Deluge Valve Skid — Vertical Explosion-Proof Skid-Mounted Assembly (DN50–DN350)
✓ Factory Pre-Assembled & Pressure-Tested✓ Vertical Skid — Up to 40% Smaller Footprint✓ Ex db IIC T6 Gb / Ex tb IIIC T80°C Db✓ Zone 1 / Zone 2 · Zone 21 / Zone 22✓ IP65✓ DN50–DN350 · 1.6 MPa✓ 3-Connection Site Installation✓ Water + AFFF/AR-AFFF 6%✓ FAT Report Included✓ GB 5135.7 · NFPA 13 · IEC 60079 · ISO 9001
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CA-FIRE's deluge valve skid is a factory pre-assembled, pressure-tested, explosion-proof fire suppression station — the complete deluge valve, all trim pipework, instrumentation, alarm devices, and control panel mounted on a single vertical structural steel frame, interconnected, pre-wired, and ready for three site connections: supply flange-in, discharge flange-out, and detection signal cable entry. No field assembly of trim components. No risk of incorrect connection sequences. A documented factory acceptance test (FAT) report with every unit. The vertical orientation reduces skid footprint by up to 40% versus equivalent horizontal assemblies — critical in space-constrained petrochemical process areas, offshore platform modules, and compact industrial plant rooms. All electrical components carry Ex db IIC T6 Gb / Ex tb IIIC T80°C Db · IP65 certification, making the skid compliant for Zone 1/2 gas and Zone 21/22 dust hazardous areas. For the complete deluge valve range, see the CA-FIRE series overview.
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What's Included — Deluge Valve Skid Components
Every CA-FIRE vertical deluge valve skid ships with all components pre-installed on the structural frame, pre-piped, and pre-wired. The table below lists every component included as standard — no additional parts need to be sourced or assembled on site.
| # | Component | Specification | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deluge Alarm Valve | ZSFM diaphragm type · carbon steel or SS option | Main on/off control — holds dry downstream in standby, opens fully on activation |
| 2 | OS&Y Upstream Gate Valve | Supply isolation · visually tamper-monitored | Isolates water supply for maintenance — outside screw and yoke position visible at a glance |
| 3 | Ex-Rated Solenoid Valve | DC24V · 12W · Ex db IIC T6 Gb | Vents control chamber on fire signal — primary automatic activation path |
| 4 | Supply Strainer | Y-type stainless steel mesh | Prevents debris from entering the trim circuit and blocking the solenoid or alarm port |
| 5 | Supply Pressure Gauge | 0–4 MPa · glycerine-filled | Monitors upstream water supply pressure — confirms supply integrity in standby |
| 6 | System Pressure Gauge | 0–4 MPa · glycerine-filled | Monitors downstream system pressure — should read 0 in standby (dry system) |
| 7 | Alarm Pressure Switch | Ex db IIC T6 Gb · SPDT contacts | Sends electrical alarm signal to fire panel when flow activates — closed-loop confirmation of valve opening |
| 8 | Water Motor Alarm Gong | Hydraulic bell · Ex-rated motor | Audible local alarm on activation — hydraulic operation requires no electrical power for bell ring |
| 9 | Manual Release Button | Ex db IIC T6 Gb · IP65 · push-to-trip | Direct operator activation in ≤ 1 s — fully independent of detection and panel circuits |
| 10 | Drain & Test Valve | Ball valve with hose connection | Drains downstream pipework after discharge; used for annual functional test of alarm devices |
| 11 | Priming Line Assembly | Ball valve + restrictor | Fills and maintains control-chamber pressure — the closing force that holds the valve shut in standby |
| 12 | Explosion-Proof Control Panel | DC24V · 55W · Ex db IIC T6 Gb · IP65 | Receives detector signal, drives solenoid, displays pressure and status, interfaces to FAS/DCS |
| 13 | All Trim Pipework | Stainless steel · pre-piped on skid | Connects all trim components — no field pipework assembly required inside the skid boundary |
| 14 | Structural Skid Frame | Carbon steel · anti-corrosion coating · SS option | Vertical orientation — supports all components, provides forklift and crane lift points for installation |
Vertical Deluge Valve Skid vs Horizontal Assembly — Which to Specify?
