Fire Valve: Characteristics of Species and Device Features

To eliminate the fire requires a whole system consisting of a hydrant, hoses, stop valves and other types of elements. These devices allow the supply of water directly to the place of ignition. No fire extinguishing system can do without a quality shut-off valve, which includes a fireman valve. Consider what kinds exist, their differences and advantages of use.

Normative acts

In all that concerns fire extinguishing systems, regulation takes place with reference to such documents:

• NPB 154-2000. This normative act discloses all data on the fireman's technique, the valves of fire hydrants. It also regulates the technical part: safety requirements and methods of testing equipment.
• GOST R 53278-2009. The previous document gives a reference to this GOST as a basic document, which gives a clearer description of the definitions of regulatory values.
• FZ №123. This law regulates legal situations in the event of a fire, as well as measures to prevent it.

These regulatory documents regulate all areas, from the production of stop valves to its use and testing.

What it is?

The fire valve (the same valve) is part of the crane. It is installed on the internal water supply system to extinguish a fire with a liquid or gas temperature of up to 50 ° C. One end of this product is made in the form of a clutch, and the second is a stem (external thread), for tightening the coupling head. By design, the fire brigade valves do not differ from conventional analogues. The difference is only in diameter and material of execution. In their design they have a flywheel, bushing, stuffing box packing, head housing, stem thread, insulation, valve with gasket.

Kinds

It is possible to distinguish several species on different grounds:

• By type of installation - channel, wall.
• By the form of the external structure of the body - angular (90 ° or 125 °), through, straight flow.
• By function - shut-off, shut-off, special.
• According to the material - cast iron, brass.
• The inside diameter is 50 mm or 65 mm.
• According to the type of connection - coupling / coupling, coupling / trunnion. The dowel in the fire valve allows the hose to be connected with the hose (metal hose of the fire hose).

The variety of classifications does not affect the basic quality of such fittings - reliability.

Requirements for the valve

There are a number of regulations for fire valves:

• Tightness of the product and connections;
• The nominal passage is from 40 to 65 mm;
• Pressure working at the time of water supply - not less than 1 MPa;
• Working pressure is carried out under the valve;
• Working temperature should not exceed 50 ° C;
• The number of revolutions before opening - from 4 to 6, depending on the nominal passage;
• Rotation of the flywheel - right;
• Mandatory crimping within 12 hours before sale.

All these requirements make it possible to start the system as quickly as possible in extreme conditions under fire conditions.

Material of execution

The fireman's valve is made of cast iron and brass. This is due to the fact that such products must have strength and reliability. Cast iron and brass are characterized by such characteristics, namely anti-corrosion, strength and ability to withstand high system pressure. All these properties allow the use of such products for a long time.

Marking

The properties of the crane are displayed not only in alphabetic, numeric designations, but also in symbolic and in color of the body painting. The marking shall be applied by casting and shall contain the following data:

• Nominal diameter;
• Nominal pressure;
• Body material;
• A trademark and / or manufacturer's name;
• Direction of supply of the working medium;
• year of issue;
• Arrow-direction indicator of the working environment;
• Designation of a gasket for a flange seal, etc.

The remaining types of marking are applied in accordance with the requirements of regulatory documents and regulations.

Color marking reveals what material the body is made of:

• Black - gray, malleable, high-strength cast iron;
• Gray - carbon steel;
• Blue - alloy steel;
• Blue - high-alloy steel, corrosion-resistant and high-temperature alloys.

As you can see, the fireman valve fully discloses its characteristics in the marking.

Features of installation and maintenance

Different types of designs allow you to install the faucet valve in any position. It is forbidden to mount the flywheel down. In the event of a fire, working with the water supply system should be affordable and easy. In an extreme situation, every second is important, so the valve should simply open in 4-6 turns. Modern designs allow performing such actions without additional levers. During installation, the system must be sealed. When installing a valve on the pipeline, the gasket and stuffing box seals are tightened. Before installation, the pipe must be carefully cleaned of dirt and sand.

Requirements for the device:

• A valve can be installed using a connection head.
• If it fails (worn) the gland seal is replaced.
• The rod is periodically lubricated.
• Regular testing of equipment by tests.
• At the end of the expiration date of the equipment, it is dismantled and sent for disposal.
• The service life of the valves depends on the correct installation and maintenance.

Shut-off valve is one of the most important fire extinguishing systems. From its quality and proper installation depends the speed and the possibility of its use in emergency situations. And the life of a person directly depends on it. Therefore, enterprises strictly prohibit the use of fire equipment that does not comply with regulatory documentation.

When purchasing devices such as a valve, you must request a certificate of compliance. Pay attention to the marking, to the extent to which it is correctly applied and whether the technical specifications are appropriate. In no case should you take products of dubious origin. They do not have the proper quality and reliability. It is not worth saving on such products, life and health of people directly depend on them.