Model ZSDF8 / ZSXDF8 — Victaulic-Compatible Grooved Coupling · Fire Isolation Valve
Grooved Butterfly Valve
Victaulic-compatible grooved coupling butterfly valve for fire sprinkler, standpipe, and foam suppression systems on grooved steel pipe. Meets AWWA C606 and ISO 6182-12 groove dimensions. Four variants — gear and lever, with or without DC24V tamper switch. DN50–DN300 (gear) / DN50–DN150 (lever), 1.6 MPa. Up to 40% faster installation than flanged wafer valves. GB 5135 / NFPA 13 certified.
DN50–DN300
1.6 MPa
Victaulic Compatible
Gear or Lever
GB 5135
NFPA 13
Four Model Variants
ZSDF8 Family — Select by Actuator & Supervision
All four models share the same grooved body, EPDM seat, and 1.6 MPa pressure rating. Select based on two criteria: actuator type (gear vs. lever) and supervision requirement (tamper switch vs. none).
Gear + Signal — Most Specified
ZSXDF8
- DN50–DN300, worm gear handwheel
- DC24V 0.5A tamper switch — NFPA 72 Ch.17
- Main riser, zone control, pump isolation
- Required for supervised fire mains with FACP
Gear, No Signal
ZSDF8
- DN50–DN300, worm gear handwheel
- No tamper switch — lower cost
- Drain valves, test lines, pump test loops
- Physical lock-open supervision only
Lever + Signal
ZSXDF8-S
- DN50–DN150, quarter-turn lever
- DC24V 0.5A tamper switch
- Zone control valves, branch isolations
- Fast operation + FACP supervisory monitoring
Lever, No Signal
ZSDF8-S
- DN50–DN150, quarter-turn lever
- No tamper switch
- Inspector test, drain, test-and-drain
- Non-supervised grooved branch valves
Flanged pipe system? For wafer butterfly valves installed between standard flanges (ANSI 150 / DIN PN16 / GB PN16), see the Gear Operated Butterfly Valve (ZSDF7) and Lever Butterfly Valve (ZSDF7-S). For hazardous (Ex) area grooved valves, see the Explosion Proof Butterfly Valve (ZSXDF8-Ex).
Key Features
Why Specify the ZSDF8 Series
Eight design points that make the ZSDF8 / ZSXDF8 the standard grooved butterfly valve for fire protection on commercial, high-rise, offshore, and industrial projects.
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Victaulic-Compatible Grooved Ends
Manufactured to Victaulic standard groove dimensions — compatible with Victaulic, Gruvlok, Anvil, and all major grooved coupling brands. Also conforms to AWWA C606 and ISO 6182-12 groove profiles. No additional machining required on the valve or coupling.
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40% Faster Installation
Grooved couplings require no flange drilling, gasket alignment, or bolt torquing. A single technician can install a DN150 grooved butterfly valve in under 10 minutes using standard hand tools — compared to 20–30 minutes for a flanged equivalent with two workers.
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Angular Deflection Capability
Flexible grooved couplings allow 1–3° of angular pipe deflection per coupling, depending on pipe size. This accommodates building structural movement, foundation settlement, thermal expansion, and pipeline vibration without transmitting stress to the valve or adjacent pipe.
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Integrated Tamper Switch (Signal Models)
ZSXDF8 and ZSXDF8-S include a DC24V 0.5A supervisory switch wired directly to the FACP. Movement from full-open triggers TAMPER alarm within 1–2 actuator movements. Satisfies NFPA 72 Chapter 17 and NFPA 13 Section 8.16 supervision requirements.
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Gear or Lever Actuator
Same grooved valve body fitted with either a worm gear handwheel (DN50–DN300) or a quarter-turn lever handle (DN50–DN150). Select gear for large DN main risers requiring slow, controlled operation; lever for small DN branch isolations needing fast shutdown.
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GGG40 or SS316 Body
Ductile iron GGG40 for standard onshore freshwater and foam systems. SS316 for offshore topsides, coastal installations, foam concentrate service, and seawater systems where corrosion resistance is required by specification.
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EPDM Bi-Directional Seat
Bi-directional EPDM seat seals at 1.6 MPa in either flow direction. Rated for water, AFFF foam-water, AR-AFFF, and protein foam at 3%–6% concentration. Media temperature 0–80°C (signal models) or 4–70°C (non-signal models).
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Tool-Free Valve Removal
Grooved couplings allow complete valve removal from the pipeline without cutting pipe — loosen and remove both coupling housings. Dramatically reduces maintenance downtime compared to flanged valves that require bolt removal and potential pipe disturbance or cutting.
