Abstract:
A trim manifold assembly is utilized to facilitate control of the control valve in a fire protection system. The trim manifold assembly utilizes a manifold block with numerous passageways to provide desired flow communication between various components, such as automatic and manual valves, check valves, inlet and exit ports, and sensor ports, by way of non-limiting example. The trim manifold assembly can be cost-effectively manufactured and may require less assembly steps. The trim manifold assembly can facilitate the assembly of a fire protection system and the attachment of the trim manifold assembly to the control valve for operation thereof.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/556,919, filed on Sep. 10, 2009. The entire disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to fire protection systems and, more particularly, to a trim manifold assembly that controls the operation of the control valve of a sprinkler system for various fire protection systems. 
     BACKGROUND 
     This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art. 
     Fire protection systems come in several forms. For example, deluge fire protection systems totally flood the protected area with pressurized fire suppressant, such as water by way of non-limiting example, with the system designed to empty until the control valve is closed by a release system, such as a hydraulic, pneumatic, electric, or manual release system. These deluge systems are often used in an area in which a fire may spread rapidly or in an area that contains combustible material, solutions, or the like. Other fire protection systems cycle between an actuated and non-actuated state and, in some cases, only deliver water to the affected area when activated by a heat sensor. 
     In some systems, the sprinkler system piping is filled with water prior to operation to permit a more rapid response. In other systems, the sprinkler piping is dry—these systems are primarily used to protect unheated structures where the system may be subject to freezing or in areas that are susceptible to water damage. 
     In each of these systems, the control valve that directs the flow of water to the sprinkler piping is controlled by a piping circuit or “trim piping.” Trim piping varies depending on the type of system and, further, on the size of the valve. The trim piping may require over one hundred fittings that must be fastened together. The fittings can be expensive and the time to assemble the fittings adds cost to the sprinkler system. Additionally, the complexity of the trim piping may result in installation errors that can impair proper operation. Moreover, the trim piping can be cumbersome in size and weight such that use in tight spaces is inhibited and/or prohibited. 
     SUMMARY 
     This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features. 
     A trim manifold assembly is utilized to facilitate control of the control valve in a fire protection system. The trim manifold assembly utilizes a manifold block with numerous passageways to provide desired flow communication between various components, such as automatic and manual valves, check valves, inlet and outlet ports, and sensor ports, by way of non-limiting example. The trim manifold assembly can be cost-effectively manufactured and may require less assembly steps. The trim manifold assembly can facilitate the assembly of a fire protection system and the attachment of the trim manifold assembly to the control valve for operation thereof. 
     A trim manifold assembly according to the present invention may be utilized with a fire protection system valve having an inlet in communication with a fire suppressant fluid supply line and an outlet in communication with sprinkler system piping. The trim manifold assembly may include a manifold block having a plurality of flow paths extending therethrough. A first one of the flow paths receives fire suppressant fluid in response to a fire condition. At least one port communicates with the first flow path and allows a fluid detection device to be coupled thereto to detect the presence of fire suppressant fluid in the first flow path. A second one of the flow paths communicates with the first flow path and receives fire suppressant fluid from the first flow path to be discharged to a discharge location. 
     The fire protection system valve may be responsive to a change in fluid pressure to control the flow of fire suppressant fluid from the fire suppressant fluid supply line to the sprinkler system piping. A third one of the flow paths of the manifold block may receive fire suppressant fluid from the fire suppressant supply line and supply the received fire suppressant fluid to a fluid pressure activated device. A fourth one of the flow paths may receive fire suppressant fluid to be discharged from at least one of the third flow path and the fluid pressure activated device. The fourth flow path discharges received fluid to a discharge location during a fire condition. Discharging received fluid through the fourth flow path changes a fluid pressure in the fluid pressure activated device and activates the fire protection system valve, causing fire suppressant to flow from the fire suppressant fluid line to the sprinkler system piping. 
