piping. (17.1.9

Other material
/specific
systems

No detail

See paragraphs TB227

2.7 and Table TB 227 T3

See specification section

(CEA 4001 has no
specific section on
copper pipes)

All hazard groups

All hazard groups

No detail (see VDS)

Must be listed. Use

according to their listing.
Specific reference to
CPVC in 6.3.6 .1: Light
hazard except in

2.5.2:
Must be FM Approved
and compatible with
the hazard it is
intended to protect.

circumstances in 6.3.6.2
Use FM Approved CPVC
pipe. Use it only for the
following:
> Any occupancy
hazard protected by
Non-storage sprinklers
when the pipe is
shielded from the fire
area
by a non-removable
barrier having a fire
rating equal to or
greater than 1 hour, or
> Any occupancy
hazard protected by
quick-response
Non-storage sprinklers
when the pipe is not
shielded
from the fire area, but
all of the following
conditions are met:
> The pipe can be
protected by a sprinkler
design that is based on
a flow application rate
equal to 0.10 gpm/ft2
(4 mm/min), and
> The pipe is installed
on a wet-pipe sprinkler
system, and
> Any CPVC vertical
3

risers are protected by

a quick-response.

Specification
of pipe
Steel

17.1.2:
Nominal diameter up
to 150mm and
threaded, cut
grooved or otherwise
machined shall have
minimum wall
thickness in accordance
ISO65M.
Where reduced
thickness by
roll-grooving or
minimum wall
thickness in accordance
with ISO4200D.
For dry, alternate or
pre- action systems
galvanised steel should
be preferably used.

15.1.2:
As per EN 12845

6.3.1 6.3.2:
Tables with
pipe-schedules defining
diameters, wall thickness
& standards.

2.5.2:
Minimum wall
thickness must comply
with Table 22 or be FM
Approved.

6.3.8:
All pipe shall be marked
to properly identify the
type of pipe. Marking
visible every 2 ft.
(610mm)

Use internally
galvanized, stainless
steel or similar
corrosion-resistant in
all new dry pipe,
preaction,
refrigerated-area,
deluge, and
exposure-protection
sprinkler systems.
Do not use galvanized
pipe in areas where the
ambient temperature
could exceed 54C,
unless specifically
FM-approved.
Black steel in dry-pipe
systems, closed
sprinklers if system is
filled with an inert gas.

Copper

17.1.2:
In accordance with EN
1057

Other
materials

No reference

Mechanical
joints

No reference

15.1.2:
As per EN 12845

6.3.5:
Tables with
pipe-schedules defining
diameters, wall thickness

Minimum wall
thickness must comply
with Table 22 or be FM
Approved.

TB227.2.7:
Only plastic pipe suitable
for sprinkler service
satisfying LPS 1260 or
equivalent shall be used
which is listed in notified
body specifiers guide or
amendments or listed in
the LPCB list of approved
products etc and has an
agreed and FPA
endorsed product guide

No reference (see VdS)

6.3.6:
Listed pipe and tubing.

Must be FM Approved.

TB227.2.3: Only
mechanical couplings
complying with LPS 1219
or equivalent shall be
used. The products shall
be suitable for sprinkler
service and be listed in
notified body specifiers
guide or amendments or
listed in the LPCB list of
approved products etc.
Installed in accordance
with suppliers
recommendations.

When mechanical joints

are used , minimum wall
thickness shall also be in
accordance with the
joint manufacturers
recommendations.

Other types of pipe and

tube that have been
investigated and listed
for sprinkler applications
include lightweight steel
pipe and thermoplastic
pipe and fittings.

6.4 Fittings
Table with ASME
standardized materials
and dimensions for Cast
and malleable iron, steel
or copper. Otherwise
application if listed for
use in sprinkler
installations.
Screwed unions shall
not be used > 2
(51mm).

2.5.3:
Use only new FM
Approved sprinkler
system pipe
connections (couplings,
fittings, welded and
threaded joints).

