CA-FIRE Protection · Fujian, China
Grooved Alarm Valve — ZSFZ-G Victaulic-Compatible
DN100–DN250 · IPS Groove × Groove · 2-Bolt Coupling · GB 5135.6 · NFPA 13 · AWWA C606
ZSFZ-G Series · IPS Groove × Groove · Victaulic-Compatible · GB 5135.6 · NFPA 13
Grooved Alarm Valve — ZSFZ-G Series
DN100–DN250 · Victaulic-Compatible
The grooved alarm valve ZSFZ-G is CA-FIRE's groove-connection variant of the standard wet-pipe alarm check valve — designed for sprinkler system risers where grooved (roll-groove) pipework is specified throughout. Instead of bolted flanges requiring precise alignment, the ZSFZ-G uses a pre-rolled IPS groove profile on both inlet and outlet ends, accepting standard mechanical groove couplings for rapid, tool-light installation.
The groove profile is dimensionally compatible with Victaulic, Grinnell, Tyco, and all other major groove coupling manufacturers following the IPS standard — making the ZSFZ-G a direct fit into any grooved-piping fire protection system without adaptor fittings or proprietary connections.
Available in four sizes — DN100, DN150, DN200, and DN250 — the ZSFZ-G delivers identical hydraulic performance to the flanged ZSFZ series: 1.6 MPa working pressure, <0.02 MPa hydraulic friction loss, and full GB 5135.6 and NFPA 13 compliance. All trim accessory threads are identical to the flanged variant.
For flanged pipework or sizes outside DN100–DN250, see the flanged ZSFZ wet alarm valve (DN65–DN300, 8 sizes). ← See all alarm check valve types
Quick Specifications
ModelZSFZ 100/150/200/250(G)
ConnectionGroove × Groove (IPS / ISO)
SizesDN100 · DN150 · DN200 · DN250
Working Pressure1.6 MPa (16 bar)
Seal Test3.2 MPa
Strength Test6.4 MPa
Hydraulic Loss<0.02 MPa
Groove StandardIPS (Victaulic-compatible) / ISO
Coupling TypeRigid (recommended) or flexible
Body MaterialDuctile cast iron, epoxy coated
ClapperDuctile iron + EPDM rubber
Temperature4°C – 70°C
InstallationUpright (vertical, flow upward)
StandardGB 5135.6 · NFPA 13 · AWWA C606 · ISO 9001
Key Features
IPS Groove Profile — Direct Victaulic Coupling Compatibility
The ZSFZ-G uses the IPS (Iron Pipe Size) roll-groove profile — the same groove geometry used by Victaulic, Grinnell, Tyco FireLock, and most major groove coupling manufacturers worldwide. The ZSFZ-G accepts standard off-the-shelf rigid or flexible mechanical couplings without adaptors or proprietary connections. Any contractor already working with grooved piping can install the ZSFZ-G using their standard coupling inventory.
2-Bolt Coupling vs 8–12 Flange Bolts — Faster Installation
A grooved mechanical coupling requires only 2 bolts and no flange gasket alignment — installation time at the valve joint is typically 5–10 minutes per connection vs 30–45 minutes for a flanged joint requiring bolt hole alignment, gasket seating, and cross-torque tightening. On large projects with dozens of alarm valve stations, the cumulative labour saving of grooved connections is significant, directly reducing cost and programme duration.
Easier Maintenance Access — No Pipe Cutting for Valve Removal
When a grooved alarm valve requires inspection or replacement, the mechanical couplings can be removed and the valve extracted without cutting the pipe — the coupling simply unbolts and the valve slides out axially. Flanged valves typically require the pipe to be cut or significant sections of the riser to be disassembled. For valve stations in confined riser rooms or tight mechanical spaces, grooved connections dramatically simplify future maintenance access.
Identical Hydraulic Performance to Flanged ZSFZ
The ZSFZ-G shares the same internal clapper geometry, EPDM rubber seat facing, and alarm port design as the flanged ZSFZ. Hydraulic friction loss is <0.02 MPa at rated flow — below the GB 5135.6 permitted maximum and identical to the flanged version in NFPA 13 hydraulic calculations. Engineers switching from flanged to grooved specification do not need to revise their hydraulic design.