     A trim manifold assembly according to the present invention may automatically maintain and discharge fluid pressure in a fluid pressure activated device. The trim manifold assembly may include a manifold formed from a single solid block. A first flow path extends through the manifold and receives a priming fluid from a fire suppressant fluid supply and directs the priming fluid to the fluid pressure activated device. A second flow path extends through the manifold and selectively receives priming fluid to be discharged to depressurize the fluid pressure activated device. A release mechanism may be external to the manifold and communicate with the first and second flow paths. The release mechanism may be responsive to a fire condition and allow flow communication between the first and second flow paths during a fire condition such that priming fluid in the first flow path is discharged through the second flow path and the fluid pressure activated device depressurized. A third flow path in the manifold communicates with an intermediate pressure chamber of a fire protection system valve and with the first flow path, with fire suppressant flowing into the intermediate pressure chamber when the fluid pressure activated device is depressurized. A pressure operated release valve may be disposed in the manifold in the third flow path and may selectively allow flow communication between the first and third flow paths based on a fluid pressure in the third flow path. A fourth flow path in the manifold may extend from the third flow path to the second flow path with fluid in the first and third flow paths flowing through the fourth flow path to the second flow path when the pressure operated release valve is open, thereby preventing a pressure buildup in the fluid pressure activated device. 
     A fire protection system according to the present invention includes a fire suppressant fluid supply, sprinkler system piping, a fire protection system valve, and a trim manifold assembly. The trim manifold assembly includes a manifold block having a plurality of flow paths extending therethrough. A first one of the flow paths receives fire suppressant fluid in response to a fire condition. At least one port communicates with the first flow path and allows a fluid detection device to be coupled thereto to detect the presence of fire suppressant fluid in the first flow path. A second one of the flow paths communicates with the first flow path and receives fire suppressant fluid from the first flow path to be discharged to a discharge location. 
     Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a portion of an exemplary pre-action deluge fire protection system utilizing the trim manifold assembly of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the trim manifold assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 3 and 4  are perspective views of the trim manifold assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a front plan view of the trim manifold assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 6-8  are cross-sectional views along lines  6 - 6 ,  7 - 7 , and  8 - 8 , respectively, of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a top plan view of the trim manifold assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 10-12  are cross-sectional views along lines  10 - 10 ,  11 - 11 , and  12 - 12 , respectively, of  FIG. 9 ; and 
         FIG. 13  is a back plan view of the trim manifold assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. As used herein, the terms “top,” “bottom,” “right side,” “left side,” “front side,” and “back side” refer to the orientation of the trim manifold assembly as shown in  FIGS. 1-2 . It should be appreciated that these terms are relative terms and that these terms are not absolute indications of the orientation of the trim manifold assembly and, rather, are merely exemplary and for purposes of description. Furthermore, it should also be understood that as used herein, the terms “normally open” and “normally closed” refer to the operational condition of the associated component when the trim manifold assembly and the fire protection system are in a ready or set condition for normal operation to activate in the event of a fire condition. 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , a fire protection system, generally indicated at  20 , incorporating a trim manifold assembly  22  of the present teachings is shown. In the illustrated embodiment, fire protection system  20  is a pre-action deluge system. It should be appreciated that a trim manifold assembly according to the present teachings may be used in other types of fire protection systems, as described below. Fire protection system  20  includes a control valve  24 , which is normally closed and controls the flow of fire suppressant, such as water, from a fire suppressant supply  26  to sprinkler system piping  28 , which includes a plurality of sprinklers for delivering the fire suppressant to an area protected by fire protection system  20 . As will be more fully described below, trim manifold assembly  22  controls the flow of fire suppressant through valve  24  using a release mechanism  30 , which is normally closed and which may be electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic, by way of non-limiting example. Furthermore, trim manifold assembly  22  may provide a compact assembly that is pre-assembled and may be pre-tested prior to installation to ease the assembly of fire protection system  20 . 
