Test flowmeter for fire sprinkler installations

Platon Fire Sprinkler flowmeter Model LPCB is a direct reading flowmeter for use in automatic sprinkler installations, water spray or deluge systems.

The Platon Fire Sprinkler flowmeter Model LPCB has been developed specifically to meet the requirement for a direct reading flowmeter for use in automatic sprinkler installations, water spray or deluge systems.

It is approved for regular monitoring and testing of such systems by the LPCB, Loss Prevention Certification Board, under their 'Rules for Automatic Sprinkler Installations', in the UK, and followed by many equivalent organisations and insurance companies in other countries.

Model LPCB provides a compact, robust, direct reading flowmeter for 50mm-200mm pipelines, and is suitable for installation in horizontal or vertical pipes.

With easy installation, requiring no electrical power, the Model LPCB is installed between flanges or Victaulic connections on the main water delivery line.

The measurement principle is based on an orifice plate in the main flow line, which produces a pressure drop dependent on flow rate.

Across the orifice plate, a shunt or bypass loop uses this pressure drop to create a small flow through a similar orifice restrictor and a glass tube Variable Area (VA) flowmeter.

The flow in the bypass VA meter is proportional to the main line flow and special scaling on the glass tube allows the main line flow to be measured directly, visually.

It is normal for such fire system water flow checks to be made by opening the main line discharge valve, triggering the fire pumps to deliver at their maximum capability, so as to observe and record the flow rate achieved.

Model LPCB features full bore isolating valves to close the bypass flow line, allowing meter isolation for filter cleaning or flow tube replacement.

A key feature of the design is the rugged housing with its polycarbonate window, which protects the flowmeter glass tube on site.

A spare glass flow tube is supplied with each meter, since the flow tube can be very simply replaced on site: according to the regulations this should be kept in the cabinet containing the replacement sprinkler heads.

All the flow tubes have a 100mm long fused-in ceramic scale, calibrated at the various test flows specified by LPCB: these provide a measurement accuracy of 5% at these flow rates.

The test flows used range from 500 to 9000 dm3/minute.

The borosilicate glass of the flow tubes is pressure tested to 30 bar, and is rated for operation at up to 12barg and 80C.

The Platon Model LPCB Fire Sprinkler Flowmeter is approved by LPCB (UK), and has also achieved similar approvals from various overseas insurance industry organisations.

Comprehensive installation instructions, particularly relating to the site straight pipe lengths required upstream and downstream of the meter, are given in the installation, operation and maintenance manual provided.

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