Guide To OS&Y Valves For Fire Protection Systems

3/27/24, 10:23 AM Guide to OS&Y Valves for Fire Protection Systems
Menu
Fire Extinguishers FDCs Fire Sprinklers Fire Hose and Hydrants Fire Signs Pipe Test and Monitor Valve
(888) 361-6662
Orders Contact Us
Feedback
(888) 361-6662
Orders Contact Us
Menu
https://blog.qrfs.com/405-guide-to-osy-valves-for-fire-protection-systems/ 1/18
Menu
(888) 361-6662 Search …
Orders Contact Us
Latest Thoughts on Fire
#447 – How to Install and

Replace Fire Sprinkler
Feedback
Head Guards
#446 – Fire Protection vs

Life Safety: What’s the
Difference?
#445 – Dry Sprinkler

Heads: How to Determine
& Measure Barrel Length
#444 – Wall Hydrants vs

(888) 361-6662
Fire Department
Orders Contact Us
Connections: What’s the
Menu Difference?
#405 – Guide to OS&Y Valves

Menu #443 – Why You Need a
Fire Extinguishers FDCs Fire Sprinklers Fire Hose and Hydrants Fire Signs Pipe List ofTest
Spare
and Fire Sprinklers
Monitor Valve
for Fire Protection Systems

(888) 361-6662
Orders Contact Us
& What Should Be on It!
March 16, 2022
Recent Comments
An OS&Y valve often controls access to

QRFS Team on #213 – Fire
the water source in a fire sprinkler or Sprinkler Accidents: The
standpipe system
Feedback
Top 5 Causes of
Discharges and Leaks
Control valves are some of the most vital components of fire sprinkler and standpipe systems,
Robert on #213 – Fire
controlling water flow to the network of pipes that feed the sprinklers. This article is a guide to
Sprinkler Accidents: The
outside screw and yoke (OS&Y) valves, which, along with butterfly valves, often serve as
Top 5 Causes of
system control valves.
Discharges and Leaks
We cover: QRFS Team on #119 –

What Facility Managers
How OS&Y valves work and their basic construction Need to Inspect on a Fire
(888) 361-6662
Their applications, including why they are suitable control valves Orders Sprinkler
ContactSystem,
Us Part 4
OS&Y valve benefits and why they might be used instead of butterfly valves
Paul on #119 – What
Menu The requirements for their inspection, testing, and maintenance
Facility Managers Need to
Menu
We’ll frequently refer to two model standards: NFPA 13: Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Inspect on a Fire Sprinkler
Systems (2022 edition) and
Fire Extinguishers NFPA 25:Fire
FDCs Standard for the Inspection,
Sprinklers Testing,
Fire Hose and and Maintenance
Hydrants Fire Signs of Pipe System,
TestPart 4
and Monitor Valve
Water-Based Fire Protection Systems (2020 edition). Our focus here is on sprinkler systems, but QRFS Team on #225 –
(888) 361-6662
much of the information we present (especially from NFPA 25) also applies to standpipes. Distance Rules, Part 2:
Orders Contact Us
Sprinkler Head
Whether you need a big order for a new construction project or just one replacement
Obstruction Distance
component, QRFS is your resource for fire protection supplies and equipment. Check out our
Rules for Standard Spray
selection of threaded OS&Y valves today!
Fire Sprinklers
How do OS&Y gate valves work?
Feedback
OS&Y valves are gate valves, meaning that the flow of water is controlled by the movement
of a barrier, or gate. The gate moves perpendicularly to the water’s path. When it is down and
pressed against components in the valve body called the valve seats, a seal is formed, and
water cannot flow. Pulling the gate up and away from the valve seat lets the water through.
OS&Y is an abbreviation for “outside screw and yoke” (also, sometimes “outside stem and
yoke”), which explains the parts that make this happen. The gate is attached to a threaded
screw/stem fitted into a handwheel. The handwheel is held in place by the yoke. Turning
(888) 361-6662
the handwheel moves the stem (and the gate) up and down. Orders Contact Us
Menu
Menu
(888) 361-6662
Orders Contact Us
Feedback
OS&Y valves may have a complicated name, but their mechanical function is pretty basic. This
diagram points out the major components.
(888) 361-6662
OS&Y valves often serve as control valves Orders Contact Us
Menu
Menu
In fire protection, OS&Y valves are often used as control valves, which govern water flow to a
fire Fire
sprinkler or standpipeFDCs
Extinguishers system and possibly
Fire sectionsFire
Sprinklers of it. If the
Hose andmain control valve
Hydrants Fire is closed,
Signs Pipe Test and Monitor Valve
the system is effectively “off,” rendering it useless. Every sprinkler system needs at least one
(888) 361-6662
main control valve—usually on the riser between the water main connection and the system’s
Orders Contact Us
network of pipes.
OS&Y valves make good control valves because they have two critical features required by
NFPA 13: they are indicating, and they take at least five seconds to close. Here’s what the
standard says:
Feedback
From the 2022 edition of NFPA 13
16.9.3.1.2 At least one listed indicating valve shall be installed in each source of water supply.
3.3.235.3 * Indicating Valve.
A valve that has components that provide the valve operating position, open or closed.
[24,2022] (AUT-PRI)
7.6.1 Valve Closure Time.
Listed indicating control valves shall not close in less than 5 seconds when operated at
maximum possible speed from the fully open position. (888) 361-6662
Orders Contact Us
To paraphrase the section: a control valve must be listed (approved for use by safety testing
Menu
and approvals organizations like UL or FM Global) and indicating. Indicating valves do just
Menu
what their names say: they visually indicate whether a valve is open or closed. It’s a vital feature
because mistakenly closedFDCs
Fire Extinguishers control valves are the number
Fire Sprinklers Fireone cause
Hose of fire sprinkler
and Hydrants Firefailure
Signs Pipe Test and Monitor Valve
during an emergency.
(888) 361-6662
Orders Contact Us
Additionally, all sprinkler valves must close slowly—in at least 5 seconds—to avoid water
hammer. Water hammer is a damaging surge in pressure that can happen when flowing water
is stopped suddenly.
OS&Y valves meet these criteria perfectly. The valve clearly indicates its state: When the stem
is up, it’s open. When the stem is down, the valve is closed. And the process of
Feedback
incrementally closing the valve—turning the handwheel multiple times—protects against
pressure surges.
Benefits of OS&Y valves—lower-friction