     Fire suppressant supply  26  delivers fire suppressant to valve  24  through a supply control valve  32 , which is normally open and whose output delivers fire suppressant to the input  34  of valve  24 . Output  36  of valve  24  delivers fire suppressant to the input  38  of a check valve  40 , whose output delivers fire suppressant to sprinkler system piping  28 . Check valve  40  is provided to prevent the pressurized supervisory air in sprinkler system piping  28  entering valve  24 . Sprinkler system piping  28  is supervised with pressurized air from air system  42 , which is used to monitor the pressure in fire protection system  20  to monitor the integrity of the sprinkler system piping  28  and its components. In the illustrated embodiment, air system  42  delivers pressurized air to sprinkler system piping  28  and may monitor the changes in pressure in sprinkler system piping  28  with one or more pressure switches  44 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, valve  24  comprises a deluge valve, which includes a priming chamber  46 , as is known in the art. Trim manifold assembly  22  controls the pressure in priming chamber  46  and communicates with valve  24  and fire suppressant supply  26  through conduits  48 ,  50 , respectively. Conduits  48 ,  50 , by way of non-limiting example, may be flex hoses. Trim manifold assembly  22  also communicates with a control panel  52  (via wiring indicated by dotted lines in  FIG. 1 ), which provides actuating signals to or monitors signals from components within trim manifold assembly  22  and also components located exteriorly of trim manifold assembly  22  to control the opening of valve  24  in response to low-pressure signals from pressure switch  44  and in response to fire-condition signals from detector  54 . Detector  54 , by way of non-limiting example, may be a heat detector or, alternatively, a smoke detector. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2-12 , details of trim manifold assembly  22  are shown. Trim manifold assembly  22  may include a solid one-piece manifold  60  with a plurality of fluid passages therein to allow trim manifold assembly  22  to control the operation of valve  24 , as described below. Manifold  60  may be metal and the passages therein may be formed by machining the passages into a solid manifold block. 
     Manifold  60  may have a top surface  55 , a front surface  56 , a bottom surface  57 , a back surface  58 , a right side surface  59 , and a left side surface  61 . Manifold  60  includes a prime input passage  62  that extends from bottom surface  57  into manifold  60  along the X axis. An alarm test valve passage  64  also extends along the X axis into manifold  60  from top surface  55  and is aligned with and connected to prime input passage  62 , as seen in  FIGS. 6 and 12 . Conduit  50  is connected to prime input passage  62  while an alarm test valve assembly  66 , which is normally closed, is located in alarm test valve passage  64 . A prime-line shut-off valve passage  68  extends along the Z axis within manifold  60  from front surface  56  and intersects prime input passage  62 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . A prime-line shut-off valve assembly  70 , which is normally open, is disposed in passage  68 . A prime-line strainer passage  72 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , extends along the X axis from top surface  55  into manifold  60  and intersects passage  68  between seat seal  70   a  and stem seal  70   b  of prime-line shut-off valve assembly  70 . A strainer  74  is disposed in passage  72  and retained with a plug  76 . A prime-line check valve passage  78  extends along the Z axis from front surface  56  into manifold  60  and intersects passage  72 . A check valve assembly  80  is disposed in check valve passage  78  and retained by a plug  82 . 
     A prime-line output passage  84  extends along the Y axis from right side surface  59  into manifold  60  and intersects prime-line check valve passage  78 , as shown in  FIG. 11 . Conduit  48  is attached to prime-line output passage  84  on right side surface  59  of manifold  60 . A gage passage  86  extends along the Z axis from front surface  56  into manifold  60  and intersects passage  84 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . A pressure gage  88  is disposed in gage passage  86  and indicates the fluid pressure in passage  84 . A release passage  90  extends along the X axis from top surface  55  into manifold  60  and intersects prime-line output passage  84 , as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 11 . Release mechanism  30  is coupled to release passage  90  by conduit  92 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     A drain passage  94  extends along the X axis from top surface  55  through manifold  60  and out bottom surface  57 , as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 10 . A conduit  96  extends from release mechanism  30  to drain passage  94  on top surface  55 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . Conduits  92 ,  96  and release mechanism  30  may collectively be referred to as a release line assembly  97 . A conduit  98  extends from drain passage  94  at bottom surface  57  of manifold  60  to an open drain  100 , also as shown in  FIG. 1 . Conduit  98  may be a flex hose. An emergency relief passage  102  extends along the Z axis from front surface  56  into manifold  60  and intersects passageways  94  and  84 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . An emergency relief valve assembly  104 , which is normally closed, is disposed in passage  102 . 
     A pressure operating relief valve (PORV) passage  106  extends along the X axis from bottom surface  57  into manifold  60  and intersects release passage  90 , as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 11 . PORV passage  106  and release passage  90  may be coaxial. A pressure operated relief valve (PORV)  108 , which is normally closed, is disposed in PORV passage  106 . A conduit  110  extends from PORV passage  106  at bottom surface  57  of manifold  60  to another conduit  112  which is in fluid communication with an intermediate chamber  114  of valve  24 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . Conduit  110  may be a flex hose. Conduit  112  also communicates with open drain  100  through a drip check valve  116 . 
