David, I believe that the oil from the pipe joints is not from cutting pipes. It is an oil filled joint that leaks oil as the pipe contracts to maintain the seal. We have them in our storage areas and are in the process of hanging small pans with blotter material below the joint. Fortunately the joints were not over any sensitive areas. Neither the architect nor the contractor said anything about the joints leaking oil. Alan Alan K. Lester, Senior Curator The Mary Baker Eddy Library for the Betterment of Humanity [log in to unmask] 617.450.7125 -----Original Message----- From: David Harvey [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Monday, January 31, 2005 2:40 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Fires suppression Just a note of caution here. I have seen several dry-pipe fire systems that leak drips of oil from the pipe joins in collections areas as diverse as textiles and archives. This is most likely the oil used to cut the metal threading into the pipes and it is comes out (sometimes along with rust in solution). If you are putting in a new system you should specifically spec in the contract that all machine oil will be totally removed before assembly and have the pipes inspected to verify this. If you have an existing dry-pipe system you should inspect all of the pipes that run over ALL areas that contain exhibits and collections regularly, as the oil tends to leave a drip hanging on the pipe joins and can be easily spotted from below. Cheers! Dave David Harvey Conservator Los Angeles, California USA ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).