Fire sprinkler test and drain valves have a 1/2” plugged port. Learn what this system access point is (and isn’t) intended to do.
Some water leaks out of the ball drip valve under an FDC while doing a hydrostatic test. Is this normal? Learn why it is and what to do.
An OS&Y valve is a type of gate valve used in sprinkler and standpipe systems as a control valve. Read this guide to when and why they are used.
Fire hose valves on standpipe systems require regular inspections, plus tests and as-needed maintenance. Learn the essential NFPA requirements.
Learn when to use indicating valves on fire protection systems and how NFPA standards governing these devices have changed.
Globe valve vs. gate valve vs. ball valve—which is best for the job? QRFS explains how to pick the right valve for specific applications.
Learn the difference between backflow preventers vs. check valves, and why backflow preventers offer the best protection against water contamination.
Learn how Backflow Check Key Tools make it easier and safer to service check valves in backflow preventers.
Backflow preventers stop harmful contaminants from polluting municipal drinking water. Learn more about backflow and when backflow preventers are required.
Antifreeze isn’t always the best—or the only—approach to fire sprinkler system freeze prevention. Learn how ball valves, drum drips, and other equipment can prevent damage and failure.
With threaded ports for gauges and a drain valve, backflow-preventing sprinkler check valves can expedite the code-compliant installation of system risers. Read on to learn more about the design and installation of “shotgun” risers—and how they compare to common alternatives.
For a slip-free grip and maximum leverage, follow QRFS’s guide to sizing valve wheel wrenches that turn handwheel valves safely.
A wide range of standards govern the construction and use of valves—so, can angle valves designed for one purpose be used for another? QRFS looks at angle valves in fire protection, HVAC, plumbing, and beyond, discussing their construction, manufacturing standards, and suitability for various applications.
Closing or opening a valve can cause a sudden surge in pressure, threatening water-based systems and the people who work around them. QRFS explains the phenomenon known as water hammer, describing what is, how it works, and how it impacts firefighting and the design of fire protection systems.
Fire safety valve pressure ratings matter when choosing a valve for fire sprinkler and standpipe systems. QRFS reviews the differences between more than ten common terms manufacturers use to describe valves’ pressure ratings, including WOG (Water, Oil, Gas), WSP (Working Steam Pressure), and PSI (Pounds per Square Inch).
Grooved butterfly valves and wafer butterfly valves both control flow in fire sprinkler and standpipe systems — but is there a reason for choosing one over the other? QRFS looks at the features of different butterfly valves for fire protection, including guidance from the National Fire Protection Association.
Why would a fire protection system need to be drained? This article discusses four common reasons and details the various types of drains necessary for safely draining a fire sprinkler system. Included is a detailed breakdown of the primary drain valves in a sprinkler system: main drains, auxiliary drains, sectional drains, test drains, and more.
In fire sprinkler and standpipe systems, trim valves help make inspection, monitoring, and testing simpler. QRFS looks at trim valves for fire protection, providing an overview of what they are, how they function, and what the NFPA says about these helpful devices.