control of the water supply
As control valves, OS&Y valves are sometimes considered old-school. Contractors frequently
prefer butterfly valves because they’re lightweight, reliable, and often prewired for electronic
valve supervision that indicates whether they are open or closed. OS&Y valves can also be(888) 361-6662
electronically supervised, but additional equipment is often required. Nevertheless, these Orders
old- Contact Us
school valves still have one benefit for sprinkler system designers: lower friction.
Menu
Menu
Building owners and facilities managers don’t usually think about the hydraulic design of their
sprinkler systems or makeFDCs
Fire Extinguishers choices about the valves they
Fire Sprinklers have—it’s
Fire Hose andjust their job toFire
Hydrants maintain
Signs the Pipe Test and Monitor Valve
equipment. But for sprinkler designers and contractors, valve selection can be important.
(888) 361-6662
Sprinkler design depends on achieving the required flow and pressure. And gravity plus friction
Orders Contact Us
from pipe walls, various fittings, and valves fight against these goals.
As gate valves, OS&Y valves reduce pressure and flow less than butterfly valves. That’s because
the gate is entirely out of the path of the water when it’s open. In contrast, a butterfly valve’s
disk remains somewhat in the water’s way even when it’s open. The latter creates more
turbulence and friction, which can appreciably reduce pressure and flow.
Feedback
NFPA 13’s Table 28.2.3.1.1 approximates the friction loss from fittings by comparing them to
the friction loss experienced from equivalent lengths of pipe. Depending on their size, butterfly
valves create between three and 10 times more friction loss than gate valves. Thus, if
designers want to minimize water pressure and flow loss due to friction, they might specify
using OS&Y control valves instead of butterfly control valves.
Inspection, testing, and maintenance of

an OS&Y valve (888) 361-6662
Orders Contact Us
Like all parts of a fire sprinkler or standpipe system, OS&Y gate valves must be inspected,
Menu
tested, and maintained (ITM) regularly according to NFPA 25.
Menu
Fortunately, the list of tasks for these valves is short and simple. But before you try to do
anything yourself, check your
Fire Extinguishers FDCslocal ordinances—a
Fire Sprinklers licensed fire protection
Fire Hose professional
and Hydrants (and, at
Fire Signs Pipe Test and Monitor Valve
a minimum, always a “qualified” individual, as determined by the authority having jurisdiction)

