Signal Gate Valve
Dual micro-switch output · Open & closed position feedback · BMS integration · DN50–DN300 · ZSXZF4 series
Signal Gate Valve —
ZSXZF4, Position Feedback, DN50–DN300
The CA-FIRE signal gate valve ZSXZF4 is a flanged fire protection gate valve with an integrated micro-switch assembly that outputs discrete electrical position signals — fully open and fully closed — to a fire alarm control panel (FACP) or building management system (BMS). Designed for fire sprinkler and standpipe systems where electronic valve position monitoring is required, the ZSXZF4 satisfies NFPA 13 supervisory requirements and the Chinese national standard GB 12736. Available in DN50–DN300 (2"–12") with pre-wired signal leads, factory-tested before shipment.
What Is a Signal Gate Valve?
A signal gate valve is a fire protection gate valve equipped with a built-in micro-switch mechanism that converts the physical open/closed position of the valve into electrical output signals. These signals are fed directly to the fire alarm control panel's supervisory input zones, allowing the FACP — and the central monitoring station — to know the exact position state of every supervised valve in the system at all times.
The ZSXZF4 model designation follows the Chinese GB standard naming convention: ZS = signal/supervisory function (信号); XZF4 = resilient-wedge gate valve type. The signal mechanism consists of two micro-switches — one actuated at the fully open position, one at the fully closed position — providing independent "open confirmed" and "closed confirmed" outputs rather than a single tamper-change signal.
Model Number Decoder — ZSXZF4-Q-50~300-16
Signal Output — Contact States by Valve Position
Signal Gate Valve ZSXZF4 — Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Product Model | ZSXZF4-Q-50~300-16 |
| Valve Type | Signal Gate Valve — Resilient Wedge, Flanged End |
| Nominal Pressure | 1.6 MPa (PN16) |
| Nominal Diameter | DN50 – DN300 (2" – 12") |
| Strength Test Pressure | 6.4 MPa |
| Seal Test Pressure | 3.2 MPa |
| Body Material | Ductile iron (fusion-bonded epoxy coated) |
| Wedge Type | Resilient wedge, rubber-encapsulated |
| Signal Device | Dual micro-switch assembly (SW1: Open, SW2: Closed) |
| Switch Contact Rating | 24 V DC / 1 A or 120 V AC / 5 A |
| Contact Type | SPDT — NO + NC per switch |
| Cable Entry | ½" NPT conduit fitting |
| Enclosure Rating | IP54 |
| Connection Method | Flanged — ANSI B16.1 Class 125 / DIN 2501 PN16 |
| Applicable Medium | Water, foam fire suppression mixture |
| Medium Temperature | 4 – 70 °C |
| Certifications | GB 12736, GB 16280, ISO 9001, CE |
Available Sizes
| DN | Inch | Length (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| DN50 | 2" | 178 |
| DN65 | 2½" | 190 |
| DN80 | 3" | 203 |
| DN100 | 4" | 229 |
| DN125 | 5" | 254 |
| DN150 | 6" | 267 |
| DN200 | 8" | 292 |
| DN250 | 10" | 330 |
| DN300 | 12" | 356 |
Signal Gate Valve Key Features
Fire Protection Applications
Fire Sprinkler System — Zone Valve Supervision
Installed as the zone control valve on each floor or fire zone of a sprinkler system, the ZSXZF4 signal gate valve provides continuous electronic confirmation of valve position to the FACP. When a zone valve is opened or closed during maintenance, the FACP logs the event with a timestamp — valuable for maintenance records and post-incident reporting.
Intelligent Building Fire Systems — BMS Integration
In intelligent buildings where the fire suppression system is integrated into the building management system (BMS), the dual signal output of the ZSXZF4 enables real-time valve position data to be displayed on BMS dashboards and included in automated facility management reports — going beyond simple alarm/restore signalling to provide full open/closed state visibility.
