Approval Standard

for
Firesafe Valves



Class Number 7440

May 1981













2002 FM Approvals LLC. All rights reserved.


Foreword



The FM Approvals certification mark is intended to verify that the products and services described
will meet FM Approvals stated conditions of performance, safety and quality useful to the ends of
property conservation. The purpose of Approval Standards is to present the criteria for FM Approval
of various types of products and services, as guidance for FM Approvals personnel, manufacturers,
users and authorities having jurisdiction.

Products submitted for certification by FM Approvals shall demonstrate that they meet the intent of
the Approval Standard, and that quality control in manufacturing shall ensure a consistently uniform
and reliable product. Approval Standards strive to be performance-oriented. They are intended to
facilitate technological development.

For examining equipment, materials and services, Approval Standards:

a) must be useful to the ends of property conservation by preventing, limiting or not
causing damage under the conditions stated by the Approval listing; and

b) must be readily identifiable.

Continuance of Approval and listing depends on compliance with the Approval Agreement,
satisfactory performance in the field, on successful re-examinations of equipment, materials, and
services as appropriate, and on periodic follow-up audits of the manufacturing facility.

FM Approvals LLC reserves the right in its sole judgment to change or revise its standards, criteria,
methods, or procedures.


TABLE OF CONTENTS
I INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................................................................... 1
II PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS ..................................................................................................................................... 1
2.1 Manually Operated Firesafe Valves ................................................................................................................................... 1
2.2 Automatic Operating Firesafe Valves ................................................................................................................................ 2
2.3 Spring Loaded Valves ......................................................................................................................................................... 2
2.4 Fire Shield With Ordinary Valve ....................................................................................................................................... 2
2.5 Fire Exposure Test .............................................................................................................................................................. 2
III MARKINGS .............................................................................................................................................................................. 3
IV EXAMINATION AND TESTS ................................................................................................................................................ 3
I INTRODUCTION
1.1 These are FM Approvals requirements for firesafe valves. A firesafe valve is one specifically designed for
flammable liquid service and which can withstand a direct fire exposure of 15 minutes without excessive
internal or external damage.
1.2 FM Approval is based on satisfactory evaluation of the product and of the manufacturer in three areas:
1.2.1 Examination and tests on production samples are performed to evaluate (1) the suitability of the
product, (2) the proper operation and performance of the product as specified by the manufacturer
and required by FM Approvals and, as far as practical, (3) the durability and reliability of the
product.
1.2.2 A manufacturing facilities and quality control procedures audit is conducted to evaluate the manu-
facturers ability to produce the product as currently approved. These audits are repeated annually
as a part of FM Approvals Approved product follow-up program.
1.2.3 Satisfactory field experience is the final test of approval. Unsatisfactory field experience may result
in withdrawal of FM Approval.
1.3 The requirements of this standard are intended as guidelines reflecting current FM Approvals tests and
practices. Firesafe valves which do not precisely conform to these requirements may be approved if they
meet the intent of the standard. Conversely, those that do conform may not be approved if they do not meet
the intent of the standard or if other conditions govern.
1.4 Valves may be manual or automatic operating, fire shielded, spring loaded or a combination of methods
designed to function under normal conditions and during exposure to fire. Experience has shown that a
maximum pressure rating between 10 and 125 psi (68.9 and 862 kPa) is considered adequate for a firesafe
valve in the usual flammable liquid piping system. Avalve may be submitted and tested at a higher, or lower,
maximum pressure and may be approved if the examination and test results are satisfactory.
1.5 Except where modified by the requirements of this standard, firesafe valves shall comply with the applicable
requirements for ordinary locations, in accordance with FM Approval Standard for Electrical Utilization
Equipment (Class 3820).
II PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
2.1 Manually Operated Firesafe Valves
2.1.1 The valve shall be tested as a complete assembly with all components mounted in a manner consistent with
the manufacturers instructions and intended application.
2.1.2 The valve shall be consistent with the manufacturers ratings and practical for service conditions including
environmental conditions normally encountered in industrial applications. Tests may be made to verify any
and all ratings.
2.1.3 The valve shall operate between 0-150% of rated pressure. Valve seat leakage shall not exceed 12.6 ml/hr
(liquid) under this condition.
2.1.4 A valve shall withstand 200% of rated pressure for 1 min on any part subjected to flammable liquid
pressure without damage or external leakage.
May 1981 7440
FM APPROVALS 1
2.1.5 Manually operated firesafe valves shall be provided with a handle or equivalent means of operation. The
handle or equivalent means shall be secured to the valve in a manner that minimizes the possibility of
unauthorized removal. A means to visually indicate valve position, fully open or fully closed, shall be
provided. Position indication shall be readily visible from a minimum distance of 5 ft (1.5 m).
