Selecting an air compressor for a dry-pipe or pre-action sprinkler system is not based solely on capacity. You must also consider the system volume, installation constraints, maintenance requirements, and the type of configuration best suited to the application.
General Air Products offers several compressors designed for fire protection applications, including lubricated tank-mounted, oil-free tank-mounted, and oil-free column-mounted models. Understanding the differences between these options allows you to make a more informed choice based on the project’s requirements.
Dry-pipe and pre-action systems rely on compressed air to maintain monitoring pressure. The compressor must therefore be properly selected to reliably achieve and maintain this pressure, while meeting installation requirements and applicable criteria.
When comparing options, it is recommended to evaluate the following in particular:
Proper selection helps ensure that the equipment is better suited to the actual system conditions.
General Air’s LT Plus Series features single-phase, oil-lubricated, tank-mounted fire protection air compressors designed for dry-pipe and pre-action sprinkler systems. These units are designed to bring systems up to monitoring pressure within 30 minutes in accordance with NFPA 13, making them a suitable option when system capacity and fill time are important criteria.
The LT Plus Series includes, among other features:
This combination of features provides a tank-mounted solution well-suited for fire protection applications.
This type of compressor may be suitable when the project requires:
The OLT50075AC is another tank-mounted option in General Air’s OL Plus series. Unlike the LT Plus models, it is an oil-free compressor, which can be advantageous in projects where the goal is to reduce maintenance requirements while retaining a tank-mounted configuration.
According to published data, this model has the following specifications:
The unit is factory-set to:
Recommended accessories include:
This model may be a good choice when the project requires:
The OLR600100AC is also an oil-free model, but it stands out for its column-mounted configuration rather than a tank-mounted one. This design can be particularly advantageous when space is limited or when installation flexibility is a priority.
Published specifications indicate:
This model is described as:
The factory settings are as follows:
Recommended accessories also include:
The OLR600100AC can be a cost-effective option when the project requires:
Although these three compressors are designed for fire protection applications, they address different needs.
The choice of compressor must also take into account the accessories required to ensure proper pressure regulation.
General Air states that all tank-mounted compressors require an air-maintenance device to regulate system pressure. Furthermore, according to NFPA 13, an air-holding device is required on every dry system, unless the compressor capacity is less than 5.5 cu. ft./min at 10 PSI.
For the OLT50075AC and OLR600100AC models , recommended accessories include:
These components should be taken into account from the earliest stages of design and selection.
There is no single type of compressor suitable for all dry-pipe and preaction sprinkler systems. The right choice depends primarily on system requirements, available space, the desired mounting type, and maintenance expectations.
The General Air product line offers three distinct approaches:
By carefully comparing the project’s requirements, it becomes easier to select a compressor suited to the required monitoring pressure and the long-term proper operation of the fire protection system.