     A PORV drain passage  118  extends along the Y axis from right side surface  59  into manifold  60  and intersects both drain passage  94  and PORV passage  106 , as shown in  FIGS. 7 ,  8 , and  10 . A plug  120  is disposed in the end of PORV drain passage  118  adjacent right side surface  59 . A drain check valve passage  124  extends along the X axis from top surface  55  into manifold  60 , as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 12 . A drain check valve assembly  126  is disposed in drain check valve passage  124 . A connecting passage  130  extends along the Z axis from back surface  58  into manifold  60  and interconnects drain check valve passage  124  with PORV passage  106  below PORV  108 , as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 12 . A plug  132  is disposed in connecting passage  130  adjacent back surface  58 . 
     A first alarm passage  136  extends along the Y axis from right side surface  59  into manifold  60  and intersects with drain check valve passage  124  and alarm test valve passage  64 , as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 12 . A second alarm passage  138  extends along the X axis from top surface  55  into manifold  60  and intersects first alarm passage  136 . First and second alarm passages  136 ,  138  may be connected to alarms for fire protection system  20 . The alarms may be operable to detect a pressure within first and second alarm passages  136 ,  138  which may be indicative of operation of control valve  24  due to a fire condition. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , fire protection system  20  may also include an auxiliary drain valve  142  which is coupled to conduit  112 . Auxiliary drain valve  142  is normally closed and may be manually operated to drain fire suppressant from intermediate chamber  114  of valve  24 . A flow test valve  144  may be coupled to the input  34  of valve  24 . Flow test valve  144  is normally closed and may be opened to verify the flow of fire suppressant to valve  24 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-2 ,  6 - 8 , and  10 - 12 , operation of trim manifold assembly  22  and fire protection system  20  will be described. To place trim manifold assembly  22  in a ready or operational mode, the fire suppressant from fire suppressant supply  26  flows, via conduit  50 , into prime input passage  62  and flows through the various passages that are in flow communication therewith with the various valves in their normal operating position (i.e., either normally open or normally closed, as described above). This fire suppressant in trim manifold assembly  22  is also referred to as the priming fluid and is at a prime pressure and is in a closed volume within manifold  60  between the seat seal  66   a  of alarm test valve assembly  66 , the stem seal  70   b  of prime-line shut-off valve assembly  70 , plug  76  in prime-line strainer passage  72 , stem seal  80   b  of check valve assembly  80 , prime pressure gage  88 , stem seal  108   b  of PORV  108 , seat seal  104   a  of emergency relief valve assembly  104 , release mechanism  30 , and priming chamber  46  of valve  24  via conduit  48 . Thus, when trim manifold assembly  22  is in the set or ready condition, fire suppressant (priming fluid) at the prime pressure (e.g., the pressure of fire suppressant supply  26 ) is disposed in a defined closed space within manifold  60 , conduits  48 ,  50  and priming chamber  46  of valve  24 . The pressure in priming chamber  46  controls the position of a clapper assembly  148 , which opens and closes communication between input  34  and output  36  of valve  24 . 
     Automatic operation of trim manifold assembly  22  is controlled by release mechanism  30 . To release the pressure in priming chamber  46  and supply the fire suppressant to sprinkler system piping  28 , release mechanism  30 , which is normally closed, is activated to open a flow path into conduit  96 . As stated above, release mechanism  30  may include one or more actuators, such as an electric, pneumatic, and/or hydraulic actuator, by way of non-limiting example, that can selectively allow flow communication between conduit  92  and conduit  96  and release the prime pressure in (depressurize) priming chamber  46 . By way of non-limiting example, when release mechanism  30  includes an electrically actuated actuator, such as a solenoid valve, the actuator may be in communication with control panel  52  and is actuated to open when control panel  52  receives a signal from detector  54 , which is actuated in a fire condition, or from sensor  44 , which is indicative of a loss of the supervisory pressure in sprinkler system piping  28 , such as when a sprinkler has opened. 
     A pneumatic actuator, by way of non-limiting example, can be included in release mechanism  30  and may be responsive to the pressure in sprinkler system piping  28 . In particular, the pneumatic actuator is normally closed but is opened when the sensing side of the actuator detects a drop in pressure in sprinkler system piping  28 . In a fire condition, when a sprinkler opens, the supervisory pressure in sprinkler system piping  28  is reduced, causing the pneumatic actuator to open. 
