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2. DELUGE (SPECIAL HAZARDS) SYSTEMS

2.1 General Description
A deluge system is intended to wet an entire area by causing water to flow from many nozzles or
sprinklers that are open at all times. With suitable detection devices, like those described in Section
1.3, a deluge system is capable of applying water to a fire more quickly than a system utilizing
temperature sensitive closed sprinklers. Deluge systems are usually associated with extra hazard
occupancies, ceilings that are unusually high, and where substantial draft conditions exist.
Out-of-doors application for exposure fire protection are also common. Materials with high rates of
heat release, such as flammable liquids, other rapidly developing fires or moving materials on
conveyors, are other applications. Typical installations include coal conveyors, dip tanks, electrical
transformers, aircraft hangars, oil refineries, and chemical plants. The FIRE PROTECTION
HANDBOOK published by the NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION (NFPA) contains a
comprehensive description of deluge sprinkler systems.
The water supply to each deluge system is controlled by a primary control valve called a deluge val ve.
Deluge valves manufactured by RELIABLE are described in Sections 1.1.1 and 1.1.2.

2.2 Hydraulic (Wet Pilot) Activation

Wet pilot line operation is the simplest and
least costly method of deluge valve actuation.
It consists of a pilot line of closed sprinklers
located over the area to be protected. This
line contains water under pressure, and it is
connected to the outlet of the top chamber or
push rod chamber of a RELIABLE Deluge
Valve (see Fig. 1 or 2).
When one of the pilot sprinklers fuses, the
chamber pressure is relieved and the deluge
valve operates. A wet pilot line is a detection
system and does not significantly contribute to
controlling the fire. Hydraulic manual
emergency stations (see Section 1.2.4.1) can
provide a remote, manual method of
operation. They are used as an adjunct to an
automatic pilot line detection system, as
required.

Figure 1 Model A Deluge Valve with Wet Pilot Trim

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Figure 2 Model BX Deluge Valve with Wet Pilot Trim

A wet pilot line functions as a thermal detecting and a releasing means, and it is to be installed subject
to the following restrictions:

a) It is not to be installed in an area subject to freezing.

b) It is not to be installed in an area where temperatures in excess of 150°F (66°C) are
anticipated.
c) NFPA Pamphlet No. 13, or the Authority Having Jurisdiction, should be consulted for
pilot sprinkler spacing requirements.
d) It is to be installed in accordance with the following table. See Appendix Section 4.1
for combination height and distance limitations.

Average Supply Maximum Height of Wet Pilot Line Above Deluge Valve
Pressure At Valve Feet (Meters)
psi bar 2½″ (65mm) 4″ (100mm) 6″ (150mm)
20 1,4 7.7 (2.3) 7.7 (2.3) 10.8 (3.3)
40 2,8 12.3 (3.8) 18.4 (5.6) 21.5 (6.6)
60 4,2 21.6 (6.6) 27.8 (8.5) 32.3 (9.8)
80 5,6 30.8 (9.4) 37.0 (11.3) 43.1 (13.1)
100 7,0 43.1 (13.1) 44.6 (13.6) 50.8 (15.5)
120 8,4 53.9 (16.4) 52.4 (15.9) 58.5 (17.8)
140 9,8 67.8 (20.7) 66.2 (20.2) 75.5 (23.0)
160 11,3 80.1 (24.4) 78.5 (23.9) 81.6 (24.9)
175 12,1 92.4 (28.2) 84.6 (25.8) 84.7 (25.8)

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The trimmings for Model A, B, and BX Deluge Valves are arranged for rapid, compact attachment and
serve as connection points to alarm and other devices. The required RELIABLE Deluge Valve trim set
is:

Deluge Trim—Wet Pilot

See Figure 1 and 2. This trim set provides the main drain connection, (shown attached to an optional
drain trim kit for added convenience) the alarm device connection, the alarm test connection, the top or
push rod chamber supply connection, and supply pressure gauge.
Also included is the connection to the top or push rod chamber outlet. This trim set connects to a wet
pilot line and includes a gauge to read the chamber pressure, a valve for manual operation of the
deluge valve, and a connection for releasing devices.
All Reliable deluge valves are Listed and Approved by UNDERWRITERS LABORATORIES, INC. and
FACTORY MUTUAL RESEARCH CORP., respectively, when used with the above trim sets.

