
What are PIVS and how do they work?
The PIV is essentially a pipe or post, rising out of the ground that is connected to the underground main. It provides a means of quick access and control to the water supply control valve so that water can quickly be provided or shut off accordingly, and which also has an indicator that shows whether the valve is open or shut. How Do PIVs Work?
What is Piv ventilation?
What is PIV? A number of PIV products are available on the market today from many well-known ventilation manufacturers such as Nuaire and Vent Axia. There are variations on the theme, but the most popular products consist of a fan positioned in the loft space, which blows air into the house via a ceiling-mounted air valve or diffuser.
What is a PIV wrench used for?
Universal PIV wrenches can be used to turn the operating nut and open and close the underground fire line valve. Image source: MeyerFire Also known as PIVs, indicator posts, I posts, IPs, wall posts, or post indicators, post indicator valves can be easily recognized by a consistent symbol: “PIV” inside a circle.
What is the difference between underground main valves and PIVS?
With underground main valves, it is both difficult to know whether they are in an open or closed position and difficult to access in a hurry. The PIV is essentially a pipe or post, rising out of the ground that is connected to the underground main.

What is a PIV for?
PIV stands for a "Personal Identity Verification" Credential. PIV cards are used government-wide to control access to Federally Controlled Facilities and information systems at the appropriate security level.
What is a PIV inspection?
These regular visual inspections are to ensure that the valve has not been deliberately or accidentally tampered with and that the necessary water supply is provided to the structure the PIV is for.
Do I need a PIV?
Ultimately, your USAccess PIV credential will enable you to gain access to buildings and systems for which you are authorized. Without a PIV credential, you may not be able to enter certain buildings, or will need to be registered as a guest.
What does a post indicator valve look like?
0:063:47Post Indicator Valve.mov - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis valve has two ways that it can be monitored for valve tamper. One is electronic. And the otherMoreThis valve has two ways that it can be monitored for valve tamper. One is electronic. And the other is a simple lock both of these devices.
What is a PIV switch?
Description. The Model 1181 PIV is a weather proof and tamper resistant wireless switch for monitoring the open position of fire sprinkler control valves of the post indicator, butterfly and other types.
Is a post indicator valve required?
1) Each fire sprinkler system shall have at least one Post Indicator Valve or other indicating control valve as approved by the fire code official, and one Fire Department Connection, unless otherwise required by the California Fire Code, NFPA 13, NFPA 13D, or NFPA 13R.
What is the difference between a CAC and a PIV?
A common access card (CAC) includes a picture used for identification and can also be used as a smart card. While not included in the answers, a personal identity verification (PIV) card also includes a picture and can be used as a smart card.
What is PIV exemption?
1. If a user's PIV card is lost, damaged, or malfunctioning, the user may contact ESD at (855) 673-4357 to remedy the problem. 2. Once ESD verifies the identification of the user, the user will be granted a 14-day exemption.
How do I get a PIV number?
Contracting Officer Representatives (CORs) may request a PIV or Facility Access Card (FAC) ID card for contractors through the PIV credentialing process by submitting a request to [email protected] . The Security Service Center will contact the COR/contractor to complete the enrollment process.
Which valve is used in fire line?
One type of valve commonly used to control water flow to fire sprinkler systems is known as an OS&Y gate valve. OS&Y means “outside stem and yoke” or "outside screw and yoke". OS&Y gate valves operate by opening and closing via a gate, which lowers into or rises out of the valve.
Who gets a PIV card?
A PIV Card Applicant is anyone who is eligible to apply for a VA PIV Card. To be eligible, you must: Be an employee, contractor, affiliate or volunteer who will work with VA for more than six months continuously or more than 180 aggregate days in a given year, and.
How do you get a PIV?
Contracting Officer Representatives (CORs) may request a PIV or Facility Access Card (FAC) ID card for contractors through the PIV credentialing process by submitting a request to [email protected] . The Security Service Center will contact the COR/contractor to complete the enrollment process.
In what type of situation would a PIV be required for federal government use?