Dimensional Data — 4 Sizes
All four sizes share the same pressure ratings. Groove profile: IPS standard (Victaulic-compatible) as standard; ISO groove available on request.
| DN Size | Height (mm) | Working Pressure | Seal Test | Strength Test | Hydraulic Loss | Groove Profile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DN100 | 250 | 1.6 MPa | 3.2 MPa | 6.4 MPa | <0.02 MPa | IPS / ISO |
| DN150 | 305 | 1.6 MPa | 3.2 MPa | 6.4 MPa | <0.02 MPa | IPS / ISO |
| DN200 | 330 | 1.6 MPa | 3.2 MPa | 6.4 MPa | <0.02 MPa | IPS / ISO |
| DN250 | 410 | 1.6 MPa | 3.2 MPa | 6.4 MPa | <0.02 MPa | IPS / ISO |
IPS Groove Dimensions Reference — AWWA C606
Reference dimensions for standard IPS roll groove per AWWA C606 / Victaulic published data. Verify against CA-FIRE dimensional drawing for each DN size before installation.
DN100 (4")
Pipe OD: 114.3 mm
Groove Depth: 2.4 mm
DN150 (6")
Pipe OD: 168.3 mm
Groove Depth: 2.4 mm
DN200 (8")
Pipe OD: 219.1 mm
Groove Depth: 3.2 mm
DN250 (10")
Pipe OD: 273.1 mm
Groove Depth: 3.2 mm
Coupling Selection
✓ Recommended at Valve
Rigid Coupling
e.g. Victaulic Style 07, Tyco Fig. 772, zero-flex type. Provides a fully rigid joint that does not permit angular deflection or axial movement — equivalent in rigidity to a bolted flange connection. Keeps the alarm valve firmly in its upright installation position. Use rigid couplings at both the alarm valve inlet and outlet.
Distribution Pipework
Flexible Coupling
e.g. Victaulic Style 75, standard flexible type. Permits ±3° angular deflection and limited axial movement — used in distribution system pipework for seismic isolation and thermal expansion. Not recommended directly at the alarm valve body — the angular tolerance may allow the valve to shift out of its vertical orientation over time. Use in upstream and downstream distribution piping as required by seismic design.
Installation Procedure
How to Install a Grooved Alarm Valve — Step by Step
1
Verify groove dimensions on pipe ends match the ZSFZ-G valve end groove profile (IPS standard). Request CA-FIRE dimensional drawing in DWG/PDF and compare against coupling manufacturer's groove acceptance table.
2
Lubricate the coupling gasket with the coupling manufacturer's specified lubricant (silicone or water-based).
3
Position the ZSFZ-G valve — upright orientation, flow arrow pointing upward. Slide gasket onto pipe end; align valve end groove with pipe groove.
4
Place coupling housing halves over the gasket, engaging keys into both pipe groove and valve groove simultaneously.
5
Insert and hand-tighten the two coupling bolts; alternate tightening to draw housing halves evenly; torque to coupling manufacturer's specification with a standard wrench. No torque sequence, no gasket alignment pins required.
6
Verify installation — coupling housing keys are fully engaged in both grooves and housing halves are flush. Connect alarm trim (retard chamber, gong, gauges, drain). Installation complete.
