"Gatekeeper" of Fire Protection System: Smart Choice of Gate Valves, Butterfly Valves and Copper Valves
June 4, 2025 In the design of building fire protection systems, valves are like the "nerve endings" of the pipeline network, and their selection is directly related to the reliability of emergency response. Recent acceptance data of many super-high-rise complex projects in China show that the differentiated application of gate valves, butterfly valves and copper valves has become a key factor in ensuring the effectiveness of fire protection systems.
1.
Gate Valve: "Steel Guardian" of Fire Protection Pipe Network
The rising-stem
gate Valve has become the first choice for the outlet and suction pipes of fire pumps due to its intuitive operation advantage of exposed rotating rods. The combination of ductile iron
valve body and
stainless steel valve shaft can withstand 2.5MPa working pressure and achieve zero leakage record in the underground pipeline project of Xiongan New District in 2024. The concealed-stem
gate valve is more suitable for places that require beautiful shielding, such as subways, due to its concealed characteristics. The fire water supply network of Shanghai Tower adopts this design. The newly developed elastic seated
gate valve shortens the closing time to within 15 seconds through graphite packing sealing technology, significantly improving the efficiency of emergency response.
The centerline butterfly valve with a weight of only 1/3 of the ordinary gate valve occupies a dominant position in the field of indoor overhead pipelines. Its 90° fast opening and closing characteristics are particularly suitable for crowded places such as shopping malls. The fire protection system of Beijing Daxing Airport is equipped with 560 sets of signal butterfly valves with self-locking functions, which transmit the valve status to the central control platform in real time through the 5G module. It is worth noting that the 2025 version of the "Code for Fire Protection Design of Buildings" clearly requires for the first time that the butterfly valve of the fire main pipe must be equipped with a mechanical self-locking device to prevent the system from being paralyzed due to misoperation.
3. Copper valve: "anti-corrosion expert" of precision system
In the terminal branch of the automatic sprinkler system, the
brass stop valve shows an irreplaceable advantage. Its precision-cast
valve disc can accurately adjust the flow rate. The actual measurement of the Guangzhou Zhujiang New Town Financial Center project shows that the
copper valve remains intact after 8 years of service in a coastal environment with a humidity of 85%. The
brass ball valve is the best choice for the cylinder room of the gas fire extinguishing system due to its full-bore design. The heptafluoropropane system of Shenzhen Ping An Financial Center adopts this solution. However, industry experts remind that in acidic water areas with a pH value of less than 6.5, it is recommended to use 316L
stainless steel valves to extend the service life.
In the design of building fire protection systems, valves are like the "nerve endings" of the pipeline network, and their selection is directly related to the reliability of emergency response. Recent acceptance data of many super-high-rise complex projects in China show that the differentiated application of gate valves, butterfly valves and copper valves has become a key factor in ensuring the effectiveness of fire protection systems.
