VM‐AVFP/WP

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Air Valves for Fire Protection

Table of Contents
Air Valve Terminology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Why Air Valves. . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
NFPA 20 Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Why Val‐Matic Air Valves. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Air Valve Sizing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Air Release Air Valves for Split Case Fire Pumps. . 4
Fire Protection Well Service Air Valve Spec . . . . . 5
Fire Protection Air Release Air Valve Spec . . . . . . 6

Val‐Matic Valve & Mfg. Corp. • www.valmatic.com • valves@valmatic.com • PH: 630‐941‐7600

Copyright © 2018 Val‐Matic Valve & Mfg. Corp.
 Air Valves for Fire Protection

Introduction

Water systems used for fire protection in commercial buildings require release and admission of air for
proper operation. Before their use, pumps, pipes, and sprinkler systems are filled with air, which must
be automatically released during filling and operation. Conversely, when fire protection systems are
drained, air must be admitted to allow proper drainage.

Air valves are automatic, float‐operated, and in the installed condition, “normally open” to allow air in
and out of the piping system. When water enters the air valve, the float rises, which closes the outlet
orifice of the valve and prevents the discharge of water. Air valves for fire protection are typically
constructed of cast iron with stainless steel trim and resilient seals. There are three basic types of
automatic air valves used to control the flow of air in and out of fire protection systems: air release,
air/vacuum, and combination. The proper selection, sizing, and installation of automatic air valves are
essential in safeguarding life and property from fire.

Air Release Valves

Air release valves are probably the most widely used type of air valve and are characterized by their
small orifices, weighted floats, and leverage mechanisms. The combination of these three features allow
air release valves to expel air or gas at full operating pressure of the system. Air release valves
automatically vent small pockets of accumulated air during startup and as they accumulate in fire
protection systems.

Closed Position Open Position

FIGURE 1. Operation of Air Release Air Valve

Air Release Valves with a ½” NPT pipe connection and a 1/16” minimum orifice size are installed on
the top of centrifugal pumps to release air from the top of the casing thereby improving efficiency
and preventing pump cavitation, See Figure 2. Air release valves are also installed on wet pipe
sprinkler system branch lines to allow filling of the lines with water.

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 Air Valves for Fire Protection

FIGURE 2. Installation of an Air Release Valve (10) on a split‐case fire pump (9) (NFPA 20)

Air/Vacuum Valves

The second type of air valve is the air/vacuum valve, which has a large, full‐size orifice ranging from 1/2
in. to 20 in. and as a result, can exhaust large volumes of air during filling. The valve will also admit large
volumes of air to prevent a vacuum condition from occurring in the piping system during draining or
after pump shut down. As shown in Figure 3, air/vacuum valves are normally open and a float in the
valve automatically rises with the water level to seal the large orifice after the air has been exhausted.
While the pipe is under pressure, the valve remains closed. Conversely, upon the loss of system pressure
due to pump shut off or draining, the float will drop and allow air to re‐enter the pipeline.

The rate of exhaust is controlled with an adjustable throttling device mounted on the top of the air
valve. Since the pump can reach full speed in a few seconds, the throttling device is used to slow down
the exhaust of air to prevent the water from rising too fast and slamming into the downstream check
valve and causing a water hammer in the pump column.

Open Closed Open

Air Exhausted During Filling Pipe Under Pressure Air Enters During Draining

FIGURE 3. Operation of an Air/Vacuum Valve

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 Air Valves for Fire Protection

1‐1/2” NPT or larger air/vacuum valves are installed on the discharge of vertical turbine pumps before
the check valve to vent the air from the pump column during the starting of the pump and to admit air
into the column to dissipate the vacuum upon stopping the pump, see Figure 4.

FIGURE 4. Installation of an Air/Vacuum Valve on a vertical turbine pump (NFPA 20).

Combination Air Valves

It is important to note that under normal operation, the air/vacuum valve float is held closed by the line
pressure and will not relieve accumulated air. Air/vacuum valves do not have mechanical linkage and
because of the large diameter orifice, have no ability to open while the system is pressurized. Therefore,
an air release valve is also needed to relieve air and gas during system operation. A combination air
valve combines the functions of the air release and air/vacuum valves in one body.

