Alarm Line Control Valve

[bmlxd40]

I am referring to the 1/2" ball valves typically found in the trim of Alarm\Dry\Deluge valves. NFPA 13, 2013 8.17.1.4 states that these valves should be sealed, locked, or electronically supervised. These are almost always 1/2" ball valves, and I don't think any of them are lockable ball valves, so how would the supervision be accomplished?

 

[LCREP]

Drill a hole in the handle and install a plastic tie, lock, or install electronic supervision. The other option is to remove the valve all together.

I believe Potter sells a electronic 1/2" valve. The problem if the valve is closed no water gos to the flow switch and the central station. Can not tell u how many I have found closed.

 

[cdafd]

You need to find out what the ahj will accept.

Also not every valve is supervised.

http://static.victaulic.com/assets/uploads/literature/10.17.pdf

https://m.grainger.com/mobile/category/valve-lockout-devices/lockout-tagout/safety/ecatalog/N-rkz

 

[bmlxd40]

Thanks, LCREP. Your first option is the one I came up with too. It seems like the alarm valve manufacturers would have addressed this already.

 

[LCREP]

Victalic has they have removed the shut off valve to the pressure switch.

 

[bmlxd40]

On Vic's wet system alarm valves, they still have the 1/2 normally open valve in the trim. Viking is this way also. I didnt look at any other manufacturer.

CDAFD, that second option looks like a reasonable alternative, thanks.

 

[cdafd]

""""Vic's wet system alarm valves, they still have the 1/2 normally open valve in the trim"""""

What does it go to???

 

[LCREP]

It is the dry, pre action and deluge valve I am concerned with since a vain water flow device can not be used. Wet system most of the newer stuff I see has a vain transmitter few have water motor gong with a pressure switch on the top of the retard chamber. If they do then yea you have the same problem.

I think I recall the IBC does not require the 1/2" valve to be supervised, never understood why they gave the exception, makes no sense to be given how many times I found them closed.

 

[cdafd]

There should be no shut off valve in the piping for the high pressure/flow switch!!

 

[LCREP]

Nope