To eliminate the fire requires a whole system consisting of a hydrant, hoses, valves and other types of elements. These devices allow you to supply water directly to the place of ignition. No fire extinguishing system can do without high-quality stop valves, which include a fire valve. Consider what types exist, their differences and advantages of use.
Normative acts
In all that relates to fire extinguishing systems, regulation takes place with reference to such documents:
- NPB 154-2000. This normative act discloses all the data on fire fighting equipment , valves, fire hydrants. It also regulates the technical part: safety requirements and methods for testing equipment.
- GOST R 53278-2009. The previous document makes reference to this GOST as a fundamental document, which gives a clearer description of the definitions of regulatory values.
- Federal Law No. 123. This law regulates legal situations in the event of a fire, as well as measures to prevent it.
These regulatory documents govern all areas, from the production of valves to its use and testing.
What it is?
Fire valve (aka 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 up to 50 ° . One end of this product is made in the form of a coupling, and the second is a flange (external thread), for screwing the coupling sleeve.
By design, fire valves are no different from ordinary analogues. The difference is only in diameter and material. In their design, they have a flywheel, a sleeve, a stuffing box, a head housing, a stem thread, insulation, a valve with a gasket.
Kinds
Several species can be distinguished according to different characteristics:
- By type of installation - channel, wall.
- By the appearance of the external structure of the case - angular (90 ° or 125 °), through passage, direct-flow.
- By function - locking, locking-regulating, special.
- According to the material - cast iron, brass.
- According to the inner diameter - 50 mm or 65 mm.
- According to the type of connection - coupling / coupling, coupling / slipper. The flap in the fire valve allows you to connect a hose with a hose (metal tip of the fire hose).
A variety of classifications does not affect the main quality of such valves - reliability.
Valve requirements
There are a number of regulations for fire valves:
- tightness of the product and connections;
- nominal pass - from 40 to 65 mm;
- working pressure at the time of water supply - at least 1 MPa;
- working pressure is carried out under the valve;
- operating temperature should not exceed 50 ° C;
- the number of revolutions before opening - from 4 to 6, depending on the nominal passage;
- flywheel rotation - right;
- compulsory pressure testing within 12 hours before sale.
All these requirements allow you to quickly start the system in extreme conditions in a fire.
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 distinguished by such characteristics, namely anticorrosion, strength and ability to withstand high system pressure.
All these properties allow the use of such products for a long period.
Marking
The properties of the crane are displayed not only in the alphanumeric designation, but also in the symbolic and color of the body. The marking is applied by casting and should contain the following data:
- nominal diameter;
- nominal pressure;
- case material;
- trademark and / or name of the manufacturer;
- direction of supply of the working medium;
- year of issue;
- arrow indicating the direction of the working medium;
- gasket designation for flange gasket, etc.
Other 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, ductile iron;
- gray - carbon steel;
- blue - alloy steel;
- blue - high alloy steel, corrosion-resistant and heat-resistant alloys.
As you can see, the fire valve fully reveals its characteristics in the marking.
Features of installation and maintenance
Various types of designs allow you to install the valve of the fire hydrant in any position.
Do not install flywheel down. In 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 at 4-6 revolutions. Modern designs allow you to perform such actions without additional leverage.
During installation, the tightness of the system must be observed. When installing the valve in the pipeline, the gasket and stuffing box joints are tightened. Before installation, the pipe must be thoroughly cleaned of dirt and sand.
Device requirements:
- Installation of the valve using a connecting head is allowed.
- In case of failure (wear) of the stuffing box seal, it is replaced.
- The stem is subject to periodic lubrication.
- Regular testing of equipment by tests.
- At the end of the shelf life of the equipment, it is dismantled and sent for disposal.
- The service life of the valves depends on the correct installation and maintenance.
Fire gate valve - one of the important devices of the fire extinguishing system. The speed and the possibility of its use in emergency situations depend on its quality and proper installation. And the life of a person directly depends on this. Therefore, the use of fire equipment that does not comply with regulatory documentation is strictly prohibited at enterprises.
When purchasing devices such as a valve, you must request a certificate of conformity. Pay attention to the marking, how correctly it is applied and whether the technical specifications correspond to the required ones. In no case should you take products of dubious origin. They do not differ in proper quality and reliability. Saving on such products is not worth it, life and health of people directly depend on them.