After reviewing the fundamentals of corrosion and the numerous factors affecting corrosion in building water systems, through case studies this paper explores four specific modes of failure of significant impact on all types of buildings. First will be dezincification of brass, with a focus on valves, and consequent service outages and property damage due to malfunctions and leaks. Next are the problems that plague galvanized pipe, including case studies involving potable water distribution and fire suppression systems, focusing on flaws in pipe manufacture and possibly insufficient galvanizing thickness Third is graphitization of cast iron, in fittings, pumps, water mains and sewer stack pipes, and how this condition can go unrecognized for years, until catastrophic failure results in service outages and extensive property damage. The fourth is pitting corrosion of stainless steel due to the not-so-obvious effects of manganese.

Subject
Buildings, Water, Piping, Alkalinity, Valves, Leaks, Acidity, Mechanical failure, Metals, Pitting, Deposit corrosion, Brass, Dezincification
Keywords:
aqueous corrosion, corrosion mitigation, building water systems, dezincification, graphitization, galvanizing, plumbing, fire suppression, sprinkler pipes, pitting corrosion by manganese
© 2018 Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP). All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of AMPP. Positions and opinions advanced in this work are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AMPP. Responsibility for the content of the work lies solely with the author(s).
2018
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
You do not currently have access to this content.