Combination air valves equipped with throttling devices are intended for use in dry standpipe and
similar applications where the (1) release of large volumes of air in a controlled manner is needed, (2)
continuous release of air within the system is needed while the system is pressurized and (3) admission
of air into the system is needed to minimize the development of vacuum conditions when the system is
shutdown.

FIGURE 5. Construction of a Combination Air Valve

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 Air Valves for Fire Protection

Safety Requirements for Air Valves

Air valves for fire protection service are independently, tested and certified by Underwriters
Laboratories (UL) in accordance with UL Subject 2573 and by Factory Mutual (FM) in accordance with
Approval Standard FM 1344. These standards provide the testing and qualification requirements for fire
protection air valves.

Requirements for installation of air valves in sprinkler systems are included in the Standard for the
Installation of Sprinkler Systems, NFPA 13. Requirements for installation of air valves on fire pumps are
included in the Standard for the Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection, NFPA 20.
Requirements for the installation of dry standpipe systems are included in standards such as the
Standards for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems, NFPA 14.

Why Val‐Matic® Air Valves

There are few valve applications as critical as fire protection. Quality and dependability must be at
the forefront when choosing components for a fire protection system. All Val‐Matic® Air Valves are
supplied standard with Type 316 Stainless Steel Trim. All Val‐Matic® Air/Vacuum Valve floats are
center guided to assure drop tight shut‐off. All Val‐Matic® Air Release and Air/Vacuum Valves are
Underwriters Laboratories (U.L.) Listed. In fact, Val‐Matic® is the only approved valve for vertical
turbine pump applications. In addition to U.L. approval, Val‐Matic® Air Release Valves are also
Factory Mutual (F.M.) approved. Contact U.L. or F.M. for current listing information.

In addition to U.L. and F.M., Val‐Matic® Air Valves fully comply with AWWA Standard C512 for Air
Release and Air/Vacuum Valves.

Air Release Air Valves for Split Case Fire Pumps

Air Release Air Valves for use with split case fire pumps
Rated Capacity Rated Pressure Inlet Size Orifice Size Outlet Size Val‐Matic•
GPM PSIG NPT, In. In. NPT, In. Model No.
800 175 ½ 1/16 ½ 15A

800 175 ¾ 1/16 ½ 15A.2

800 175 1 1/16 ½ 15A.3

2200 175 ½, ¾ 3/32 ½ 22.4

2200 175 1 3/32 ½ 22.3

2200 300 ½ 1/16 ½ 22.7

2200 300 ½, ¾, 1 1/16 ½ 22.9

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 Air Valves for Fire Protection

Well Service Air Valves for use with vertical shaft turbine fire pumps.
Rated Capacity Rated Pressure Inlet Size Orifice Size Outlet Size Val‐Matic•
GPM PSIG NPT, In. In. NPT, In. Model No.
1350 300 1 1 1 101ST
4000 300 2 2 2 102ST
7000 300 3 3 3 103ST
Also available from Val‐Matic® for Fire Protection Systems: Dual Disc and Silent Check Valves

Disclaimer
Val‐Matic White Papers are written to train and assist design engineers in the understanding of valves and fluid
systems. Val‐Matic offers no warranty or representation as to design information and methodologies in these
papers. Use of this material should be made under the direction of trained engineers exercising independent
judgement.

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6/26/22, 11:15 AM QWBS.EX5148 - Air-release Valves for Fire Pumps | UL Product iQ

QWBS.EX5148 - Air-release Valves for Fire Pumps

Air-release Valves for Fire Pumps

VAL-MATIC VALVE & MFG CORP EX5148
905 S RIVERSIDE DR
ELMHURST, IL 60126-4941 United States

Air release valves for use with split case fire pumps, Model(s): 15A, 15A.2, 15A.3, 22.3, 22.4, 22.7, 22.9

Well service air valves for use with vertical turbine fire pumps, Model(s): 102 ST, 102 WST, 103 ST, 103 WST

Last Updated on 2021-11-02

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