In older buildings built prior to late 1980's or early 1990's, the drains that Steve mentions were not required in the stairways near the pressure reducing hose valves (PRV).
Depending upon the type of PRV installed, you'll have the following options. 1. remove and bench-test each PRV. 2. run hose with the metering device from the PRV up or down the stairs to a suitable drain. 3. run hose from the PRV into the other stairway and use the other standpipe as the drain. In this situtation, you might have to remove the some fo the PRV hose valves because they may also act as check valves. 4. with the approval of the AHJ, you might put a put a cap gauge with a small outlet and flow a small amount of water into a bucket. This would allow the seat of the PRV to open and also allow you to read the outlet pressure. The choice is up to the AHJ and the building owner because running hose thru the building at high pressure could cause extensive damage if the hose leaks. Also, it really depends on the make and model of the PRV installed...or are they pressure "restricting" devices instead of pressure "reducing" devices? Can you provide the make and model of the valves? rick matsuda city of dallas -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Steve Leyton Sent: Wednesday, November 26, 2008 11:50 AM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: How do you test a pressure reducing valve on a standpipe? What are they supposed to be set for? Would seem to me that you would flow test them and verify that the residual at the required flow rate is in accordance with the approved design. The way we test/set these things around here is with a jig that has a 2.5" piece of rubber hose with an in-line flow meter and pressure gauge. If the standpipe is fitted with pressure gauges on the supply side of the reducing valves (as it's supposed to be, you can compare the supply and discharge pressures to be sure the valve is still performing to its setting or restrictor. There is SUPPOSED to be a large enough drain riser in proximity, with connections on each floor - pipe or hose threaded or grooved per the local AHJ - into which you tie the hose. Open each valve and let 'er rip ... but keep a body downstairs at the pump room with a two way. And call Tom Duross at FGOL Fire Protection Services if he doesn't chime in on his own. Steve Leyton Protection Design & Consulting San Diego, CA -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Craig Small Sent: Wednesday, November 26, 2008 9:25 AM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: How do you test a pressure reducing valve on a standpipe? Forum members, I need some help a salesman sold a job where we have to do the 5 year test of 73 pressure reducing valves installed in a standpipe? How do you test them and what do you test them for? _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum For Technical Assistance, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[EMAIL PROTECTED] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field)