CA-FIRE offers two factory-assembled deluge valve station formats. Both are pre-assembled and pressure-tested. The choice depends on available floor space, ceiling height, and site access constraints.
| Criterion | Vertical Skid ZSFM-Ex Vertical (This Product) |
Horizontal Assembly ZSFM-Ex Horizontal |
|---|---|---|
| Orientation | Vertical — tall and narrow | Horizontal — low and wide |
| Floor footprint | ✓ Up to 40% smaller | Larger — requires more floor area |
| Ceiling height required | Higher — 2.2m to 5.0m depending on DN | ✓ Lower — suitable for low-ceiling rooms |
| Transport & door clearance | ✓ Narrower — easier through standard doors | Wider — may require wider doorways |
| Structural load on floor | ✓ Smaller area — lower floor load intensity | Distributed over wider area |
| Maintenance access | All from front face — no rear access needed | ✓ All at working height — no ladders for upper components |
| Vibration resistance | ✓ High — rigid vertical frame | Standard |
| Best application | Offshore decks · compact plant rooms · process areas with limited floor space | Low-ceiling buildings · ground-floor valve rooms with ample floor area |
Deluge Valve Skid — Dimensional Data
| DN (mm) | Skid Height (mm) | Skid Width (mm) | Skid Depth (mm) | Assembled Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DN50 | 2,200 | 800 | 600 | 320 |
| DN80 | 2,500 | 900 | 650 | 480 |
| DN100 | 2,800 | 1,000 | 700 | 650 |
| DN150 | 3,200 | 1,100 | 750 | 920 |
| DN200 | 3,600 | 1,200 | 800 | 1,300 |
| DN250 | 4,000 | 1,300 | 850 | 1,750 |
| DN300 | 4,500 | 1,400 | 900 | 2,300 |
| DN350 | 5,000 | 1,500 | 950 | 3,100 |
* Add 300mm clearance to each face for maintenance access. Crane/forklift lift points integrated into frame. Dimensional drawings (PDF + DWG) available free on request — sales@ca-fire.com
Key Features of the Explosion-Proof Deluge Valve Skid
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🏗️ Factory Pre-Assembled — Zero Field Assembly Risk The most significant advantage of the deluge valve skid over a site-built installation is quality assurance under controlled factory conditions. In a site-built installation, trim components are assembled by the site contractor — under schedule pressure, in varying weather, with variable skill levels. Incorrect trim connections, reversed solenoid polarity, wrong gauge orientation, or missed strainer installation are all real failure modes that a factory-assembled skid eliminates entirely. The CA-FIRE skid is assembled on a calibrated jig by trained technicians, pressure-tested as a complete unit at 6.4 MPa (strength) and 3.2 MPa (seal), and functionally tested through all three activation modes before the skid leaves the factory. The factory acceptance test (FAT) report — issued with every unit — records all test results, pressure readings, activation response times, and component serial numbers. This document forms part of the project's commissioning record and regulatory filing. |
📐 Vertical Orientation — 40% Smaller Floor Area Offshore platform modules, petrochemical process units, and compact urban industrial facilities all face the same constraint: floor space is either physically limited or carries a direct structural cost. The vertical skid format stacks all system components along the height axis rather than the floor plane — a DN200 vertical skid occupies approximately 0.96 m² of floor area (1,200mm × 800mm), versus a horizontal assembly of equivalent pipe size typically requiring 2.5–3.5 m². The vertical structural frame also provides inherent rigidity against horizontal vibration loads — common in pumping stations, compressor rooms, and offshore environments subject to structural movement. All serviceable components (gauges, solenoid, strainer, drain valve, and manual release) are accessible from the front face of the skid without rear access clearance, further reducing the required installation zone. |
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⚡ Integrated Ex Control Panel — Full DCS/FAS Interface The local explosion-proof control panel (DC24V, 55W, Ex db IIC T6 Gb, IP65) is mounted on the skid frame and pre-wired to all electrical components during assembly — solenoid valve, alarm pressure switch, water motor gong, and manual release button. No field wiring inside the skid is required. The panel's terminal strip provides labelled connection points for the facility's field cables: detector input signal, power supply, and output signals to the central FAS or DCS. Standard panel outputs: valve open/closed status (dry contact), alarm pressure switch status (dry contact), system fault (dry contact). Optional outputs: 4–20mA supply pressure transmitter, 4–20mA system pressure transmitter, Modbus RTU over RS485 for SCADA integration. Specify required outputs when requesting quotation to ensure the correct panel variant is supplied without field modification. |
