The biggest concern is that corrosion (rust) will cause a sprinkler system to fail. In fact, it’s basically inevitable, as most piping systems contain at least some traces of it. This is generally considered normal and safe — as long as it’s kept to a minimum.

Corrosion is a common cause of failure in automatic fire sprinkler systems, fire hydrant systems, hose reel systems, pumps and tanks, causing leaks and in some cases catastrophic failure.

Corrosion leads to property damage, ongoing pipe repair and replacement, and sprinkler head blockage, potentially rendering the system inoperable in the event of a fire.

In general, stainless steel gives the best corrosion resistance. A nickel-PTFE plating, however, also offers extensive protection.

One of the best ways to prevent harmful amounts of corrosion in your fire sprinkler system is to follow the Australian standards, legislation, and national construction codes.