HSPD-12 explicitly requires the use of PIV Cards “in gaining physical access to Federally controlled facilities and logical access to Federally controlled information systems.” [HSPD-12] The PIV Card employs microprocessor-based smart card technology, and is designed to be counterfeit-resistant, tamper-resistant, and ...
What is PIV compliance?
PIV, or Personal Identity Verification is a multi-factor authentication solution that covers the complete lifecycle of the identity: from identity proofing, secure credential issuance, IT systems and physical/facility access, and retirement of the trusted secure credential.
How Do PIVs Work?
The mechanisms at work in a post indicator valve are fairly straight forward.
How often should PIV valves be inspected?
Inspection: NFPA dictates that PIV control valves be inspected regularly, the frequency of which is determined by the type of seal that is protecting it. Valves protected by wire seals must be visually inspected every week. Valves protected by padlocks and chains must be visually inspected every month.
What happens after a PIV is used?
After the PIV’s maintenance or emergency use is completed, the valve will be returned to its resting position (either opened or closed), the wrench actuator removed from the operating nut, and placed back in its storage position and locked in place.
How to tell if a PIV is open or shut?
If the PIV is stored in the shut position, then “SHUT” will be visible through the visual indicator window when in the resting position. When someone uses the wrench to turn and open the gate valve, the indicator sign will move to show “OPEN” through the window.
How to operate a gate valve?
When maintenance or emergency personnel need to operate the valve, they unlock the wrench actuator, remove it from the storage position, and place the wrench end on the operating nut on top of the PIV and turn the nut, subsequently turning the gate valve within to either open or shut the water supply valve.
What is a PIV valve?
What is a PIV? In short, post indicator valves (PIVs) are sturdy, above-ground access and operator valves used for automatic sprinkler systems and wet standpipe systems whose main water supply valves are located underground. With underground main valves, it is both difficult to know whether they are in an open or closed position ...
What is the 5th part of a PIV?
The fifth part, the gate valve (also known as the operating shaft), is the internal mechanism. In a standard PIV, the post body is mounted on top of the fire sprinkler/standpipe system’s water supply pipe. Sometimes this means the bottom of the PIV is buried under the ground, while other times, it may have a flange that is bolted down ...
How Do Post Indicator Valves Work?
A PIV consists of 4 parts, i.e., a gate or butterfly valve, the post/body, the handle or wrench actuator, and the visual indicator. The gate or butterfly valve connects to a shut off valve in the underground fire line, while the post protrudes out from the ground or the wall. The actuator and the visual indicator are on the post, which allows the valve to be opened and closed easily by moving the actuator, and checking its position through the ‘OPEN ‘ or ‘SHUT’ notification in the indicator.
What does the PIV symbol mean?
It also has a glass or plastic window, which indicates whether the valve is open or shut. These valve mechanisms can be recognized by the post indicator valve symbol, which displays the acronym PIV inside a circle. One can commonly see these devices on the interior walls of buildings.
What is a ground post?
Ground Post: This is an indicator post which has its base buried in the ground, and generally has a lockable handle or wrench. It is used when the valve is located out of the building.
What is a pedestal post?
Pedestal Post: This indicator post looks similar to a ground post. However, instead of being buried in the ground, it is bolted through a flange to a horizontal surface, usually a platform of concrete. It is also operated through a lockable handle or wrench. It is used when the valve is located inside a building, and the water mains are underground.
Why is it important to maintain PIVs?
It is important that all PIVs are maintained periodically so that problems such as leaks or failures in operation are tackled promptly. This will save a lot of money by avoiding replacement of parts, and fines for negligence.
What is a wall mount?
Wall Mounts: These setups have two nozzles that are mounted on a round plate of brass, horizontally on a wall.
Who invented the post indicator valve?
Post indicator valves were created and patented by inventors Crookham and Lee in 1972 for Clow Corp., a pipe manufacturing company, and were publicly installed for the first time in 1974. Also known as PIV, indicator post, I post, IP, post indicator, or wall post, a post indicator valve is a valve assembly used for the purpose ...
What is PIV?