     In some embodiments, there may be multiple actuators in series arrangement that form release mechanism  30  and release line assembly  97 . In these embodiments, multiple conditions may be required to occur in order to provide flow communication between conduits  92 ,  96  and release the prime pressure in priming chamber  46 . In one dual actuator arrangement, when control panel  52  receives a signal from detector  54  of a fire condition and one or more sprinklers open in response to a fire condition, control panel  52  actuates the solenoid valve to open while the pressure drop in sprinkler system piping  28  opens the pneumatic actuator so that the pressure is released from priming chamber  46 . The use of multiple actuators in release mechanism  30  can provide a double interlock system. It should be appreciated that release mechanism  30  can include a variety of different types of actuators and/or a combination of actuators to provide the desired interlocking and releasing of the pressure within priming chamber  46  for fire protection system  20 . 
     When release mechanism  30  and the actuator therein are opened to allow flow communication between conduit  92  and conduit  96 , the pressure of the fire suppressant in trim manifold assembly  22  is reduced as the fire suppressant can flow out of trim manifold assembly  22  through release passage  90 . The fire suppressant flows from conduit  92  past the actuator of release mechanism  30  and into conduit  96  for travel back into trim manifold assembly  22  through drain passage  94 . Within drain passage  94 , the fire suppressant flows through trim manifold assembly  22  and exits therefrom through conduit  98  and into open drain  100 , thereby being discharged. The reduction of the prime pressure causes the operation of valve  24 . Specifically, the reduction in the pressure in priming chamber  46  allows clapper assembly  148  to move, thereby allowing flow communication between input  34  and output  36 . As a result, fire suppressant can flow through sprinkler system piping  28 . 
     As valve  24  is caused to operate, the fire suppressant at an intermediate pressure in intermediate chamber  114  enters PORV passage  106  of manifold  60  through conduit  110 . The fire suppressant enters connecting passage  130  and drain check valve passage  124 . The fire suppressant overcomes the biasing closed force and travels through drain check valve assembly  126  and enters first and second alarm passages  136 ,  138 , wherein the sensors attached thereto can detect the pressure. The fire suppressant also enters a sensing port  108   c  of PORV  108 . The pressure at sensing port  108   c  causes PORV stem  108   d  to move, thus breaking the PORV stem seal  108   b  and seat seal  108   a . The effect of the operation of PORV  108  will prevent accumulation of fire suppressant and pressure buildup in release passage  90  in the case that the actuator of release mechanism  30  ceases to operate (i.e., closes). If the actuator of release mechanism  30  ceases to operate, the fire suppressant will drain (discharge) through release passage  90 , past PORV stem seal  108   b , through PORV drain passage  118 , out of manifold  60  through drain passage  94 , and into conduit  98  through open drain  100 . 
     Thus, when the pressure in priming chamber  46  is released (depressurized), the flow of fire suppressant from fire suppressant supply  26  to sprinkler system piping  28  occurs and PORV  108  in conjunction with trim manifold assembly  22  prevents an increase in pressure in priming chamber  46  even in the event that release mechanism  30  were to reset and close flow communication between conduits  92  and  96 . 
     In order to reset trim manifold assembly  22  to working condition, the pressure at PORV passage  106  must be removed so that PORV  108  can return to its normally closed state. The pressure in PORV passage  106  can be removed by closing supply control valve  32  and draining the fire suppressant liquid from the system. 
     Trim manifold assembly  22  may be manually operated as opposed to automatic actuation, discussed above. The manual operation varies from the automatic operation only in the terms of the initiation of the operation. In the manual operation, the operator opens emergency relief valve assembly  104 , which reduces the fire suppressant pressure from prime input passage  62  and prime-line output passage  84 . In particular, the opening of emergency relief valve assembly  104  allows the fire suppressant to be discharged through drain passage  94  to open drain  100  via conduit  98 , thereby relieving the pressure. This begins the remaining operation of trim manifold assembly  22 , as described above. Accordingly, further description of the operation of trim manifold assembly  22 , when manually operated, is not discussed further. 
