Horizontal Deluge Valve Assembly — Explosion-Proof Skid-Mounted System (DN50–DN350

The only structural difference is the orientation of the skid frame — and the installation constraints each orientation solves. Both products are factory pre-assembled, pressure-tested to the same pressures (6.4 MPa strength / 3.2 MPa seal), carry identical Ex db IIC T6 Gb / Ex tb IIIC T80°C Db certification, and require only three site connections.

The horizontal assembly keeps the maximum installed height at 600–1,250mm depending on DN — suitable for low-headroom environments (low-bay buildings, basements, offshore decks with beam constraints) and for multi-valve parallel configurations where two to four valves share one frame. The horizontal low centre of gravity also provides excellent stability without floor anchoring.

The vertical skid uses floor space more efficiently (up to 40% smaller footprint for the same valve size) but requires 2,200–5,000mm ceiling clearance. Choose the vertical skid when floor space is scarce and headroom is available. Choose the horizontal assembly when headroom is limited or when multiple adjacent zones need to be served from a single skid.

The standard configuration is one valve per horizontal skid. Multi-valve configurations of two, three, or four deluge valves on a single extended frame are available to order. Each valve on a multi-valve skid is fully independent — its own solenoid, its own isolation valve, its own alarm devices, its own discharge connection to its zone. The valves share the structural frame, a common water supply manifold connection, a single cable entry point, and a single multi-zone control panel with independently addressable zone channels.

The operational advantage: one foundation, one supply connection, one commissioning event for a FAT report covering all zones on the skid simultaneously. Compared to installing two or three separate vertical skids, a multi-valve horizontal assembly reduces civil work, installation labour, and total commissioning time substantially — with a lower total equipment cost for the multi-zone system.

To enquire about a multi-valve skid, send the number of zones required, the DN size and flow rate per zone, and your activation logic requirements (independent zone activation or grouped) to sales@ca-fire.com. CA-FIRE will provide a dimensioned skid layout and quotation.

The maximum assembled height of the horizontal skid ranges from 600mm (DN50) to 1,250mm (DN350) — see the dimensional table above. In practice, the minimum ceiling clearance required is the skid height plus 400mm for maintenance access above the control panel and alarm devices (which are at the top of the skid in the horizontal configuration). For a DN200 horizontal assembly (950mm skid height), minimum ceiling clearance is approximately 1,350mm — suitable for basement plant rooms and low-bay buildings that would prevent a vertical skid (3,600mm height for DN200).

For multi-valve configurations, the skid height remains the same as the single-valve unit for the same DN — only the length increases. The minimum ceiling clearance requirement is therefore unchanged for multi-valve assemblies.

Yes. All electrical components carry IP65 protection — completely dust-tight and resistant to direct water jets from any direction — meeting the requirement for outdoor installation without additional weatherproofing under normal conditions. The carbon steel skid frame is finished with a multi-coat anti-corrosion system designed for outdoor industrial service.

For installations in marine or coastal salt-air environments, or chemical plant outdoor areas with corrosive vapour, specify the SS304 or SS316 stainless steel valve body and skid frame option. For extreme weather environments (driving rain in open areas, direct tropical sun causing high surface temperatures, or snow loading on a flat skid top), a weatherproof GRP canopy for the control panel is available as an option. Confirm site exposure conditions at time of enquiry.

Every CA-FIRE horizontal deluge valve assembly is delivered with a factory acceptance test (FAT) report covering: hydrostatic strength test at 6.4 MPa (result and hold time), seal integrity test at 3.2 MPa, functional activation test in all three modes (automatic, remote, manual) with response times recorded per zone, alarm device verification (gong and pressure switch), Ex component inspection findings, and electrical continuity test results. Component serial numbers for the main valve(s), solenoid(s), Ex pressure switches, and control panel are recorded in the report.

Additional documentation supplied with every assembly: material certificates for valve body and skid frame steel, Ex certification copies for all electrical components, GB 5135.7 type approval certificate, dimensional inspection report confirming as-built dimensions, and the CA-FIRE O&M (operation and maintenance) manual.

For projects requiring witnessed third-party FAT — SGS, Bureau Veritas, TÜV, or client-designated inspection agency — CA-FIRE can accommodate this at the factory. This should be specified at time of order placement to ensure the inspection agency is scheduled during the assembly's test window. Lead time extensions of 1–2 weeks may apply for third-party witnessed FAT.

Customisation options: valve body material (carbon steel standard / SS304 / SS316); number of valves per skid (1–4); nominal size per valve (DN50–DN350, can mix sizes on one skid for mixed-zone systems); connection flange standard (GB standard / ANSI B16.5); solenoid voltage (DC24V standard / AC220V); additional 4–20mA pressure transmitters for DCS integration; Modbus RTU communication module; remote valve position indicators; foam inlet connection and proportioner interface; stainless steel skid frame; weatherproof GRP control panel canopy.

Lead times: Single-valve horizontal assemblies in DN50–DN200: 4–6 weeks from order confirmation and drawing approval. DN250–DN350 single-valve: 6–8 weeks. Multi-valve configurations (2–4 valves): 8–14 weeks depending on number of valves, sizes, and customisation options. A confirmed delivery schedule is issued with every quotation. Submit full project specifications — number of zones, DN and flow rate per zone, DCS interface requirements, flange standard, and site environmental conditions — to sales@ca-fire.com for a tailored proposal and delivery schedule.