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Deluge System Design Specifications

&
Hydraulic (Wet Pilot) Activation Ordering Information
(1)
System Equipment Manufacturers
(A) Notifier, Division of Pitway Corp. (E) United Electric Controls Co. (I) Gast Manufacturing, Inc.
(B) Fenwal Inc., Division of W. Kidde & Co., Inc. (F) Meggitt Avionics
(C) Skinner Valve Division, Parker Hannifin Corp. (G) System Sensor, Division of Pitway Corp.
(D) The Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co., Inc. (H) Thermotech, Inc.

ITEM
No. COMPONENT PART (1) DESCRIPTION
1 Isolating Valve OS&Y or Butterfly Type
2 Deluge Valve D Mod. A, 2½″ THD x THD or GRV x GRV
Mod. B, 4″ or 6″ FLNG x FLNG or FLNG x GRV
Mod. BX, 4″ or 6″ FLNG x FLNG or FLNG x GRV
3 Deluge Trim D Mod. A (Bulletin 503),
Wet Pilot Mod. B&BX (Bulletin 501)
6 Drain Manifold D Mod. A (Bulletin 503)
(Optional) Mod. B&BX (Bulletin 501)
7 Water Flow Pressure Switch G Mod. SPDT EPS 10-1
(Optional) Mod. DPDT EPS 10-2
8 Mechanical Alarm (Optional) D Mod. C (Bulletin 612 & 613)
15 Sprinklers D Closed Type
(Bulletin 110, 117, 131, 136, etc.)
16 Manual Emergency Station D Model A
(Optional) Hydraulic (Pilot Line) Type
23 Sprinklers / Nozzles D Open Type (Bulletin 104 & 106)

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2.3 Pneumatic (Dry Pilot) Activation
Dry pilot line activation of a deluge valve requires
that the pilot lines contain pneumatic pressure in lieu
of hydraulic pressure, as discussed in Section 2.2.
Incorporating pneumatic pressure equipment
results in a somewhat more costly deluge system,
when compared with a hydraulically activated
system. However, this additional cost is justified
when freezing conditions or pilot lines of substantial
height and length prevent the use of wet pilot lines. A
dry pilot line of closed sprinklers (thermal detectors)
is located over an area to be protected, and is
pressurized with compressed gas, such as air or dry
nitrogen. This pressurized pilot line is connected to
a Model A Dry Pilot Actuator releasing device (see
Section 1.2.2), which functions like a small dry pipe
valve. While the pilot line is pressurized adequately,
the actuator remains closed keeping sufficient water
pressure in the top chamber or push rod chamber of
a RELIABLE Deluge Valve (see Figure 1. or 2.) to
keep it closed. When a pilot line sprinkler fuses, the Figure 1 Model A Deluge Valve with Dry Pilot
pneumatic pressure is reduced until the actuator is Trim
no longer able to hold water pressure in the top
chamber or push rod chamber. The deluge valve is then released to open and flow water into the
sprinkler system.

A dry pilot line is only for thermal

detection purposes. It will not
discharge water from any of its
opened sprinklers. Model A
Manual Emergency Pull Stations,
(see Section 1.2.4.1) can be
incorporated into the dry pilot line,
and they should be piped so that
discharging pneumatic pressure
is directed away from the person
operating the station.

Figure 2 Model BX Deluge Valve with Dry Pilot Trim

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It is very important that suitable automatic pressure maintenance equipment (see Section 1.4.2.1) be
used to safeguard against accidental deluge valve operation, resulting from possible minor pressure
leakage in the dry pilot line.
The dry pilot line trim set, required when pneumatically activating a RELIABLE Model A, B, or BX
Deluge Valve, includes a Model A Dry Pilot Actuator releasing device and a low pressure switch for
supervision purposes. This switch is factory set to activate a warning annunciator whenever pressure
falls below 25 psi (1,7 bar). The switch can be adjusted to other pressure levels, if required.
Appropriate pneumatic pressures for dry pilot lines used with RELIABLE Deluge Valves are given by
the following table:

