Zone Guardian from Zeffire and Sale Engineering

Posted on November 8, 2016

 

 

 

 

We are delighted to announce the launch of the ZONE GUARDIAN in partnership with the high quality product manufacturer, Sale Engineering Products. The ZONE GUARDIAN is a device which streamlines the mandatory quarterly testing of sprinkler system water flow detectors enabling it to be carried out quickly and easily. The unit ensures that no water is wasted when the test is carried out by creating an artificial water flow using a high-efficiency self-venting circulator pump.

With the patent on the existing Zonecheck® device now expired Zeffire MD Jerry Owen and SEP MD Rob Bell have come together to pool their expertise and offer an alternative to the industry:

“We are working with Zeffire, an experienced distributor of equipment to the UK fire sprinkler contracting industry. It seems a lifetime ago when Jerry asked if he could call in to discuss a potential joint venture; as a former distributor of the Zonecheck® devices, Zeffire were looking for an established high quality manufacturer to work with on a device which can be used to test the integrity of Zone Flow Switches in accordance with the mandatory regulations. The patented Zonecheck® has been extremely successful in this regard but, as the patent is now expired and many of our customers have been asking about this for some time, we both felt it was time our industry is given the opportunity to shop around for an alternative! We’ve had challenges, and more are sure to follow, but we are determined to succeed.”

When a building is protected by a sprinkler system the law stipulates that it must be maintained and tested to ensure it complies with the requirements of the British Standard. BS EN12845 makes quarterly flow testing mandatory for any sprinkler system. The ZONE GUARDIAN’s combination of ease of use and efficiency completely removes the hassle of carrying out what otherwise can be an arduous task four times a year.

The water flow detector, or flow switch, is a key component that needs regular testing. Without ZONE GUARDIAN to test the switch, a hosepipe must be connected downstream of the flow switch and sufficient water must be drained from the sprinkler system to actuate the flow switch and ensure everything is in order. This therefore often requires the work to be carried out “out of hours” and wastes a huge amount of water – potentially hundreds of litres per quarterly test for each flow switch installed. The ZONE GUARDIAN makes this unnecessary by creating a loop within the system which simulates the operation of one sprinkler head without the need for any discharge.

The ZONE GUARDIAN is now available from either Sale Engineering Products or Zeffire for 50, 65, 80, 100, 150 and 200mm pipe sizes.

The ZONE GUARDIAN is a device which allows the mandatory quarterly testing of a wet-pipe fire sprinkler system’s waterflow detector (flow switch) to be carried out remotely, saving both time and cost for end-users and fire sprinkler maintenance contractors.

The unit ensures zero wastage of water by the use of an artificial water flow created using a high-efficiency self-venting circulator pump manufactured by a global supplier.

ZONE GUARDIAN is available in pipe sizes from 2″/50mm up to 8″/200mm and includes – as well as the circulator pump – a Potter VSR vane-type flow switch with adjustable retard and ball valves for vent, test and pump isolation. All mounted on 450mm long BS EN 10255 coated pipe with grooved connections each end.

The assembly may be installed horizontally or vertically (with upward flow) as long as the circulator axis is horizontal and the flow switch is not upside down.

An electronic key-operated test module is included to allow testing of both the local and any interconnected waterflow detectors.

Options include left or right-hand orientation, pre-wiring, retro-fit kits, custom colours and more.

ZONE GUARDIAN is stocked by and available through us, as well as directly from the device manufacturer (Sale Engineering Products).

Specification

• Pipe sizes: 2″/50mm, 21/2″/65mm, 3″/80mm, 4″/100mm, 6″/150mm, 8″/200mm
• Approvals: applied for
• Download the data sheet below for weights and dimensions

Flow switch

• Trigger flow rate: 38lpm
• Enclosure rating: IP54
• Contact rating: 10A @ 125/250VAC; 10mA @ 24VDC

Circulator Pump

• Voltage: 230VAC 50Hz
• Power: 60W max
• Current: 0.58A

Test module

• Surface-mounted, key-operated multi-function
• Voltage in: 230VAC 50Hz
• Voltage out: 230VAC 50Hz (local) or 24VDC (interconnect)
• LEDs: Green: power/standby; Amber: test in progress; Red: flow switch active