Technical Data
Full Technical Specifications — All Four Models
All four ZSDF8 variants share the same grooved body, EPDM seat, 1.6 MPa rating, and GB 5135 certification. Select by actuator type and supervision method.
| Parameter | ZSXDF8 Gear+Signal | ZSDF8 Gear | ZSXDF8-S Lever+Signal | ZSDF8-S Lever |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model Number | ZSXDF8-Q-50-300-16 | ZSDF8-Q-50-300-16 | ZSXDF8-S-Q-50-150-16 | ZSDF8-S-Q-50-150-16 |
| Nominal Diameter | DN50–DN300 | DN50–DN300 | DN50–DN150 | DN50–DN150 |
| Working Pressure | 1.6 MPa (16 bar / 232 psi) | |||
| Strength Test | 6.4 MPa | |||
| Seal Test | 3.2 MPa | |||
| Media | Water · AFFF foam-water · AR-AFFF · Protein foam | |||
| Actuator | Worm gear | Worm gear | Lever handle | Lever handle |
| Tamper Switch | DC24V 0.5A | None | DC24V 0.5A | None |
| Connection | Grooved ends — Victaulic / AWWA C606 / ISO 6182-12 | |||
| Body Material | Ductile cast iron GGG40 / Stainless steel SS316 | |||
| Seat Material | EPDM (bi-directional) | |||
| Media Temperature | 0–80°C | 4–70°C | 0–80°C | 4–70°C |
| GB Standard | GB 5135.13 | GB 5135.2 | GB 5135.13 | GB 5135.2 |
Structural Dimensions
Face-to-Face Length — Grooved End
Grooved butterfly valve face-to-face dimensions for pipe spool layout and interference checks. Grooved F/F is 15–85 mm longer than equivalent wafer type because grooved pipe ends must protrude beyond the valve body for coupling engagement. All dimensions in mm.
| DN (mm) | 50 | 65 | 80 | 100 | 125 | 150 | 200 | 250 | 300 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F/F (mm) | 80 | 80 | 80 | 95 | 102 | 110 | 120 | 160 | 165 |
Installation Guide
How to Install the ZSDF8 Grooved Butterfly Valve
Six-step installation and commissioning sequence using standard grooved mechanical pipe couplings.
1
Pipe End Preparation
Roll-groove or cut-groove both pipe ends to the groove profile specified for the pipe size. Groove dimensions must comply with Victaulic standard, AWWA C606, or ISO 6182-12. Use a groove gauge to verify depth and width. The valve body has factory-machined groove seats — no field preparation on the valve itself.
2
Coupling Selection
Select flexible or rigid grooved coupling per the system design. Use flexible couplings at valve connections on fire mains subject to thermal movement, building settlement, or vibration — the coupling's angular deflection protects the valve. Use rigid couplings where pipe alignment must be fixed (pump suction, expansion joints).
3
Coupling Assembly
Slide both coupling housing halves over the pipe ends. Center the EPDM gasket over the pipe-valve gap. Align the coupling housing keys with the pipe grooves and the valve groove seats simultaneously. Insert bolts and nuts finger-tight, then tighten evenly in a cross-pattern to the coupling manufacturer's bolt torque specification.
4
Signal Wiring (ZSXDF8 / ZSXDF8-S Only)
Connect the tamper switch 2-wire conductors to a supervisory initiating device circuit on the FACP. Cable entry via M20 × 1.5 conduit fitting (gear models) or M16 × 1.5 (lever models). Maximum supervised loop resistance: ≤ 100 Ω. Label the valve on the FACP zone schedule with its valve ID and location per NFPA 25 record requirements.
5
Hydrostatic Test
Test installed system to 1.5× working pressure (2.4 MPa) for minimum 2 hours per NFPA 13 Section 29.2. Inspect both coupling joints and the closed valve disc for zero leakage. Confirm tamper switch signal at FACP shows CLOSED during test.
6
Commissioning & Tagging
Open valve to full-open position — confirm FACP shows OPEN supervisory signal (signal models). Attach valve identification tag per NFPA 25. Record valve ID, location, normal position, and FACP circuit ID in the system valve record. Perform partial-closure tamper test and verify TAMPER alarm activates.
Applications
Where the Grooved Butterfly Valve Is Specified
Standard valve on any fire suppression project using grooved steel pipe throughout. Key application categories:
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Fire Sprinkler Main Risers
DN100–DN300 water supply isolation on grooved steel pipe risers in commercial buildings, warehouses, and logistics centers. ZSXDF8 tamper switch for NFPA 13 supervision.
NFPA 13
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Offshore Fire Mains
Topsides fire water ring mains. SS316 body + grooved couplings for corrosion resistance and angular deflection under platform structural movement. Preferred by offshore design standards over flanged.
Offshore / SS316
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Modular Fire Suppression Skids
Factory-assembled foam and water mist skids use grooved pipe throughout. Grooved butterfly valve is the standard isolation valve for all major skid builders and OEM fire system integrators.
Skid / OEM
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Tank Farm Foam Systems
DN150–DN300 foam-water header isolation per NFPA 11 on fixed cone and floating roof tank suppression systems. EPDM seat rated for AFFF 3%–6% concentrate.