     Trim manifold assembly  22  allows for the pressure alarms coupled to first and second alarm passages  136 ,  138  to be tested without activating valve  24 . Alarm test valve assembly  66  can be opened, which results in fire suppressant in prime input passage  62  flowing past seat seal  66   a  and into alarm test valve passage  64 . The fire suppressant will then enter drain check valve assembly  126  between seat seal  126   a  and stem seal  126   b . This traps the pressure in this chamber and thus prevents the operation of PORV  108 . The fire suppressant travels through drain check valve assembly  126  to first and second alarm passages  136 ,  138 . The alarm sensors coupled to first and second alarm passages  136 ,  138  can detect the pressure in those passages. When the alarm pressure is verified, alarm test valve assembly  66  can be closed. The fire suppressant that is in first and second alarm passages  136 ,  138  and in drain check valve assembly  126  will then drain through an orifice  126   c  in drain check valve assembly  126 , through drain check valve passage  124 , connecting passage  130  and PORV passage  106 , as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 12 . The fire suppressant will continue to drain through conduit  110  and through drip check valve  116  into open drain  100 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . Thus, trim manifold assembly  22  allows for the pressure alarms to be tested without activating valve  24  and PORV  108 . 
     Check valve assembly  80  in prime-line check valve passage  78  can protect the prime pressure in priming chamber  46  of valve  24  from being reduced as a result of varying supply pressures of the fire suppressant and/or operation of alarm test valve assembly  66 . In particular, as fire protection system  20  is being put into an operating condition, prime-line check valve assembly  80  lets the fire suppressant go past seat seal  80   a  as the pressure overcomes the force of the biasing spring  80   d . Once the prime pressure in prime-line check valve assembly  80  reaches its set pressure, spring  80   d  causes seat seal  80   a  to close and, as a result, retain the pressure in prime-line check valve passage  78 . By retaining the pressure in prime-line check valve passage  78 , prime-line check valve assembly  80  protects the pressure in priming chamber  46  of valve  24  from being subjected to varying pressures as a result of potentially varying supply pressure of the fire suppressant. Additionally, this also protects priming chamber  46  from being subjected to varying pressures as a result of operation of alarm test valve assembly  66 . 
     Drain check valve assembly  126  is configured to allow the pressure in first and second alarm passages  136 ,  138  to be drained through PORV passage  106  while not causing the operation of PORV  108 . In particular, when alarm test valve assembly  66  is opened, fire suppressant from prime input passage  62  flows through manifold  60  to the port between seat seal  126   a  and stem seal  126   b . The fire suppressant pressure is checked from PORV sensing port  108   c  by drain check valve assembly  126  which is a drip check valve. Drain port (orifice)  126   c  of drain check valve assembly  126  is sized such that it is sufficient to drain the pressure from first and second alarm passages  136 ,  138  through PORV passage  106  while not causing the operation of PORV  108 . Drain check valve assembly  126  allows the fire suppressant to flow into first and second alarm passages  136 ,  138  at a first flow rate while also allowing fire suppressant to flow out of first and second alarm passages  136 ,  138  through drain port  126   c  at a second flow rate substantially less than the first flow rate. This prevents operation of PORV  108  and thus operation of fire protection system  20  when testing the pressure alarms. 
     It should be appreciated that drip check valve  116  works in conjunction with trim manifold assembly  22  to facilitate the reducing of pressure from first and second alarm passages  136 ,  138  and allow the testing of the pressure sensors coupled thereto. Furthermore, valve  24  includes an intermediate chamber  114  that is pressurized only upon activation of valve  24  through trim manifold assembly  22  and the release of the pressure from priming chamber  46 . Additionally, supply control valve  32  may be closed to allow trim manifold assembly  22  and fire protection system  20  to be setup and also to shut down the operation of trim manifold assembly  22  and fire protection system  20 . Auxiliary drain valve  142 , while having no interdependence on trim manifold assembly  22 , can be utilized to restore fire protection system  20  and trim manifold assembly  22  to its original operating condition by relieving pressure from PORV passage  106  and intermediate chamber  114 . 