(888) 361-6662
may be needed to do any ITM.
Orders Contact Us
Inspection
All control valves require regular inspection. NFPA 25’s section 13.3.2.2 says you must check
OS&Y control valves for:
Feedback
The proper signage marking them as control valves
That they are sealed, locked, or supervised
The correct position—open or closed
Accessibility
Any external leaks
The frequency of this inspection depends on how closely monitored control valves are. Valves
without any lock, seal, or supervisory device must be inspected weekly. If they are locked or
sealed open, this gets extended to a monthly interval. If, as NFPA 25 encourages, you have
(888)
electronic supervision for your control valve, inspections can be carried out quarterly. Again, 361-6662
Orders Contact Us
electronic supervision refers to devices that send a signal alerting whether a valve is closed.
Menu
Menu
(888) 361-6662
Orders Contact Us
Feedback
This OS&Y control valve is equipped with electronic supervision. The supervisory device, seen here
connected to gray cables, will trigger a signal if the valve is ever closed. With electronic supervision,
control valve inspections can be carried out quarterly instead of weekly or monthly.
Testing and maintenance

Like all control valves (13.3.3.1), an OS&Y control valve must be tested annually. The test is
(888)
simple: operate the valve through its full range of motion, from fully opened to fully closed, 361-6662
back to the normal position. To prevent jamming, NFPA 25 says that the valve should be Orders Contact Us
backed one quarter-turn from being fully opened (13.3.3.3). In addition to happening
Menu
Menu
annually, this test should also be performed every time the valve has to be operated, such as
during
Fire system repairs.
Extinguishers FDCs Fire Sprinklers Fire Hose and Hydrants Fire Signs Pipe Test and Monitor Valve
(888) 361-6662
Maintenance on OS&Y valves is simple—the stem should be greased annually (13.3.4.1). The
Orders Contact Us
valve should be opened and closed to work the lubricant into threads, so the ideal time to
lubricate an OS&Y valve is during the annual test.
NFPA 25 emphasizes that just opening the control valve after a test is not sufficient to verify the
system is functional. Thus, it requires a valve status test (13.3.3.4) every time the valve has
to be closed. Previously covered by a “main drain test,” this newer procedure also flows water
Feedback
to evaluate system pressure. Abnormally low pressures may indicate a leak or obstruction in
the piping system.
OS&Y gate valves are a critical part of

many fire sprinkler and standpipe systems
Every water-based fire protection system has control valves that must be maintained and
remain open when the system is in service. And while many designers opt for butterfly valves
due to their compact convenience, gate valves that open and close with an outside screw(888)
and 361-6662
yolk still have their place, often to satisfy hydraulic design requirements. Orders Contact Us
Menu
Menu
Like all approved control valves, OS&Y valves are indicating (the position of the stem shows
whether the valve is openFDCs
Fire Extinguishers or closed),Fire
and they take time
Sprinklers toHose
Fire close,
andpreventing
Hydrants water hammer.
Fire Signs As Pipe Test and Monitor Valve
a building owner or contractor, you should typically replace the valve types currently in place if
(888) 361-6662
an inspection reveals it is required.
Orders Contact Us
For your system repair jobs or new projects, shop our catalog of threaded OS&Y indicating
valves. If you require a different model or otherwise need help placing an order, call 888-361-
6662, email support@qrfs.com, or use our online contact form.
This blog was originally posted at blog.qrfs.com. Check us out
Feedback
at Facebook.com/QuickResponseFireSupply or on Twitter @QuickResponseFS.
Fire protection control valves, Fire Sprinkler System Components
6 thoughts on “#405 – Guide to OS&Y Valves for Fire

Protection Systems”
Anupam Majumdar
(888) 361-6662
Orders Contact Us
March 19, 2022 at 9:47 am
Menu
Menu
Fire Excellent explanation.

Extinguishers FDCs Fire Sprinklers Fire Hose and Hydrants Fire Signs Pipe Test and Monitor Valve
(888) 361-6662
Reply
Orders Contact Us
Jeyson V
May 23, 2022 at 3:59 pm
Feedback
Thanks for this useful information. Some questions I had while reading this post.
What is the expected useful service life of an OS&Y valve that has had good and
regular maintenance?
Is the expected useful service life different when the OS&Y valve is on the
exterior of a building?
I have seen some OS&Y valves that don’t have a working viewing screen. Is this
something that can be fixed or does it call for the entire OS&Y assembly to be (888) 361-6662
replaced? Orders Contact Us
Menu
Menu Reply
(888) 361-6662
QRFS Team
Orders Contact Us
May 23, 2022 at 5:54 pm
Jeyson — service life varies by manufacturer, with some specifying a

decade. For more specific answers on that and viewing screen
maintenance, you can try our Ask a Fire Pro service. Click the link to
Feedback
submit your question with some information about your building, and a
fire protection professional will provide an answer based on best
practices, standards, and codes. Our pros include AHJs, contractors,
engineers, and code experts with 150+ years of combined experience!
Reply
Aaron (888) 361-6662

