Grooved Deluge Valve — ZSFM-G Series, Ductile Iron (DN80–DN200)

A grooved deluge valve is a diaphragm-type deluge valve with grooved mechanical coupling connections — replacing the bolted flange joints used on standard flanged deluge valves with a two-bolt clamp assembly that installs in minutes without pipe alignment tooling.

The operating principle is identical to a flanged diaphragm deluge valve: control-chamber water pressure holds the EPDM diaphragm closed during standby; when a fire signal vents the control chamber, supply pressure lifts the diaphragm and water discharges simultaneously through all open nozzles in the protected zone. What changes is the connection method — and for projects where grooved pipework is used throughout, that difference directly reduces installation time and ongoing maintenance cost.

CA-FIRE’s ZSFM-G series grooved deluge valve is available in DN80, DN100, DN150, and DN200, rated 1.6 MPa, with Victaulic-compatible groove dimensions. It is the standard specification for deluge systems installed in grooved-pipe buildings — warehouses, shopping centres, airports, and industrial facilities — where flanged connections would slow installation without adding performance benefit.

For sizes outside DN80–DN200, or where flanged connections are required, see the flanged diaphragm deluge valve (DN50–DN350).

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Technical Specifications

Model: ZSFM 80/100/150/200-G

Dimensional Data

Dimensional drawings and CAD files available on request — sales@ca-fire.com

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Key Features

Grooved Connection — Victaulic-Compatible, Two-Bolt Assembly

The grooved connection is what defines this valve. Machined grooves on the valve body inlet and outlet accept standard grooved mechanical couplings — the same groove dimensions used by Victaulic, Grinnell, Tyco, and all equivalent manufacturers following the IPS/ISO groove standard.

Installation requires positioning two coupling halves over the grooved joint and tightening two bolts. No flange alignment, no gasket positioning, no sequential bolt torquing across 8–16 bolts per joint. On a multi-valve installation, this time saving compounds significantly across every valve station on the project.

The grooved coupling also provides inherent flexibility at the joint — tolerating minor angular deflection and linear movement from pipe thermal expansion or structural vibration. In a rigid flanged system, these movements accumulate as stress on the pipe and valve body; in a grooved system, each coupling joint absorbs a small fraction, distributing the load passively.

Maintenance access is equally straightforward: removing two coupling bolts releases the valve body from the pipeline without cutting pipework or replacing flange gaskets. Diaphragm inspection and replacement takes 45–60 minutes per valve with standard hand tools.

Ductile Iron Body — Impact Resistant, Pressure Rated

The valve body is cast from high-quality ductile iron — stronger and more impact resistant than the grey cast iron used in standard flanged deluge valves, with higher tensile strength and significantly better ductility under shock or pressure transient loading. This makes the ductile iron body the correct material specification for industrial installations with mechanical vibration, process shock loading, or elevated seismic risk.

Working pressure rating is 1.6 MPa with strength test validation at 6.4 MPa — the same pressure class as the flanged diaphragm deluge valve, in a lighter package suited to grooved-pipe system environments.

Three Independent Activation Modes

Electric solenoid (standard): DC24V or AC220V signal from the fire alarm control panel energises the trim solenoid, vents the control chamber, and opens the diaphragm in ≤ 2 seconds. Standard for all automatic deluge systems with a detection panel.

Pneumatic pilot: A pressurised wet or dry pilot line from a detection sprinkler or pneumatic actuator releases control-chamber pressure on pilot activation. Used where electrical supply to the valve is restricted, or as primary activation in dry-pilot freeze-protection applications.

Manual: Emergency manual release at the valve trim — operates independently of electrical and pneumatic systems, response ≤ 1 second.

All three modes can be combined: electric primary with manual backup is the most common configuration for commercial buildings.

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Grooved vs. Flanged Deluge Valve — Which to Specify

Specify the grooved deluge valve when: the project uses grooved-end pipework throughout, installation speed is a schedule requirement, the system includes DN80–DN200 deluge valve stations, or Victaulic-compatible components are specified.

Specify the flanged deluge valve when: existing infrastructure is flanged, sizes DN250–DN350 are required, or project standards mandate flanged connections.

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How the Grooved Deluge Valve Works

Standby: EPDM diaphragm is held against the seat by control-chamber water pressure. Downstream open-nozzle pipework is dry. Grooved couplings maintain leak-free connection to supply and distribution headers.

Fire detected: Detector signals the fire alarm panel → panel energises solenoid on trim → solenoid vents control chamber to drain.

Valve opens: Supply pressure lifts diaphragm fully into bonnet cavity — full bore opens in ≤ 2 seconds. Water flows at maximum rate into the downstream grooved-pipe distribution system.