🔁 Three-Mode Activation — Full Redundancy Automatic: Ex-rated detector signals the local control panel → panel energises solenoid → valve opens in ≤ 2 seconds. The primary activation path in all automated systems. Response time and event timestamp logged at the panel. Remote linkage: The facility's central FAS or DCS sends an activation command to the skid panel via the hardwired input terminal. Enables zone-by-zone activation from the main control room — essential for large petrochemical complexes managing multiple deluge zones simultaneously. All remote activations logged with timestamp. Manual on-site: The Ex-rated push button on the front face of the panel activates the solenoid directly in ≤ 1 second — bypassing detector and panel circuits entirely. Operates independently of power supply faults and communication failures. The final backup that cannot be defeated by system faults. |
How the Deluge Valve Skid Works — Step by Step
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① Standby The deluge valve inside the skid is held closed by pressurised water in the control chamber. All downstream open nozzles are dry. Both pressure gauges confirm standby pressures — supply side shows line pressure; system side shows zero. The Ex control panel monitors detector loop and solenoid circuit status continuously. All three activation paths are live and ready. |
② Fire Detection → Panel Signal An Ex-rated detector signals the local skid control panel. The panel validates the signal against its programmed confirmation logic (single or double-knock, configurable per project) and logs the event with timestamp. Simultaneously, the panel transmits the activation signal to the central FAS/DCS via the output terminal. The panel drives the solenoid valve within milliseconds of signal validation. |
③ Solenoid Opens → Valve Trips The Ex-rated solenoid vents the control chamber pressure through the trim pipework to the skid drain. With closing force removed, 1.6 MPa supply pressure lifts the diaphragm fully open in ≤ 2 seconds. The entire valve bore is exposed — head loss drops to <0.08 MPa. Water or foam-water mixture at up to 360 L/s floods the downstream distribution header. |
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④ Simultaneous Zone Discharge Every open spray nozzle or open sprinkler head across the complete protected zone discharges simultaneously — total-area suppression with no zone sequencing delay. In a foam-water system, pre-mixed foam solution from the upstream proportioner reaches every nozzle within the hydraulically designed response time. High-density discharge covers the full fire footprint immediately. |
⑤ Alarm Activation Flow through the skid's alarm port drives the water motor gong (audible bell — no electrical power required) and closes the Ex-rated alarm pressure switch. The pressure switch signal confirms valve opening at the local panel and at the central FAS. Total time from solenoid energisation to alarm confirmation: ≤ 3 seconds. All events logged with timestamps on the skid panel. |
⑥ Reset & Restoration After suppression: (1) close upstream OS&Y valve; (2) de-energise solenoid at panel; (3) drain downstream via the skid drain valve; (4) re-pressurise control chamber via the priming line; (5) confirm valve reseated — zero drain flow; (6) restore detection circuit; (7) open upstream supply. Reset time: 20–40 minutes. Full reset procedure documented in the CA-FIRE O&M manual supplied with every skid. |
Applications — Where the Deluge Valve Skid Is Specified
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Petrochemical Refineries & Chemical Plants Process unit deluge stations and reactor area suppression in Zone 1/2 classified areas where Ex certification is mandatory and floor space between equipment is typically under 2 m². The vertical skid fits in floor plan gaps that a horizontal assembly cannot occupy. Pre-assembled and factory-tested format satisfies refinery QA requirements without lengthy site commissioning. Zone 1/2 · Compact footprint · QA documentation |
Offshore Oil & Gas Platforms Every structural bay on an offshore platform is limited by the platform's topside weight budget. The vertical skid's smaller deck footprint and narrower width allow it to be positioned in module corners and secondary equipment areas that a horizontal assembly would block. Factory assembly and pressure test removes critical-path offshore commissioning work from the marine spread schedule — a significant cost saving. Weight critical · Deck space · Offshore commissioning |
LNG Terminals & Gas Processing Zone 1 methane atmospheres in LNG liquefaction and regasification areas. IIC gas group certification covers methane. The pre-assembled skid format is particularly valued in remote LNG projects where local technical capacity for complex valve station assembly is limited — the skid arrives ready to commission, reducing dependence on specialist site labour. Zone 1 · Methane IIC · Remote project |
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Coal Handling Plants & Mining Zone 21/22 combustible coal dust atmospheres in transfer towers, crusher buildings, and underground roadways. Ex tb IIIC dust certification covers all coal dust classifications. The pre-assembled skid passes through standard mine access shafts in the vertical orientation more easily than a spread horizontal assembly. Zone 21/22 · Coal dust · Mine access |
Power Generation Facilities Turbine hall, transformer bay, and cable tunnel deluge protection. Power station mechanical rooms typically have adequate ceiling height for vertical skids and benefit from the reduced floor area — boiler and turbine auxiliaries leave little spare floor space in the valve room. The integrated control panel interfaces directly with the plant DCS. DCS integration · Turbine hall · Transformer bay |
