A Cost-Efficient One-Gallon Bladder Expansion Tank for Fire Protection

By Consulting Specifying Engineer Staff July 8, 2005

Young Engineering, San Dimas, Calif., known for highly engineered, industrial-quality surge and pulsation control products, announced today that it has developed a new UL approved one-gallon, non-repairable Bladder Expansion Tank (BET) designed specifically for the fire protection industry to protect anti-freeze sprinkler systems from the damaging effects of thermal expansion.

“We had more than one goal when designing this one-gallon BET product,” said Winston Young, president of Young Engineering. “The simplicity of its design makes it unique. It’s compact design makes it easier to fit and install in smaller commercial or residential systems, it’s more cost-efficient for those smaller systems, and it still meets and exceeds safety requirements of both UL and NFPA.”

On systems that utilize backflow preventors, over-pressure problems can occur when temperature variation (excessive heat) cause the antifreeze to expand resulting in component damage. These new BETs alleviate this over-pressurization and can “absorb” the expanding fluid, controlling the pressure to a safe level. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 13) requires the use of expansion chambers in antifreeze systems which use backflow preventors.

Young Engineering Bladder Expansion Tank line is manufactured in accordance with ASME code Section VIII, Div. 1. Sizes range from one-gallon to 150 gallon. They are designed to 175 psi design pressure and guarantee a 5X safety factor meaning the product can go to five times the rated pressure without failure.