NFPA 11 / Foam
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High-Rise Zone Control
Floor ZCV assemblies in high-rise residential and commercial towers. Grooved pipe reduces installation labor per floor by up to 40% versus flanged assemblies over a 40+ story project.
High-Rise / ZCV
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Underground Mining
Grooved pipe is preferred underground due to confined-space installation constraints. Grooved butterfly valves allow faster valve replacement during narrow maintenance windows without pipe cutting.
Underground
Grooved vs. Wafer
Grooved (This Page) vs. Wafer (ZSDF7)
CA-FIRE offers identical disc, seat, and performance specifications in both connection types. The connection method is determined by your pipe system design.
| Factor | Grooved ZSDF8 — This Page | Wafer ZSDF7 |
|---|---|---|
| Connection | Grooved coupling (Victaulic) | Between flanges (ANSI/DIN/GB) |
| Installation | No flange — grooved coupling only | Requires flanged pipe ends |
| Assembly Speed | Faster — no bolt torquing | Full bolt circle required |
| Pipe Movement | 1–3° angular deflection (flexible coupling) | Rigid connection |
| Face-to-Face (DN50–DN300) | 80–165 mm | 45–80 mm |
| Valve Removal | Uncouple only — no pipe cutting | Remove flange bolts |
| Best for | Grooved pipe systems, offshore, modular skids | Flanged systems, tight F/F spaces |
| Actuator Options | Gear or Lever (DN50–DN300 / DN50–DN150) | Gear (ZSDF7) or Lever (ZSDF7-S) |
Mixing grooved and flanged connection types on the same fire main is not recommended. Specify one connection type throughout each system zone.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the ZSDF8 / ZSXDF8 grooved butterfly valve for fire protection.
What is a grooved butterfly valve?
A grooved butterfly valve is a butterfly disc isolation valve with machined groove seats at both ends instead of flanged ends. The grooved seats accept standard Victaulic-style mechanical pipe couplings — a two-piece housing with a rubber gasket that clamps over the pipe groove and valve groove seat, sealed by bolt tension. In fire protection, the grooved butterfly valve is used on grooved steel pipe fire mains as the main water supply isolation valve, zone control valve, and pump isolation valve. It is a direct alternative to the wafer butterfly valve for systems using grooved pipe throughout.
Is the ZSDF8 compatible with Victaulic couplings?
Yes. The ZSDF8 / ZSXDF8 is manufactured to Victaulic standard groove dimensions and is compatible with Victaulic rigid and flexible couplings, as well as equivalent-standard products from Gruvlok, Anvil, and other grooved coupling manufacturers. The valve body groove seats also comply with AWWA C606 and ISO 6182-12 groove profile specifications.
How do I choose between ZSDF8 (gear) and ZSDF8-S (lever)?
Select gear operated (ZSDF8 / ZSXDF8) for DN100–DN300 main riser and large-diameter isolation valves — the worm gear's mechanical advantage makes operation practical at high working pressure. Select lever operated (ZSDF8-S / ZSXDF8-S) for DN50–DN150 branch line isolations, zone control valves, and test-and-drain connections where fast quarter-turn operation is the priority. Lever is not available above DN150 due to excessive operating torque at 1.6 MPa.
Does the ZSXDF8 comply with NFPA 13?
Yes. NFPA 13 Section 8.16 requires water supply control valves to be supervised. The ZSXDF8 tamper switch provides DC24V electrical supervision that satisfies this requirement. The valve is specified and accepted by AHJs and insurance underwriters for all commercial, high-rise, industrial, and offshore fire suppression projects requiring NFPA 13 compliance.
Can the grooved butterfly valve be installed in vertical pipe runs?
Yes. The ZSDF8 grooved butterfly valve can be installed in any orientation — horizontal, vertical up, vertical down, or inclined. The grooved coupling is orientation-independent. For gear operated models in vertical pipe runs, ensure the handwheel is accessible from the maintenance platform. For lever models, verify 90° lever sweep clearance. There is no preferred flow direction — the EPDM seat is bi-directional.
Which grooved coupling standard does the ZSDF8 conform to?
The ZSDF8 / ZSXDF8 groove profile conforms to AWWA C606 and ISO 6182-12, the two international groove-dimension standards that Victaulic-style couplings are designed to engage. This means the valve is compatible with standard-cut or roll-grooved pipe ends at all DN50–DN300 sizes, and accepts couplings from Victaulic, Gruvlok (Anvil), Tyco, and other AWWA C606-compliant manufacturers. Groove dimensions are also consistent with Chinese standard GB 15558 for grooved-pipe fire systems.
Butterfly Valve Family
Other Butterfly Valves in the CA-FIRE Range
All share the same 1.6 MPa rating, EPDM seat, and GB 5135 certification.
