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FireChek® with Quick Exhaust and Pilot Valves Quickly Shutdown Large Pneumatic Actuators in Fire Situations
Clark NJ - Now FM-approved FireChek® thermal shutoffs with resettable
memory shape alloy can be used to automatically shut down a pneumatic
control system when a nearby fire occurs, or when the ambient
temperature reaches 135, 150, or 165°F. The testability and reset
ability of the FireChek makes it a preferred choice over emergency
isolation valves that rely on fusible links or plastic burn-through
tubing.
When the FireChek senses excessive heat from a nearby fire, it
immediately closes the air supply line preventing the air from feeding
the fire. It simultaneously vents the spring return actuator to allow
the return to fail-safe. The FireChek triggers quickly, securing
pneumatically operated process line valves in their fail-safe position
for both on/off and throttling applications. Because FireChek responds
to heat, not flame, it offers dramatically improved protection compared
with conventional plastic tubing burn-through.
The shape memory element senses the ambient temperature and, through a
phase induction change, rapidly produces the force and motion to
trigger the FireChek. The element is 100% reliable because the shape
memory effect is intrinsic to the alloy. Shape memory alloys have
performed successfully for many years in military, industrial, and
consumer product applications.
FireChek’s manual reset allows routine performance testing for safety
maintenance programs. The FireChek is available in three different
configurations:
1. FireChek®
The single FireChek is directly mounted between the pneumatic supply
and spring return actuator via two NPT threaded connections. While the
FireChek itself is extremely well suited for the vast majority of
pneumatic actuators with ¼” air supply input ports, the FireChek with
Quick Exhaust and FireChek PLUS can be used very effectively on larger
pneumatic actuators.
2. FireChek® with Quick Exhaust
The FireChek with Quick Exhaust provides a larger exhaust port. When
the emergency operation is triggered by excessive heat, the actuator
exhaust air is diverted to a larger port by the Quick Exhaust valve.
This allows for the spring return actuator to move to the failsafe
position much faster.
3. FireChek® PLUS Pilot Valves
The FireChek PLUS assembly combines the FM approved FireChek thermal
shutoff with a SIL Class III pilot valve, either with or without a
solenoid operator. The FireChek PLUS assemblies are available with
either a piped connection to the actuator, or with a NAMUR mounting
interface for direct mount of the pilot to the actuator. FireChek PLUS
models are available for actuators with port sizes from 1/4” to 1” to
accommodate most pneumatic actuators.
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FireChek is used in both batch and continuous process systems as found
in oil refining, paper manufacturing, chemicals, pharmaceutical and
power plants. Upgrades to the more efficient, more economical,
and testable FireChek thermal shutoffs do not affect normal plant
operations or the normal function of the control valve. Upgrades are
simply achieved by installing the FireChek components into the existing
control valve’s pneumatic air line.
FEATURES
· FM approved
· Easy to test and reset
· Rapidly responds to temperature rise, not flames
· Vents actuator air pressure
· Closes actuator air supply line
· Needs no power source, self-activates
· Compatible with most pneumatic actuators
· No contact with process fluids
· Reliable, intrinsic triggering
· Easy to retrofit, installs in minutes
For more information visit https://assuredautomation.com/
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