Fire Pump Control and Check Valve PC8-FP-42T-20

Benefits and Features

Safety and reliability

❑ Time-proven, simple, safe actuation

❑ Single piece, rugged, elastomeric VRSD technology

❑ Obstacle-free, uninterrupted flow path

❑ stem-less guide with no mechanical moving parts

High performance

❑ Straight-through flow with Minimal pressure /

energy loss

❑ Cost effective

❑ Fast, smooth response to pressure changes

❑ Certified for 20/25 bar (300/365 psi)

Designed for advanced fire protection systems

❑ Meets the requirements of the NFPA 13 and

the NFPA-20 standards

❑ Face-to-face length standardized to ISO 5752, EN 558-1

Quick and easy maintenance

❑ In-line serviceable

❑ No mechanical moving parts

❑ Quick cover removal without detaching control trim

The BERMAD model PC8-FP-42T-20 is an elastomeric, hydraulically operated, self actuated automatic pressure control valve with a check valve feature. This valve is designed for advanced fire protection systems in accordance with the NFPA-13 and NFPA-20 guidelines. This valve can be used for pressure reducing integrated with a check valve or as a fire pump surge control valve. It can reduce a high upstream pressure to a low and stable designed system pressure, the check feature makes this valve ideal for fire system pressure control between floors in high rise buildings. As a fire pump surge control valve the PC8-FP-42T-20 will prevent pump water surge pressure spikes, typically caused by the accelerated water flow during fire pump start-up. In addition this valve will significantly reduce pump start negative suction pressure, preventing pump cavitation damage. Due to exceptional reliability, safe actuation and low head loss, the PC8-FP-42T-20 is highly suited for fire pump discharge pressure control applications.

Valve Closed The BERMAD PC8-FP-42T-20 control valve is kept shut tight when the main pump is idle by way of the jockey or maintenance pump pressure held in the valve’s control chamber [1] by the check valves [2]. Under the same principle the PC8-FP-42T-20 acts as a system non-return valve, preventing water from flowing back to the main pump after pump shut down.	Valve Open At pump start up the energy of the initial surge from the pump start will be arrested by the closed valve, preventing downstream pressure spikes and water surge in the system piping. The valve will
Valve Regulating When required the BERMAD PC8-FP-42T-20 control valve can be calibrated to reduce system pressure, working as a pressure control valve.

Fire Pump Control Application

System Installation - Pressure Control

A typical installation of the BERMAD model PC8-FP-42T-20 is where the valve is installed downstream of the fire pump discharge isolation valve. The jockey pump discharge pipe shall be connected downstream of the BERMAD 42T-20 control valve. The PC8-FP-42T-20 is especially suited for this fire pump function, having an exceptionally high flow capacity and low pressure loss, owing to the unobstructed internal elastomeric construction and straight through flow path. When the PC8-FP-42T-20 is fully open, it presents the least possible pressure loss delivering the maximum volume of firewater to the extinguishing devices. The BERMAD 400Y PC8-FP-42T-20 has the high operational reliability inherent with elastomeric valves not having any bearings or shafts that might stick if the valve is to be dormant for long periods, as is often the case with fire protection systems. In addition the peripherally supported VRSD diaphragm (Vulcanized Radial Seal Disk) ensures many years of trouble-free high pressure performance.

In the graph opposite the red line shows the spike in system pressure at pump start. The blue line shows the system pressure at pump start after installation of the BERMAD PC8-FP-42T-20 with no spike in system pressure.

Pressure Control / Check Application

System Installation

A typical installation of the BERMAD model PC8-FP-42T-20 features a pilot valve for the automatic stable and accurate reduction of water pressure from a high upstream value to a preset lower downstream value, regardless of fluctuating upstream pressure or flow. A unique actuator design ensures quick and smooth valve action. Installed singly, the PC8-FP-42T-20 provides a standard pressure-reducing system. Installed in parallel, two PC8-FP-42T-20 valves provide high flow rates, redundancy, and zero downtime for maintenance. Installed in series, two PC8-FP-42T-20 valves can provide a two-stage, high reduction in pressure and/or added protection to a reduced-pressure zone. To comply with the requirements outlined in the FM, UL and NFPA standards, a pressure relief valve of at least 1/2” is to be installed on the downstream side of any pressure reducing valve. For sizing the required relief valve for optimal performance see the BERMAD recommendation in the table below.

The BERMAD FP-3HC-0 and PC6-FP-43T Pressure Relief valves are ideally suited for this purpose, as shown in the installation illustrations.

Pressure Reducing & Check Sprinkler Valve

■ Pressure Control between floors incorporating a check valve feature

■ Reduces a high, unstable pressure supply to a preset, stable system pressure

■ Sets the sprinkler pressure to suit the system design

■ For zonal pressure control

Hose System Pressure Reduction

■ Reduces a high/unstable pressure supply to suit fire hose pressure

■ Limits fire hose pressure to 7 bar (100 psi) to meet NFPA 14 regulations for maximum allowable hose pressure supply

Two-Stage Pressure Reduction

■ Backup pressure reducing valve in-line to a master valve to secure pressure zone rating at all times. When in doubt consult BERMAD.

Parallel / Redundancy Pressure Reduction

■ Recommended for a wide variation of flow rates. This arrangements enables high and low flow rates as well as providing a full pressure supply redundancy and serviceability with zero down time.

Engineer Specifications

The Control Valve shall be UL listed and FM Approved as a Pilot Operated Pressure Control Valve with a Check Valve feature for fire protection, meeting the NFPA-13 and NFPA-20 guidelines. The valve shall be with a straight-through body design and shall have an unobstructed flow path, with no stem guide or supporting ribs. Valve actuation shall be accomplished by a single-piece, rolling diaphragm bonded with a rugged radial seal disk that shall be the only moving part. The cover and valve body shall be ductile iron to ASTM A536 GR 65-45-12 coated internally and externally with a high build corrosion resistant epoxy coating. The valve pilot system shall include a Balanced Pressure Control Pilot Valve, Y-type strainer, spring return check valve, a restrictor and Stainless Steel 316 tubing and fittings. Removing the valve cover for inspection or maintenance shall be inline and shall not require removal of the control trim. The valve and its entire control trim shall be supplied pre-assembled and hydraulically tested by a factory certified to ISO 9000 and 9001 standards.