Whats this thing on our range oil boiler? - is it a fire valve

Andy From Sligo

hi there - is this some kind of fire valve shut off tap on the oil line to our stanley oil fired range:



sorry for the bad picture- Does it shut off automatically if it detects a fire or fault within the boiler? - why does it say 'dont push down' on the top sticker? and if you wanted to shut off manually do you turn the knob clockwise or counter clockwise? - cheers.

phog

I think its a fire valve and operates under heat and pops inwards to shut off the fuel supply hence the warning not to push downwards.

I'd guess once it pops it needs replacing

Tokyo

Yep, it's a fire valve - generally the way they work is that there is a threaded spindle in the centre like a tap, that opens/closes upon twisting the knob. The spindle itself is held in place with solder that melts in the event of a fire, closing the tap automatically,hence the warning not to push down on it - you can break the solder joint by pressing on it hard, or twisting it too tight.

Dtp1979

It's a remote acting fire valve. Not the solder type as described above. They should be located outside or at least 1 metre from the boiler. A probe goes from it to the burner of the cooker and shuts off the oil supply at 65 or 90 degrees, depending on which one you have. Don't push it down or twist it. There is a valve on your tank for isolating the oil

Tokyo

Dtp1979 wrote: »

It's a remote acting fire valve. Not the solder type as described above.

Apologies - didn't look closely enough at the picture - you're right.

Dtp1979

mike_ie wrote: »

Apologies - didn't look closely enough at the picture - you're right.

By right, they should be fitted on all oil boilers. The solder type ones are dreadful and cannot be tested