August 10, 2022 at 2:31 pm Orders Contact Us
Menu
Menu
Fire Is there any guidance

Extinguishers FDCsspecifying
Fire the minimum distance
Sprinklers Fire Hosearound a Post
and Hydrants Indicating
Fire Signs Pipe Test and Monitor Valve
Valve to allow for operation?
(888) 361-6662
Orders Contact Us
Reply
Ben
May 27, 2023 at 3:42 pm
Feedback
I do inspections on fire sprinkler systems for a living and in my experience OS&Y
valves are the worst valves ever. I feel like I’m the only one that actually greases
the stems of the valve. The article is telling you about no flow restriction and you
can’t close it less then 5 seconds to prevent water hammering but what there not
telling you is that rarely does anyone grease the stems to maintain the valve.
One time it took me 2 minutes to close an OS&Y valve cause it was so stiff the
valve was never greased. Also if you have that valve indoors they leak from the
stem cause the packing gives out every few years big mess. My opinion is to use (888) 361-6662
Orders Contact Us
as less OS&Y valves as you can, butterfly valve are the better choice.
Menu
Menu Reply
(888) 361-6662
QRFS Team
Orders Contact Us
May 27, 2023 at 4:35 pm
Ben — Thank you for your perspective; practical feedback from fire
protection pros is almost always very valuable. OS&Ys have a few
moderate system design advantages, hence their continued use (in new
Feedback
systems or existing systems) but valves require maintenance (as you point
out). Some of your observations and others regarding convenience (such
as integrated tamper switches) are why butterfly valves have become the
more commonly preferred choice. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Reply
Leave a Comment (888) 361-6662

Orders Contact Us
Menu
Menu
(888) 361-6662
Orders Contact Us
Name *
Feedback
Email *
Website
Post Comment
CUSTOMER SUPPORT COMPANY INFO SERVICES (888) 361-6662

PROUD MEMBER OF
Orders Contact Us
Order Status and Returns About Us Ask a Fire Pro
Menu
Account Login
Call us at (888) 361-6662
Menu
Contact us Line Card (PDF Monday-Friday:
8 am - 6 pm EST
Fire Extinguishers Download) Fire Sprinklers
FDCs Fire Hose and Hydrants Fire Signs Pipe Test and Monitor Valve
11091 Air Park Rd,
(888) 361-6662 Terms of Use Ashland, VA 23005 USA
Orders Contact Us
Privacy Policy
WE ARE SOCIAL
Sitemap
Feedback
© 2024 Quick Response Fire Supply, LLC . All Rights Reserved.

Guide To OS&Y Valves For Fire Protection Systems

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Guide To OS&Y Valves For Fire Protection Systems

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

3/27/24, 10:23 AM Guide to OS&Y Valves for Fire Protection Systems

(888) 361-6662 Search …

Latest Thoughts on Fire

#447 – How to Install and

#446 – Fire Protection vs

#445 – Dry Sprinkler

#444 – Wall Hydrants vs

#405 – Guide to OS&Y Valves

for Fire Protection Systems

March 16, 2022

An OS&Y valve often controls access to

We cover: QRFS Team on #119 –

How do OS&Y gate valves work?

3.3.235.3 * Indicating Valve.

7.6.1 Valve Closure Time.

Benefits of OS&Y valves—lower-friction

Inspection, testing, and maintenance of

a minimum, always a “qualified” individual, as determined by the authority having jurisdiction)

Testing and maintenance

OS&Y gate valves are a critical part of

This blog was originally posted at blog.qrfs.com. Check us out

Fire protection control valves, Fire Sprinkler System Components

6 thoughts on “#405 – Guide to OS&Y Valves for Fire

Fire Excellent explanation.

Jeyson — service life varies by manufacturer, with some specifying a

Aaron (888) 361-6662

Fire Is there any guidance

Leave a Comment (888) 361-6662

CUSTOMER SUPPORT COMPANY INFO SERVICES (888) 361-6662

You might also like