60
I-800
EXPANSION AND CONTRACTION
Victaulic FireLock CPVC Sprinkler System Products, like all piping materi-
als, expand and contract with changes in temperature. The coefficient of
linear expansion is 3.2x10
-5
inch /inch-°F. A 25°F change in temperature
will cause an expansion of 1 inch for a 100-foot straight length. For most
operating and installation conditions, expansion and contraction can be
accommodated at changes of direction
Table III
Thermal Expansion in Inches
Temp.
Change
Δ
T °F
Length of Run in Feet
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
70
90
120 160
Thermal Expansion
Δ
L (inches)
20
0.04
0.08
0.12
0.15
0.19
0.23
0.27
0.31
0.35
0.38
0.54
0.69
0.92
1.23
30
0.06
0.12
0.17
0.23
0.29
0.35
0.40
0.46
0.52
0.58
0.81
1.04
1.38
1.84
40
0.08
0.15
0.23
0.31
0.38
0.46
0.54
0.61
0.69
0.77
1.08
1.38
1.84
2.46
50
0.10
0.19
0.29
0.38
0.48
0.58
0.67
0.77
0.86
0.96
1.34
1.73
2.30
3.07
60
0.12
0.23
0.35
0.46
0.58
0.69
0.81
0.92
1.04
1.15
1.61
2.07
2.76
3.69
70
0.13
0.27
0.40
0.54
0.67
0.81
0.94
1.08
1.21
1.34
1.88
2.42
3.23
4.30
80
0.15
0.31
0.46
0.61
0.77
0.92
1.08
1.23
1.38
1.54
2.15
2.76
3.69
4.92
90
0.17
0.35
0.52
0.69
0.86
1.04
1.21
1.38
1.56
1.73
2.42
3.11
4.15
5.53
100
0.19
0.38
0.58
0.77
0.96
1.15
1.34
1.54
1.73
1.92
2.69
3.46
4.61
6.14
Δ
L = 12 eL (
Δ
T)
e = 3.2 X 10
-5
in./in. °F (Coefficient of Linear Expansion – Table II)
L = Length of Run in Feet
Δ
T = Temperature Change in °F
Example:
How much will a 40 foot run of 2-inch Victaulic FireLock CPVC Sprinkler
System Pipe expand if the expected ambient temperature will range from
45°F to 85°F?
Δ
L= 12 eL (
Δ
T)
Δ
L= 12 (.000032) x 40 x 40
Δ
L= .61"
I-800 2755 Rev_I.fm Page 60 Tuesday, September 13, 2005 8:46 AM
