Early post for the upcoming week. I have a system to test, circa late 70s installation. Class 3 (assumed), 2 ½ FDVs with 1 ½ reducers and caps.
According to #25 the system should be tested to the appropriate standard it was installed under. This all make perfect sense, some digging is required on my end as to what (if any) edition of #14 was in place at the time of installation. My question is more towards the devices installed. The system has older FDVs cast saying Pressure Reducing Valve. Theyre the type with the locking clip on the handle stem that keeps the valve from being opened to a certain %. Most of us know these are no more Pressure Reducing Valves than a standard angle type hose valves available yesterday or today. Theres 90 PSI at the top of the standpipe, gauge looks accurate, drops when petcock is closed and the gauge is loosened. Standpipe is 4 and runs up 8 stories. So Im assuming around 140 PSI of the buildings fire pump as system pressure there. Under 175 anyway. Pretty sure 140% was the FP rule then, so 90-65 would seem in the range of design. No drain risers btw. Because these valves are labeled as PRVs, I have to test everyone. Now, I do have to check for the applicable edition of #14 and also the applicable Building Code because they sometimes have specific verbage for standpipes that could trump #14. If I find no specific direction in either the Code or Standard requiring these, and I find for example the Code required 500@65 for a design; Im wondering how to approach the AHJ in requesting I remove and replace them with standard FDVs off the shelf. Some are missing their pins, some the locking screws are gone too. Installing standard valves would save testing 8 floors of FDVs from now on, maybe improve outlet flow. Any thoughts. RIP GLC, Thomas Duross The Fire Pump Testing Company 11 Varney Street Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 T 617-971-0700 F 617-524-7171 C 617-592-4236 [email protected] _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkler.org
