Drainage for Underground Pipe to Remote FDC?

9/12/2024

Is there any particular drainage pipe requirements needed for an FDC that makes a U-loop underground?

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8 Comments

J.H.

9/12/2024 08:25:24 am

There should be a ball drip valve installed on the drain port of a check valve installed at the lowest point of the FDC.

If the check valve is in the horizontal position, the ball drip valve will be in the vertical position, and vice versa.

Patrick Drumm

9/12/2024 08:36:13 am

J.H. that check valve and auto ball drip would be within the building, correct?

I'm wondering if the question is in regard to draining the underground pipe similar to the drainage of a hydrant.

I personally would have to look that up, myself.

J.H.

9/12/2024 09:05:30 am

The arrangement of a wall-mounted (or backflow-mounted) FDC would be a horizontal check valve and vertical ball drip valve on the drain port.

A remote FDC should have the check valve installed in-line vertically, with a horizontal ball drip valve on the drain port, surrounded by gravel.

NFPA 24:5.9 has some direction, but unless one has seen it installed properly in the field it can be difficult to visualize.
Be sure to consult the manufacturer installation instructions for the valves.

Glenn Berger

9/12/2024 09:31:22 am

The key here is to ensure that the non-drainable portions of the piping to the FDC will not be subject to freezing and thereby pipe breakage. I have not seen any perfect non-manual intervention methods installed in my career.

J.H.

9/12/2024 10:18:34 am

A common practice is to install the underground FDC check and drip valve assembly at min. 1 foot below the frost line. This ensures the water above the valve seat drains completely.

Jack G

9/12/2024 09:49:35 am

Agree but i think the question is for a remote fdc on a loop.
Back in the 60 s we d drill a quarter inch hole in the pipe rising to the fdc after the check. Ball drips do not work too long after being buried. And now a days you test thru the fdc.
What i ve done since the 90 s is sell them a mini pit for the check valve with the ball drip not buried. Pit has no floor about 3 feet of gravel like a ford meter pit with a lid on top. Pits are pvc i think.
Of course the check valve pit has proper ground cover for freezing.

Dave

9/12/2024 11:50:06 am

NFPA 24 has some verbiage in the "Remote Fire Department Connections" section requiring an automatic drain valve.
Places I have worked installed a ball drip with a saddle fitting on the horizontal or vertical section of pipe at a level that is below the frostline. Or on a buried drain 90. And pea gravel per NFPA 24 (2019) 5.9.4.2.2. (We always installed the check valve in the riser room).
Note that whenever designing or installing a ball drip, the brass device installs horizontally, so the ball rests loose on the side of the device until it receives flow against it then slams shut.

J.H.

9/12/2024 02:43:52 pm

Please note there are horizontal and vertical ball drips. They are not interchangeable.

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Drainage for Underground Pipe to Remote FDC?

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