US2558175A - Fire protection automatic sprinkler system - Google Patents

Description

June 26, 1951 R. w. GIESELER 2,558,175

FIRE PROTECTION AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEM Filed Feb. 5, 1947 Sheets-Sheet 1 2 44444 mgggg w V V -10 17 v k g t T v (/7 T w w v tr" 17 29 E 5 6 1 E 27 .t 50 Z5 52 29 i 55 14 69 W I 21 J L .13 l

lNVENTOR Zlasse/l IV fu'eseler ATTORNEYS June 26, 1951 R. W. GIESELER Filed Feb. 3, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I 1@ I Z9 7 24 l Z 6 376 l I jg 51 A 87 1 5 l 59 '90 101E; 55 105 i 64 W 1 86 4 64 55 l 9/ i E 61 E INVENTOR Jfassell l7. fu'aseler BY M.

. ATTORNEYS June 26, 1951 R. w. GIESELER 2,553,175

FIRE PROTECTION AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEM Filed Feb. 3, 1947 Sheets-Sheet 3 JHIHIHW n w g8 Y 77 g1; I a an 1 m9 WA H WW 1 2;- 1 w 94 a I 69 Q /92 9 m6 mvsmorz Russell 7!. fzizselzr BY 107 a: r I z IJTTORNEYS June 26, 1951 R. w. GIESELER 2,553,175

FIRE PROTECTION AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEM Filed Feb. 3, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 ANVENTOR Basal/l? fiieseler HTTORNEYS June 26, 19 51 R. w. GIESELER $558,175

FIRE PROTECTION AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEM I Filed Feb. 3; 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 7& 145

"mum II I 1" t 14g .152 1% r 420 1Z4 #5 125 '1 v v E y 1- l l} I INVENTOR Russell/t. fu'eszler ATTORNEYS Patented June 26, 1951 FIRE PROTECTION AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEM Russell W. Giesel'er, Jamestown, Y. Application February 3, 1947, Serial No. 26,031

This invention relates to improvements in fire protection automatic sprinkler systems, and more particularly to certain improvements in suchsystems designed to facilitate the observatiomdetermination and test of flow conditions through the system, and the adjustment and correction of flow conditions in conformity with the terms of the water supply contract and the applicable fire ordinance and fire insurance requirements.

In automatic sprinkler systems, an inspectors test connection and valve is generally installed in the top floor sprinkler line, and may also be installed in one or more of the sprinkler lines on each fioor of the building. These inspector valve connections are designed to be opened by the inspector .periodically in order that water flow through the sprinkler line may be observed and deductions made as to whether the sprinkler lines are operating eificiently and properly. The inspectors valve connection is usually equipped with a discharge nozzle having a known discharge orifice equivalent to the discharge orifice in sprinkler heads on the floor where the inspectors valve connection is installed. Askilled inspector is able to determine from the discharge from the inspectors test connection the gallonage flow through the discharge nozzle, the water pressure, and other conditions there exist- The alarm valve and other water control devices forming a part of prior systems, are, nowever usually installed in the basement or first floor of the building, which device must also be inspected and adjusted as conditions require. The inspector is obviously unable to observe the operation of the alarm valve and control devices located on the first or basement door when he open the inspectors test connection on the top floor or other floors of the building. In order to observe the functioning Of the alarm valve and control devices, the inspector must leave the inspectors test connection in open water discharging condition, return to the location of the alarm and control devices on the first or base ment floor to observe Whether these devices are operating as intended, make such adjustments to the alarm valve and control devices as conditions may require and then return to the upper fioor to close on the inspectors test connection there located.

Proper adjustment is rendered difficult since the inspector is unable to open and close the distant inspectors test connection as may be necessary and desirable 'to efiect proper adjustment of the alarm valve and control devices. Nor is this difli'culty entirely overcome by placing the inspector at the ins ectors test connection and another inspector at the location of the alarm valve and control devices, since the inspectors are unable to communicate with each other unless a 2 phone system is installed between these distant points. -:Nor can testing of the alarm valve be satisfactorily effected by opening the drain connection at the site of the alarm valve, since the flow through thedrain connection cannot be delicately and accurately controlled in'amanner to reliably determine whether the valve would be operative under conditions of minimum flow, suchas would exist when - head at the top most line of sprinklers is open.

In addition to the task-of determining Whether the feeder and supply lines to the various sprinkler heads on the various floors, and also the alarm and control devices, are functioning and operating properly, the inspector is charged with the further task of making sure thatthe fire alarm system gives the -'intended signal when thereis a flow of water through the sprinkler system, as for example, when the inspectors test connection is open fo'r discharge. Due to the noise of moving machinery and other plant operations, the inspector "often finds it impossible to hear or determine whether the alarm system gives the desired alarm when the inspectors test connection is open for discharge, since "the fire alarm bell or :gong may be installed at a distant location i'n-the building.