Water Pressure, psi (bar) Pneumatic Pressure to be Pumped into Dry Pilot Line, psi (bar)
Maximum Not Less Than Not More Than
20 (1,7) 10 (0,7) 20 (1,4)

50 (3,5) 15 (1,0) 25 (1,7)

75 (5,1) 20 (1,4) 30 (2,1)
100 (7,0) 25 (1,7) 35 (2,4)
125 (8,6) 30 (2,1) 40 (2,8)

150 (10,3) 35 (2,4) 45 (3,1)

175 (12,1) 40 (2,8) 50 (3,5)

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Deluge System Design Specifications

Pneumatic (Dry Pilot) Activation &
Ordering Information
(1)
System Equipment Manufacturers
(A) Notifier, Division of Pitway Corp. (E) United Electric Controls Co. (I) Gast Manufacturing Inc.
(B) Fenwal Inc., Division of W. Kidde & Co., Inc. (F) Meggitt Avionics
(C) Skinner Valve Division, Parker Hannifin Corp. (G) System Sensor, Division of Pitway Corp.
(D) The Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co., Inc. (H) Thermotech, Inc.

ITEM
No. COMPONENT PART (1) DESCRIPTION
1 Isolating Valve OS&Y or Butterfly Type
2 Deluge Valve D Mod. A, 2½″ THD x THD or GRV x GRV
Mod. B, 4″ or 6″ FLNG x FLNG or FLNG x GRV
Mod. BX, 4″ or 6″ FLNG x FLNG or FLNG x GRV
3 Deluge Trim D Mod. A (Bulletin 503),
Dry Pilot Mod. B&BX (Bulletin 501)
6 Drain Manifold D Mod. A (Bulletin 503)
(Optional) Mod. B&BX (Bulletin 501)
7 Water Flow Pressure Switch G Mod. EPS 10-1 (SPDT)
(Optional) Mod. EPS 10-2 (DPDT)
8 Mechanical Alarm (Optional) D Mod. C (Bulletin 612 & 613)
15 Sprinklers D Closed Type
(Bulletin 110, 117, 131, 136, etc.)
16 Manual Emergency Station D Mod. A
(Optional) Hydraulic (Pilot Line) Type
1
18 Air Compressor I Mod. A, 3 , ¾, 1½ hp (Bulletin 275)
1
I Mod. A, 6 hp (Bulletin 707, Section 1.4.2)
19 Pressure Maintenance D Mod. B-1, Use with Item No 18
Device (Bulletin 251)
Mod. A-2, Use with N2 or Owner’s Air Supply
(Bulletin 251)
23 Sprinklers / Nozzles D Open Type (Bulletin 104 & 106)

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2.4 Electric Activation (Supertrol System)
Electric activation of a deluge valve requires heat, smoke, or flame detectors (see Sections 1.3.2, 1.3.3,
and 1.3.4), which communicate electrically with an electrical releasing control panel (see Section
1.4.1). Electrically activated deluge systems are generally more costly than hydraulic and pneumat ic
systems. However, electrical systems offer the greatest number of features, design flexibility, speed of
operation, and ability to interface with other building services systems.

Figure 1 Model BX Deluge Valve with Electrical Actuation

When the detection section of an electrical deluge system senses the presence of fire, an electrical
signal to the releasing control panel immediately activates an alarm bell circuit and energizes open a
normally closed solenoid release valve (see Section 1.2.3). The solenoid release valve (Figures 1 & 2),
when closed, is preserving sufficient water pressure in the top chamber or push rod chamber of a
RELIABLE Deluge Valve to hold it closed. Opening the solenoid release valve relieves that water
pressure, and thereby opens the deluge valve to allow water flow into the sprinkler system. The
releasing control panel electrically latches the solenoid releasing valve in the open position, and
resetting it closed can only be accomplished by operating a resetting switch in the panel after all
detectors and manual emergency pull stations are reset.

