Where should the main control valve of a sprinkler system be located?

Where should the main control valve of a sprinkler system be located?

• A. Between the sources of water supply and the sprinkler system
• B. Inside the sprinkler room only
• C. At the water source
• D. On the roof

Answer: (A)

The main control valve should be on the water supply line feeding the sprinkler system, sitting between the water source and the sprinkler piping. This placement lets you shut off water to the entire sprinkler system quickly for maintenance or when a problem occurs, without cutting off water to other building services. If the valve were only inside the sprinkler room, access and isolation might be limited; at the water source would disable more than just the sprinkler system, and on the roof is impractical and unsafe. So the best location is between the water source and the sprinkler system, on the supply side where it can isolate the entire system.

The main control valve should be on the water supply line feeding the sprinkler system, sitting between the water source and the sprinkler piping. This placement lets you shut off water to the entire sprinkler system quickly for maintenance or when a problem occurs, without cutting off water to other building services. If the valve were only inside the sprinkler room, access and isolation might be limited; at the water source would disable more than just the sprinkler system, and on the roof is impractical and unsafe. So the best location is between the water source and the sprinkler system, on the supply side where it can isolate the entire system.