FLO-LOC's Seismic Guide ~
Water System Awareness Checklist

Is your water storage and distribution system seismically protected? The odds are increasing every day that your water district will encounter a major earthquake, so you should be aware of the various components of your system and their ability to survive a moderate to severe seismic shock.

Consider the following...

Storage

  1. What is the age of your system? The older the construction, the more likely it is to sustain damage during an earthquake.
  2. How many reservoirs do you have? Are they located in populated areas?
  3. Are they buried or elevated? Underground facilities are usually more resistant to earthquake damage.
  4. What kind of soil are your reservoirs built on? Sand can liquefy. Clays may amplify. Solid rock is the most secure.
  5. Do you store hazardous materials such as chlorine?
  6. Is your facility near a known earthquake fault? Maps of all known active and inactive faults in your area are available from various sources (see California EQ Hazard Maps ).
  7. Are your storage reservoirs firmly anchored to the ground? Unanchored reservoirs in the Landers quake were thrown three feet in the air and dropped, instantly releasing all their stored water and giving them the appearance of crushed cans.
  8. Do your reservoirs have internal baffling? Sideways movement of water (seesh) will damage a reservoir as easily as vertical movement.
  9. What kind of valving is employed? Gate? Altitude? Manual? How are they controlled? Do you use Telemetry / SCADA ?

Distribution

  1. What type of pipe do you use? Concrete? Steel? Will it stand a moderate seismic event without rupturing? Do you use flexible couplings? The point where the pipeline joins the reservoir is the weakest point in your system.
  2. Do you have M.W.D. turnouts? If so, remember they are your responsibility.

Pump Stations

  1. How are they powered? Diesel? Natural gas? Electric? Or some combination?
  2. Is on-site emergency power available?

Use this Seismic Products Guide to
pick the features you need ...

When your job calls for a Seismic Sensor with...
We recommend that you use a ...

Manual ARM/TRIP
Remote ARM/TRIP status

 Model FL 200 Seismic Switch

Local/Remote ARM/TRIP
Local/Remote ARM/TRIP status

 Model FL 201 Seismic Switch
Local/Remote ARM/TRIP
Local/Remote ARM/TRIP status
Ability to control altitude valve
 Model FL 202 Seismic Switch
Local/Remote ARM/TRIP
Local/Remote ARM/TRIP status
Local/Remote AC/Solar status
 Model FL 1000 Seismic Controller
Local/Remote ARM/TRIP
Local/Remote ARM/TRIP status
Local/Remote AC/Solar status
Local/Remote Open/Stop/Close
    operation plus 'turns' indication
 Model FL 1100 Seismic Controller
Local/Remote ARM/TRIP
Local/Remote ARM/TRIP status
Local/Remote AC/Solar status
Local/Remote Open/Stop/Close operation plus
    'turns' indication for two valves (independent)
 Model FL 1200 Seismic Controller
Local/Remote ARM/TRIP
Local/Remote ARM/TRIP status
Local/Remote AC/Solar status
Local/Remote Open/Stop/Close operation
Computer-controlled flow pressure monitoring
   program to differentiate between line breaks and
   fireflow demand 		Model FS 2100 Seismic Safety
     and Management System

To see which valve actuator works best with which seismic product, click here.

To see which 24-volt DC power supply best supports your size and number of valves, click on this PowerPak link.

So many choices can be confusing, but remember that by far our most popular and cost effective combination is the FL201 System, consisting of an FL201 Seismic Switch, one or more FP3200 Valve Actuators with a PP5200 POWERPAK powering each valve actuator. Your FLO-LOC Professional Representative will gladly assist you in choosing the right FLO-LOC Seismic Safety System for your application.

Learn More...
Whether you are planning the addition of a seismic system to an existing water distribution and storage system or designing a completely new water project, we highly recommend that you first contact one of our Manufacturer's Representatives - Southwest Valve & Equipment, Inc. or Beaver Equipment Specialty Co., Inc. Their years of accumulated expertise in the design and operation of Municipal Water Systems is available to make sure you receive the best seismic system for your particular project. All questions regarding prices of FLO-LOC products should be directed to our Manufacturer's Representatives.

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1023-F Calle Sombra, San Clemente, CA 92673
(800) 794-7562   (949) 498-7310
email: Info@FLO-LOC.com    Our Representatives s Home Page

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