Most Common Type of Corrosion
Corrosion is one of the leading threats to the long-term reliability of fire sprinkler systems. Left unchecked, it can cause costly damage, reduce system effectiveness, and even lead to failure during a fire emergency. Knowing the types of corrosion that can occur is the first step toward prevention and early detection.
Here are four of the most common types of corrosion found in fire protection systems:
1. General Corrosion
This is the most widespread and uniform form of corrosion. Over time, moisture and oxygen react with the metal in your piping, gradually thinning the walls until leaks or ruptures form.
2. Pitting Corrosion
Unlike general corrosion, pitting is highly localized. Small, deep pits form in specific spots on the pipe, often going unnoticed until they cause a failure. Even one pinhole can compromise the integrity of your system.
3. Galvanic Corrosion
This occurs when two dissimilar metals are connected in the presence of an electrolyte, like water. One metal corrodes faster than the other, weakening the joint or connection points. Galvanic corrosion is common in systems with mixed metal components.
4. Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC)
MIC is caused by bacteria that thrive in low-oxygen, stagnant water conditions. These microbes accelerate corrosion from the inside out, often creating severe and unpredictable damage in a short amount of time.
How to Prevent Corrosion
However, while corrosion can’t always be avoided, there are proven strategies to minimize risk:
- Use nitrogen or other inert gases to reduce oxygen in dry and pre-action systems
- Install corrosion monitoring and sampling devices
- Eliminate stagnant water through proper system design and maintenance
- Regularly inspect and flush your systems
- Avoid mixing dissimilar metals during installation or repairs
We break down these strategies further in our previous blog: Wet and Dry Sprinkler System Corrosion Management
Want to go deeper?
Join us on Wednesday, July 24 for a virtual Lunch & Learn dedicated to corrosion in fire sprinkler systems. Hear from one of our team experts, get your questions answered, and learn how to better protect your system.
Register now to save your spot!