Manual emergency pull stations (see Section 1.2.4.2) are incorporated electrically into detector
circuits. The single pole Model BNG-1 is normally used. However, when a releasing control panel is
arranged with the briefly delaying characteristic of cross-zoned operation (see Section 1.4.1.2), t hen
the two-pole Model BNG-1F station is used. The two-pole station enables activation of both detector
circuits, simultaneously circumventing the delaying characteristic by causing immediate water flow
into the system when fire is visually observed.
A releasing panel has the capacity to supervise constantly the power supply, detector, alarm bell, and
solenoid releasing valve electrical circuits, and it will provide visual and audible trouble annunciation
whenever electrical faults occur in these circuits.
NOTE: A fire alarm panel may not be an approved releasing panel and may not have
sufficient battery back-up.

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Releasing control panels accept both Class A (Figure 2) and Class B (Figure 3) detector circuit wi ring.
Class A wiring, required by Factory Mutual, uses two (2) wires to each detector, and two (2) wires
returning to the panel. With Class A wiring, a control panel will sound and display trouble signals, and
simultaneously operate an alarm bell and solenoid releasing valve while single and some multiple
unrepaired electrical faults exist.

Class B detector circuit wiring uses (2) wires to each detector and an end-of-line resistor. With Class B
wiring, the control panel will sound and display trouble signals, but may not operate an alarm bell and
solenoid releasing valve, while an unrepaired electrical fault exists.

In the event of a primary (120/230 VAC) power failure, the control panel automatically switches to
battery power. Batteries are available to supply adequate power to operate detection, signaling and
releasing components, as required, for a minimum of (60) hours for UL and (90) hours for FM. Control
panels include a charging circuit which constantly maintains the gel cell batteries at full charge.

Class A Wiring Class B Wiring

Figure 2 Figure 3

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Deluge System Design Specifications

Electric Activation &
Ordering Information
(1)
System Equipment Manufacturers
(A) Notifier, Division of Pitway Corp. (E) United Electric Controls Co. (I) Gast Manufacturing, Inc.
(B) Fenwal Inc., Division of W. Kidde & Co., Inc. (F) Meggitt Avionics
(C) Skinner Valve Division, Parker Hannifin Corp. (G) System Sensor, Division of Pitway Corp.
(D) The Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co., Inc. (H) Thermotech, Inc.

ITEM
No. COMPONENT PART (1) DESCRIPTION
1 Isolating Valve OS&Y or Butterfly Type
2 Deluge Valve D Mod. A, 2½″ THD x THD or GRV x GRV
Mod. B, 4″ or 6″ FLNG x FLNG or FLNG x GRV
Mod. BX, 4″ or 6″ FLNG x FLNG or FLNG x GRV
3 Deluge Trim D Mod. A (Bulletin 503),
Electric Mod. B&BX (Bulletin 501)
6 Drain Manifold D Mod. A (Bulletin 503)
(Optional) Mod. B&BX (Bulletin 501)
7 Water Flow Pressure Switch G Mod. EPS-10-1 (SPDT)
(Optional)) Mod. EPS-10-2 (DPDT)
8 Mechanical Alarm (Optional) D Mod. C (Bulletin 612 & 613)

10 Releasing Control Panel A Mod. RP-1001

(Optional)
Batteries A Mod. PS 12120 (90 Hrs. backup) (FM)
Mod. PS 1270 (60 Hrs Backup)
Optional Accessories A Mod. 4XTM Transmitter Module
Mod. 4XLM Annun. Driv. Module
Mod. RZA-4X Remote Annun.
Mod. 4XZM Zone Relay Module
11 Alarm Annunciator (Optional) G Mod. SSM-24-8-24VDC / Polarized Bell
Mod. SSM-24-10-24VDC / Polarized Bell
Mod. H 12/24-24VDC / Polarized Horn
Mod. P2415-24VDC Polarized Horn/Strobe

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(Future)

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Deluge System Design Specifications

Electric Activation &
Ordering Information
(1)
System Equipment Manufacturers
(A) Notifier, Division of Pitway Corp. (E) United Electric Controls Co. (I) Gast Manufacturing, Inc.
(B) Fenwal Inc., Division of W. Kidde & Co., Inc. (F) Meggitt Avionics
(C) Skinner Valve Division, Parker Hannifin Corp. (G) System Sensor, Division of Pitway Corp.
(D) The Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co., Inc. (H) Thermotech, Inc.