Much time and -wa'sted effort is thus consumed in going to and returning fromdistant locations in the building. Further, the task of carefully adjusting all instruments in synchronism, without being able to observe instruments or flow conditions at other locations, is therefore extremely diflicult, and sometimes insurmountable to accomplish. Substantial water waste during the period of inspection, and inconvenience to and interference with "the duties of the personnel in the building, cannot be avoided.

An object of this invention -is to provide an improved-automatic fire protection sprinkler system having means associated therewith whereby flow conditionsfrom one or more sprinkler heads at any desired -level of the spanner system-may delicately and accurately be du-plicated at' the site of the alarm valve, and w ereby the "inspector is enabled to ob's'erve the functioning of the alarm valve and alarm aevicesunirer fiOW conditions and nder var rng ccndiuons 6f the manner which it may uccarrieu but, may "be 3 better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, in which Fig. l is a diagrammatic view of one form of this improved fire protection sprinkler system as the same may be arranged as installed in a building.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevational view of another form of the control mechanism for the sprinkler system showing the manner in which the improved inspection devices may be associated with the control mechanism here shown which includes a main check valve and associated by-pass metering device and alarm valve with associated alarm devices.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the inspection device forming a part of this improved system. t

Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the main check valve forming a part of the control mechanism illustrated in Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional horizontal view of the check valve shown in Fig. 4 as the same appears when viewed along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the alarm valve associated with either the control mechanism shown in Fig. 1 or the control mechanism shown in Fig. 2, as the same appears when viewed along line 6-6 of Fig. l or Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged side elevational view of an improved form of control mechanism wherein the main check valve and alarm valve are incorporated into a single unit, this view also showing the improved inspectors test connection associated therewith.

Fig. 8 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the improved control unit shown in Fig. '7 as the same would appear when viewed along lines 88 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the improved control unit as the same would appear when viewed along line 99 of Fig. '7.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawing and specifications.

To faciliate an understanding of this improved fire prevention automatic sprinkler system there is diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. l a typical installation thereof in a 6 story building having an outside wall ID, a roof H and a series of floors I2. Water is supplied to the system by a main intake conduit l3, having a gate valve [4, therein, by means of which the flow of water into the system may be shut off when it is desired. The main intake conduit I3 is connected to an alarm valve housing I 5, which is in turn connected to the main outlet conduit [6, which extends to the various floors of the building. A plurality of distributor pipes ll, having a plurality of sprinkler heads [5 attached thereto, arranged in the usual manner along the ceilings of floors l2, are connected to and supplied with water by the main outlet conduit Hi.

It is customary to provide an inspectors valve 19 in the end of the distributor pipe on the topmost floor, a discharge pipe 20 leading from the inspectors valve l9 being provided to permit the discharge of an observable stream of water either into a drain or to the outside of the building. The inspectors valve [9 has incorporated therein a flow nozzle or aperture of predetermined size so that when the inspectors valve 19 is open, a now equivalent to that from an adjacent sprinkler head, may be'duplicated. It will be appre- 4 ciated that inspectors valves may also be located on different floors as desired.

Means are incorporated in the system to give an alarm in case of fire, or in event there is a leakage flow in the system. An alarm conduit 21 is connected to the alarm valve housing 15 as shown more particularly in Figs. 1 and 2. The alarm conduit 2! leads to the alarm devices which may comprise a hydrostatic switch 22 which operates an electric bell 23. The alarm conduit 2| may be connected to a branch conduit 24 which in turn is connected to a water motor 25 and gong 26 being actuated by a flow of water through the branch alarm conduit 24. Preferably the alarm conduit 2] is provided with a retarding device 21 so that no alarm will be given in case of water hammer or a water surge which does not constitute a natural operating flow of water to the hydrostatic switch 22 or the water motor 25. A suitable drain pipe 28 is connected to the retarding device 21 through which surge water may escape.

A drain conduit 29 may be connected to the alarm valve housing I5 so that water may be drained from the system when it is desired to effect repairs. The drain conduit 29 may be fitted with a suitable globe or gate valve 30 to control the drainage through the drain conduit 29 and into the waste line 31.

The alarm housing i5 is provided with a water entry port 36 and a water discharge port 31 as shown more particularly in Fig. 6. The water entry port 36 is equiped with a valve seat 38 designed to be closed by a closure member 39 attached to a clapper arm 40 fixed to a stud shaft 4| pivotally supported by spaced fulcrum blocks 42 which may be formed as an integral part of the valve housing IS. A predetermined differential pressure between that existing at the entrance port 36 and that existing within the chamber 43 of the valve housing 15, will cause the clapper arm 40 to swing into open position and permit flow of water into the chamber 43 and through the outlet port 3! of the valve housmg.

