Bladder Expansion Tanks

A Bladder Expansion Tank (also referred to as Thermal Expansion Tank, Glycol Tank, or Sprinkler Tank) is designed with a gas-filled bladder inside to act as a shock absorber to liquid expanding within a building’s fire closed loop sprinkler system. 

Systems that utilize backflow preventors can suffer from over-pressure when temperature variation (excessive heat or cold) causes the antifreeze within the building's fire sprinkler lines to expand resulting in sprinkler system damage. This over-pressurization can be alleviated with a Young Engineering UL Listed bladder expansion tank which "absorbs" the expanding fluid, thereby controlling the pressure to a safe level. When the fluid contracts due to temperature cooling, the bladder expansion tank expels the fluid back into the system. (For a visial explanation, view our bladder expansion tank Movie).

If left unprotected, a building's sprinkler system can be susceptible to extreme pressure in the pipes, fittings and sprinklers themselves; reducing the useful life of these parts.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 13) requires the use of expansion chambers in antifreeze systems which use these backflow preventors.

A Young Engineering UL Listed bladder expansion tank is designed to protect a building's anti-freeze sprinkler system from the damaging effects of thermal expansion.

All Young Engineering’s products can be designed and manufactured to fit your exacting specifications

Article: Expansion Chambers for Fire Protection Systems
(pdf file for download)

Bladder Expansion Tank Movie

Bladder Expansion Tank Brochure

Bladder Expansion Tank Datasheets

Bladder Expansion Tank Distributors