In this IFSA webinar, Ray Fremont of General Air Products—a family-owned fire sprinkler air compressor and nitrogen generator manufacturer celebrating its 90th year—introduces vapor corrosion inhibitor (VCI) technology and the company's Vapor Pipe Shield product to a worldwide audience. Drawing on more than 15 years building nitrogen generators, Ray frames VCI as the next step forward for protecting dry and pre-action systems against corrosion.
The session explains what vapor corrosion inhibitors are—now defined in the 2025 edition of NFPA 13 as a chemical compound that emits a rust-inhibiting vapor—and how the technology works: a powder cartridge releases VCI molecules via sublimation, the air compressor carries them through the piping, and they form a single-molecule-thick hydrophobic barrier on the metal surface (Ray's "parking spots in a parking lot" analogy). Ray walks through five-year visual tests, third-party coupon (mil-loss) testing showing VCI outperforming high-purity nitrogen, and the critical finding that 98% nitrogen purity often fails to migrate through an entire small-diameter system within the expected two weeks, leaving branch lines under-protected.
He also covers safety and environmental review (UL 2901B listing, EPA, OSHA/ISO "article" classification, no PFAS), annual cartridge maintenance, performance on existing systems and through standing water, and the practical advantages over nitrogen generators: smaller footprint, no electrical requirement, optional purge, easier installation, and substantially lower cost.