FM-Approval Standard For Water Pressure Relief Valve
FM-Approval Standard For Water Pressure Relief Valve
FM-Approval Standard For Water Pressure Relief Valve
for
Water Pressure
Relief Valves
Foreword
The FM Approvals certification mark is intended to verify that the products and services described
will meet FM Approvals stated conditions of performance, safety and quality useful to the ends of
property conservation. The purpose of Approval Standards is to present the criteria for FM Approval
of various types of products and services, as guidance for FM Approvals personnel, manufacturers,
users and authorities having jurisdiction.
Products submitted for certification by FM Approvals shall demonstrate that they meet the intent of
the Approval Standard, and that quality control in manufacturing shall ensure a consistently uniform
and reliable product. Approval Standards strive to be performance-oriented. They are intended to
facilitate technological development.
For examining equipment, materials and services, Approval Standards:
a)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Purpose .............................................................................................................................................................................. 1
1.2 Scope ................................................................................................................................................................................. 1
1.3 Basis for FM Approval ..................................................................................................................................................... 1
1.4 Basis For Continued Approval ........................................................................................................................................... 1
1.5 Requirements ..................................................................................................................................................................... 1
1.6 Effective Date .................................................................................................................................................................... 2
1.7 System of Units ................................................................................................................................................................. 2
II. GENERAL INFORMATION .................................................................................................................................................. 2
2.1 Product Information ............................................................................................................................................................ 2
III. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................................................................................. 3
3.1 Markings ............................................................................................................................................................................ 3
3.2 Instructions ........................................................................................................................................................................ 3
3.3 Physical or Structural Features ......................................................................................................................................... 4
3.4 Valve Operation ................................................................................................................................................................. 4
3.5 Screen ................................................................................................................................................................................ 4
3.6 Pressure Setting ................................................................................................................................................................. 4
3.7 Position Indicator (Optional) ............................................................................................................................................ 4
3.8 Flow Indicator (Optional) ................................................................................................................................................. 4
3.9 Drawings/Plans/Specifications Required .......................................................................................................................... 5
3.10 Manufacturers Responsibilities ...................................................................................................................................... 5
IV. PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS ................................................................................................................................. 5
4.1 General ............................................................................................................................................................................... 5
4.2 Hydrostatic Strength .......................................................................................................................................................... 5
4.3 Relief Valve Capacity ....................................................................................................................................................... 6
4.4 Disc Assembly, or Equivalent Component/Disc Strength ............................................................................................... 6
4.5 Diaphragm Strength .......................................................................................................................................................... 6
4.6 Seat Leakage ..................................................................................................................................................................... 6
4.7 Durability ........................................................................................................................................................................... 7
4.8 Operational Characteristics ............................................................................................................................................... 7
4.9 Flow Indicator ................................................................................................................................................................... 7
4.10 Accessory Examination ................................................................................................................................................... 7
4.11 Additional Tests ............................................................................................................................................................... 8
V. OPERATIONS REQUIREMENTS ........................................................................................................................................ 8
5.1 Demonstrated Quality Control Program ........................................................................................................................... 8
5.2 Facilities and Procedures Audit (F&PA) .......................................................................................................................... 9
APPENDIX A UNITS OF MEASUREMENT .......................................................................................................................... 10
APPENDIX B APPROVAL MARKS ......................................................................................................................................... 11
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I. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Purpose
This Standard states FM Approval requirements for water pressure relief valves which relieve excess pressures
in a water supply system, or which are used in the discharge line of a fire pump to limit the pressure developed
by the pump. Smaller sizes are used with electric motor-driven pumps.
1.2 Scope
This standard is used to evaluate water pressure relief valves for their intended application of rapid response to
excess pressure. Relief valves must remain functional after long periods of inactivity. Water pressure relief
valve as used in this standard includes any trim and/or associated device necessary for satisfactory and reliable
operation of the assembly. Both direct acting and pilot-operated devices are within the scope of this standard.
1.5 Requirements
1.5.1 The requirements of this standard are based on experience, research and testing and/or the standards of
other national and international organizations. The advice of manufacturers, users, trade associations and
loss control specialists has also been considered.