     Trim manifold assembly  22  according to the present invention can be used with other types of control valves  24 . For example, trim manifold assembly  22  can be used with a control valve that utilizes a different type of fluid pressure activated device, such as a side differential valve instead of the priming chamber. In such an application, a side differential valve is operable to maintain the clapper (or other flow communication device within control valve  24 ) in a closed position, thereby preventing flow of fire suppressant from fire suppressant supply  26  to sprinkler system piping  28 . The side differential valve may communicate with the trim manifold assembly  22  such that when a fire condition is detected, trim manifold assembly  22  can utilize release line assembly  97  to release pressure (depressurize the priming fluid) in the side differential valve. Releasing the pressure in the side differential valve can thereby activate the control valve, allowing flow communication between input  38  and output  36 , and allowing fire suppressant fluid to flow to sprinkler system piping  28  from fire suppressant supply  26  by activation of release mechanism  30 . As a result, fire suppressant can flow through sprinkler system piping  28 . The activation of the control valve can cause fire suppressant at an intermediate pressure from an intermediate pressure chamber  114  to enter PORV passage  106  and manifold  60  through conduit  110 . This intermediate pressure fluid can enter into first and second alarm passages  136 ,  138 , wherein the sensors attached thereto can detect the pressure, as described above. Furthermore, the fire suppressant at the intermediate pressure can also be present at pressure sensing port  108   c  causing PORV stem  108   d  to move, thus breaking the PORV stem seal  108   b  and seat seal  108   a , as discussed above. Thus, when the pressure in the side differential valve is released (de-pressurized), the flow of fire suppressant from fire suppressant supply  26  to sprinkler system piping  28  occurs and PORV  108  in conjunction with trim manifold assembly  22  prevents an increase in pressure in the side differential valve, even in the event that release mechanism  30  were to reset and close flow communication between conduits  92  and  96 . 
     The use of a side differential valve may allow for different pressure differentials to be utilized that may allow for smaller sizes of the component devices for a given flow rate and/or quicker reaction. For example, the side differential valve may have a differential of 4.5 to 1 as compared to a differential of a control valve having a priming chamber which may be 1.1 to 1, by way of non-limiting example. 
     A trim manifold assembly according to the present invention may also be utilized in other types of fire protection systems, such as dry systems, wet valve systems, and deluge systems. The specific flow passages in communication within trim manifold assembly  22  can vary depending upon the needs to activate the control valve associated with these different fire protection systems. It should be appreciated that in these varying applications, the configuration of the release line assembly  97  can vary depending upon the needs of the system. 
     In some embodiments, release line assembly  97  may be in the form of another manifold assembly that can be coupled to trim manifold assembly  22 . In this manner, trim manifold assembly  22  may be utilized for a variety of different applications while the release line assembly manifold configured for a specific application can be utilized with trim manifold assembly  22  to meet the needs of the fire protection system. For example, when the release line assembly is provided as an integral manifold, one or more release mechanisms  30  can be incorporated therein to provide the desired functionality, such as a single interlocked, a double interlocked and the like, as discussed above, by way of non-limiting example. The release line assembly manifolds can all be configured to be coupled to release passage  90  and drain passage  94 . In this manner, the trim manifold assembly  22  may be a universal trim manifold assembly, while a specific release line assembly manifold is utilized to meet the particular design requirements for the fire protection system. Use of a release line assembly manifold in conjunction with trim manifold assembly  22  can facilitate the interconnection thereof, while diminishing the possibility of inadvertent connections or incorrect installation. Moreover, by utilizing a universal trim manifold assembly  22 , less parts may be required to be stocked by suppliers of the components as trim manifold assembly  22  can be utilized with a variety of different fire protection systems and the release line assembly manifold chosen for the particular application. 
     While the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, illustrations, and descriptions of same, it should be appreciated that the foregoing is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention. The various features and/or configurations can be altered from that shown while still providing the described functionality. For example, the passageways, while being described as extending along either the X, Y, or Z axis, can extend in other orientations different than those shown and described. Additionally, the various valve assemblies may come in different configurations that provide the described functionality and various flow communications between the various passages depending upon differing operating conditions. 
     Moreover, while the trim manifold assembly  22  is shown and described as being a single solid member with the flow paths formed from one or more straight passages machined therein, it should be appreciated that the trim manifold assembly  22  may be formed from a variety of pieces that are assembled together to have the desired flow paths therethrough. Additionally, the flow paths may be configured in orientations other than straight. By way of non-limiting example, one or more components of the trim manifold assembly may be molded or cast and the associated passages therein cast or molded into the associated member. As such, the passages may take on configurations other than being straight, such as being curved. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that while the present invention has been described as reference to specific embodiments, illustrations, and descriptions of same, other features and components that may be present and utilized, such as strainers, restricted prime orifice, serviceable strainer, or gauge, by way of non-limiting example. As such, the trim manifold assembly may include other features and components, such as those mentioned. 
     Accordingly, the foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the invention, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention.