B17 · Firefighting & Plumbing
Stainless Steel Sheets for Firefighting and Drainage: Selection Guide and 6 Part Lists
In firefighting and drainage, we have organized 6 parts using stainless steel: commonly used 304 / 316L, with thickness ranging from 1.5–8 mm.
List of 6 parts and material selections
| Part / Component | Recommended grade | Size / Thickness | Surface | Main Failure Modes | Reference Standards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fire Sprinkler/Pipe, Fire Hydrant Pipe | 304/316L | DN15–DN200 | Bright/Acid Pickling | Long-term Stagnation of Fire Water Cl⁻ Concentration + Pitting Corrosion | GB/T 19228.2；GB 50084；CECS 153 |
| Fire Pump/Valve/Fittings | 304/316L | By Equipment | Cast Face/Grounding Face/Treatment | Water Hammer+Corrosion+Fatigue | GB 6245；GB/T 3280 |
| Gas Sprinkler/Foam Sprinkler Pipe/Sprays | 304/316L | 2–8mm | Pickling/Treatment | Agent Corrosion+Pressure Cycling | GB 50370；GB 50151 |
| Domestic Supply/Direct Drinking Water Pipe | 304/316L | DN15–DN100 | Bright | Cl⁻ Pitting + Disinfectant Corrosion | GB/T 19228.2；GB/T 17219 |
| Drainage Pipes/Lavatories/Inspection Holes | 304/316L | DN50–DN300 | 2B/Pickled | Corrosive wastewater + Deposits pitting | GB/T 3280；CJ/T 186 |
| Solar water heater | 304/316L | 1.5–4.0mm | 2B/ Enamel/Treatment | Hot water + Cl⁻ + weld joint SCC | GB/T 3280；GB/T 19141 |
In table isStandard configuration.Same part can use 304, 316L, or 2205 depending on medium, temperature, and welding method — explain the conditions clearly instead of specifying grades.
Material essentials
- Top 2 grades in this industry are 304 (6) and 316L (6)
- Corrosion sources such as chloride ions and salts are most common (pitting, crevice corrosion)
- High-temperature sections also suffer from hot cracking and oxidation; consider 310S / heat-resistant castings
- Thickness range: 1.5–8 mm —— thin plates are mostly formed parts (consider bending rebound and deep drawing cracks), thick plates are mostly welded structures (consider heat input and sensitization).
Common Issues
Which stainless steel is used most for fire protection and drainage?
Among the top 6 parts, grade 304 (6) and 316L (6) appear most frequently. Specific to a part depends on the medium and temperature; e.g., an identical stainless countertop would switch from 304 to 316L if exposed to saltwater.
What's the most vulnerable part?
By failure description, typical is "fire sprinkler pipe/water main": long-term stagnant Cl⁻ concentration leads to pitting corrosion; reduced fire intensity; recommended grades 304/316L, size DN15–DN200. For this condition, specify media concentration, temperature, and cleaning method in the design phase.
What thickness should I choose?
Thickness range in the list is 1.5–8 mm. Thin plates consider forming and surface quality, thick plates consider welding and structural strength; different manufacturers may have varying values for the same part, review your drawings or conditions to verify.
Related materials and adjacent industries
Applications6
Thickness1.5–8mm