A butterfly valve is a quarter-turn rotational motion valve used to start, stop, or regulate the flow of water in a piping system. Its compact, lightweight design makes it an efficient choice for fire sprinkler systems, where it often includes a built-in electrical tamper switch to monitor whether the valve is open or closed.
Detailed Description
These specialized valves are engineered for high-performance safety applications.
- Operation: The valve uses a circular disc (the "butterfly") that rotates 90 degrees to either block or allow flow. When open, the disc is parallel to the flow, and when closed, it is perpendicular, creating a tight seal.
- Tamper Switch: A critical safety feature for fire systems, this integrated electrical device sends a signal to a fire alarm control panel if the valve is moved from its fully open position.
- Wafer Design: The "wafer" style refers to how the valve is installed—it is "sandwiched" between two pipe flanges and secured with bolts that pass through the outer lugs.
- Construction: These are typically made from ductile iron and finished with a red fusion-bonded epoxy coating for superior corrosion resistance and easy identification.
- Specifications: High-quality models are generally UL Listed and FM Approved, often rated for working pressures up to 300 PSI.
- Components: The assembly includes a handwheel for manual operation and a yellow position indicator at the top to clearly show whether the valve is open or shut.