The corrosion of plumbing components, such as union joints, in the mechanical rooms
at military facilities is a significant maintenance and cost issue. The union joints in the
plumbing of many mechanical rooms – some in brand new facilities – can quickly exhibit
significant damage due to the conditions that exist within these rooms. Heat and humidity can
also result in condensate accumulating on the metal support brackets and under the cold water
supply line insulation. Thus, in addition to the corrosion issue, there is the potential for organic
growth under these conditions. This paper will describe efforts to identify, demonstrate, and
validate technologies to protect, and therefore extend the life of, plumbing components in
mechanical rooms at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The feasibility of employing protective and/or
insulating coatings, as well as improved ventilation and/or humidity reduction technologies, will
be presented.