General Air Products Vapor Pipe Shield VPS-500A User manual

Vapor Pipe Shield™
ENGINEERED VAPOR-PHASE CORROSION INHIBITOR SYSTEMS
For Dry Pipe & Pre-Action Fire Sprinkler Systems
Installation, Operation, and
Maintenance Manual
Models: VPS-500A / VPS-1000A / VPS-1500A / VPS-2000A
Version 1.8
Dec.-2022
Technical Assistance:
800-345-8207
Additional Product Information:
generalairproducts.com

Version 1.8
Dec.-2022
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Call 1-800-345-8207
or visit our web site for our complete product listing
www.GeneralAirProducts.com
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 Safety Guidelines & Disclosures.......................................................................................................................................................... 3
2 Overview.................................................................................................................................................................................................. 4
3 Installation ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 5
3.1 Location...........................................................................................................................................................................................5
3.2 Mounting..........................................................................................................................................................................................6
3.3 Flow Reversal (Field Retrofit).....................................................................................................................................................9
3.4 Inlet Connections........................................................................................................................................................................10
3.5 Outlet Connections....................................................................................................................................................................10
3.6 Drain Connections......................................................................................................................................................................11
3.7 VPS Purge Valve...........................................................................................................................................................................12
3.8 VPS Vapor Indicator Test-Port ................................................................................................................................................15
3.9 Material Compatibility................................................................................................................................................................16
3.10 Illustrative Layout........................................................................................................................................................................16
4 Start-Up Instructions ..........................................................................................................................................................................17
5 Theory of Operation ...........................................................................................................................................................................19
5.1 Initial Filtration (Pre-filters).......................................................................................................................................................19
5.2 Proprietary Air Treatment (Module(s) & Cartridge(s)).....................................................................................................19
5.3 Post Filtration (After-filter).......................................................................................................................................................19
5.4 Protection Dispersal Through the Dry-Pipe Sprinkler System ........................................................................................19
6 Maintenance Schedule .........................................................................................................................................................................20
6.1 Standard Maintenance Procedure (annual) ...........................................................................................................................20
7 Troubleshooting....................................................................................................................................................................................25
8 General Arrangements........................................................................................................................................................................26
8.1 Sample System Layout................................................................................................................................................................26
8.2 Feature Layout .............................................................................................................................................................................26
8.3 Maintenance Schedule Connections .......................................................................................................................................27
8.4 Module/ Cartridge Arrangement.............................................................................................................................................28
8.5 General Arrangement ................................................................................................................................................................29
9 Warranty Policy....................................................................................................................................................................................30
IMPORTANT: ALL INFORMATION SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.
Consult factory for the most up to date version of this manual - 1-800-345-8207.

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1SAFETY GUIDELINES &DISCLOSURES
This manual contains information that is very important to know and understand. This information is
provided for SAFETY and to PREVENT EQUIPMENT PROBLEMS. To help recognize this information, observe
the following symbols.
Danger indicates an imminently hazardous situation which, if not avoided, WILL
result in death or serious injury.
Warning indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided COULD
result in death or serious injury.
Caution indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, MAY result
in minor or moderate injury.
Notice indicates important information, that if not followed may cause damage to
equipment
GENERAL SAFETY STATEMENTS
Always wear proper PPE suitable to the work being done when handling or operating Vapor Pipe Shield (VPS)
in your unique environment. Use of VPS shall be in conformance with all applicable health and environmental
regulations for the location where it is installed. A material safety datasheet is available on the manufacturer’s
website for additional health and safety information: www.generalairproducts.com.
In the event of sprinkler head activation, exit the building per standard fire procedures for the building in
accordance with state and local guidelines.
VPS (when properly sized) is intended to provide corrosion protection for a Dry or Pre-Action Fire-Sprinkler
System for one year before replenishment is required. VPS is not compatible with other types of fire-sprinkler
systems. VPS is intended for use where the ambient conditions of the sprinkler piping range between -40ºF and
150ºF. The VPS module itself must be installed in an ambient temperature between +40°F and 150°F.
Contaminants or other foreign materials within a sprinkler system may adversely impact the properties and
performance of the vapor corrosion inhibitor. The functional life of VPS may be impacted by the end-use
environmental conditions. Systems using VPS are to be inspected, tested, and maintained in accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions and NFPA 25. Any air compressor(s) in use with VPS must utilize a pressure relief
valve on or adjacent to the compressor, and the pressure-relief set pressure must be less than the pressure
rating of the VPS unit. System fill time must be checked for compliance with NFPA standards after installation.
For more information, contact General Air Products Technical Assistance at [phone] for assistance
as needed.
DANGER
WARNING
CAUTION
NOTICE

