Fire valves should be tested at least once a year as a part of the servicing procedure to ensure safety.
The code of practice for liquid fuel burning installations for space heating and hot water supply purposes in domestic buildings with an output of not exceeding 70kW is outlined in British Standard 5410-1:2019, which states that “liquid fuel supply pipework, valves, filters and fire valves should be visually inspected and checked for proper operation, including resetting, where appropriate, at least annually.”
Visual inspection of the valve for indications of corrosion and/or oil leakage at junctions with the oil supply pipe is recommended, and the capillary tube should be carefully examined for any damage or kinks, and also to ensure that it’s properly secured.
Appropriate test equipment should be used to verify that the fire valve is operating correctly, that the valve closes at the correct temperature, and can be manually reset when the sensor temperature has dropped to normal.
A vital function
Fire valves are important and should not be disregarded. They provide a vital and frequently unnoticed function in protecting houses from the risk of fire originating at the appliance, potentially saving lives even though they may never be needed.
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