Can Check Valve Be Removed from Zone Control?

8/5/2026

When would we be permitted to remove a check valve from a zone control valve?

Like, what are the requirements for needing it one way or another?

Thanks in advance.

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8 Comments

Dan Wilder

8/5/2026 07:16:03 am

Depending on your FDC setup, you could remove the check and still be in compliance with NFPA 13.

Chapter 8 (13-25') has the requirements for wet risers and there is no specific rule (for a standard wet system) that requires a check valve. 8.1.1.2 (13-25') states "..where such devices (alarm/riser check) are present."

Dan Wilder

8/5/2026 08:54:04 am

Devil in the details, nicely quoted below gents for the Multistory...

I read zone control and was thinking single story and not floor control for a multistory...

Brett

8/5/2026 07:46:40 am

If it's a floor control assembly in a multi-story building then the check valve is required. See NFPA 13 (2019) section 16.9.11.1.

There are other reasons a check valve could be required, but I am assuming by "zone control valve" you mean floor control assembly. If it's a single-story building with multiple sprinkler systems then the check valve might not be required depending on the FDC setup. Section 16.9.11.1 doesn't apply to single-story buildings.

Aaron

8/5/2026 08:08:03 am

A check valve is required on a floor control assembly if it is connected to a standpipe system.

Glenn Berger

8/5/2026 08:24:20 am

Check valves should never be removed from zone control valves.

anthony

8/5/2026 09:45:50 am

"Like, what are the requirements for needing it one way or another?"

From a practical sense the system check is in place on manifolds with multiple risers to prevent draining of multiple systems. Multiple system drain is bad environmentally (water use), for corrosion (new air in the system) and time (to drain and refill the system). Also prevents the need to close valves on other systems to prevent drainage. I can see a world where multiple systems are closed to prevent drainage then never reserviced by accident.

On balance I think the system check is a value add despite the cost and maintenance requirements.

Pete H

8/5/2026 02:23:00 pm

Anytime you could remove the full control and check valve and unite two systems, then you can do it.

So say I had a floor control valve for a tenant. And then my main continues to the next tenant and there's another floor control valve. Neither tenant is even above 10k square ft.

And then someone else buys both tenants and wants to make one bigger tenant and unite the systems. I can remove the second tap of the main and that floor control valve assembly and just unite the main to the end of the main in the tenant that still has the floor control valve assembly assuming everything still calcs out.

That's a time when it'd be permitted. Outside of slam dunks like that, not too many.

Jack G

8/6/2026 07:10:52 am

If feed is from a standpipe the zone control valve needs a check valve.
Another reason is you would have to shut all the floor control valves in the building just to drain one floor and the standpipe would drain to that point also.
My son a service tech indicates when there is a problem he usually has to drain the entire system ( no checks) ( multi story up to 4 floors)

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Can Check Valve Be Removed from Zone Control?

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