Installers must ensure

that the coupling is
appropriate for the pipe
used and that the
connecting pipe ends are
appropriately prepared.
Jointing
Steel

17.1.3:
Pipes < 50mm shall not
be welded on site
except using automatic
welding machine.
Hot work not
permitted in situ.
Joints should be
welded continuously,
internal weld does not
interfere with flow of
water. Piping to be
deburred and slag
removed.
Welders shall be
approved in
accordance with
EN287-1.

15.1.3:
Welders shall be
approved in accordance
with EN 287-1
Welded pipes and
fittings less than DN
65mm shall be welded in
the supplier factory.
Companies carrying out
welding shall have a
quality management
system accepted by the
authorities such as ISO
9001.
An accredited laboratory
accepted by the
authorities shall check
the following welding
procedures and welded
test pieces:
Socket weld procedure:
Welding of sockets onto
6

6.5
Threaded < 50
Welded
(Strict quality
procedures as in other
schemes)
Grooved (listed)
6.3.7: Guidance and
limitations of pipe
bending
6.5.2 Detail on control
measures, procedures
and specifications
6.5.2.5 Welders qualified
to AWS B2.1
Specification for Welding
procedure and
Performance
Qualification; ASME
Boiler and Pressure
Code, SectionIX Welding
and Brazing

2.5.3:
Donotthreadpipewitha
wallthicknesslessthan
0.133in.(3.4mm).

Welding methods and

qualifications for
joining sprinkler system
piping should comply
with the minimum
requirements of the
latest version of
ANSI/AWS B2.1.

pipes smaller than DN

65mm
Pipe weld procedure:
Welding of pipes smaller
than DN 65mm including
welding of pipes smaller
than DN 65mm
onto

larger dimensioned
pipes
The quality management
system shall include:
Welded joint in
accordance with
EN25817, quality class D
Arc welded joints in
steel-guidance on quality
levels for imperfections
No debris left in pipe
after welding operations
The welded joint shall
fully penetrate the pipe
wall if no evidence
according to EN288
specifications and
approval of welding
procedures for metallic
materials is provided.
The welded joint shall
not intrude into the pipe
more than 1mm
(average) or 1.5mm
(maximum)
7

Qualifications

Welded connections
should not cause
pressure losses higher
than 105% of the loss
produced in standard
fittings
The bending strength of
welded pipe joint shall
be at least 80% of the
pipe bending strength.
If robot welding
machines are used, the
welding operation shall
be fully automatic
15.1.4: Mechanical pipe
joints shall be approved.

Copper

17.1.9
Joined either by
mechanical joints or by
hard soldering using
fittings according to EN
1254.
Hard soldering shall
only be carried out by
trained personnel to

No reference

6.3.1.1 Specifies solders,

brazing alloys and fluxes
when using copper tube
6.5.4 Brazed and solderd
joints. Installation
standard for soldering
copper and copper alloy
tube and fittings ASTM B

No reference

EN ISO 3677.
Copper to steel joints
shall be flanged using
stainless steel bolts

828 Standard Practice

for making Capillary
Joints by Soldering

Bending
Steel and
copper

Copper

No specific
material:
Flexible joints

17.1.9
Piping shall not be bent
on site
Precautions taken
against galvanic
corrosion.

17.1.4:
If required shall be
capable of
withstanding test
pressure of four times
maximum working
pressure or 40 bar,
whichever is the
greater and shall not
include parts which if
subjected to fire, might
impair either the
integrity or
performance of the
sprinkler system.

6.3.7: Guidance and

limitations of pipe
bending

2.5.2.2:
Bending sprinkler
system piping is
permissible for any
steel pipe having a
minimum wall
thickness of 0.109 in.
(2.8 mm), provided the
pipe remains round
and the minimum
radius of a bend is 12
pipe diameters
regardless of pipe size.
See Table 23.

No reference.

2.5.3.2:
Must be FM Approved.