Simultaneous discharge: All open spray nozzles or sprinkler heads across the entire protected zone discharge simultaneously — total-zone suppression with no sequential delay between activation points.

Alarm output: Water through the alarm port drives the water-motor gong and trips the alarm pressure switch → signal to fire alarm panel and connected BMS.

Reset: De-energise solenoid → re-pressurise control chamber → diaphragm reseats → drain downstream pipework via drain valve → system returns to standby. No tools required.

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Applications

Warehouses and logistics centres: Grooved-pipe systems are the standard construction method in large-footprint warehouse buildings — fast installation across large floor areas, easy modification for racking layout changes, and simple zone addition as the facility expands. The grooved deluge valve integrates directly into these systems without transition fittings.

Shopping centres and retail buildings: Multi-zone deluge systems covering large open-plan floor plates. Grooved pipework is widely used in retail construction for its installation speed and architectural flexibility; the grooved deluge valve extends this consistency to the valve station level.

Airports and transport infrastructure: Complex, multi-zone suppression systems in large public assembly buildings where programme time pressure makes grooved installation the preferred method. The vibration tolerance of grooved couplings is also relevant in buildings with significant HVAC or structural movement.

Power stations and industrial plants: Transformer protection, cable tunnel suppression, and turbine hall deluge systems where grooved pipework runs alongside other mechanical services. The coupling’s vibration absorption capability is directly relevant in plant environments with rotating machinery.

Retrofitting existing grooved systems: Where an existing wet-pipe or dry-pipe grooved system is being extended to include deluge zones, the grooved deluge valve connects directly to existing grooved headers — no transition flanges, no bore-step connections, no additional pressure drop.

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Victaulic Deluge Valve — Compatibility Note

Engineers specifying a Victaulic deluge valve — or any grooved-coupling deluge valve for a system using Victaulic pipework — can specify CA-FIRE’s ZSFM-G series directly. The groove dimensions on the ZSFM-G valve body follow the IPS/ISO groove standard used by Victaulic, meaning standard Victaulic rigid and flexible couplings engage correctly without modification or adapter fittings.

For project submittals requiring specific coupling compatibility confirmation, CA-FIRE can provide groove dimension certificates showing conformance to the relevant standard. Contact sales@ca-fire.com with the coupling series and size for a written compatibility statement.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a grooved deluge valve and a flanged deluge valve? The connection method. A grooved deluge valve uses two-bolt mechanical couplings over machined grooves — fast to install, inherently vibration-tolerant, easy to remove for maintenance. A flanged valve uses bolted flange faces requiring alignment and multi-bolt torquing. Both use the same diaphragm sealing and activation mechanism with identical hydraulic performance. Choose grooved for grooved-pipe projects; choose flanged for flanged infrastructure or sizes above DN200.

Is this valve compatible with Victaulic couplings? Yes. The ZSFM-G series is machined to the IPS/ISO groove standard used by Victaulic, Grinnell, Tyco, and equivalent manufacturers. Standard Victaulic rigid and flexible couplings in the corresponding sizes engage directly. No proprietary or modified coupling is required.

What sizes are available? DN80, DN100, DN150, and DN200. For DN50, DN65, DN250, DN300, or DN350 — or for flanged connections — see the flanged diaphragm deluge valve covering DN50 through DN350.

Can this valve handle foam-water mixture? Yes. EPDM diaphragm and ductile iron body are compatible with foam-water mixture at up to 6% concentrate — AFFF, AR-AFFF, FFFP, and protein foam types. No modification required.

What maintenance does this valve require? Quarterly visual inspection of body, couplings, and gauges. Annual functional test of all activation modes and alarm pressure switch. Biennial diaphragm and coupling gasket inspection — replace if cracking or deformation observed. CA-FIRE recommends keeping one spare diaphragm and one coupling gasket set on site per installed valve size.

Are assembly drawings available? Yes — dimensional drawings and full grooved deluge valve trim assembly drawings in PDF and DWG format, available free with all project enquiries. Contact sales@ca-fire.com with required DN size.

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Related Products

• Deluge Valve — Full Range & Selection Guide
• Diaphragm Deluge Valve — Flanged Series DN50–DN350
• Stainless Steel Deluge Valve — corrosive / marine environments
• Explosion-Proof Deluge Valve Skid — Zone 1/2 hazardous area
• Grooved Alarm Valve — grooved wet-pipe alarm check valve

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Email: sales@ca-fire.com · Mobile: +86 13400715622 · WhatsApp: +86 18150362095 · WeChat: 404863577 · www.ca-fire.com

General Specifications

Dimension Specifications