Grooved vs Flanged Alarm Valve — Full Selection Guide
The connection method of the alarm valve must match the pipe connection method used throughout the sprinkler riser. Mixing grooved and flanged connections is possible with adaptor fittings but the cleanest specification uses a consistent connection method throughout.
| Parameter | Grooved ZSFZ-G (this product) | Flanged ZSFZ |
|---|---|---|
| Connection method | Mechanical groove coupling — 2 bolts | Bolted flanges — 8 to 12 bolts per joint |
| Available DN sizes | DN100 · DN150 · DN200 · DN250 | ✓ DN65–DN300 (8 sizes) — wider range |
| Install time per joint | ✓ ~5–10 min — no alignment, no gasket | ~30–45 min — bolt alignment + cross-torque |
| Valve removal for maintenance | ✓ Unclamp coupling — slides out axially | Remove all flange bolts — may require pipe cutting |
| Coupling brand compatibility | ✓ Victaulic · Grinnell · Tyco · any IPS | GB / ANSI B16.5 / DIN PN16 flange pattern |
| Joint rigidity | Rigid coupling: fully rigid · Flexible: ±3° | ✓ Fully rigid — preferred for large DN / vibration |
| Hydraulic performance | Identical — <0.02 MPa · 1.6 MPa WP | Identical — <0.02 MPa · 1.6 MPa WP |
| Pipe system compatibility | Grooved-pipe systems — IPS or ISO groove | ✓ Flanged or threaded pipe systems |
| Specify when | Grooved pipework · tight schedule · retrofit · Victaulic-spec project | DN65/DN80/DN300 required · flanged pipework · ANSI/DIN flange spec |
Application Scenarios
🔧 Retrofit & Upgrade Projects
When upgrading or extending an existing grooved-pipe sprinkler system — replacing an old alarm valve station in a building with existing Victaulic or Grinnell pipework — the ZSFZ-G installs directly without cutting and re-flanging the riser pipe. The existing groove couplings are removed, the new ZSFZ-G slides in, new couplings are installed, and the system is back in service with minimal downtime.
🏗️ Fast-Track Commercial Construction
Hotels, office towers, retail developments, and residential high-rises on tight construction programmes specify grooved piping throughout the sprinkler system for installation speed. The ZSFZ-G fits this specification natively — the alarm valve station is installed in the same grooved system as the distribution pipework, maintaining schedule without a flanged-valve interface that would require adaptors.
📦 Logistics & Industrial Warehouses
Large warehouses and distribution centres routinely specify grooved pipework throughout due to the large pipe diameters involved (DN150–DN250) and the need for fast installation across large floor areas. The ZSFZ-G DN150–DN250 range covers the primary alarm valve sizes for ESFR and large-area wet-pipe systems in warehouse applications.
🌏 Seismically Active Regions
Grooved piping systems with flexible couplings in the distribution network provide inherent seismic accommodation — the slight angular tolerance of flexible couplings absorbs building movement during seismic events. In seismically active regions (Japan, Southeast Asia, Middle East, California), grooved piping is often mandated by project seismic specifications, making the ZSFZ-G the natural alarm valve choice.
🌍 BRI & Export Projects (Victaulic-Spec)
Export projects in Southeast Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia frequently specify Victaulic or equivalent grooved coupling systems per NFPA 13. The ZSFZ-G provides a cost-competitive factory-direct alternative to branded Western grooved alarm valves — same IPS groove standard, same hydraulic performance, same NFPA 13 functional compliance, with full English-language submittal documentation.
🏢 Confined Valve Rooms & Tight Risers
In buildings with minimal fire valve room clearance, the compact profile of a grooved coupling vs a full bolted flange pair reduces the footprint of the alarm valve station. This can be decisive in tight high-rise riser shafts or below-ground plantrooms where flange pairs and bolt clearance would require the riser shaft to be enlarged — an expensive structural change that a grooved alarm valve station can avoid.
