Fire sprinkler valves play a critical role in fire sprinkler systems by controlling the flow of water to sprinkler heads during a fire event. There are many types of fire sprinkler valves designed for specific functions within the system. Ensuring proper selection, installation and maintenance of these valves helps ensure the fire sprinkler system operates as intended when needed most.
Types of Fire Sprinkler Valves
Common fire sprinkler valves include:
1. Control valves – These manually operated valves allow system technicians to turn water flow on and off for testing, maintenance or repairs.
2. Check valves – These one-way valves prevent water from flowing backwards in piping. They allow water to flow toward sprinkler heads but not in the reverse direction.
3. Sectional control valves – These valves isolate sections of the sprinkler piping system so maintenance or repairs can be performed without disrupting the entire system.
4. Pressure control valves – These valves maintain a set pressure in the system by automatically adjusting the flow of water. They help minimize pressure spikes that could damage sprinkler components.
5. Alarm test valves – These valves allow technicians to test waterflow alarms without initiating the full sprinkler system. They drain small amounts of water for testing purposes.
Functions Of Fire Sprinkler Valves
Fire sprinkler valves serve several critical functions within the system:
• Control water flow – Valves are used to turn water on and off as needed for testing, maintenance and repairs.
• Maintain proper system pressure – Valves regulate flow and pressure to minimize pressure surges that could damage components.
• Ensure one-directional water flow – Check valves only allow water to flow toward sprinkler heads, not back into supply piping.
• Isolate sections for work – Sectional control valves allow technicians to work on parts of the system without disrupting the whole sprinkler network.
• Trigger alarms and notifications – Waterflow alarms are activated once valves reach a certain flow level, alerting authorities and technicians.
Importance Of Proper Selection And Maintenance
To perform reliably, fire sprinkler valves must be:
• Properly selected based on location, waterflow requirements and intended function
• Regularly inspected for signs of damage, corrosion or malfunction
• Tested periodically to confirm they operate as designed during a fire event
• Stored and handled with care to avoid damage before, during and after installation