V | Valve-sterisk! -[ FAFM '24 ]-

This cluster of valves is called a fire pump (discharge) test header, an important feature of a building's fire sprinkler system, used for periodic flow testing of the system's water pump as required by applicable fire safety codes. As far as I can tell from research (mostly websites of companies selling fire safety systems and services), the test involves connecting hoses to these valves; each valve then opened at various points during testing to verify the pump meets standards for water flow and pressure (its capacity) under different flow levels.

 

I've driven past the side of the building many times over the years, but only recently noticed this interesting cluster of valves. Apparently, the number of valves these headers accommodate varies with the size of the building and its fire sprinkler pump capacity.

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