# Architects? Engineers? Any idea what this series of pipes is? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 29, 2014, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/architects-engineers-any-idea-what-this-series-of-pipes-is/694294 "2014-07-29T02:46:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2014, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/architects-engineers-any-idea-what-this-series-of-pipes-is/694294/21 "2014-07-30T07:10:38Z")
I’m going to vote for fire suppression (sprinklers). That is a brick building and may pre-date the code now requiring sprinklers. If I were half empty, I’d do about everything I could to make it more attractive. Of course, you could pop into the manager’s/rental office and ask “What’s up Doc?” The use of plastic had damned well better mean “temporary” and it had better mean that those pipes are the highest priority for a good soaking in event of fire - you don’t want your sprinkler supply lines melting. And, if some creep with a battery-powered saw goes after them… ---
**Author:** ![runningdude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e9c0ed/32.png) [@runningdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/runningdude)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2014, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/architects-engineers-any-idea-what-this-series-of-pipes-is/694294/22 "2014-07-30T15:37:53Z")
I missed the post about the pipe being PVC. That would seem too dangerous even for temporary work, but after a bit of research, it appears to be kosher: [http://www.harvel.com/technical-support-center/product-specifications/cpvc-fire-sprinkler-pipe](http://www.harvel.com/technical-support-center/product-specifications/cpvc-fire-sprinkler-pipe) ---
**Author:** ![Isilder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@Isilder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isilder)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2014, 10:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/architects-engineers-any-idea-what-this-series-of-pipes-is/694294/23 "2014-07-31T10:50:26Z")
They look so ugly and exposed, surely this cannot be permanent… and they are leaking… Perhaps it was done in a rush due to “Code” ? One way to find out is to listen to the pipes to see if water flows in them ? You know, like at the time you know , compare 2pm to 6pm to 4am. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2014, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/architects-engineers-any-idea-what-this-series-of-pipes-is/694294/24 "2014-08-20T18:47:44Z")
From the email I received today: > [@](#): > > This piping is temporary due to a catastrophic failure of the buildings main cooling system. The external PVC pipes are connected to an auxiliary cooling unit located on the first floor of the building that feeds chilled water for the buildings cooling system up to the existing cooling tower located on the roof and into the building, while returning warm water back to the first floor. Work is well underway on the installation of the new cooling unit located in the buildings penthouse. Once the new system is operational, all of the external PVC piping on the building will be removed. Based on our current timetable, the PVC pipes should be removed in September. This also explains the machinery sounds I’ve been hearing. Mystery solved! ---
**Author:** ![2gigch1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/2gigch1/32/3313_2.png) [@2gigch1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2gigch1)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2014, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/architects-engineers-any-idea-what-this-series-of-pipes-is/694294/25 "2014-08-20T20:19:59Z")
Cool! The power of asking a question. I highly recommend people do it more often - you are allowed to politely ask people pretty much anything, if they can’t tell you they can’t tell you. More times than not people are happy to talk about their work and their lives. ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2014, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/architects-engineers-any-idea-what-this-series-of-pipes-is/694294/26 "2014-08-21T03:07:17Z")
I missed this when it was first posted, and now all the links to pictures give errors… ☹ ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2014, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/architects-engineers-any-idea-what-this-series-of-pipes-is/694294/27 "2014-08-21T03:45:43Z")
Hm. That’s weird. Try these new links: [Pic from a little distance](https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/10570642_697829680252722_653330310_n.jpg?oh=e8294832d0e2bca58b5566ea999c4b5b&oe=53F73D4A& __gda__ =1408713815_623f6f3cc0e3211078a54d3d6e0b7163) [Close up of joints](https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t34.0-12/10585229_698289030206787_126516190_n.jpg?oh=65b825c6171ae340810638ecdd94a835&oe=53F78BA5& __gda__ =1408726202_f8865eb090538a0691d66b367b94e295) [manhole covers](https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/10585413_698418646860492_994538164_n.jpg?oh=a78c300eb6856dbf7f61a5a9c15cb517&oe=53F7B8F1& __gda__ =1408726828_717477b3f10b17ebf37e78948de0598e), though those seem to be irrelevant at this point. Hope those work for you. They’re ultimately facebook links, they must change the url’s occasionally. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/architects-engineers-any-idea-what-this-series-of-pipes-is/694294.md?page=1)