Which description correctly characterizes a Post Indicator Valve?

Which description correctly characterizes a Post Indicator Valve?

• A. A hollow metal post that houses a valve stem with OPEN or SHUT
• B. A circular disk inside a flat plate on top of the valve housing
• C. A valve that extends horizontally through the wall
• D. A glass indicator showing water pressure

Answer: (A)

The key idea is how a Post Indicator Valve shows its position. A Post Indicator Valve is a vertical, hollow metal post that encloses the valve stem and carries a visible OPEN or SHUT indicator. This design lets firefighters quickly verify the valve status from outside the post, which is crucial when operating standpipe or sprinkler mains. The indicator is part of the post itself, so you can tell at a glance whether the valve is open or closed without disassembling anything. The other descriptions refer to different devices: a disk on top is not how a PIV communicates position, a valve that extends through a wall describes a through-wall valve, and a glass indicator for water pressure describes a pressure gauge. So the description of a hollow metal post housing a valve stem with OPEN or SHUT best captures a Post Indicator Valve.

The key idea is how a Post Indicator Valve shows its position. A Post Indicator Valve is a vertical, hollow metal post that encloses the valve stem and carries a visible OPEN or SHUT indicator. This design lets firefighters quickly verify the valve status from outside the post, which is crucial when operating standpipe or sprinkler mains. The indicator is part of the post itself, so you can tell at a glance whether the valve is open or closed without disassembling anything. The other descriptions refer to different devices: a disk on top is not how a PIV communicates position, a valve that extends through a wall describes a through-wall valve, and a glass indicator for water pressure describes a pressure gauge. So the description of a hollow metal post housing a valve stem with OPEN or SHUT best captures a Post Indicator Valve.