High-Rise Buildings — Multi-Zone Valve Monitoring
High-rise residential and commercial buildings with multiple fire zones require reliable position monitoring of dozens of control valves. The ZSXZF4's dual micro-switch output simplifies FACP programming and gives facilities managers complete visibility of all valve states from a single monitoring point.
Projects Under Chinese National Fire Code
For projects in China subject to GB 50116 (Fire Alarm System Design Code) and GB 50084 (Automatic Sprinkler System Design Code), the ZSXZF4 signal gate valve — certified to GB 12736 and GB 16280 — is the specified product type. The model designation ZSXZF4 appears directly in Chinese fire protection product specifications and project tender documents.
Signal Gate Valve vs. Gate Valve with Tamper Switch
| Signal Gate Valve (ZSXZF4) | Gate Valve with Tamper Switch | |
|---|---|---|
| Signal outputs | ✅ Two — Open confirmed + Closed confirmed | One — tamper change (from fully open) |
| Actuation point | At fully open AND at fully closed positions | Within 2 turns from fully open |
| FACP signal type | Supervisory + position state feedback | Supervisory alarm |
| BMS integration | ✅ Discrete open/closed state — easy BMS mapping | Single alarm contact |
| Chinese GB standard | ✅ GB 16280 (Signal Valve) + GB 12736 | GB 12736 only |
| Best for | ✅ Intelligent buildings, BMS integration, GB-code projects | Standard NFPA 13 supervised systems |
Frequently Asked Questions — Signal Gate Valve ZSXZF4
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Q1 What is a signal gate valve?A signal gate valve is a fire protection gate valve with a built-in micro-switch mechanism that outputs discrete electrical position signals — fully open and fully closed — to a fire alarm control panel (FACP) or building management system (BMS). Unlike a simple tamper switch that generates a single alarm when the valve moves from fully open, the signal gate valve provides positive confirmation of both the open and closed states, enabling more precise valve monitoring and easier BMS integration.
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Q2 What is the difference between a signal gate valve and a gate valve with tamper switch?Both provide electronic valve position monitoring to the fire alarm panel, but they differ in output. A signal gate valve (ZSXZF4) has two independent micro-switches that provide separate "fully open confirmed" and "fully closed confirmed" outputs — allowing the FACP or BMS to know exactly which extreme position the valve is in. A gate valve with tamper switch typically has one switch that activates within two turns from fully open, generating a single supervisory alarm contact change. For standard NFPA 13 systems, either product satisfies the supervisory requirement. For BMS integration or projects under the Chinese GB code, the ZSXZF4 signal gate valve is generally specified.
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Q3 Is the ZSXZF4 signal gate valve NFPA 13 compliant?Yes. The ZSXZF4 signal gate valve satisfies NFPA 13 requirements for indicating-type supervisory control valves on fire sprinkler systems. The integrated signal switch provides electronic position monitoring to the fire alarm control panel per NFPA 72, meeting the supervisory requirement for fire protection control valves that are not locked in the open position. The valve is also certified to the Chinese standards GB 12736 and GB 16280.
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Q4 What does ZSXZF4 mean in the model number?ZSXZF4 is the CA-FIRE model designation following the Chinese GB standard naming convention: ZS (信号 — signal/supervisory function) + XZF4 (resilient-wedge gate valve type designation). The full model string ZSXZF4-Q-50~300-16 decodes as: signal function (ZS) + resilient wedge gate valve (XZF4) + flanged connection (Q) + DN50–DN300 size range + 1.6 MPa working pressure (16). This model designation appears directly in Chinese fire protection tender documents and GB-standard product specifications.
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Q5 What sizes does the CA-FIRE signal gate valve come in?The CA-FIRE ZSXZF4 signal gate valve is available in DN50–DN300 (2 inch to 12 inch) with flanged end connections to ANSI B16.1 Class 125 or DIN 2501 PN16. The integrated dual micro-switch assembly is pre-wired and factory-tested in all sizes before shipment. Contact our technical team for larger diameters or custom signal output configurations.