Corrosion Solutions Frequently Asked Questions

Questions

Answers

What are the main causes of corrosion in fire sprinkler systems?
Fire sprinkler systems are made up of metal, water, and air. This combination is detrimental to fire sprinkler systems since it will lead to a corrosive environment. Additionally, bacteria can enhance the effects of general corrosion in fire sprinkler systems.

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What is Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC)?
Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) is a type of corrosion which is initiated by microbiological life forms and occurs often in fire sprinkler systems. Certain species of bacterium aid in the corrosion cell creation and propagation of the corrosion process. There are three main groups of bacteria which are responsible for MIC, each group is named after its specific function on metallic surfaces:

1. Acid Producing Bacteria (APB): This group is comprised of bacteria which actually create organic and inorganic acids (acetic acid, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, etc.) as a waste product in their function. The created acid is very corrosive to metallic surfaces. They are mainly anaerobic (do not need oxygen to function). They are responsible for localized corrosion and pit formation.

2. Sulfur Reducing Bacteria (SRB): This group is comprised of bacteria which reduce available sulfur and react with iron on metallic surfaces to form iron sulfide and hydrogen sulfide gas, as waste products. The hydrogen sulfide gas forms sulfuric acid when exposed to water and the acid's actions create pitting in the metallic surface. SRB can actually use the hydrogen on the metals surface as an electron donor and derive their energy in the reduction of sulfur. They are mainly anaerobic (do not need oxygen to function).

3. Iron Related Bacteria (IRB): This group of bacteria is comprised of bacteria which derive their energy from either oxidizing or reducing iron. They are primary in the building of corrosion tubercles and their corrosion process is more general on metallic surfaces.

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What are pinhole leaks and what causes them in fire sprinkler systems?
Pinhole leaks are the result of when pit corrosion breaks through the external piping wall of a fire sprinkler system from the internal piping wall. Pinhole leaks are caused by a local corrosion process where corrosion is concentrated into one specific area of the fire sprinkler system. They may be caused by microbial activity or oxygen cell corrosion.

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Is Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) a new problem?
No, many other industries (e.g. oil and gas) have been fighting microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) for years and years. These industries have spent many hours and lots of money developing ways to control all types of corrosion in their systems, including MIC. The fire protection industry has recently started to investigate corrosion's negative effect on fire sprinkler systems.

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How do I start a fire sprinkler system corrosion analysis?
The first step is to get a water analysis. Potter Corrosion Solutions provides various water tests that will analyze your system to determine the type and extent of corrosion in your fire sprinkler system.

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Do I need to have a professional come out and do a water analysis?
No. A fire sprinkler system contractor can gather the water samples needed and then ship them back to Potter Corrosion Solutions in the return envelope provided with the water test kit. Potter Corrosion Solutions will then do a corrosion analysis and return the results. Additionally, Potter Corrosion Solution provides a simple water test, known as the Bac-Pak, which stays with the user to determine the presence of corrosion in the fire sprinkler system. The Bac-Pak can also be sent to Potter Corrosion Solutions if an extensive lab report is needed.

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What is meant by fill & watch technology?
Fill & Watch Technology is a phrase coined by Potter Corrosion Solutions to describe how easy it is to use the Bac-Pak system. Directions are as follows: For all tests, fill the inner tube to a certain level. Replace the cap. Place the inner tube into the outer tube. Replace the cap on the outer tube. Wait for individual changes (in appearance) to occur, depending on the individual Bac-Pak. That's all there is to it. Anyone can do it and the results are accurate.

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Are the Bac-Pak tests really that easy to use?
Every type of Bac-Pak test comes with easy to use instructions and illustrations to show how they will look under certain conditions.

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How long does it take for the test to start showing the reactions?
The faster the Bac-Pak changes, the greater the problem for that type of bacteria population. Within ten days you will see most of the reactions that can occur.

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Do I have to keep them at a certain temperature or place?
Just keep them at room temperature and out of direct sunlight until the testing is complete.

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Can I Reuse a Bac-Pak for another Test?
No. Each Bac-Pak is a self-contained medium that supports the growth of its specific bacteria. After it is used once, the medium (i.e., food) is no longer available.

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Why has Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) recently become a problem in fire sprinkler systems?
Corrosion has always been a problem in fire sprinkler systems, but corrosion agents were identified incorrectly as low quality pipe or bad water sources. Furthermore, the increased amount of commercial building space that is now required by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to have sprinkler systems installed has led to more pipe out there that has the ability to develop corrosion problems. Finally, due to advances in technology over the years, fire sprinkler pipe wall thickness has been reduced. However, these technological advances did not take into account that the thinner the pipe wall, the less time it takes for corrosion to eat through pipes in fire sprinkler systems.

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Where can Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) occur in a fire sprinkler system?
Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) can occur anywhere in a fire sprinkler system. Since bacteria are living organisms, they must eat, grow, breath, excrete waste, and reproduce. Unfortunately, ideal growing conditions for MIC may exist anywhere and in multiple places within a fire sprinkler system.

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What are the signs that I have Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) or other types of corrosion?
There are many signs of Microbiologically Influences Corrosion (MIC) including pin hole leaks, fire sprinkler system water that is black in color and/or smells like rotten eggs, and water that stains the concrete with rust during flow tests. Any obstructions on the system's pipe wall, including tubercles and/or mineral deposits are also key indicators of Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) in a fire sprinkler system.

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What should I do if I suspect I have Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) in my fire sprinkler system?
The best way to verify the presence of corrosion in your fire sprinkler system, as well as what type (i.e., general, oxygen, MIC, etc.), is to perform a thorough fire sprinkler system corrosion analysis.

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What is the best way to prevent fire sprinkler system corrosion including Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC)?
The best method for fire sprinkler system corrosion prevention is to treat any water put into the system (starting at initial installation) with a tested, reliable corrosion inhibitor. Potter Pipe-Shield is a biostatic environmentally friendly corrosion inhibitor that actually forms an invisible molecular bond layer on the fire sprinkler system pipe wall, which in turn provides a barrier for oxygen cell and bacteria related corrosion. Potter Pipe-Shield was specifically developed to protect wet, dry, and pre-action fire sprinkler systems from Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) and oxygen corrosion.

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Where can I learn more about Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC)?
The best place to start to learn more about Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) is a completely objective source such as the National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE) www.nace.org or the Gas Technology Institute (GTI) www.gastechnology.org

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What is the best way to handle already established corrosion in a fire sprinkler system?
There are many options to protect a fire sprinkler system that already shows signs of corrosion activity. Various water tests are available to pinpoint the type and extent of corrosion. Treatment solutions, such as corrosion inhibitors, are the next step in fighting corrosion in a fire sprinkler system. Finally, continued system monitoring is important to maintain the system and make sure that corrosion does not return.

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How is Potter Corrosion Solutions different than other corrosion "experts"?
Potter Corrosion Solutions provides the only comprehensive suite of corrosion solutions backed by over 110 years of fire sprinkler monitoring experience. Other so called "experts" will claim that they have everything you need to solve your corrosion problem, but instead of identifying the problem and providing the solution, they will often just pump a hazardous biocide into your system and claim it's fixed. There is no one solution that fixes every corrosion problem. Instead Potter Corrosion Solutions provides testing, treatment, and continued monitoring.

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Any Questions Not Answered?
Just contact us at 866.572.3005 and we will gladly answer any question you may have.

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