A UL/FM Fire Gate Valve is a type of valve designed specifically for use in water-based fire protection systems, such as sprinkler, standpipe, and fire pump systems. Its primary function is to manually isolate sections of the piping system for maintenance, repair, or replacement without draining the entire system.
The "Gate" refers to the internal mechanism: a solid wedge or parallel disc that moves up and down perpendicular to the flow to start or stop it. The "Fire" designation means it is built and tested to much stricter standards than a standard plumbing gate valve.
UL (Underwriters Laboratories) and FM Approvals certify these valves to ensure they are reliable, durable, and will operate when needed in a fire emergency.