The valve housing I5 is also equipped with a bleeder port 44 into which the alarm conduit 2| is connected. The bleeder port 44 is equipped with a valve seat 45 designed to be closed by a closure member 46 secured to an extension 41 of the clapper arm 40. When the clapper arm 40 swings into open position, the closure member 46 which closes the seat 45 of the bleeder port 44 is also swung into open position, permittin a flow of water from the chamber 43 of the valve housing l5 through the alarm conduit 2|.

An important feature of this invention is the provision of an inspectors test connection A positioned adjacent to the site of the alarm valve I5. As shown more particularly in Figs. 2 and 3, this inspectors test connection A comprises an inspection conduit 50 which is connected to the alarm valve housing l5, and supplied with water from the valve chamber 43 thereof. The conduit 50 is provided with a gate or globe valve 5! which can be opened and closed to control the flow through the conduit 50. A conduit section 52 leads from the'valve 51 to an inspectors device 53. A pressure gauge 54, connected as by a conduit connection 55 to the conduit section 52, provides a means whereby the water pressure flowing through the inspectors device 53 may be measured durin tests.

7 The inspectors device 53 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 comprises essentially a coupling member 56 having a body section 51 designed to :be connected to the conduit. section .52 by means of .a pipe coupling 58. The lower end of the body section 57 of the coupling member 56 is threaded to receive the threaded body section .59 of an inspectors nozzle -60. The body section of the nozzles!) has a laterally extending "flange portion.

6] designed to abut aga'inst the lower end of the body section 51 of the coupling member '56 and which is preferably polygonal in shape .so that the nozzle to may be tightlyjscrewed into the body section 15-! as by means of a wrench. The inspectors nozzle *68 is provided with a 'bore 62 providing a flow passage of predetermined area. The nozzle .69 is removable and replaceable so that inspectors nozzles having predetermined bores of different diameters may be selectively attached to the body section of the coupling member 56. The manner of use and the functional purpose of the inspector's nozzle '60, will be more fully explained hereafter.

The inspectors nozzle -58 as attachab'ly secured to the coupling member .56 may, if desired, be

protected by a cage construction as more fully.

shown in Fig. 3. This protective cage may be formed by providing a laterally extending flange 63 extending laterally from the body section '51 of the couplin member '56. The outer periphery of the flange section 60 may be generally circular in outline and is designed to support two or more bolts'fid uspended therefrom. The lower ends of the suspension bolts 64 are connected to the flange section 65 of a collar member 65, collar member'fifi having a conduit section 61 which is preferably of generous diameter and serves in effect as a discharge conduit. The conduit 61 may be connected as by a nozzle forming coupling 68 to a lead conduit 69 to the main waste line 3| of the system.

The flange section 65 of the collar member .66 may support a cylindrical shell 1|! formed of suitably strong transparent material such as transparent glass or transparent resin plastic. The lower end of the shell fits into a-cylindrical groove H between spaced concentric ring elements 12 and 13 formed on the upper face of the flange section 63 of thecollar member 62. The upper end of the shell lil may be fitted into a'cylindrical groove formed by spaced concentric ring elements 16 and H on the lower face of the flange section 53 of the-coupling member'56.

Fig. 2 illustrates the inspectors test connection a associated with a system having an alarm valve l5 through which both large and small flows through the system must pass, whether'such flows be of five hazard proportions or due merely to line leakage. In the event that the water supplier requires the owner of the automatic fire protection sprinkler system to pay for wastage, leak-age and water consumption due to the opening of a limited number of sprinkler heads, the water supplier assuming the cost when flows of serious fire hazard proportions occur, a by-pass metering system arrangement may be installed directly below the alarm valve l5 as diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 2. In this arrangement the water supply from the main supply conduit I passes through a main check valve housing 80 and into the alarm valve 15 only when a flow of fire hazard proportions occurs, small flows such as are due to leakage, wastage, or the opening of a small number of sprinklerheads, usually not more than three, being by-passed through bypass conduits 8-! and 82 and duly metered by a water meter 83, the check valve closure element 811 as :shown in Fig. 4 remaining closed until a diiferential pressure between the intake and out to open the main check valve closure element 18'4" occurs.