BRI Export EPC Projects Chinese EPC contractors building industrial facilities in Southeast Asia, Middle East, and Africa specify pre-assembled skids to remove complex valve station assembly from the site scope — reducing risk in project environments with limited specialist installation contractors. CA-FIRE provides full English documentation: FAT report, GB + IEC 60079 Ex certificates, Cv hydraulic data, ANSI flange option, and NFPA 13/15 compatibility data. BRI · EPC · Reduced site scope · English docs |
Applicable Standards & Certifications
| Standard | Scope |
|---|---|
| GB 5135.7-2019 | 自动喷水灭火系统 第7部分 — Chinese national standard governing deluge valve performance. All ZSFM valves in the skid carry national fire product type approval to this standard. |
| IEC 60079-0 / 60079-1 / 60079-31 | General requirements, Flameproof enclosures, and Protection by enclosure "t" for dust. The technical basis for Ex db IIC T6 Gb (gas) and Ex tb IIIC T80°C Db (dust) certifications on all electrical skid components. IECEx documentation available for offshore and BRI export projects. |
| NFPA 13 / NFPA 15 | Standard for Sprinkler Systems and Water Spray Fixed Systems. Cv hydraulic data available per DN size for NFPA hydraulic calculations. ANSI flange connections available for NFPA export projects. |
| GB 50151 | 泡沫灭火系统设计规范 — Design standard for foam fire extinguishing systems. Applicable when the skid is used as the control station in a foam-water deluge system. |
| ISO 9001:2015 | CA-FIRE QMS certification covering design, manufacturing, skid assembly, pressure testing, Ex component inspection, FAT documentation, and shipment for all skid products. |
Frequently Asked Questions — Deluge Valve Skid
What is the difference between a deluge valve skid and a standard deluge valve assembly?
A standard deluge valve assembly refers to the valve body with its immediate trim components — solenoid, gauges, alarm port, drain connection — either assembled by the contractor on site or supplied loosely for site installation. The structural support, control panel, and interconnecting pipework are all site-supplied and site-assembled.
A deluge valve skid is the complete deluge valve station — valve body, all trim, upstream isolation valve, alarm devices, control panel, and all interconnecting pipework — factory-assembled on a structural steel skid frame, pressure-tested as a complete system, and delivered to site ready for three connections only (supply, discharge, signal). The skid eliminates all field assembly of valve station components and provides a factory acceptance test (FAT) record for the complete assembled system. For hazardous-area installations, the skid format also ensures all Ex-component wiring connections are made under controlled factory conditions with proper verification against certification drawings — rather than relying on site electrical contractor familiarity with Ex requirements.
Why choose the vertical skid over the horizontal deluge valve assembly?
The vertical skid has a floor footprint up to 40% smaller than the equivalent horizontal assembly for the same DN valve size. For a DN200 skid, this means approximately 0.96 m² of floor area versus 2.5–3.5 m² for a horizontal layout. In petrochemical process areas, offshore platform modules, and compact industrial plant rooms where floor space between equipment is measured in centimetres, this difference determines whether the installation is feasible at all.
The vertical frame also provides superior structural rigidity against lateral vibration — relevant in pumping stations, compressor rooms, and offshore environments subject to structural movement. And the narrower profile (800–1,500mm wide for DN50–DN350) means the skid passes through standard industrial doorways and access hatches that a wider horizontal assembly cannot negotiate.
The main limitation of the vertical orientation is ceiling height requirement — DN50 skids need 2.2m clearance; DN350 skids need 5.0m. In low-ceiling buildings or areas with overhead equipment, the horizontal deluge valve assembly is the correct choice.
Can the deluge valve skid be installed outdoors?
Yes. The IP65 protection rating on all electrical components (control panel, solenoid, pressure switch, manual release button, and junction boxes) means all enclosures are completely dust-tight and resistant to water jets from any direction — meeting the requirements for outdoor installation in all normal weather conditions.
For installations in direct coastal exposure with salt-laden marine atmosphere, or in chemical plant outdoor areas with corrosive vapour, CA-FIRE recommends specifying the SS304 or SS316 stainless steel valve body and skid frame option. A weatherproof GRP (glass-reinforced plastic) canopy for the control panel is also available as an option for installations in areas with extreme weather (driving rain, snow loading, or intense direct solar radiation). Specify site conditions when requesting quotation.
What is included in the factory acceptance test (FAT) — and what documentation is provided?
