Automatic sprinkler systems are widely used for fire protection in various buildings, with deluge valves serving as the core component of these systems. Traditional deluge valves employ a diaphragm-type design (Zoning Sprinkler Fire Monitor, ZSFM), which is prone to significant safety hazards such as corrosion and damage due to uneven pressure distribution on the diaphragm. This study modified a 150 mm diameter ZSFM to a non-pressure diaphragm type, establishing and validating a CFD model of the internal flow field. Based on the original structure, six drag reduction optimization cases are designed. Among these, case 5 exhibits the minimum inlet-to-outlet pressure drop of 0.050 MPa under rated operating conditions, meeting and significantly exceeding the fire protection industry standard (≤0.08 MPa).
Zheng et al. (2026) studied this question.