The by-pass meter assembly -:is more particularly .illustrated in Figs. '2, 4, and .5. A by-pass conduit 8| leads from the main intake conduit l3, to .a water meter 383, 'water flowing through the water meter 83 being returned to a conduit connection 85, by means .of :a by-pass conduit 82. The :conduit connection '85 serves to connect the outlet port v8'! of the check valve housing to the alarm valve housing "I5. The intake por t 8'6 of the check valve housing 80 is connected to the main intake conduit I 3. The main check valve 80 may also have .an insp'ector s test connection B associated therewith comprising a port 88 through which water can flow througha-conduit 89 to the inspection device '53, '"the "conduit 89 being provided with agate or globe valve 90, by means of which flow to the inspection device 53 may be controlled. It is also provided with ap'or t 91 through which water may flowto the waste line 31, through a conduit 92, the conduit 92 being provided with a gate orglobe va'l-ve 93.

At the point where the main intake port-86 'ent'ers the-main chamber 9'4 of the check valve housing 3E3 there is provided a valve seat 95 which is preferably of bronzeor some similar tough but easily machined metal. The valve housing 811 contains a pair of spaced fulcrum blocks 96 upon which the main intake check clapper arm 9''! may swing, as shown in Figs. 4-and "5.

The check valve assembly comprises the clapper arm 97 which is fixed to a stud shaft 98 as by a set screw 99. The ends of thestud shaft 98 extend through bearing openings in the spaced fulcrum blocks 96. The closure "member 84 "is suitably fixed to the clapper arm '9! andis designed to seat snugly on to the valveseat 95 when the main intake check valve is closed. As more particularly illustrated in Fig. 5, a shaft exten'-- sion I extends from one end of the stub shaft 98 and passes through the valve housing 80 through a water tight bearing 106. A pointer arm 1 01, which may be associated witha counter device, is attached to the projecting end of the shaft extension 195, which extends substantially at right angles thereto and is normally in an approximately horizontal position. When the clapper arm 91 rises due to the opening of "the main check valve the pointer arm l0! also rises and permits the inspector to visually check the action of the valve.

In the usual contract with a -water supplier, small amounts of flow suchas occur when a small number of sprinkler headsare open, or which are outlet side of the closure member 84. Asshown more particularly in Figs. 4 and '5, a weight block I08 of the weight necessary to .give effect to the terms of the contract with the water supplier attached to the clapper arm 91. These weight blocks may be formed of a solder material which may be added to or subtracted from the "main body of the weight block so as to vary its weight The check'valve housing 80 is provided with pressure gauges I08 and III] located respectively above and below the closure member 84. By reading pressure gauges I09 and i I8 the pressure conditions in the valve housing 88 when a predetermined number of sprinkler heads are open may be readily determined. With such pressure differential readings at hand, the inspector may make use of tables prepared by the manufacturer of these valves, which tables would indicate the proper weight to apply to the clapper arm 91 to retain the valve closure member 84 in closed position when a predetermined number of sprinkler heads are open, and to permit opening of the closure member 84 when one more than the predetermined number of sprinkler heads are open. With a little experience, an inspector can quickly determine and sense the correct weight to apply the clapper arm 91. For convenience, the inspector may carry an assortment of weight blocks of indicated varying weights suitable to satisfy almost any pressure condition which he may encounter.

It will be observed that the closure member 84 and its associated weight blocks I08 will not rise to permit unmetered passage of water through the valve housin 80 until frictional resistance to the passage of water in the by-pass conduits BI and 82 and the meter 83 has built up sufficient diiferential in water pressure between that on the intake side and the outlet side of the closure member 84 to raise the clapper arm 81 and its associated weight I08. It is obvious that the greater the weight I88, the greater will be the maximum gallonage per minute passed through the by-pass conduits 8| and 82 and the meter 83 before the clapper arm 91 moves into open position.

In plac of the separate by-pass metering device and alarm valve illustrated in Fig. 2 the system may be provided with a combination alarm meter valve of the type described in my Patent No. 2,505,761, dated May 2, 1950, and more particularly illustrated in Figs. 7, 8, and 9.

This multiple purpose valve assembly consists of a valve housing H5 fitted with flanges H6 and H1 by means of which a connection can be made with the main conduit i3 and the main outlet conduit I6 respectively. The valve housing H5 is fitted with a removable plate H8 by means of a plurality of bolts H9, thus afiording easy access to the interior of the housing for repairs and adjustments. The valve housin is provided with a main intake port I28, a main outlet port I2I, a by-pass outlet port I22 through which water may flow to a water meter I23, a by-pass intake port I24 through which water passing through the meter I23 may re-enter the main valve housing II 5, and a bleeder outlet port I25, through which Water may flow from the valve housing H5 to actuate the alarms 22 and 28.