No reference

TB227.2.4
Only flexible connectors
complying with LPS 1261
or equivalent shall be
used. . The products
shall be suitable for
sprinkler service and be
listed in notified body
specifiers guide or
amendments
TB227.2.4.2:
Lists detailed
requirements for flexible
connectors
TB227.2.5:

15.1.5:
As per EN 12845

10

Concealment

Protection
against fire
and
mechanical
damage

Flexible pipes shall

contain a continuous
pressure retaining
stainless steel or nonferrous inner tube.
To be fitted in fully
extended position.
Shall not be used to
take up misalignment
between a distribution
main and feed pipes to
intermediate sprinklers
17.1.5:
Installed to be easily
accessible for repairs
and alterations.
Not embedded in
concrete floors or
ceilings or where
possible in concealed
spaces that make
inspection, repairs and
modifications difficult
17.1.6:
Installed so as not to be
exposed to mechanical
damage. Where low
headroom or similar
situations precautions
should be taken against
mechanical damage.
Where passing

Flexible connectors used

in pre-calculated
systems shall connect
single sprinklers to
distribution pipes with a
minimum distribution
pipe diameter of 32mm
and be coupled to
distribution pipes using
32mm DN (11/4

inch
thread) fittings.
15.1.6:
As per EN 12845
[VdS 2011 version:
Concealment permitted
under conditions.
Piping in concrete.]

15.1.7
First paragraph as per
EN 12845

Where passing through

11

No reference.
6.3.6 CPVC only installed
exposed under certain
circumstances

8.16.4.3.1
Private
service main
aboveground piping
shall not pass through
hazardous areas and
shall be located so that it
is protected from
mechanical and fire
damage.

No reference.
See Permitted Use
for fire barrier
requirements for CPVC.

Ensurethesprinkler
systemisprotected
againstmechanical
damageaswellas
exposuretopotential
freezingconditions.

through unsprinklered
building should be at
ground level and
protected against
mechanical damage,
with appropriate fire
resistance

unsprinklered building, it
shall be enclosed by
dwarf brick walls
covered by concrete
slabs

Painting

17.1.7:
Non galvanised ferrous
pipework shall be
painted if
environmental
conditions make it
necessary.
Galvanised pipe shall
be painted wherever
coating is damaged.
In unusually corrosive
conditions extra
protection may be
required.

15.1.8:
As per EN 12845

6.3.8.1. Pipe can be

painted before
installation where
approved.

No reference.

Drainage

17.1.8:
Means shall be
provided to enable
draining of pipework.
If this cannot be done
through drain valve at
control valve set, extra
valves should be fitted
in accordance with
15.4.

15.1.9:
As per EN 12845 except
cross reference re: extra
valves which is 13.4.

8.16.2.1:
All sprinkler pipe and
fittings shall be so
installed that the system
can be drained.

2.5.2.4:
Arrange dry-type (i.e.,
dry-pipe, preaction,
etc.,) sprinkler system
piping to drain back to
the systems main
2 in. (50 mm) riser
drain. For any part of a
sprinkler system that
cannot drain back to

8.16.2.4.4:
Drains shall
discharge outside or to a
drain connection
capable of handling the
12

Fittings

On dry , alternate and

pre-action systems
range pipes to have
slope towards
distribution pipe of
0.4%. Distribution
pipes shall have slope
of at least o.2%
towards drain valve.
Cold climates where
severe freezing likely
slopes may need to be
increased and
incorporated in wet
systems.
No reference

flow of the drain.

No reference

(NL NEN1073 addition

to EN12845:
Alternative methods of
connection if approved
by AHJ)

13

6.4. Detail specifications

and requirements for
fittings

the systems main 2 in.

(50 mm) drain, provide
auxiliary drains (or
equivalent) that will
drain the sprinkler
system water to a safe
area.
Arrange the sprinkler
system piping to be
pitched 12 in. per 10 ft
(4 mm/m) for all
branchlines, and 14 in.
per 10 ft (2 mm/m) for
all other sprinkler
piping.