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NFPA 13 - SELECTING AND
SETTING PRESSURE CONTROL
VALVES
Published on December 3, 2015
Mike Trumbature
454 articles Follow
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I did an article earlier on selecting and setting MAIN RELIEF VALVES for fire pumps
under NFPA 20. This article here deals with selecting and setting pressure control valves, or
PCVs, and their relief valves in the event of a failure.
The above capture is from page 4 of the CLA=VAL BULLETIN. as an example that
typically may be used on a sprinkler riser and standpipe system like lower floors of multi-
story buildings where the fire pump churn exceeds the sprinkler grid max PSI ratings, i.e
175 PSI. They may also be seen on a single high rise fire pump to create a separate zone
like the lower floors of a parking garage in lieu of a second dedicated fire pump, especially
older installations.
SELECTING THE VALVE'S MAX PSI RATING
The valves' maximum pressure rating should be the same as the rest of the fire pump
piping and fittings, exceeding the fire pump's maximum net churn pressure rating at
any elevation.
SETTING THE PRESSURE CONTROL VALVE CLOSING PRESSURE
This field setting is pretty much the same as setting the cracking pressure on a relief
valve as seen in the other article's video. Here is a video example of a pressure
reducing valve setting. This YOUTUBE VIDEO shows an example of how to set the
pilot regulator on a typical PRV and how the valve operates to maintain a preset
downstream pressure. Here is another VIDEO EXAMPLE of the operation of a PRV.
Verify the set up with the factory IOM
PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE SETTING
In the event the main PCV valve leaks, a smaller listed pressure relief valve like a Cal-
Val 55 L or 55L-60 seen on the top photo clip and page 4 of the same bulletin is
installed to bleed off any excess pressure to a drain piping like that used for test drains.
PCVS IN FIRE PUMP PIPING UNDER NFPA 20  
Note that PCVs are not included in the scope of piping fittings under NFPA 20 as of the
2013 edition and only permitted to be installed downstream of the fire pump discharge
valve covered under NFPA 13, NFPA 14 and any other system piping applicable codes.
In closing, these are just some tips on selecting and setting these valves in general.
Applicable fire codes and the manufacturer's valve information should always apply.
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Mike Trumbature 454 articles Follow
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Published • 6y
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Amado Nivon • 3rd+ 6y
Supervisor de la Campaña Contra el Narcotrafico en Procuraduría General de la República
Me pueden enviar más infirnwcion sobre la deferencia de presión en el cabezal de 24" de diámetro y los
distribuidores de 6" , 8" , 10" y 12" .,?? Ya que en el cabezal de 24" registro 7.91 psi y los discos de ruptura en
las válvulas de cada etapa que esran alejados en promedio 10 Mts. Se rompen los discos de ruotura
calibrados s 10 psi , QUE PODRÍA ESTAR PASANDO .???
Like Reply · 1 Reply
Mike Trumbature • 2nd 6y
RETIRED
No estoy seguro de cómo su pregunta se refiere a este artículo?
¿Está tratando de reducir 24 "HDFT a 6", 8 ", 10" y 12 "
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Mike Trumbature
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