Standards & Certifications
| Standard | Scope & Relevance to ZSFZ-G Grooved Alarm Valve |
|---|---|
| GB 5135.6 ↗ | 自动喷水灭火系统 第6部分 湿式报警阀 — governs wet alarm valve performance regardless of connection type. ZSFZ-G meets all hydraulic performance requirements: seal test (3.2 MPa), strength test (6.4 MPa), hydraulic friction loss ≤0.05 MPa (ZSFZ-G achieves <0.02 MPa), and alarm activation requirements. Grooved connection is a permitted connection type under this standard. |
| NFPA 13 ↗ | Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems — grooved connections are a listed connection method for sprinkler system components under NFPA 13. Alarm valve hydraulic performance requirements apply equally to grooved and flanged valves. CA-FIRE provides Cv data and dimensional drawings in English for NFPA 13 project submittals. |
| NFPA 25 ↗ | Standard for ITM — quarterly alarm trip test, annual main drain test, 5-year internal clapper inspection. For grooved alarm valve stations, NFPA 25 also requires inspection of groove coupling gaskets at each 5-year internal inspection. ZSFZ-G clapper assembly can be removed without removing the valve body from the grooved couplings — simplifying 5-year internal inspection. |
| AWWA C606 | Standard for Grooved and Shouldered Joints — defines IPS roll-groove dimensions for ductile iron and steel pipe. ZSFZ-G groove profile conforms to AWWA C606 IPS groove specification for each DN size — the same standard referenced by Victaulic, Grinnell, and other major coupling manufacturers for groove dimensional compatibility. |
| ISO 9001:2015 ↗ | CA-FIRE QMS certification — covers groove dimension verification (profile gauge inspection), casting inspection, EPDM material testing, hydraulic pressure testing, and shipment documentation for all ZSFZ-G sizes. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ZSFZ-G truly compatible with Victaulic couplings, or do I need CA-FIRE proprietary couplings?
The ZSFZ-G is dimensionally compatible with standard IPS roll-groove couplings from Victaulic, Grinnell, Tyco, and other manufacturers who produce couplings to the IPS groove standard (per AWWA C606). CA-FIRE does not require or supply proprietary couplings — the ZSFZ-G groove profile is the same industry-standard IPS geometry used throughout grooved fire protection systems worldwide.
To verify compatibility before installation, request the ZSFZ-G groove dimension drawing from CA-FIRE (available in DWG and PDF format), and compare the groove diameter, depth, and width against the coupling manufacturer's published groove acceptance table for the relevant DN size. Contact [email protected] for groove dimension drawings.
To verify compatibility before installation, request the ZSFZ-G groove dimension drawing from CA-FIRE (available in DWG and PDF format), and compare the groove diameter, depth, and width against the coupling manufacturer's published groove acceptance table for the relevant DN size. Contact [email protected] for groove dimension drawings.
Can the ZSFZ-G be installed horizontally, or must it be upright?
The ZSFZ-G must be installed in the upright (vertical) position with water flow directed upward through the valve — identical to the flanged ZSFZ. The clapper is gravity-seated and relies on its own weight and balanced water pressure to remain on the seat in standby. Horizontal or inverted installation will prevent reliable clapper seating and may result in false alarms or failure to reseat after activation.
Note that the groove coupling joints themselves have no orientation preference — the coupling works equally in any rotation around the pipe axis. The orientation constraint is entirely a function of the valve's internal clapper mechanism, not the groove connection.
Note that the groove coupling joints themselves have no orientation preference — the coupling works equally in any rotation around the pipe axis. The orientation constraint is entirely a function of the valve's internal clapper mechanism, not the groove connection.
Can I use a flexible coupling at the alarm valve, or do I need rigid couplings?
Use rigid couplings at both the inlet and outlet connections of the ZSFZ-G alarm valve. Rigid couplings (e.g. Victaulic Style 07, zero-flex type) provide a fully rigid joint — equivalent in rigidity to a bolted flange connection — which keeps the alarm valve firmly in its upright installation position.
Flexible couplings (e.g. Victaulic Style 75) permit ±3° angular deflection. While valuable in distribution system pipework for seismic accommodation, using them directly at the alarm valve body risks allowing the valve to shift slightly out of its vertical orientation over time. Use rigid couplings at the valve; use flexible couplings in the upstream and downstream distribution piping as required by the seismic design.
Flexible couplings (e.g. Victaulic Style 75) permit ±3° angular deflection. While valuable in distribution system pipework for seismic accommodation, using them directly at the alarm valve body risks allowing the valve to shift slightly out of its vertical orientation over time. Use rigid couplings at the valve; use flexible couplings in the upstream and downstream distribution piping as required by the seismic design.
