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Valve Installation for Sprinkler and Standpipe

This article is about Valve Installation for Sprinkler and Standpipe in commercial buildings, plants and refinery projects related to Plumbing Engineering System as per international codes and standards.

Valve Installation for Sprinkler and Standpipe

Sprinkler Valve Installation

  1. Each sprinkler system shall be provided with a listed indicating valve in an accessible location, so locates so as to control all automatic sources of water supply (NFPA 13 Para 4.14.1.1.1)
  2. At least one listed indicating valve shall be installed in each source of water supply.
    Exception: There shall be no shut-off valve in the fire department connection.(NFPA 13 Para 4.14.1.1.2)”
  3. Valves on connections to water supplies, sectional control and isolation valves, and other fixed water-based fire suppression systems shall be supervised by one of the following methods””
    1) Central station, proprietary, or remote station signaling service.
    2) Local signaling service that will cause the sounding of an audible signal at a constantly attended point.
    3) Valves locked in the correct position.
    4) Valves located within fenced enclosures under the control of Saudi Aramco, sealed in the open position, and inspected weekly as part of an approved procedure.(NFPA 13 Para 4.14.1.1.3) “
  4. Where control valves are installed overhead, they shall be positioned so that the indicating feature is visible from the floor below (NFPA 13 Para 4.14.1.1.4).
  5. Where there is more than one source of water supply, a check valve shall be installed in each connection. (NFPA 13 Para 4.14.1.1.5)
  6. Check valves shall be installed in a vertical or horizontal position according to their listing. (NFPA 13 Para 4.14.1.1.6)
  7. Where a single wet pipe sprinkler system is equipped with a fire department connection, the alarm valve is considered a check valve, and an additional check valve shall not be required.(NFPA 13 Para 4.14.1.1.7).
  8. In a connection serving as one source of supply, listed indicating valves or post indicator valves shall be installed on both sides of all check valves.
    Exception: There shall be no control valves in the fire department connection piping.(NFPA 13 Para 4.14.1.1.8)
  9. In portions of systems where all components are not listed for pressures greater than 175 psi (12.1 bar) and the potential exists for normal (nonfire condition) water pressure in excess of 175 psi (12.1 bar), a listed pressure reducing valve shall be installed and set for an outlet not exceeding 165 psi at the maximum inlet pressure. (NFPA 13 Para 4.14.1.2).
  10. In portions of systems where all components are not listed for pressures greater than 175 psi (12.1 bar) and the potential exists for normal (nonfire condition) water pressure in excess of 175 psi (12.1 bar), a listed pressure reducing valve shall be installed and set for an outlet not exceeding 165 psi at the maximum inlet pressure. (NFPA 13 Para 4.14.1.2.1)
  11. Pressure gauges shall be installed on the inlet and outlet side of each pressure reducing valve. (NFPA 13 Para 4.14.1.2.2).
  12. A relief valve of not less than ½”” (13 mm) in size shall be provided on the discharge side of the pressure reducing valve set to operate at a pressure not exceeding175 psi (12.1 bar). (NFPA 13 Para 4.14.1.2.3)
  13. A listed indicating valve shall be provided on the inlet side of each pressure reducing valve, unless the pressure reducing valve meets the listing requirements for use as an indicating valve.(NFPA 13 Para 4.14.1.2.4) “
  14. Minimum pressure rating of valves shall be 12.1 bar (175 psi)
  15. When water pressure exceeds 175 psi (12.1 bars) valves shall be used in accordance with their pressure ratings. (NFPA 13 Para 2.7.1.2.)”
  16. Drain valves and test valves shall be approved. (NFPA 13 Para 2.7.2)”
  17. All control, drain, and test connection valves shall be provided with permanently marked weatherproof metal or rigid plastic identification signs. The sign shall be secured with corrosion resistant wire, chain, or other means.
  18. An indicating control valve shall be installed in the connection to pressure type contactors or water motor operated alarm devices. Such valves shall be sealed, locked, or electrically supervised in the open position. The control valve for the retarding chamber on alarm check valves shall be accepted as complying with this paragraph. (NFPA 13 Para 4.15.1.1.4).
  19. For all types of sprinkler systems employing water-motor-operated alarms, a listed 3/4″” (19 mm) strainer shall be installed at the alarm outlet of the water flow detecting device.
    Exception: Where a retarding chamber is used in connection with an alarm valve, the strainer shall be located at the outlet of the retarding chamber unless the retarding chamber is provided with an approved (Acceptable to the Authority Having Jurisdiction) integral strainer in its outlet (NFPA 13) “