2.1.6 Operation of the valve at 125% of rated pressure shall require a force at the handle of less than 50 lbf
(222 N).
2.1.7 The valve design and construction shall be such that it will operate reliably through 5000 complete cycles
of operation under rated conditions. If a change in operating characteristics is found during or at comple-
tion of the 5000 cycles of operation, for example increased leakage, the valve performance shall be such
that at completion of an additional 15,000 cycles the condition shall have stabilized. Subsequent to the
cycling test the valve shall comply with Paragraph 2.1.3.
2.2 Automatic Operating Firesafe Valves
2.2.1 An automatic operating firesafe valve shall meet the applicable requirements outlined for manually
operated firesafe valves (Section 2.1) and applicable requirements found in FM Approvals Standard for
Safety Shutoff Valves (Class 7400).
2.2.2 The valve design and construction shall be such that it will operate reliably through 20,000 complete
cycles of operation under rated conditions. If a change in operating characteristics is found during or at
completion of the 20,000 cycles of operation, for example increased leakage, the valve performance shall
be such that at completion of an additional 80,000 cycles the condition shall have stabilized. Subsequent
to the cycling test the valve shall comply with Paragraph 2.1.3.
2.3 Spring Loaded Valves
A valve having an external spring loaded actuator held open by a fusible link may qualify as a firesafe valve.
The fusible link must satisfy the FM Approval Standard for Fusible Links (Class 2031). The spring after closing
the valve must not interfere with the firesafe function of the valve. A precautionary label warning of the spring
force and/or handle movement must be provided. Valves of this type must comply with the requirements of
Section 2.1, except that a maximum of 5,000 cycles endurance is required.
2.4 Fire Shield With Ordinary Valve
An ordinary valve if properly protected by a fire shield may qualify as a firesafe valve. Valves equipped with
a fire shield shall be subjected to the firesafe valve tests (Section 2.1 or 2.2, as applicable) and in addition, to
impact tests of the fire shield. The valve and fire shield must then comply with the fire exposure test requirements
of Paragraph 2.5.
2.5 Fire Exposure Test
All firesafe valves shall withstand a direct fire exposure in their normal position (stem-vertical, bore-horizontal)
with the center line of the valve being 18 in. (457 mm) above the surface of free-burning normal heptane in a
10 ft
2
(0.93 m
2
) pan for 15 minutes without leaking water through the valve port (seat) in excess of 95 ml/min
while at rated pressure. External leakage including leakage from flanged connections shall not exceed individual
drops. Actuators may be damaged but shall not rupture or cause leakage in excess of closed port or external
leakage requirements as stated in Paragraph 4.10.
7440 May 1981
2 FM APPROVALS
III MARKINGS
3.1 A firesafe valve shall be clearly marked with the manufacturers name and address, the type or model
designation, all operating ratings and applicable precautionary information. It shall also be clearly marked
as to proper positioning and show correct flow direction as required. In addition, each valve shall be
provided with complete installation, operating and maintenance instructions and flanged valves shall be
provided with all required instructions and gasket material specifications to make the proper joints for a
firesafe valve.
3.2 A valve satisfying the requirements of this standard shall bear the FM Approvals mark of Approval.
IV EXAMINATION AND TESTS
4.1 The manufacturer shall submit representative valve samples and manufacturing drawings together with
installation and maintenance instructions and specifications. These will be examined, compared and studied
for conformance to FM Approval requirements and the ability to withstand the normal environmental
conditions encountered in industrial applications.
4.2 The valve shall be subjected to 150% rated pressure without leaking through the valve more than 12.6 ml/hr
(liquid) when closed.
4.3 A manual valve when subjected to 125% rated pressure shall require an operating force at the handle less
than 50 lbf (222 N) for opening and closing the valve. An automatic operating valve shall function normally
(open and close) at 125% rated pressure.
4.4 The valve shall be subjected to a hydrostatic test of 200% of rated pressure for 1 minute. No damage or
external leakage shall result.
4.5 Electrical apparatus shall be tested for function at 85% and 110% rated voltage while at 100% rated pressure.
4.6 Electrical apparatus shall be capable of withstanding for 1 minute 1000 volts, 60 Hz plus twice rated voltage
between all current carrying parts and the body or enclosure with no arcing or breakdown.
4.7 Sample valves shall be subjected to an endurance test conducted in accordance with either Paragraph 2.1.7
or 2.2.2 as applicable while subjected to rated pressure. At the end of this test the valve shall be re-tested
according to Paragraph 4.2. External leakage shall be considered unsatisfactory.
4.8 A valve equipped with a fire shield shall be subjected to the following impact test. A 4 lb (1.8 kg) weight
concentrated at a 1 in. (2.5 cm) diameter spherical steel end shall be dropped from a height of 30 in. (76 cm)
resulting in a 10 ft-lb (1.38 kg-m) blow. This test will be performed on any portion of the fire shield that
could be subject to impact while in its normally installed position. The valve shall be tested with the fire
shield assembled in place in accordance with the manufacturers installation instructions. Results of the
impact test shall be considered satisfactory if the valve is still functional and damage to the fire shield does
not impair continued protection of the valve from the fire exposure test of Paragraph 4.10.
May 1981 7440
FM APPROVALS 3
4.9 Valves having add-on hardware shall be subjected to a vibration test of 24 hours duration at a total
displacement of 0.02 in. (0.5 mm) while swept every 30 seconds through a vibration frequency range of 10
to 30 Hz. No impairment of function is allowed.
4.10 The sample valve shall be subjected to the fire exposure outlined in Paragraph 2.5. If the valve has a heat
activated, spring loaded actuator, function will be observed during this test. Water leakage through the
valve seat after the fire exposure test shall not exceed 95 ml/min at rated pressure averaged over the last
5 minutes of the fire. External leakage including leakage from the bonnet, stem and flanged connections
shall not exceed individual drops.
7440 May 1981
4 FM APPROVALS