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2OVERVIEW
Vapor Pipe Shield (VPS) was created to be an economical & scalable option to protect various sizes of
dry-pipe sprinkler systems, and is easily upgradable to handle later-date expansions of existing systems. Sizing
and capacity information for VPS variants are displayed in the table below.
Model
System
Installed
Overall Dimensions
Approximate
Number
Capacity*
Cartridges
(L x W x H)
Weight
VPS-500A
500 Gallon
1
6.5” x 28.75” x 20.25”
20 Lbs.
VPS-1000A
1,000 Gallon
2
6.5” x 28.75” x 28.25”
26 Lbs.
VPS-1500A
1,500 Gallon
3
6.5” x 28.75” x 36.25”
32 Lbs.
VPS-2000A
2,000 Gallon
4
6.5” x 28.75” x 44.25”
38 Lbs.
* System capacity is +/- 10% due to site location and conditions.
VPS is positioned after both the Air Source (air compressor) (sold separately) & Check Valve
(immediately off the air source) (sold separately), but before any Air Maintenance Device (sold separately) if
one or more is installed. Air from the air source enters the VPS unit and goes through the 3-phase process
described below.
Following the air treatment, protection-infused air exits the VPS unit and is directed into any Air
Maintenance Device (or directly into the piping system if no AMD is utilized), and from there into the dry-pipe
sprinkler system to be protected. Purging the dry-pipe sprinkler system of air is not required; however, in
some cases it is desirable to bleed air from the system in order to disperse the VPS vapors throughout the
piping system as quickly as possible. A Purge Valve (sold separately) (positioned near the Inspector’s Test Port),
is available to boost protection-infused air distribution throughout the system. The expected time for inhibitor
coverage with no purge is 21 days or less, or 10 days or less if a purge valve is utilized. At the end of 21 or 10
days per the above, the system gains protection and the Purge Valve (if utilized) can be shut off. A simplified
representation of VPS installed on a system is shown below.
Initial Filtration
•Bulk-Water Removal
•2-stage Coalescing Filtration
(down to 0.01 micron)
Propriatary Treatment
•Air Infused with protective
elements
Post Filtration & Valve
•Additional water (condensate)
removal
•Isolation valve

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Vapor Pipe Shield is intended for the exclusive use with properly-sized General Air Products’Fire-
Protection Air Compressors. Use with alternative equipment may not have been verified by the Manufacturer
and may void Manufacturer’s Warranty.
3INSTALLATION
3.1 LOCATION
Install the Vapor Pipe Shield (VPS) unit in a clean, dry location; with ambient temperatures between 40°
F (4.5º C) and 150º F (65.5º C) at all times; adjacent to the system piping.
When installing, be sure to allow ample room to access and maintain all forward-facing components,
namely the Filters (to change the filter elements) and the Module(s) (to change Cartridge(s)). It is recommended
that a minimum of 3 inches clearance off the left & right, and 6 inches clearance off the top & bottom
be provided for the VPS unit. Recommended minimum clearances are shown below.
The unit must be connected in-line with the dry-pipe sprinkler system. The main module unit must be
mounted vertically as shown above, so that all Drain Ports are facing down. Additional space below the VPS
unit for collection containers may be required, in addition to the 6” clearance from the bottom of the unit.
If the location is subject to excessive humidity, additional water removal devices may
be necessary to install between the air source/ air storage tank and the VPS unit.
For more information and/ or options for water removal, contact General Air Products
Technical Assistance at [phone].
NOTICE

