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  • Fire Sprinklers
    • Cover Plates
      • Cover Plate Finder
      • Flat
      • Domed
      • Viking Cover Plates
      • Tyco Cover Plates
      • Reliable Cover Plates
      • Victaulic Cover Plates
      • Senju Cover Plates
      • Cleanroom
    • Escutcheons
      • Escutcheon Finder
      • Recessed
      • Adjustable (401)
      • Split Ring (Retrofit)
      • One Piece
      • Institutional
      • Viking Escutcheons
      • Tyco Escutcheons
      • Reliable Escutcheons
      • Victaulic Escutcheons
      • Senju Escutcheons
      • Vaulted Ceiling
      • Extension Tubes
    • Sprinkler Heads
      • Sprinkler Finder
      • Uprights
      • Pendents
      • Concealed Pendents
      • Horizontal Sidewalls
      • Concealed Sidewalls
      • Residential
      • Standard Response (SR)
      • Quick Response (QR)
      • ESFR, EC, & Other
      • Institutional
      • Viking Fire Sprinklers
      • Tyco Fire Sprinklers
      • Victaulic Fire Sprinklers
      • Reliable Fire Sprinklers
      • Senju Fire Sprinklers
    • Head Wrenches
      • Standard
      • Concealed
      • Recessed
      • Cabinet/Plastic
      • Hybrid and Other
    • Sprinkler Accessories
      • Sprinkler Extensions
      • Installation Tools
      • Trim Rings
      • Spare Head Cabinets
    • Guards and Shields
      • Paint Covers
      • Standard Head Guards
      • Heavy Duty Head Guards
      • Water Shields and Baffles
    • Shut off Tools
      • Shutgun
    • System Components
      • Sprinkler Gauges
      • Flexible Drops
      • Drywall Access Doors
      • Pre-Assembled Risers
      • Cleaning Tools
      • Breakable Locks
  • Pipe
    • CPVC Fittings
      • Caps
      • Couplings
      • Adapters and Reducers
      • Elbows
      • Tees
      • Bushings
      • Pipe
      • Crosses
      • Cement
    • Grooved Fittings
      • Couplings
      • Adapters and Reducers
      • Caps
      • Mechanical Tees
      • Tees
      • Elbows
      • Crosses
      • Coupling Grease
    • Flexible Drops
    • Black Iron Fittings
      • Bushings
      • Nipples
      • Square Head Plugs
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      • Galvanized
      • Rod Buttons
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      • Tru Drill
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    • Smoke Detector Testing
      • Smoke Detector Test Kits
      • Smoke Aerosols and Cartridges
      • Smoke Dispensers
      • Sensitivity Testers
      • Scorpion (Mounted)
    • CO Detector Testing
      • CO Detector Test Kits
      • CO Aerosols and Cartridges
      • CO Dispensers
    • Alarm Testing
      • Battery Testing
      • Duct Detector Testing
      • Sound & Voice Testing
    • Other Detector Testing
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      • Universal Detector Test Kits
      • Detector Testing Equipment & Accessories
      • Removal and Cleaning
      • Batteries and Chargers
      • Access Poles
    • Gauges
    • Flow Testing
      • Flow Test Kits
      • Pitot Gauge Kits
      • Flow Testing Parts
    • Alarm Bells
      • 24V
      • 120V
      • Alarm Bell Accessories
    • Electronic Supervision
      • Flow Switches
      • Pressure Switches
      • Supervisory Switches
  • FDCs
    • Exposed Bodies
      • Angled
      • Straight
    • Concealed Bodies
      • Angled
      • Straight
    • Caps and Plugs
      • Breakable Caps
      • Plug and Chains
    • Snoots and Swivels
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      • Round ID Plates
      • Square ID Plates
      • Auto Spkr ID Plates
      • Standpipe ID Plates
      • Combination ID Plates
    • Residential
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    • Butterfly Valves
      • Grooved Butterfly Valves
      • Threaded Butterfly Valves
      • Wafer Butterfly Valves
    • OS&Y Valves
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      • Powerball Valves
      • Gate Valves
    • Shotgun Riser Check Valves
    • Other Check Valves
      • Brass Check Valves
      • In-Line Check Valves
      • Swing Check Valves
    • Angle Valves
    • Testing & Maintenance
      • Pressure Relief Valves
      • Bleeder Valves
      • Three Way Valves
      • Ball Valves
      • Globe Valves
      • Ball Drip Valves
      • Auxiliary Drain Valves
      • Test and Drain Valves
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Valves

Ball drip valve hydrostatic test

#448 – Why Ball Drip Valves Don’t Totally Seal During Hydrostatic Tests

January 24, 2025March 27, 2024

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.

Tags ball drip valves, FDC, fire department connection, hydrostatic test Leave a comment
Guide to OS&Y valves

#405 – Guide to OS&Y Valves for Fire Protection Systems

January 24, 2025March 16, 2022

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.

6 Comments
Fire hose valve

#404 – Fire Hose Valve Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance Requirements

January 24, 2025February 16, 2022

Fire hose valves on standpipe systems require regular inspections, plus tests and as-needed maintenance. Learn the essential NFPA requirements.

Leave a comment
Post indicator valve

#365 – A Guide to Post Indicator Valve Requirements

January 28, 2025October 6, 2020

Learn when to use indicating valves on fire protection systems and how NFPA standards governing these devices have changed.

30 Comments
What is a globe valve?

#364 – What Is a Globe Valve and When Is It Used?

January 28, 2025September 29, 2020

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.

1 Comment
Backflow preventer vs check valve

#342 – Backflow Preventer vs. Check Valve: What’s the Difference?

January 29, 2025April 28, 2020

Backflow preventers offer the best protection against contamination of city water supplies A check valve provides a basic form of backflow prevention, preventing water from flowing in the wrong direction. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) … Read more

6 Comments
Sprinkler System Backflow Valve Repair Tools

#341 — Tools for Sprinkler System Backflow Valve Repair and Maintenance

January 29, 2025April 21, 2020

Check Key tools make it easy and safe to service check valves in backflow preventers Maintaining backflow preventers is vital to ensuring that harmful contaminants from building systems don’t pollute city water supplies. But without … Read more

2 Comments
Picture of a backflow preventor

#340 — How Does a Backflow Preventer Work?

January 29, 2025April 15, 2020

Backflow preventers stop harmful contaminants from polluting a city’s drinking water City water mains provide water for most homes and buildings, including the water used in fire protection systems. But the stagnant water that fills … Read more

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Picture of cracked pipe

#319 – Fire Sprinkler System Freeze Prevention: Ball Valves, Drum Drips & More

January 29, 2025January 28, 2020

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.

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Sprinkler check valve installation shotgun valve

#276 – Sprinkler Check Valve Installation and Selection: Shotgun Riser Check Valves

February 2, 2025October 1, 2019

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.

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