| Victaulic has been nominated as finalist in the Best Fire Suppression Product category |
A panel of industry experts has nominated the Victaulic Series 769 FireLock NXT® Preaction Alarm Valve as finalist in the Best Fire Suppression Product category in the Fire Excellence Awards 2011.
The innovative design of the product means that it has the lowest air pressure requirement (13psi/.89 bar) but the highest water pressure approvals (300psi/2065 kPa). Unlike most preaction valves, the Series 769 has an intermediate chamber to hold back air pressure and does not require a secondary riser check valve. The low-pressure actuator at the heart of the valve operates at just under 1 bar of air pressure, regardless of water pressure, compared with the 2.5 – 3 bar typically required for similar products. Because the system is not susceptible to spikes of pressure which can trip the valve, it delivers reliable, consistent performance. Lower pressure minimises the potential health and safety risks associated with air under pressure, and less air in the system reduces the moisture content, avoiding corrosion.
The Series 769 further differentiates itself from other similar products by being supplied completely pre-assembled and pre-trimmed. With no need to calculate the air-to-water differential, the valve comes with pre-set pressure switches and installs directly onto the pipework, without having to build up the trim.
It is also the most compact such device, offering advantages in buildings where space is at a premium. Flexible in use, it is approved for installation in more configurations than other similar valves. Options include an AutoConvert trim where an automatic sensing and acting module gives continuous protection in the event of an AC power loss.