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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What happens if the vacuum piping network develops a leak? A: Since the piping is maintained under a continuous vacuum, any leaks that might develop will draw air INTO the pipes, preventing waste exfiltration. Accepting that problems can occasionally develop with any mechanical system, the Acorn Vac Center is equipped with several alarm features that help alert maintenance personnel of any leaks that might develop in the vacuum piping network.
Since the vacuum piping network exists in the overhead structure, finding and correcting vacuum system leaks is easily accomplished. By comparison, leaking pipes in an underground system may go undetected for years, possibly contaminating the surrounding area or water table.
Q: What about a catastrophic piping failure, say pipe breakage due to an earthquake? A: Unlike underground piping, a catastrophic piping failure, regardless of the cause, will be immediately identified and easily repaired.
Q: Since the system requires electrical power to operate the pumps, what happens if power fails? A: Drainage would be temporarily interrupted, similar to the conditions that exist with a blocked waste line. If temporary interruption is not acceptable, the Vacuum Center controls servicing the pumps allow for connection to a standby power generating system.
Q: Can the AcornVac system accept large water flows associated with multiple use scenarios, such as large office buildings or prisons? A: Yes. Proper engineering ensures that the system is sized for such events.
Q What happens when unusually large debris gets into the system? A: Debris typically found to inhibit the performance of gravity drainage systems has little detrimental effect on the performance of the vacuum drainage system. In fact, items that would typically block a gravity drainage system will pass directly through the vacuum piping network to the Vac Center collection tanks due to the fact that they are assisted in their movement by atmospheric pressures entering the system in the course of normal operations. Vacuum drainage systems virtually eliminate clogged piping.
Q: Are spare parts available or should the facility carry spare parts themselves? A: Spare parts can be maintained by the facility although all parts supplied by AcornVac are available for immediate shipment. A local factory certified maintenance contractor will also typically stock a quantity of repair parts for emergency purposes.
Q: What are the recommended maintenance requirements? A: The primary service requirements would be at the Vac Center, and include annual cleaning of any pump filters or debris screens. The AcornVac vacuum interface components have been tested to well over three million cycles without failure. These components have no regular required preventive maintenance. Should a problem occur with either a Controller or an Extraction Valve, the component is designed to be easily removed and replaced.
Q: Is there any odor associated with drainage from refrigerated equipment? A: No there is not. Any gasses or odors which might exist in the Vac Center collection tanks are discharged when the tank is drained, and any gasses or odors that might exist in the piping network are contained therein by the normally closed Extraction Valve and removed by the condensate drainage process.
Q: In a supermarket, are separate systems provided for black water, condensate, grey water and grease waste?
A: Whenever black water or toilet waste is accommodated by a vacuum drainage system in a facility that is also processing condensate waste via vacuum drainage, care is taken to ensure complete separation of waste streams. Toilet waste is typically route to an isolated waste collection tank serviced by dedicated vacuum pump(s) to completely eliminate any possibility of black water contamination at food handling or food storage equipment. Similarly, grease waste streams are also accommodated through an isolated piping network and collection tank(s) for eventual isolated discharge to a grease waste interceptor.
Q: Can the vacuum lift piping or risers be higher than 22’? A: Yes; however, the system must be engineered considering all load factors including anticipated activity and peak loads as well as diversity requirements. Call the AcornVac Engineering Department for design assistance.
Q: Where are the controller, valves, check valves, etc. made? A: All vacuum parts are made in the USA.
Q: Does the vacuum system need vents (roof penetrations)?
A: The vacuum system does not need vent stacks at the waste connection for individual fixtures. Air removed from the piping network by the vacuum pumps becomes the vent for the system. When the system is used to provide drainage for toilet waste, the vacuum pump discharge requires connection to a dedicated vent.
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