Grinnell Corporation, headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, was one of the largest manufacturers of pipe support hardware, fire suppression systems, and industrial valves in the United States. Grinnell supplied the US Navy with pipe hangers and supports, automatic fire sprinkler systems, and valve products for use aboard ship and at shore installations throughout World War II and the Cold War.

Asbestos in Grinnell Products

Grinnell’s pipe support and fire suppression products used asbestos-containing materials in applications requiring thermal insulation or fire resistance:

  • Insulated pipe hangers and supports — Grinnell pipe hangers used in high-temperature steam line support applications incorporated asbestos insulation in the hanger saddle or pipe contact surface to protect the hanger from heat conduction at steam pipe support points throughout the engineering plant
  • Fire suppression system gaskets — Grinnell automatic sprinkler and deluge system components used asbestos-containing gaskets at sprinkler head fittings, branch line connections, and control valve flanges throughout the ship’s fire suppression distribution system
  • Valve products — Grinnell’s industrial valve line used asbestos packing and gaskets as standard sealing components on steam and water service valves in the same pattern as other valve manufacturers serving the Navy
  • Pipe clamp and coupling gaskets — Grinnell’s Victaulic-type mechanical pipe couplings and clamps used rubber and asbestos gaskets at the coupling seal, potentially disturbed during coupling disassembly and maintenance

Fire Suppression System Maintenance

Grinnell automatic sprinkler and deluge systems were installed throughout Navy ships — in machinery spaces, ordnance handling areas, and living spaces — as fire protection. Damage Controlmen and other personnel performing fire suppression system maintenance worked with Grinnell system components:

  • Sprinkler head inspection and replacement — routine Grinnell sprinkler head maintenance involved handling sprinkler fittings with asbestos-containing gaskets at the connection points
  • Deluge valve maintenance — Grinnell deluge valves controlling fire suppression discharge to machinery spaces used asbestos gaskets at valve body flanges, disturbed during valve maintenance and testing

Shore Facility Fire Suppression

Grinnell supplied fire suppression systems to Navy shore facilities — hangars, warehouses, ammunition storage buildings, and industrial facilities — where their automatic sprinkler systems were installed with the same asbestos-containing component gaskets as shipboard systems. Shore facility maintenance personnel working on Grinnell fire suppression systems at older naval installations encountered asbestos gaskets in system maintenance.

VA Claims for Veterans Exposed to Grinnell Corporation Products

VA evaluates asbestos-related disability claims on a case-by-case basis. Veterans generally need evidence of in-service asbestos exposure, a current asbestos-related diagnosis, and a medical link between them. Damage Controlmen and other ratings who performed fire suppression maintenance involving Grinnell components and have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer may qualify for VA disability benefits.