What trim accessories does the ZSFZ-G use — same as the flanged valve?
Yes. The ZSFZ-G uses identical trim accessories to the flanged ZSFZ: the alarm port is G3/4 threaded (same as flanged variant), accepting the same retard chamber, water motor alarm gong tubing connections, and alarm pressure switch. Pressure gauge connections, test and drain valve connections, and all body tapping threads are identical.
The only installation difference is at the pipe connections — groove couplings instead of flange bolts and gaskets. All other alarm valve station components are specified and installed identically for both flanged and grooved alarm valve stations. CA-FIRE can supply the complete grooved alarm valve station assembly — contact [email protected] with your DN size and configuration requirement.
The only installation difference is at the pipe connections — groove couplings instead of flange bolts and gaskets. All other alarm valve station components are specified and installed identically for both flanged and grooved alarm valve stations. CA-FIRE can supply the complete grooved alarm valve station assembly — contact [email protected] with your DN size and configuration requirement.
Is the ZSFZ-G available in DN65, DN80, or DN300?
The standard catalogue range for the ZSFZ-G grooved alarm valve is DN100, DN150, DN200, and DN250. These four sizes cover the primary alarm valve station sizes for commercial and industrial wet-pipe sprinkler system risers in grooved-piping projects.
For DN65 and DN80 requirements (small zone risers) or DN300 requirements (very large main risers), the flanged ZSFZ wet alarm valve is available in 8 sizes from DN65 to DN300. For projects requiring grooved connections at these sizes, contact [email protected] to discuss special-order availability.
For DN65 and DN80 requirements (small zone risers) or DN300 requirements (very large main risers), the flanged ZSFZ wet alarm valve is available in 8 sizes from DN65 to DN300. For projects requiring grooved connections at these sizes, contact [email protected] to discuss special-order availability.
Can the ZSFZ-G replace a Victaulic AV-1-300 or Tyco Model AV-1 grooved alarm valve?
In most project contexts, yes. The ZSFZ-G shares the same IPS groove profile, the same functional role (wet-pipe alarm check valve), and meets the same NFPA 13 performance requirements as the Victaulic AV-1-300 and Tyco Model AV-1 grooved alarm valves. The valve will accept the same groove couplings and connect to the same grooved pipework as Western-branded alternatives.
Key differences: (1) The ZSFZ-G holds GB 5135.6 Chinese national type approval — not UL Listing or FM Approval. Projects with a contractual requirement for specifically UL-Listed or FM-Approved alarm valves require those certifications. (2) For NFPA 13 hydraulic calculations, request the ZSFZ-G Cv data from CA-FIRE and use actual values. For the vast majority of BRI, EPC, and ASEAN-region export projects specifying NFPA 13 compliance without mandatory UL/FM listing, the ZSFZ-G is a fully accepted and cost-competitive specification. Contact [email protected] for a full project submittal package.
Key differences: (1) The ZSFZ-G holds GB 5135.6 Chinese national type approval — not UL Listing or FM Approval. Projects with a contractual requirement for specifically UL-Listed or FM-Approved alarm valves require those certifications. (2) For NFPA 13 hydraulic calculations, request the ZSFZ-G Cv data from CA-FIRE and use actual values. For the vast majority of BRI, EPC, and ASEAN-region export projects specifying NFPA 13 compliance without mandatory UL/FM listing, the ZSFZ-G is a fully accepted and cost-competitive specification. Contact [email protected] for a full project submittal package.
Related Products
Get a Quote — ZSFZ-G Grooved Alarm Valve
DN100 · DN150 · DN200 · DN250 · 1.6 MPa · Groove × Groove · Victaulic-Compatible IPS
GB 5135.6 · NFPA 13 · AWWA C606 · ISO 9001 · Valve only or complete station assembly · Factory direct · 24 hr quote
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GB 5135.6 · NFPA 13 · AWWA C606 · ISO 9001 · Valve only or complete station assembly · Factory direct · 24 hr quote