Standpipe Valve Installation

  1. Valves shall be provided to permit isolating a standpipe without interrupting the supply to other standpipes from the same source of supply. (NFPA 14 Para 4-2.2) “
  2. Listed indicating type valves shall be provided at the standpipe for controlling branch lines for remote hose stations. (NFPA 14 Para 4-2.3) “
  3. Where wafer type valve discs are used, they shall be installed in such a manner that they do not interfere with the operation of other system components. (NFPA 14 Para 4-2.4)
  4. Each connection from a standpipe that is part of a combined system to a sprinkler system shall have an individual control valve of the same size as the connection. (NFPA 14 Para 4-2.5.1)
  5. Each connection from a standpipe that is part of a combined system to a sprinkler system and interconnected with other standpipes shall have an individual control valve and check valve of the same size as the connection. (NFPA 14 Para 4-2.5.2).
  6. Connections to public water (Saudi Aramco) systems shall be controlled by post indicator valves of an approved (Acceptable to Saudi Aramco) type located at least 40′ (12.2 m) from the building protected. All valves shall be plainly marked to indicate the service that they control.

    Exception 1: Where the valve cannot be located at least 40″” (12.2 m) from the building, it shall be placed in an approved location and where it will be readily accessible in case of fire and not subject to damage.

    Exception 2: Where post indicator valves cannot be used, underground valves shall be permitted. The valve locations, directions to open, and services that they control shall be plainly marked on the building served.(NFPA 14 Para 4-2.6.1)

  7. Where the standpipes are supplied from a yard main or header in another building, the connection shall be provided with a listed indicating type valve located outside at a safe distance.
    (NFPA Para 4-2.6.2).
  8. System water supply valves, isolation control valves, and other valves in feed mains shall be supervised in an approved (Acceptable to the Authority Having Jurisdiction) manner in the open position by one of the following methods:

    a) Central station, proprietary, or remote station signaling service.

    b) Local signaling service that will cause the sounding of an audible signal at a constantly attended point.

    c) Locking valves open.

    d) Sealing of valves and an approved weekly recorded inspection where valves are located within fenced enclosures under the control of Saudi Aramco.

    Exception: Underground gate valves with roadway boxes need not be supervised. (NFPA 14 Para 4-2.7)

  9. All main and sectional system control valves, including water supply control valves, shall have a sign indicating the portion of the system controlled by the valve. (NFPA 14 Para 4-2.8.1)
  10. All control, drain, and test connection valves shall be provided with a signs indicating their purpose indicating. (NFPA 14 Para 4-2.8.2)
  11. Where sprinkler system piping supplied by a combined system is supplied by more than one standpipe (“”loop”” or “”dual feed”” type design), shall be located at each dual or multiple feed connection to the combination system standpipe to identify that to isolate the sprinkler system served by the control valve, an additional control valve of valves at other standpipes must be shut off. The sign shall also identify the location of the additional control valves. (NFPA 14 Para 4-2.8.3).
  12. Where a main or sectional system control valve is located in a closed room or concealed space, the location of the valve shall be indicated by a sign in an approved (acceptable to the Authority Having Jurisdiction) location on the outside of the door or near the opening of the concealed space. (NFPA 14 Para 4-2.8.4).

International Codes and Standard References for Valve Installation for Sprinkler and Standpipe

1-SAES-S-050 — Sprinkler and Standpipe Systems in Building, 05, February , 2006.
2-NFPA 13 –Installation of Sprinkler Systems, 1996.
3-NFPA 14– Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems.

Sprinkler and Standpipe System Material Selection Technical Requirement

Sprinkler and Standpipe Piping and Fitting Installation

Water Distribution System Design Guidelines Within Building

 

 

 

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