Flow testing of fire sprinkler systems

Building insurance inspectors use approved Platon LPCB flowmeters for witnessed testing of fire sprinkler system performance.

Building insurance inspectors use approved Platon LPCB flowmeters for witnessed testing of fire sprinkler system performance.

Within any environment, fire can lead to disaster - both human and financial - so making sure you have an efficient fire suppression system in place is essential.

Even a small fire can render a building virtually unusable.

During an incident, flames need to be extinguished and smoke damage kept to a minimum, as building refurbishment can be a long and costly process, effecting sales and ultimately company performance.

Then, of course, there is the inspection by the fire safety team, to make sure the building is compliant with all the latest fire regulations and that all suitable fire alarm and suppression methods have been installed.

The Roxspur Measurement and Control (RM+C) Platon Model LPCB fire sprinkler flowmeter has a proven record in the industry since its original design in 1975.

In a special interview with for The Builder Magazine, Garry Swindell of RM+C explains the history and development of the Platon LPCB unit, and its role at the forefront of fire management technology.

Working in conjunction with the Fire Officers Committee, RM+C were the first manufacturer to offer this type of safety flowmeter and after further updates in 1985 and 2003 (when a grooved Victaulic connection was added as an alternative to the standard flanged option) the device was awarded approval from the Loss Prevention Certification Board.

The new LPCB flowmeters were tested to LPS 1045:Issue 1.1 standard by the UKAS accredited laboratory, the National Engineering Laboratory.

The device is now the preferred option for fire systems and intelligent building management controls worldwide, and has been designed specifically to meet requirements for direct reading flowmeters for use in automatic sprinkler systems, water spray and deluge systems.

"We have just done a complete upgrade of the range," says Garry Swindell, managing director of RM+C: "The new range has evolved from feedback from both the industry and our customers who constantly strive for improvement.

We have increased the pipeline diameters and increased the flow rates to cover new market requirements and we have a flexible new mounting position that means the flowmeter can be mounted vertically or horizontally".

A key feature of the design is the rugged housing of the delicate glass gauge.

It is protected by a tough case that can survive in the most extreme conditions.

It is also a product truly recognised globally, "They can be used in small office blocks up to huge high rises, that's why we have had massive growth in the Far East," adds Garry: "Plus the robust housing of the device means that even in very humid, or very damp atmospheres, there is no change in performance and possible irritants like insects are kept out of the device.

The protective enclosure is a big selling feature and the enhanced flowmeter has higher flow rates than any of our competition.

It is a very versatile piece of kit.

Even if you change the flow rate in your building this can accommodate those changes easily".

The new improved LPCB flowmeter has increased the flow ranges of the most popular nominal pipe sizes: 80mm, 100mm and 150mm, with flow rates measuring from 150 dm3/min to 12,500 dm3/min.

The new higher flow ranges also allow for smaller pipe requirements that represent a significant cost savings of pipework installation.

There is also a bleed valve to purge air from the flowmeter, a rotatable flow indicator assembly for ease of reading and a 12 bar surge test.

The flowmeter is a combination of two simple measuring elements.

In the main flow line an orifice plate is inserted, producing a pressure drop related to flowrate.

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 variable area flowmeter.

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

The build quality is excellent and according to Garry, once these are installed they'll last virtually forever".

The integrity of the product is not compromised by inferior design.

It's the standard for the industry, he says.

"It has been the market leader and is still the number one today.

It is easy to install and is virtually maintenance free and we build to precise customer requirements and ship them anywhere in the world.

That instills great confidence in our customers".

Because of the nature of the product and the job it has been designed to do, you would hope a fire sprinkler and its related devices are never really needed to perform, but knowing that the RM+C Platon flowmeter with its superior performance rate, reliability and sturdiness is waiting in the wings ready for action, means you can have total confidence in your fire protection system at all times.

This interview was first published by The Builder magazine in the UK in October 2005.

Roxspur Measurement and Control are a UKAS accredited and ISO9001:2000 certified company, with expertise in flow, pressure and temperature instrumentation.

RM+C products are manufactured in modern facilities in the UK ensuring total control of quality and delivery.

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