ITEM
No. COMPONENT PART (1) DESCRIPTION
12 Trouble Annunciator G Mod. SSM-24-6 VDC / Polarized Bell
(Optional)
Mod. H 12/24VDC / Polarized Horn
13 Manual Emergency Station Mod. BNG-1 (SPDT)
A
(Optional) 1 & 2 Area Detection
Mod. BNG-F(DPDT) Cross Zone Detection
14 Detectors (Optional)
Thermal H Mod. 302 Pendent / Interior, 135°F, 200°F
Thermal Mod. 302H Horizontal / Interior, 135°F, 200°F
Thermal Mod. 302AW Pendent / All Weather, 135°F, 200°F
Adapter Mod. AP-P Adapter Plate (Mod. 302 Only)
Smoke B Mod. PSD7155 Photoelectric
Smoke Mod. CPD7051 Ionization
Base (Required with PSD & Mod. 70-201000-001 Base (2-Wire)
B
CPD Detectors)
23 Sprinklers / Nozzles D Open Type (Bulletin 104 & 106)

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1½″ Deluge System Design Specifications

Electric Activation &
Ordering Information
(1)
System Equipment Manufacturers
(A) Notifier, Division of Pitway Corp. (E) United Electric Controls Co. (I) Gast Manufacturing, Inc.
(B) Fenwal Inc., Division of W. Kidde & Co., Inc. (F) Meggitt Avionics
(C) Skinner Valve Division, Parker Hannifin Corp. (G) System Sensor, Division of Pitway Corp.
(D) The Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co., Inc. (H) Thermotech, Inc.

ITEM
No. COMPONENT PART (1) DESCRIPTION
2 Deluge Riser Assembly D/C Model H 1½″ THD X THD (Bulletin 507)
10 Releasing Control Panel A Model RP-1001
(Optional)
Batteries A Model PS 12120 (90 Hrs. Backup) (FM)
Model PS 1270 (60 Hrs. Backup)
Optional Accessories A Model 4XTM Transmitter Module
Model 4XLM Annunciator Driv. Module
Model 4ZA-4X Remote Annunciator
Model 4ZXM Zone Relay Module

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1½″ Deluge System Design Specifications

Electric Activation &
Ordering Information
(1)
System Equipment Manufacturers
(A) Notifier, Division of Pitway Corp. (E) United Electric Controls Co. (I) Gast Manufacturing, Inc.
(B) Fenwal Inc., Division of W. Kidde & Co., Inc. (F) Meggitt Avionics
(C) Skinner Valve Division, Parker Hannifin Corp. (G) System Sensor, Division of Pitway Corp.
(D) The Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co., Inc. (H) Thermotech, Inc.

ITEM
No. COMPONENT PART (1) DESCRIPTION
11 Alarm Annunciator (Optional) G Model SSM-24-8-24VDC / Polarized Bell

Model SSM-24-10-24VDC / Polarized Bell

Model H 12/24-24VDC / Polarized Horn
Model P2415 24VDC Polarized Sounder
Horn/Strobe
12 Trouble Annunciator Model SSM-24-6-24VDC / Polarized Bell
G
(Optional)
Model H 12/24-24VDC / Polarized Horn
Manual Emergency Station Model BNG-1 (SPDT)
13 (Optional) A
1 & 2 Area Detection
14 Detectors (Optional)
Thermal H Model 302 Pendent / Interior, 135°F, 200°F
Thermal Model 302H Horizontal / Interior, 135°F, 200°F
Thermal Mod. 302AW Pendent / All Weather, 135°F, 200°F
Adapter Model AP-P Adapter Plate (Model 302 Only)
Smoke B Model PSD7155 Photoelectric
Smoke Model CPD7051 Ionization
Base (Required with PSD & Model 70-201000-001 Base (2-Wire)
B
CPD Detectors)
23 Sprinkler/Nozzles Open Type (Bulletin 104 & 106)

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The Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co., Inc., 525 North MacQuesten Parkway, Mount Vernon, New York 10552