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1.5.2 The requirements of this standard reflect tests and practices used to examine characteristics of water
pressure relief valves for the purpose of obtaining FM Approval. These requirements are intended
primarily as guides, and strict conformity is not always mandatory. Valves having characteristics not
anticipated by this standard may be Approved if performance equal or superior to that required by this
standard is demonstrated, or if the intent of the standard is met. Alternatively, valves which do meet all
the requirements identified in this standard may not be Approved if other conditions which adversely affect
performance exist or if the intent of this standard is not met.
In.
In.
3 4
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3.2 Instructions
Each shipment shall be packaged with complete installation instructions, including any special dimension
requirements.
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3.5 Screen
A screen shall be provided to protect orifices or ports which are 14 in. (6.4 mm) in diameter or less. The diameter
of the holes in the screen shall be at least 116 in. (1.6 mm) less than the diameter of the smallest orifice to be
protected. The total area of the openings in the screen shall be at least 20 times greater than the area of the orifice
the screen is designed to protect.
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(dm /min)
in.
Up to 250
(945)
300
(1135)
212
400-500
(1515-1895)
750-1000
(2840-3785)
1250-2500
(4730-9465)
3000-4000
(11355-17035)
4.3.2 Test/Verification
With the relief valves set at 100 psi (690 kPa), the relief valves shall discharge the full rated capacity of
the pump with which it is used without the inlet pressure rising above 125 psi (860 kPa).
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4.6.2 Test/Verification
When pressurized at rated working pressure (175 psi [1210 kPa] minimum) for 5 minutes, there shall be
no leakage across the seat.
4.7 Durability
4.7.1 Requirement
The pressure relief valve shall not undergo appreciably altered performance after being operated 2000
times under flow conditions.
4.7.2 Test/Verification
The pressure relief valve and associated devices shall be opened and closed 2000 times under representative pressures and flows. The valve shall continue to operate properly without appreciably altered
performance after this test, and shall still be leak tight when retested according to Paragraph 4.6.
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4.10.2 Test/Verification
The manufacturers piping schematic drawing shall be examined to determine whether potential for
trapping air above the diaphragm exists. Based on this examination, operational tests may be necessary to
determine the ability of the assembly to avoid this choking condition.
V. OPERATIONS REQUIREMENTS
5.1 Demonstrated Quality Control Program
5.1.1 A Quality Control Program is required to assure that each subsequent valve produced by the manufacturer
shall present the same quality and reliability as the specific valve samples examined. Design quality,
conformance to design, and performance are the areas of primary concern.
Design quality is determined during the examination and tests.
Conformance to design is verified by control of quality in the following areas:
existence of corporate quality control guidelines;
incoming assurance, including testing;
in-process assurance, including testing;
final inspection and test;
equipment calibration;
drawing and change control;
packaging and shipping; and
handling discrepant materials.
Quality of performance is determined by field performance and by re-examination and test.
5.1.2 The manufacturer shall establish a system of product configuration control to prevent unauthorized
changes, including, as appropriate:
engineering drawings
engineering change requests
engineering orders
change notices
These shall be executed in conformance with a written policy and detailed procedures. Records of all
revisions to all Approved products shall be kept.
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5.1.3 The manufacturer shall assign an appropriate person or group to be responsible for obtaining
FM Approvals authorization of all changes applicable to Approved Products. FM Approvals Form 797,
Approved Product Revision Report or Address/Contact Change Notice, is provided to notify
FM Approvals of pending changes.
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APPENDIX A:
UNITS OF MEASUREMENT
LENGTH:
in. inches
(mm millimeters)
mm = in. 25.4
ft feet
(m meters)
m = ft 0.3048
PRESSURE:
TEMPERATURE:
F degrees Fahrenheit
(C degrees Celsius)
C = (F - 32) 5/9
FLOW:
MASS WEIGHT:
lb = pounds
(kg = kilograms)
kg = lb 0.4535
TORQUE or
MOMENT:
lbft = pound-feet
(Nm = newton-meters)
N m = lbft 1.356
LIQUID:
oz = ounces
(cm3 = cubic centimeters)
cm3 = oz 3.382 10-2
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APPENDIX B:
APPROVAL MARKS
NOTE: These Approval marks are to be used only in conjunction with products or services that have been
FM Approved. The FM Approval marks should never be used in any manner (including advertising, sales or promotional
purposes) that could suggest or imply FM Approval or endorsement of a specific manufacturer or distributor. Nor should
it be implied that Approval extends to a product or service not covered by written agreement with FM Approvals. The
Approval marks signify that products or services have met certain requirements as reported by FM Approvals.
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Printed in USA