Test and Drain Valves for Fire Sprinkler Systems: UL and FM Listed Supply
ValveAtlas supplies UL Listed and FM Approved test and drain valve stations for inspector’s test connections, main drain, auxiliary drain and floor-control assembly trim on sprinkler and standpipe systems. Test and drain stations are the single-lever or dual-valve assemblies at the remote end of a sprinkler zone that simulate flow of one sprinkler head for annual NFPA 25 testing, and at the base of each riser for system main drain.
This page is the technical reference for specifying engineers, construction firms, EPC project firms and mechanical subcontractors selecting test and drain valves on sprinkler systems in Toronto, Montreal, New York, Boston and London under NFPA 13, NFPA 25, BS EN 12845, Approved Document B and Code du Québec Chapitre Bâtiment.
Test and drain valve configurations
| Configuration | Function | Pressure class | Listings | Typical size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inspector’s test (ITC) single-lever 2-way | Annual waterflow test plus drain. Discharges 1 smallest sprinkler orifice equivalent to atmosphere. | 300 psi CWP | UL, FM | 1″ to 1½” |
| Main drain station | 2″ main drain valve at the base of each riser per NFPA 13. | 300 psi CWP | UL, FM | 2″ |
| Auxiliary drain (low-point drum drip) | Low-point drain on dry and pre-action systems for auxiliary low-point water removal. | 300 psi CWP | UL, FM | ¾” to 1″ |
| Floor-control assembly (FCA) with test and drain | Per-floor shutoff, flow switch, pressure gauge, test and drain combined. | 300 psi CWP | UL, FM | 2″ to 4″ |
Code-required test and drain locations
Inspector’s test connection (ITC). NFPA 13 requires an inspector’s test connection at the hydraulically most remote location of each sprinkler system, equipped with a smooth-bore test outlet corresponding to the K-factor of one sprinkler on the system. Discharge is to atmosphere at a visible location (outside the building or to a floor drain). The test and drain station integrates a ball valve, a flow orifice sized to the smallest sprinkler K-factor (K=5.6 = 1/2″ orifice, K=8.0 = 17/32″ orifice, K=11.2 = 5/8″ orifice), a sight glass and an isolation ball valve on the upstream side.
Main drain. NFPA 13 requires a 2″ main drain above the system OS&Y gate and below the sprinkler alarm valve for system drain during maintenance. UL/FM listed 2″ ball valve with threaded or grooved end.
Auxiliary drain. NFPA 13 requires auxiliary drains at trapped low points on dry pipe and pre-action systems for drum drip or auxiliary air-pressure-operated drain. Listed ¾” to 1″ configuration with drum drip trap.
Floor control assembly. NFPA 13 and high-rise standpipe integration under NFPA 14 require per-floor shutoff with flow switch, pressure gauge, test, drain and tamper-supervised valve. The FCA is a packaged assembly combining UV0199 or UVB-G310 valve, vane-type flow switch, pressure gauge, test and drain station.
Listings and code acceptance
Test and drain valve stations supplied by ValveAtlas carry UL listing (UL 258) and FM Approval (FM Approvals Class 1625). The package is accepted by:
Canada. ANSI/CAN/UL 258 recognition for Quebec RBQ, Ontario OBC and Canadian NFPA 13 projects.
United States. NYC DOB, FDNY, Boston Fire Department, Massachusetts 780 CMR, IBC and NFPA 13 listed equipment provisions.
UK. BS EN 12845 and the LPC Rules; confirm insurer acceptance where LPCB approval is specified.
Insurance. FM Global Data Sheet 2-0 and property insurer acceptance under the FM component listing standard.
Where each station sits on a sprinkler system
Riser base. 2″ main drain above the OS&Y gate valve. Ball valve with cast iron body (UV0199 flanged downstream connection) and brass ball, 300 psi CWP rated.
Zone remote end. 1″ or 1¼” inspector’s test and drain with flow orifice sized to K=5.6 (1/2″ bore) for UV320/UV321 pendent sprinklers and UV340/UV341 sidewall sprinklers, or to K=8.0 (17/32″ bore) for oversized coverage sprinklers.
Dry pipe low points. ¾” or 1″ auxiliary drain with drum drip trap at each trapped low point on the dry piping. UVD-2511-300 dry pipe valve system has a dedicated low-point drain line manifold that feeds back to the riser drain.
Each floor above grade in high-rise. 2″ or 4″ floor-control assembly with flow switch, tamper-supervised butterfly valve (UVB-G310), test and drain, and pressure gauge. The flow switch wires to the fire alarm control panel for floor-level waterflow identification per NFPA 72.
Approved-equal submittals
Where a specification names a specific manufacturer, we prepare an approved-equal submittal package (listing certificates, dimensional drawings and material data) for review by the engineer of record and the authority having jurisdiction.
Regional stock and delivery
Toronto. 1″ and 1¼” inspector’s test stations, 2″ main drain valves, ¾” drum drip kits, and FCA manifold components in stock at Toronto HQ for same-day shipment.
Montreal. Next-day truck freight. French submittals for RBQ filings.
New York. 2-day truck freight. NYC DOB accepts UL listing; high-rise FCAs ship pre-assembled for on-floor installation.
Boston. 2-day truck freight. BFD and 780 CMR accept UL listing.
London UK. UK partner warehouse stock on common sizes; air freight on specialty configurations.
Related products
Wet alarm valve. UVW-1511-300 at the riser base. See Wet Alarm Valves.
Butterfly valves. UVB-G310 at the zone shutoff, upstream of the test and drain at the FCA. See Butterfly Valves.
Gate valves. UV0199 OS&Y gate at the riser base, upstream of the main drain station.
Sprinklers. Orifice-matched UV320, UV321, UV340, UV341, UV820, UV821. See Fire Sprinklers.
Couplings and fittings. UV11 rigid and UV14 flexible on the test and drain branch line. See Coupling Fittings.
Frequently asked questions
What orifice size matches K=5.6 sprinklers? 1/2″ smooth bore matches K=5.6. This is the standard orifice on the inspector’s test connection for systems with UV320, UV321, UV340, UV341, UV820 and UV821 sprinklers. For K=8.0 quick-response sprinklers, use 17/32″ orifice. For K=11.2, use 5/8″. Always size the orifice to the smallest K-factor sprinkler on the zone per NFPA 13.
Where does the inspector’s test discharge? Discharge to the outside of the building at grade where visible, or to a floor drain capable of handling the flow. NFPA 13 requires the discharge location be visible during the test for operational verification.
What is the main drain test? NFPA 25 requires an annual main drain test: open the 2″ main drain valve fully, record static pressure, flowing pressure and time to drain; a decrease in flowing pressure relative to prior years indicates water supply degradation. The main drain station at the riser base supports this test.
Can the FCA include an electronic flow switch? Yes. Vane-type flow switches wire to the fire alarm panel and identify which floor’s flow switch activated. The FCA ships with the flow switch pre-installed and wired to a junction box.
What is the typical lead time? Stock configurations ship within 1 to 2 business days from Toronto HQ across North America. Custom FCA assemblies with specific valve and flow switch combinations ship on 5 to 10 business day lead.
Contact ValveAtlas for a test and drain quotation
For test and drain quotations, FCA manifold configuration, inspector’s test assembly sizing and approved-equal submittal packages on Toronto, Montreal, New York, Boston or London projects, email the project specification to info@valve-atlas.com or use the contact form. Standard turnaround is 48 hours.
For more fire protection products, see Fire Protection Products.