Valve accessibility

[PRinspector]

OK, I have been looking to NFPA 13 for the maximum height to mount an test and control valve. NFPA 13 give this example A.8.16.2.5.2.1 An example of an accessible location would be a valve located approximately 7 ft (2.1 m) above the floor level
to which a hose could be connected to discharge the water in
an acceptable manner. So I reckon that any valve test or control can be 7 ft above the finished floor? 7 feet = accessible


Regards

Lou

 

[MatthewJWillis]

Acceptable location is meant to mean no ladder or special equipment required.

There are very loose interpretations across our great nation..

R/
/Matt

 

[PRinspector]

Matt,

Thanks a lot I recall that but I can not find it, do you happen to have a reference?

Regards
Lou

 

[MatthewJWillis]

Lou,

Sorry. Only reference is in my head and not on paper.
I think this was accepted best practice.
Not sure is it ever was written down.

I think the 7'-0" is based on average height, and our human ability to reach up, to be honest.
Unfortunately, I have had to work on Dry Valves, mounted, you guessed it, 7'-0" above the floor. A lot of them..

The problem is now days, folks are arguing, using ladder means accessible.

Maybe someone can chime in if there is more literature.

R/
Matt

 

[PRinspector]

Thanks again, will see what others say.

v/r

Lou

 

[TravisMack]

13 says to be accessible. 13 does not have a definition for accessible. Go to Mirriam Webster College Dictionary for definition.

able to be reached or approached​

This may be enough to get you to the 7' elevation.

Travis Mack
MFP Design, LLC

http://www.mfpdesign.com

"Follow" us at

https://www.facebook.com/pages/MFP-Design-LLC/92218417692

 

[stookeyfpe]

So what if you employed this valve operator:

http://www.rotohammer.com/products/roto-wheels/

It would be easy to supervise.

As to the 7-0 value, the IBC requires any means of egress component to have a clearance of 7'-6" or greater.

 

[NightME]

Stookey, I've seen those valves used in caves quite a bit around Kansas City. With all the underground truck traffic, all the services (water, sprinklers, elec, etc) are all ran at the ceiling level, all the control valves are equipped with chain operators so they can be accessed from the floor. Based on the vague language in 13, I'd be hard pressed to deny a shop submittal if the Contractor submitted these as part of their design....so I agree with your comment completely.

 

[rconner]

[You also may be interested in the guidance with regard to valve location etc in Figure 5.24 at

https://books.google.com/books?id=C...&q=downside of valve chain operators&f=false.

]

 

[PRinspector]

stookeyfpe, I have seen few of those rotor wheel installed. They were installed to provide access to the valve (open/close) from the floor. The valve where about 11 feet high and yes the were supervised. I guess I will have to hang my hat at the recommended 7 feet.

Thanks

Lou

 

[MatthewJWillis]

Stookey,

So as to have it clear in my head..,

As far as egress, I have stuck in my head 7'-6" minimum ceiling height, 6'-8" for components.
I'm sure you know how often this comes up with combination standpipes.

Am I reading those correctly?

 

[stookeyfpe]

Matthew:

It's really dependent on where one is in the egress path. I've never believed that in the egress arena that lowering the number is a good thing. Following the most restrictive value solves most problems.