A number of PIV products are available on the market today from many well-known ventilation manufacturers such as Nuaire and Vent Axia. There are variations on the theme, but the most popular products consist of a fan positioned in the loft space, which blows air into the house via a ceiling-mounted air valve or diffuser. This positively pressurises the house, hence ‘positive input’. Most systems have a filter of some sort before the fan, so the dust and debris that is often present in loft spaces does not foul the fan, and air delivered into the house is cleaner than it otherwise would be.
What are the different types of ventilation?
Approved Document F describes four standard ventilation approaches, although PIV is not one of these, and is covered under the ‘alternative approaches’. They are: 1 Background Ventilators and Intermittent Extract fans (the most common in houses built in the last 20 years or so) 2 Passive Stack Ventilation – very unusual and not generally installed. 3 Continuous Mechanical Extract (MEV and its close cousin Decentralised MEV (dMEV)) 4 Continuous Mechanical Extract with Heat Recover (also known as MVHR and HRV)
Why do PIV fans work?
PIV fans increase the pressure inside the house, so the air will try to find its way out, carrying with it moisture and other pollutants. A potential problem occurs if the path of least resistance is such that the air is not directed where it is required.
How to remove moisture from a wall?
Ventilation of some sort is the best way to remove excess moisture and avoid the risk of mould, but there could be a risk that pushing moist air out through cracks in the fabric leads to moisture accumulating within the walls, moving the problem out of sight rather than curing it.
Why do we need ventilation?
Ventilation is necessary in all buildings to provide oxygen for occupants to breathe (and in some cases combustion of fuels in older boilers and gas cooking appliances), and to remove pollutants such as carbon dioxide and odo urs. Arguably the most important pollutant to remove is water vapour. Excess moisture can lead to a variety of problems, the most obvious of which is mould growth. Mould needs a fairly humid environment to grow and ventilating away excess moisture is to avoid mould-friendly conditions. A large family can release in excess of 16 Litres of water per day via breathing, showering, cooking, laundry etc, enough to raise the RH of over 3800m 3 of air from 50% RH (what design engineers aim for) to 80% RH (the threshold for mould). With the right design, it’s perfectly feasible to deal with this moisture, but without the right ventilation things can go wrong pretty quickly.
What is the best way to recover heat from a stale air?
The most efficient and effective method is MVHR, which uses a heat exchanger to recover most of the heat from the outgoing stale air and warm up the incoming fresh air. One possible advantage of PIV is that the loft can act as a pre-heating ‘plenum’ when solar gain on dark tiles elevates the temperature of the air in the loft.
What is the most important pollutant to remove?
Arguably the most important pollutant to remove is water vapour. Excess moisture can lead to a variety of problems, the most obvious of which is mould growth. Mould needs a fairly humid environment to grow and ventilating away excess moisture is to avoid mould-friendly conditions.
What is a PIV card?
The Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card is an identification card issued by a federal agency that contains a computer chip, which allows it to receive, store, recall, and send information in a secure method .
What is the purpose of a PKI card?
The main function of the card is to encrypt or code data to strengthen the security of both employees’ and Veterans’ information and physical access to secured areas, while using a common technical and administrative process. The method used to achieve this is called Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) technology.
What is PKI technology?
The method used to achieve this is called Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) technology. PKI complies with all Federal and VA security policies, and is the accepted Global Business Standard for Internet Security. As an added benefit, PKI can provide the functionality for digital signatures to ensure document authenticity.
What is the President's directive for a federal employee?
Bush issued Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) which mandated new standards for secure and reliable personal identification for all federal employees and contractors. These standards are based on sound criteria for verifying an employee’s identity; strongly resistant to identify fraud, tampering, counterfeiting, and terrorist exploration; and includes rapid electronic authentication.
Who can change the data on a credit card?
Integrity — Only the card-holder may change the data.
When to use indicating valves on fire protection systems
Post indicator valves (PIV) play an important role in a fire protection system, opening and closing the water supply from outside the building. But in 2010, the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA’s) post indicator valve requirements changed. While they gave system designers more options, they also made it less clear when they’re needed.
What are NFPA post indicator valve requirements?
The International Fire Code (IFC) states that private fire service mains must be installed per NFPA 24: Standard for the Installation of Private Fire Service Mains and Their Appurtenances. NFPA 24 regulates system requirements between water supply mains and service entries into a building.