Every CA-FIRE deluge valve skid undergoes the following factory tests before shipment, with results recorded in the FAT report:
① Hydrostatic strength test at 6.4 MPa on the complete assembled skid — held for the required duration per GB 5135.7. ② Seal integrity test at 3.2 MPa — zero leakage confirmed at all flange faces, valves, and trim connections. ③ Functional activation test in all three modes — automatic (solenoid energisation), remote linkage (simulated panel input), and manual (push button). Response time recorded for each mode. ④ Alarm device verification — water motor gong and alarm pressure switch confirmed operational. ⑤ Ex component inspection against certification drawings — housing bolting, flame path gaps, cable entry integrity checked. ⑥ Electrical continuity test — all pre-wired connections verified against the skid wiring diagram.
Documentation provided with every skid: FAT report (all test results and component serial numbers), material certificates for valve body, dimensional inspection report, Ex certification copies for all electrical components, GB 5135.7 type approval certificate, and the CA-FIRE O&M (operation and maintenance) manual. For projects requiring third-party witnessed FAT — SGS, BV, or client-specified inspection agency — this can be arranged at the factory on request. Specify at time of order.
What is the lead time and what customisation options are available?
Lead time: Standard model skids in DN50 through DN200 are typically available within 4–6 weeks from order confirmation and drawing approval. Sizes DN250–DN350 typically require 6–8 weeks. Custom configurations — SS body and frame, non-standard flange rating, additional instrumentation, foam system integration — require 8–12 weeks. CA-FIRE provides a confirmed delivery schedule with each quotation.
Customisation options include: valve body material (carbon steel standard / SS304 / SS316); skid frame material and finish; explosion-proof solenoid voltage (DC24V standard / AC220V on request); flange standard (GB standard / ANSI B16.5 on request); additional pressure transmitters (4–20mA) for DCS integration; Modbus RTU communication module; remote position indicator for valve open/closed status; foam inlet connection and proportioner interface; weatherproof panel canopy; and additional manual isolation valves or test connections for specific project requirements.
Submit your project specifications, hydraulic data (flow rate, design pressure, pipe sizes), and DCS interface requirements to sales@ca-fire.com for a tailored proposal and confirmed delivery schedule.
Is the skid suitable for foam-water suppression systems?
Yes. The ZSFM diaphragm valve within the skid handles foam-water mixture at concentrate ratios up to 6% (AFFF, AR-AFFF, FFFP, or protein foam) without any modification to the valve body or trim. The skid includes a dedicated foam inlet connection point for integration with an upstream foam proportioner — balanced-pressure proportioner, bladder tank system, or inline inductor — which delivers pre-mixed foam solution to the skid inlet flange.
For foam-water applications, specify the required foam concentrate type and concentration ratio at time of enquiry. CA-FIRE can supply the complete foam proportioning equipment (vertical or horizontal foam bladder tank with proportioner) as a separate package to match the skid, or as part of a combined supply contract for the complete foam-water deluge system. See the foam bladder tank range for proportioning equipment options.
Related Products
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Complete Station · Horizontal · Factory-Tested Horizontal Deluge Valve Assembly The horizontal-orientation factory-assembled skid — same pre-tested quality, lower ceiling height requirement. Better choice for ground-floor valve rooms with ample floor area and limited ceiling height. View Horizontal Assembly → |
Ex Valve · 2.5 MPa · High Pressure Explosion-Proof Deluge Valve When supply pressure exceeds 1.6 MPa — the ZSFM-Ex 2.5 MPa piston-type valve for petrochemical refineries and LNG terminals with elevated fire water ring main pressure. View 2.5 MPa Ex Valve → |
SS304/SS316 · Ex-Rated · Air-Controlled Stainless Steel Deluge Valve For installations requiring corrosion resistance in addition to Ex certification — offshore platforms, coastal plants, LNG terminals. SS316 body, air-controlled dry pilot, DN50–DN350. View SS Deluge Valve → |
Foam Proportioning · Upstream Supply Foam Bladder Tank Foam concentrate storage and balanced-pressure proportioning for foam-water deluge systems. Pairs directly with the Ex deluge valve skid for LNG terminal and petrochemical foam-water protection. View Foam Bladder Tank → |
Get a Quote — Deluge Valve Skid
Vertical Explosion-Proof Skid · DN50–DN350 · 1.6 MPa · Ex db IIC T6 Gb / Ex tb IIIC T80°C Db · IP65
Zone 1/2 & Zone 21/22 | Factory Pre-Assembled · Pressure-Tested · FAT Report Included
Water + AFFF 6% | GB 5135.7 · NFPA 13 · IEC 60079 · ISO 9001 · 3 Site Connections Only