A by-pass conduit I26 leads from the by-pass outlet port I22 in the base of the valve housing H5 to the water meter I23. The by-pass conduit I26 is provided with a gate valve I21 so that the meter I23 may be removed for inspection or repair without interrupting the flow of water into the main valve housing I I5 through the main intake I3 in case of fire when the meter is removed. Water flowing through the water meter I23 is returned to the system through the port I24 in the valve housing H5 through a conduit I28. The valve housin H5 connects with the alarm conduit 2| via the bleeder port I25.

At the point where the main intake port I26 enters the main chamber I29 of the main valve housing H5, there is provided a valve seat I38, which is preferably of bronze or some similar tough but easily machined metal. Similarly, at the point where the by-pass inlet port I24 from the water meter I23 enters the main chamber I29 of the valve assembly, there is provided a similar but smaller valve seat I3 I.

The bleeder outlet port I25 is provided with a hollow semi-spherical cap I32, in which are bored two port holes I33 and I34 and which are provided with valve seats. The cap I 32 is provided with a threaded neck I35 so that a watertight connection may be made with the valve housing H5. This, of course, is merely a preferred exemplification of this detail, since the cap I32 maybe welded to the valve housing H5 over the port I25, or there may be two separate ports, each provided with valve seats, leading to the alarm conduit.

The valve housing I I5 contains a fulcrum block I36 upon which the main intake check clapper arm I31 may swing, and a fulcrum block I38 upon which the by-pass intake check clapper arm I39 may swing.

' The main check value comprises the clapper arm I31 which is fixed to a stud shaft I40 as by set screw MI. The ends of the stud shaft extend into bearing openings in the paired fulcrum blocks I35, whereby the clapper arm I31 is free to pivot with a minimum of friction. A closure disc I42 is suitably fixed to the clapper arm I31 and is designed to fit snugly into the valve seat I38 when the main intake check valve is closed. As shown more particularly in Fig. 8, a shaft extension I43 extends from one end of the stud shaft MI and passes through the valve housing I I5 through a water-tight bearing I44. A pointer arm I45, which may be associated with a counter device, is attached to the projecting end of the shaft extension I43, which extends substantially at right angles thereto and is normally in approximately horizontal position. When the clapper arm I31 rises, due to the opening of the main check valve, the pointer arm I45 will also rise, and permit the inspector to visually check the action of the valve.

The valve housing H5 is provided with a stop I45 against which the clapper I31 rests when in fully open position. The clapper I31 carries an arm extension I41 to which is secured a closure disc I48. The closure disc I48 is designed to fit snugly onto the seat in the port I33 of the alarm cap I32 when the main check valve is in the closed position, forming a water-tight connection therewith.

Means are provided to retain the closure member I42 in valve closing position until predetermined differential in pressure exists between the inlet and the outlet side of the closure member I 42. As shown more particularly in Figs. 8 and 9, a weight block I49 of the weight necessary to give efiect to the terms of the contract with the water supplier is attached to the clapper arm I31.

The main check valve housing is provided with pressure gauges I58 and I5I, located respectively above and below the closure member I31. By reading pressure gauges I58 and I5I, the pressure conditions in the valve housing H5 when one or more sprinkler heads are opened may be readily determined and the size of the weight block I49 to be used may be easily determined as 1 described above.

The: valve housing I I25 is provided: with: a stop I556 against'which theclapper I'33-rests whenin fully open position. The. clapper I33 carries an arm extension I'5'I- to which, secured a closure disc I58 is. designed; to fit snugly onto the seat in. the port I:3"4s of the alarm: cap I232 when the by-pass intake check valve is in the closed position, forming; a. water-tight connection therewith.

The by-passcheckvalve comprises the clapper arm I69 which isfixedto astud shaft I53. The ends of the studshaft I53 extend into openings in the paired fulcrum. blocks I38, whereby the clapper arm I39 is free topivot with a minimum of friction. A. closure disc I54 is suitably fixed to the clapper arm I33 and is designed to. fit snugly into the valve seat I3I when the by-pass check valve is closed.

When the system is placed: in operation, all pipes are filled with water with the exception of thealarm Water line 2 I. When a leak occurs, in the system, or if a permitted limited number of sprinkler heads I8 are open,.the-resulting.reduced pressure in the valve chamber I29. will cause the by-pass intake clapper I52 to rise, and water will flow through the by-pass. outlet port I22 and. by-pass conduit I26 to the meter I23, where the consumption of. water i'srecorded, and thence through. the by-passconduit I28 andthroughthe inlet by-pass. port I24. into valve chamber I29. When the by-pass intake clapper arm I39 rises, it. will be seen that the closure disc I58 covering the alarm bleeder port I34 is also raised, allowing water to fiow into the conduit 2! and thence to. alarm devices. 22- and 26, and thus cause an alarm to be sounded The main check valve housing II may be provided with a drain conduit I60 which leads to the main drain line 3|. The drain conduit I60 is provided with a suitable valve I6I to close off the flow.

