Combo -- Geothermal & Fire Suppression Sprinkler
Last Post 09 Dec 2008 08:11 AM by arkieoscar. 4 Replies.
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GenoUser is Offline
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07 Dec 2008 08:55 PM

We are transforming an abandoned hospital (approx 65,000 sq ft), on a lake in Wisconsin, into a senior living facility.  We will run new HVAC, water, electric, and fire suppression sprinkler systems.  Can we multi-use geothermal pipes with fire suppression sprinkler system?  Any experts regarding this matter in Wisconsin area?

TechGromitUser is Offline
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07 Dec 2008 09:26 PM

Let me first say, I'm no where near qulaified to answer this question. I assume you want to use lake water for your geothermal system, that is draw water in from the lake for the geothemal system and discharge it into the same lake. Instead of running a closed loop line into the lake. That's the only way I could see the geothermal system and Sprinkler system being on the same line, the same water lines that feeds the geothermal system would be pressurizing the Splinkler system.

1. Can't say I've even heard of a Pond being used for an open loop system, usually systems that utilize ponds are closed loop systems. I would be interested to know what kind of filtering method would be used to keep impurities from getting sucked into the intake line, as well as keep them from clogging. I hate to imagine the expanse of having to hire divers in the middle of winter to dive in 10 feet of water to clear a clogged intake pipe.  

2. Is untreated lake water safe to drink? I for one wouldn't want untreated water from sprinklers raining down on me. Not that Sprlinkler water is all the sterile to begin with. The water in pressurize sprinkler pipes sits for years collecting rust in the water, but once the lines are flushed out after a minute or so, the water is clean enough after that.

3. What are you really saving here? You still have to pipe drinkable water into the facility for the sinks and showers. Are you saving all that much be not using city water to pressurize the sprinkler system?

   

arkieoscarUser is Offline
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08 Dec 2008 09:10 AM
I worked for years on offshore drilling rigs and we used our fire mains to cool large water source cooling systems. The fire protection system had to maintain pressure all of the time and we just tapped off the system to large tube-in-shell exchangers for two 50 ton chillers that circulated chilled brine to multiple air handlers. 2 exchangers and 2 strainers on each unit allowed cleaning without shutting the system down. Water quality varied greatly with location but this system was 20 yrs. old when I worked on it and was still very dependable. Barnacles and loose shell were the main culprits. If there are zebra mussels in your lake, they will mean more maintenance.
engineerUser is Offline
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09 Dec 2008 07:21 AM
If in the course of this you were to cool uninsulated fire water lines to below dewpoint, they'll sweat and possibly set up conditions for mold.

Fire supression lines may be pressurized higher than what geo components are rated to withstand.

This is probably beyond the scope of most of us here - would need a very very good and creative mechanical contractor to explore this while keeping it safe, healthy, robust, and code compliant.
Curt Kinder <br><br>

The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is - Winston Churchill <br><br><a href="http://www.greenersolutionsair.com">www.greenersolutionsair.com</a>
arkieoscarUser is Offline
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09 Dec 2008 08:11 AM
A good engineering firm would be the first step, followed by a cost-benefit and environmental impact analysis. As engineer says, there are many issues in a large system like this and I'm sure that Geno didn't think that we could design it for him. Industrial and large commercial systems have very different priorities than residential and require a higher level of design and engineering expertise.
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