Tiếng Việt
ភាសាខ្មែរThis article provides a comprehensive overview of fire protection steel pipe standards, distinguishing between types of imported fire protection steel pipes and the actual technical requirements in construction works.
Common Fire Protection Steel Pipe Standards Today
Vietnam Standards (TCVN)
In Vietnam, several standards are commonly applied to steel pipes used in fire protection systems, including:
- TCVN 2622:1995 – Fire Prevention for Buildings and Structures
- TCVN 4513:1988 – Water Supply Systems for Buildings and Premises
- TCVN 3890:2023 – Requirements for Equipment, Arrangement, and Maintenance of Fire Protection Systems.
International Standards Applicable to Firefighting Steel Pipes
Many modern buildings in Vietnam also use steel pipes that comply with international standards, such as:
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ASTM A53/A106 (USA) – Carbon steel pipes, welded or seamless, used for water and steam transportation.
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BS 1387 (UK) – Galvanized welded steel pipes, suitable for water supply, drainage, and firefighting systems.
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JIS G3452 (Japan) – Steel pipes for low-pressure water, commonly used in residential buildings.
General Technical Requirements
Regardless of the standard followed, fire protection steel pipes must meet the following basic technical criteria:
- Thickness according to SCH (Schedule): Commonly SCH10, SCH20, SCH40, depending on the design pressure.
- Surface treatment options include hot-dip galvanising, epoxy coating, and black oil coating to enhance corrosion resistance.
- Heat resistance, impact resistance, and rust prevention are mandatory requirements to ensure the system’s longevity.
How to Select Fire Protection Steel Pipes That Meet Standards
Verify Standards and Origin
This is the first and most important step to ensure the quality and reliability of the pipe.
Priority should be given to pipes bearing standard marks (ASTM, BS, JIS) and clear labelling.
- ASTM: Common ASTM standards for fire protection steel pipes include ASTM A53 (black and galvanized steel pipes), ASTM A106 (seamless carbon steel pipes for high temperature and high pressure), and ASTM A135 (electric resistance welded steel pipes).
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BS: BS 1387 (now BS EN 10255) specifies welded and seamless steel pipes suitable for firefighting purposes.
- JIS: This standard covers carbon steel pipes used for general piping systems.
👉 Learn more about Carbon Steel
Explore the complete current standards for fire protection steel pipes
In addition, specialised fire protection standards and certifications such as UL and FM Approvals are highly reputable endorsements that demonstrate the product has undergone rigorous testing for performance and safety under real fire conditions.
Clear tags and labels
The pipes must have labels containing complete information about the manufacturer, origin, applicable standards, dimensions, thickness (or Schedule), and batch number. This facilitates traceability and quality inspection.
Quality Certificates (CO, CQ)
Suppliers must provide complete CO (Certificate of Origin) and CQ (Certificate of Quality) certificates. These certificates must correspond with the information on the labels
Choose the right size and thickness
The size and thickness of the pipes must comply with the hydraulic design of the fire protection system and the working pressure.
Size (Nominal Diameter – DN or NPS)
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Common sizes: DN15 – DN200:
This size range is typically found in sprinkler systems (automatic sprinkler heads), hydrant systems (fire hydrants), or riser pipes. The selection of pipe sizes is based on detailed hydraulic calculations by fire protection engineers to ensure sufficient water flow and pressure at every sprinkler head or the most distant outlet. -
Larger sizes (above DN200) are also used for main pipelines, water supply lines, or special fire protection systems.
Thickness (Schedule – SCH)
Common schedules: SCH20, SCH40 – these indicate the wall thickness of the pipe. The higher the schedule (SCH), the thicker the pipe wall and the greater its pressure resistance.
- SCH20: Commonly used for systems with low to medium working pressure. Frequently applied in sprinkler systems.
- SCH40: Thicker pipe wall than SCH20, with higher pressure resistance. Typically used for main pipelines, risers, or areas requiring higher pressure.
For very high-pressure systems, pipes with higher schedules, such as SCH80 or above,e may be required.
Suitable for system pressure (PN16 – PN25 and above)
- PN (Nominal Pressure): The nominal pressure rating that the pipe can withstand at a reference temperature.
- The selected pipe must have a minimum pressure rating equal to or greater than the maximum expected working pressure in the system. This includes both static pressure and pressure surges during pump operation.
- For fire protection systems, the pressure typically ranges from PN10 to PN25 or higher, depending on the scale and height of the building or structure. The schedule (SCH) and pipe material determine the pipe’s PN rating.
Accurate hydraulic calculations are mandatory to determine the correct pipe size and thickness required. Using pipes that are too thin or too small will compromise firefighting performance and pose a risk of pipe rupture.
Compatible with fittings and construction methods
The connection capability and installation methods directly affect the integrity and construction speed of the system.
Select thread types and flanges compatible with valves, couplings, and sprinkler heads.
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Threaded connections: Commonly used for smaller pipes (below DN50 or DN80). It is necessary to select pipes with thread types compatible with those on valves, sprinkler heads, or fittings (e.g., NPT threads, BSPT threads).
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Grooved connections: Very popular in fire protection systems due to quick and flexible installation. Pipes must have grooves at both ends to use grooved couplings (e.g., Victaulic couplings). Valves and fittings must also be compatible with grooved connections.
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Flanged connections: Used for larger pipes, connections to pumps, large industrial valves, or special equipment. Pipes need to be welded with flanges or have slip-on flanges. The flanges on the pipes must comply with the pressure rating (PN) and be designed to be compatible with the flanges on the connected equipment or fittings.
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Welded connections: Less common for typical distribution pipes due to technical requirements and longer installation time, but can still be used for special joints or main pipelines.
👉👉 See some common types of flanges below:
Compatible with fittings
Ensure that elbows, tees, reducers, caps, and other fittings use the same type of connection and nominal pressure rating (PN) as the pipes.
👉👉 Check out the pipe fittings available at Bao Tin Steel:
Construction method
Choose the pipe type and connection method suitable for the construction conditions (tight spaces, elevated areas, etc.), project schedule, and the installation team’s experience. Grooved connection systems typically allow faster installation compared to welding or threading.
Selecting a consistent pipe and fitting type with the same connection method is crucial to avoid installation errors and ensure a watertight system capable of withstanding the design pressure.
Conclusion
Choosing the right standard fire protection steel pipes is a core factor to ensure the fire protection system operates safely, efficiently, and fully meets technical acceptance requirements.
To guarantee construction quality and long-term performance, it is recommended to prioritise imported fire protection steel pipes with complete certifications and stable quality. At the same time, they must comply with the technical design of the project. Investing correctly from the beginning will help optimise maintenance costs and enhance the safety of the entire facility.
The above outlines the standards for fire protection steel pipes, along with guidelines for selecting the appropriate pipes. We hope that these insights from Thép Bảo Tín will provide useful knowledge to everyone, enabling the selection and installation of a safe and reliable fire protection system.
Tiger Steel is a subsidiary of Bao Tin Steel.