The main check valve housing I I5 is also preferably provided with two. inspectors test connections and A and B, each comprising an inspectors device 53. constructed as heretofore explained, the inspectors devices being. supplied with Water from the main check valve housing I I5 by a conduit I62; and the'conduit I62 may be provided with suitable globe or gate valves I63 and I64 to shut off' the flow of water to the inspectors devices 53. The coupling members 56 of the inspectors devices 53 are connected to suitable discharge conduits I65 and I66 which may lead into the main drain conduit 3|, or to other suitable places of safe discharge.

When the inspector wishes to test the operation of the alarm devices 22,23 and 26 connected to the alarm valve I5 under minimum flow conditions, such as the flow which would occur when one sprinkler head I8 is open in the top most distributor line IT, he opens the gate valve 5'! topermit discharge of water through the inspection nozzle 60 of test connection A, the diameter of the bore. 62 of the nozzle 60 of test connection A being such. as to allow the passage of the same gallonage therethrough under the higher pressure conditions existing at the site of the alarm valve I5 as would fiow through one sprinkler head I8 in the topmost distributor pipe I1 to be tested. This correct diameter of the bore 62 would have been predetermined by the insurance carrier, fire protection engineer, or other authority having jurisdiction in conformity with conditions existing at the site, and a nozzle 60 having; a bore 62 of, the correct diameter would be supplied for use in the inspection device 53 lfO:

of test connection A. By this; inspectors: test connection A at the site of' alarm valve I5, it is evident that the inspector can duplicate the desired flow conditions, and be in a position to easily observe and if necessary correct tht' function'oi the alarm valve I5 and associated alarm devices under the desired; duplicated flow conditions.

The inspectors test connection B associated with the main drive also provides a. means for accurately checking and controlling the amount of weight I08 which should be placed on the clapper 91, in accordance with the pressure characteristics. of the system at thesite. of the main check valve 8.0; and the pressure characteristics of the system at the'sprinkler heads [8 inspection nozzle 60 with a bore 62' which will pass, under the: pressure conditions; existing at the-main check valve. 80, a flow of water equivalent tothat which would flow through. a specified: number of sprinkler heads; I8 suchas, for

example, three sprinkler heads, may be provided in the inspectors testv connection B;

By opening test connection B the inspector may, observe the action of the pointer arm I01 associated with the valve closure 86 of main valve 80', anclseewhether or not arm I01 rises when there is a flow of water-through the system equivalent to-that which would flow through the system when: a predetermined number of sprinkler heads are open. If it found that the valve closure 84 opens under flow conditions at which it'shouldremain: closed, sufficient weight can be added so that the valve arm: QI'remains' in closed position. The inspector then opens the valve 51 at the test connection: A associated with the alarm valve I5 in order. to observe: whether or not'the closureelement 84rwillrise when the fiow through the system is equivalent to that which would flow when one. more than the predetermined number of sprinkler heads are open. If it does not, he may delicately adjust the weight I-08- until the valveremains closed under the conditions of flow equivalent to that which would flow. when the predetermined number ofsprinkler heads are open, and' will open under conditions of flow which would occur" when one more than the predetermined number'of sprink-lerheads are open.

The accuracyof' the meter 8-3'associated with the-check valve 80 may also be tested by means of the inspectors test connection B. Since the rate of flow from the inspector's test connection 3' is known, it ma be opened for a timed periodiandf the gallonage flow may be calculated. Readings. taken on. the meter before and after the timed-1 flowshould indicate a gallonage flow equal to that calculated if the meter is in proper adjustment.

The two inspectors test connections A and B associated witht-hei-dual purpose valve housing H5 shown in Figs. 7; 8 and 9 are used in a similar fashion. The inspectors test connection B being fi-ttedwith a nozzle 60- having a bore 62 which, will pass, under conditions existing at the site, afioW equivalent to that flowing when a predetermined. number of sprinkler heads are open, the other test connection A having a nozzle 60 with: a bore 62 which: will pass under conditionsexistingat the site a flow equivalent to that which. would occur when one sprinkler head is open. Thus by opening. one or the other, or both, of' the inspectors test connections: A and B, the inspector can. observe the action of the valves or the alarm devices under conditions equivalent to those which would exist when one, a predetermined number, or one more than the predetermined number of sprinkler heads l8 on the topmost row of distributor pipes IT are open. Adjustments of the alarm devices may then be made, and the weight H9 attached to the clapper arm I31 may be accurately adjusted to give effeet to the true intent of a water contract calling for the metering of all wastage, leakage, and other sprinkler head flows, below a predetermined maximum, yet permitting unmetered flows in excess of the predetermined maximum to be metered.

It will be appreciated that various modes and arrangements may be provided for the practice of the invention as herein disclosed. For example in certain systems where no flows or all flows are to be metered, the by-pass metering devices may be dispensed with, and the inspectors test connection A used only in connection with the alarm valve as illustrated in Fig. 1. Where wastage and leakage flows, and minimum sprinkler head flows only are to be metered, a by-pass metering device may be used in connection with an alarm valve as illustrated in Fig. 2, in which case the inspectors test connections A and B would be used in connection with both the alarm meter and the by-pass metering device.

It should also be pointed out that it is not necessary that there be two inspectors test connections A and B used in connection with the combination alarm meter illustrated in Fig. 7, since the inspector may carry with him a kit containing various sizes of nozzle 60 which he may interchangeably insert in the threaded section 59 of the body section 51 of the coupling member' 56, so as to duplicate any desired condition of flow through thesystem, using only one inspectors test connection A. For convenience and speed in inspection, however, the use of two test connections is preferred.

This improved inspection connection is simple and sturdy in construction, with a minimum of parts requiring attention, and is easy to keep in repair. It is low in cost, and well adapted for installation on any automatic fire protection sprinkler systems. It permits inspection of the functioning of all valves and alarm devices in a sprinkler system at the side of the various valve and alarm devices, under varying conditions of flow as may be selected by the inspector, so that the devices and valves may be tested under both minimum and extreme conditions of flow.

While certain novel features of the invention have been disclosed herein, and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a fire protection sprinkler system having a water distribution and sprinkler head system supplied by a primary outlet conduit which in turn is supplied by a main intake conduit, said system including in combination, a control valve housing connecting said outlet conduit and main intake conduit, a check valve having a closure member contained within said valve housing for controllin the flow from said intake conduit to said outlet conduit, a by-pass conduit connected to receive water from said main intake conduit below said check valve and connected to discharge water into the system at th outflow side of said check valve, a variable weight device operably connected to the closure member of said check valve whereby the opening movement of said closure member may b variably controlled, and an inspectors test connection installed in the immediate vicinity of said control valve whereby flow conditions at various selected localities in the sprinkler system may be duplicated at the locality of said control valve and whereby the inspector may observe at the site of said control valve the functioning of said control valve and make adj ustment and corrections thereof as conditions may require, said inspectors test connection including an inspectors nozzle connected into the system adjacent the discharge outlet of said control valve, said inspectors nozzle having a discharge bore designed to discharge a water volume per minute equivalent to the volume of water dis charge per minute from a predetrmined number of sprinkler heads located at a selected distant location in the system.

2. In a fire. protection sprinkler system having a water distribution and sprinkler head system supplied by a primary outlet conduit which in turn is supplied by a main intake conduit, said system including in combination, a, control valve housing connecting said outlet conduit and main intake conduit, a check valve having a closure member contained within said valve housing for controlling the flow'from said intake conduit to said outlet conduit, a by-pass conduit connected to receive water from said main intake conduit below said check valve and connected to discharge water into the system at the outflow side of said check valve, a water meter in said by-pass conduit designed to measure the flow therethrough, a variable weight device operably connected to the closure member of said check valve whereby the opening movement of said closure member may be variably controlled in accordance with a predetermined pressure difierential existing between the intake and outlet side of said closure member, and an inspectors test connection installed in the immediate vicinity of said control valve whereby flow conditions at various selected localities in the sprinkler system may be duplicated at the locality of said control valve and whereby the inspector may observe at the site of said control valve the functioning of said control valve and make adjustments and corrections thereof as conditions may require, said inspectors test connection including an inspectors nozzle connected into the system adjacent the discharge outlet of said control valve, said inspectors nozzle having a discharge bore designed to discharge a water volume per minute equivalent to the volume of water discharge per minute from a predetermined number of sprinkler heads located at a selected distant location in the system.

3. In a fire protection sprinkler system having a water distribution and sprinkler head system supplied by a primary outlet conduit which in turn is supplied by a main intake conduit, said system including in combination, a control valve housing connecting said outlet conduit and main intake conduit, a check valve having a closure member contained within said valve housing for controlling the flow from said intake conduit to said outlet conduit, a variable weight device operably connected to the closure member of said check valve whereby the opening movement of said closure member may be variably controlled, an inspectors test connection installed in the immediate vicinity of said control valve whereby flow conditions at various selected localities in the sprinkler system may be duplicated at the locality of said control valve and whereby the inspector may observe at the site of said control valve the functioning of said control valve and make adjustment and correction thereof as conditions may require, said inspectors test connection including an inspectors couplin connected into the system adjacent the discharge outlet of said control valve, said inspectors coupling having a replaceable inspectors nozzle whose discharge bore is designed to discharge a water volume per minute equivalent to the volume of water discharged per minute from a selected sprinkler head located at a predetermined distant location in the system.

4. In a fire protection sprinkler system having a water distribution and sprinkler head system supplied by a primary outlet conduit which in turn is supplied by a main intake conduit, said system including in combination, a control valve housing connection to said outlet conduit and main intake conduit, a check valve having a closure member contained within said valve housing for controlling the flow from said intake conduit to said outlet conduit, a variable weight device operably connected to the closure member of said check valve whereby the opening movement of said closure member may be variably controlled, an inspectors test connection installed in the immediate vicinity of said control valve whereby flow conditions from the sprinkler head installed at the point of minimum pressure in the sprinkler system may be duplicated at the locality of said control valve and whereby the inspector may observe at the site of said control valve the functioning of said control valve under conditions simulated when said minimum pressure sprinkler head is open for discharge and thereupon make adjustment and correction to the functioning of said control valve as conditions may require, said inspectors test connection including an inspectors nozzle conected into the system adjacent the discharge outlet of said control valve, said inspectors nozzle having a discharge bore designed to discharge a water volume per minute equivalent to the volume of water discharged per minute from the minimum pressure sprinkler head in the system.

5. In a fire protection sprinkler system having a water distribution and sprinkler head system supplied by a primary outlet conduit which in turn is supplied by a main intake conduit through a control valve having a normally closed closure member which is designed to move into open position when a predetermined number of sprinkler heads located at selected distant locations in the system are open for discharge, a metering bypass conduit connected to receive water from said main intake conduit below said control valve and designed to permit metered flow of a predetermined restricted volume therethrough without disturbing the closed position of said control valve closure member, said system including in combination, inspectors test connections installed in the immediate vicinity of said control valve whereby flow conditions at a selected locality in the sprinkler system may be duplicated at the locality of said control valve and whereby the inspector may observe at the site of said control valve the functioning of said control valve and make adjustment and correction thereof as conditions may require, said inspectors test connections including an inspection conduit connected into the system adjacent the discharge outlet of said control valve, a first test connection including an inspection nozzle connected to said inspection conduit having a discharge port designed to discharge a water volume equivalent to the maximum intended water flow per minute through said by-pass conduit without disturbing the closed position of said control valve closure member, a second test connection including an inspection nozzle connected to said inspection conduit having a discharge port therein designed to discharge a water volume per minute equivalent to the volume of water discharge per minute from a selected sprinkler head located at a predetermined distant location in the system, and means for selectively closing ofi the flow to each of said inspection nozzles.

6. In a fire protection sprinkler system having a water distribution and sprinkler head system supplied by a primary outlet conduit which in turn is supplied by a main intake conduit through a control valve having a normally closed closure member which is designed to move into open position when a predetermined number of sprinkler heads located at a selected distant locality in the system are open for discharge, a metering by-pass conduit having a water meter connected to receive water from said main intake conduit below said control valve and designed to permit metered flow of a predetermined restricted volume therethrough without disturbing the closed position of said control valve closure member, a variable weight device operably connected to the closure member of said check valve whereby the opening movement of said closure member may be variably controlled in accordance with a predetermined pressure differential between the intake and outlet sides of said closure member, said system including in combination, inspectors test connections installed in the immediate vicinity of said control valve whereby the inspector may observe at the site of said control valve the functioning of said control valve and make adjustment and correction thereof as conditions may require, said inspectors test connections including an inspection conduit connected into the system adjacent the discharge outlet of said control valve, a first test connection including an inspection nozzle connected to said inspection conduit having a discharge port designed to discharge a water volume equivalent to the maximum intended water flow per minute through said by-pass conduit without disturbing the closed position of said control valve closure memher, a test connection including a second inspection nozzle connected to said inspection conduit having a discharge port therein to discharge a water volume per minute equivalent to the volume of water discharged per minute from a selected sprinkler head located at a predetermined distant location in the system, and a series of valves for selectively closing off the fiow to each of said inspection nozzles.

RUSSELL W. GIESELER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,246,798 Thompson Nov. 13, 1917 1,287,972 Gross Dec. 17, 1918 1,946,734 De Lin Feb. 13, 1934 Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,558,175 June 26, 1951 RUSSELL W. GIESELER It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Column 9, lines 4 and 5, for Which, secured a closure disc 158 is read which is seemed a closure disc 158,; column 10, line 10, for drive 80 read 'valve 80;

and that the said Letters Patent should be read as corrected above, so that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Ofiice. Signed and sealed this 18th day of September, A. D. 1951.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Oommz'ssz'oner of Patents.

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