Alert Summary

FM Approvals has been made aware that, in areas where sprinkler system water supply conditions are such that calcium or other mineral deposits could develop, the low pressure actuator of the Victaulic Series 768 FireLock NXT Dry Valve may become restricted preventing proper function of the sprinkler system. See attached Technical Field Bulletin issued by the Victaulic Company.

Company (as listed in the Approval Guide)

Victaulic Company
4901 Kesslersville Rd
Easton, Pennsylvania 18040
USA

Contact Information

1-855-861-1227 or e-mail at engineeringservices@victaulic.com.

Product Identity

Dry pipe valve.

Model

Victaulic Series 768 FireLock NXT.

Date Codes Affected

Valves manufactured prior to June 2010.

FM Approval Status

All models manufactured on or after November 16, 2005 are FM Approved.

Hazard Involved

The above models manufactured during the affected date codes were fitted with a Series 776 Low-Pressure Actuator that may be susceptible to restriction preventing actuation of the dry pipe valve. This could prevent the sprinkler system from operating correctly and should be addressed immediately.

Further technical information regarding the Victaulic Series 768 FireLock NXT dry pipe valve can be found at the following web address: www.victaulic.com.

What Is the Issue?

If your sprinkler system contains a Victaulic Series 768 FireLock NXT Dry Valve, and the system is installed in an area where the water supply conditions are such that calcium or other mineral deposits could develop, you need to inspect the current condition of the Series 776 Low-Pressure Actuator for restriction of the air feed and auto vent orifices. The minerals present in the water may accumulate and cause a delay or an inoperable condition, preventing proper function of the sprinkler system.

What Should You Do?

In order to confirm proper function of the Series 776 Low-Pressure Actuator, Victaulic requests building owners to contact their fire protection contractor and schedule the completion of routine testing and inspection schedules provided by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). In standard NFPA 25 (Inspection Testing and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems), Chapter 13.4.4.2 defines the minimum inspection and testing requirements, including:

• A partial operational trip test to be performed annually
• A full operational trip test to be performed every 3 years
• A full internal inspection to be performed every 5 years

NFPA 25 states that these inspections and tests should be performed more frequently in the presence of contaminated, corrosive, and/or scaling water supplies or corrosive atmospheres. Additionally, the I-768, “Victaulic Series 768 FireLock NXT Installation, Maintenance, and Testing Manual,” shipped with each valve, provides procedures for performing these tests and inspections.

To aid your fire protection contractor in determining if the valve(s) installed in your system are affected by this bulletin, please refer to the factory-installed identification tag attached to the valve body (see sample identification tag photo below). Valves manufactured prior to June 2010 may be equipped with a Series 776 Low-Pressure Actuator that is more susceptible to restriction. If your contractor determines that remediation is necessary, they will call 1-855-861-1227 or e-mail Victaulic at engineeringservices@victaulic.com for the necessary instructions and hardware in order to return your system to proper operation.

Who Is Affected by This Technical Service Bulletin?

This technical service bulletin affects anyone responsible for the ongoing maintenance of a fire sprinkler system that uses the Series 768 FireLock NXT Dry Valve in combination with the Series 776 Low-Pressure Actuator manufactured prior to June 2010.

If there is any uncertainty about whether this bulletin applies to your system, please contact a qualified local fire sprinkler contractor who can assist in making this determination.

If your sprinkler system contains a different manufacturer’s dry valve, consult the manufacturer for their recommended inspection and maintenance procedures.