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If the mounting location is below freezing at any time, the system may be damaged
which COULD result in death or serious injury. All components under pressure must
be inspected immediately before use.
The unit must be positioned after both the Air Source (air compressor) (sold separately) & Check Valve
(immediately off the air source) (sold separately), but before any Air Maintenance Device (sold separately). It
is recommended to install an isolatable bypass around the unit for more convenient maintenance. Do NOT
flood the VPS unit with water. Flooding the unit will require ALL cartridges to be replaced. While the VPS
unit is designed to operate as a standalone corrosion mitigation device, the unit may also be used in conjunction
with other types of corrosion mitigation equipment, such as but not limited to: Dryers, Nitrogen Generators,
etc.; confirm suitability with your manufacturer. In such a case(s), the unit should be installed after such
equipment, and a Shutoff Valve (sold separately) is strongly recommended to be placed before the VPS unit.
Contact General Air Products Technical Assistance at [phone] for assistance as needed.
If the VPS unit is to be placed before the other corrosion mitigation equipment,
contact the corrosion mitigation equipment’s manufacturer first to confirm such
positioning is compatible with their unit.
Do not puncture the VPS unit; or attempt to install, service, or change a Cartridge;
or attempt to loosen any fittings on the VPS unit while under pressure. Doing so
COULD result in death or serious injury. All components under pressure must be
inspected before use.
3.2 MOUNTING
Mount the VPS unit to a wall or stable structure using ¼ inch hardware (not included) that is
appropriate for the mounting surface. The upper mounting clamp (located on the top-most Module) and the
two main brackets (located on the second & last filter) are used to support the VPS unit. Do not clamp over
or mount on the filter bowls, as they will need to be accessed during maintenance periods. Acceptable mounting
locations on the VPS unit are displayed below.
WARNING
NOTICE
WARNING

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While the VPS unit creates no vibration, failure to properly secure the unit may result
in damage to the system, unit, or personnel.
CAUTION

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1) Mount Upper Clamp.
2) Push the top-most Module of the VPS unit
into the Upper Clamp as shown. The jaws
of the Upper Clamp should lock completely
over the top-most Module. Note, the top-
most Module will rest loosely inside the
Upper Clamp.
3) Lift the VPS unit slightly so that the weight
is off the Upper Clamp. Then mount the
Mounting Brackets.
Failure to secure all clamps as
described may result in damage to
the system, unit, or personnel.
Additional measures may be required
to safely secure and mount the VPS
Unit depending on each situation.
NOTICE
CAUTION

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3.3 FLOW REVERSAL (FIELD RETROFIT)
The Vapor Pipe Shield (VPS) unit can have its
flow reversed by completing the following steps. If
already installed, always uninstall the VPS unit prior to
any field retrofit work. The standard configuration is
shown in the adjacent figure.
1) Remove the Filter Bowls by removing the
screws (4 each) located on the top of each
filter using a 4mm hex key; and remove the
Mounting Brackets by removing the screws (2
each) located on the top of each filter using a
5mm hex key. See adjacent figures.
2) Rotate the Filter Bowls 180º and reinstall them
using their respective mounting screws (4
each), using a 4mm hex key; and reinstall the
Mounting Brackets on the opposite set of
mounting holes on the same filters using their
respective screws (2 each), using a 5mm hex
key. Use Thread Locker on the mounting
bracket screws only. Ensure all O-rings /
Gaskets are in place, prior to reassembling.
See adjacent figure.

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3.4 INLET CONNECTIONS
The VPS inlet includes a water removal filter, followed by 2 coalescing filters, mounted in series on the
lower corner of the unit. The inlet of the first filter is to be connected to the air source/ air storage tank. It’s
strongly recommended that a Shutoff Valve (sold separately) be positioned directly before the VPS unit (between
the air source/ air storage tank and the VPS unit). See arrangement below. The inlet connection is ½” FNPT.
3.5 OUTLET CONNECTIONS
The VPS outlet includes a water removal filter, mounted on the lower corner of the unit, opposite from
the inlet filters. The outlet of this filter is connected to a Shutoff Valve. This valve should be connected to the
Air Maintenance Device (sold separately) or directly to the dry-pipe sprinkler system to be protected. See
arrangement below. The outlet connection is ½” FNPT.