Patent Publication Number: US-2022221072-A1

Title: Relief valve with testing lockout

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/815,867, filed Mar. 11, 2020, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE TECHNOLOGY 
     The subject disclosure relates to fluid control valves and more particularly to relief valves within high pressure systems, such as fire protection systems. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE TECHNOLOGY 
     Fire protection systems for buildings generally include water supply and distribution systems for supplying water to sprinklers, or similar mechanisms, throughout a building. Pressure relief valves are included on the distribution systems to prevent unwanted pressure from building up and potentially damaging pipes, valves, or other parts of the fire protection system. Pressure relief valves generally remain closed when the local pressure is under a set threshold for the valve. When the pressure exceeds the threshold, the valve opens and fluid passes through the valve to drain out of the system, relieving pressure within the fire protection system. 
     As fire protection systems have become rated for higher pressures, there has become a need for higher pressure rated pressure relief valves for such systems. However, existing pressure relief valves have difficulty functioning within a high pressure fire protection system (e.g. 300 PSI) in such a way that the relief valves remain closed during normal operation while still reliably opening at pressure significantly exceeding the operating pressure of the system. 
     Further, testing for fire protection systems typically includes testing the system at a significantly higher pressure than the normal operation pressure to ensure safe, leak free operation. Testing the system at a high pressure can be difficult when the system includes numerous pressure relief valves, as the pressure relief valves are normally designed to open under high pressure, allowing fluid to pass to a drain to prevent the system from exceeding a set pressure. One way to avoid pressure relief valves opening during testing is to remove the pressure relief valves from the system entirely, but this can be extremely time consuming and can require draining the entire system. Alternatively, the system can be tested before any pressure relief valves are installed, but this requires changes to the initial installation that must be reversed after testing and does not allow for future testing. Another approach has been to include an additional valve between each pressure relief valve and the main water distribution line which can be closed to isolate the pressure relief valve from the water distribution line. This approach suffers from the drawback that a dedicated valve is required for each pressure relief valve, increasing cost and complexity of the system. 
     SUMMARY OF THE TECHNOLOGY 
     As such, there is a need for a fire protection valve that is affordable, effective in high pressure systems, and allows for easy testing of the fire protection system without requiring additional work and/or system components. 
     In light of the needs described above, in at least one aspect, the subject technology relates to a relief valve which can be used in a fire protection system, or other system, that is capable of operating within high pressure systems while still allowing for easy testing. The subject technology includes a lockout lever configured to maintain compression of a spring within a relief valve in order to increase a cracking pressure of the relief valve. Because testing of fire protection systems typically includes testing the system at a significantly higher pressure than the normal operation pressure to ensure safe, leak free operation, the increased cracking pressure of the relief valve ensures the relief valve can remain closed. 
     In one embodiment, the relief valve includes a valve body, a plunger assembly coupled to the valve body for selectively opening and closing the relief valve, and a support member secured to the valve body. The relief valve includes a lockout lever against the support member and forming a vertex. The relief valves includes a spring rod coupled to the lockout lever, and a spring coupled to the spring rod, providing a bias force against the plunger assembly to normally close the relief valve. In a lockout position, the lockout lever is moved to pivot on the vertex against the support member to further compress the spring, which increases the bias force and, in turn, a cracking pressure of the relief valve. The support member can define a lockout bore, the lockout bore transverse of depending sides of the support member. A tool extends into the lockout bore to contact the lockout lever for setting the lockout position to maintain the spring in a compressed configuration when the valve is in the closed position. Exemplary tools are a hex wrench, a tie wrap, a screwdriver and the like. 
     The lockout lever may include an effort arm that bends at a first angle relative to a resistance arm of the lockout lever. As such, the vertex is between the effort arm and resistance arm. In the lockout position, the lockout lever may be manually pulled, causing the vertex to make contact with the support member. The lockout lever may include a depending portion that bends at a right angle relative to a resistance arm of the lockout lever. In the lockout position, the resistance arm may pivot downward, pulling the spring rod down. The resistance arm may be configured to pivot flush against the support member in a first position, or pivot to separate from the support member in a second position. 
     The relief valve can have a bolthead coupled to or formed integrally with the spring rod. The bolthead maintains a connection between the spring rod and the lockout lever. The relief valve may include a lock nut on the spring rod configured to adjust compression of the spring thereon and thereby the cracking pressure of the relief valve. 
     In another aspect, the relief valve includes a flexible disk and a lever arm. The lever arm may have a fixed end pivotally coupled to the support member and a free end defining a spring rod hole. The valve body defines an adaptor opening with a bottom surface, an inlet flowpath at the bottom surface, and an outlet flowpath at the bottom surface. The flexible disk is located against the bottom surface for selectively sealing fluid communication between the inlet flowpath and the outlet flowpath. The plunger assembly may be slidably mounted for movement against the flexible disk. The spring may apply a closing force to the lever arm. In a closed position, the closing force on the lever arm may press the plunger against the flexible disk to seal the inlet flowpath and the outlet flowpath. In an open position, fluid passing into the inlet flowpath may overcome the closing force to deform the flexible disk so that the plunger moves the lever arm by overcoming the closing force, and in turn, the outlet flowpath is in fluid communication with the inlet flowpath. 
     The subject technology also relates to a normally closed relief valve including a body defining an inlet flowpath and an outlet flowpath. A plunger assembly selectively creates fluid communication between the inlet flowpath and the outlet flowpath. A support member is secured to the body. The normally closed relief valve also includes a lever arm having a fixed end pivotally coupled to the support member and biased against the plunger assembly in a closed position of the relief valve. In a flush position, the free end of the lever arm is rotated away from the plunger assembly to create a fluid communication between the inlet and outlet flowpath for clearing debris and ensuring that the plunger assembly is functioning properly. 
     In another aspect, the normally closed relief valve includes a flexible disk. The plunger assembly is slidably mounted for movement against the flexible disk. The body further defines an adaptor opening with a bottom surface, the inlet flowpath at the bottom surface, and the outlet flowpath at the bottom surface. The flexible disk is located against the bottom surface for selectively sealing fluid communication between the inlet flowpath and the outlet flowpath. The spring may apply a closing force to the lever arm. In a closed position, the closing force on the lever arm may press the plunger against the flexible disk to seal the inlet flowpath and the outlet flowpath. In an open position, fluid passing into the inlet flowpath may overcomes the closing force to deform the flexible disk so that the plunger moves the lever arm by overcoming the closing force, and in turn, the outlet flowpath is in fluid communication with the inlet flowpath. In a flush position, the lever arm may removes the force against the plunger so that the flexible disk creates the fluid communication between the inlet and outlet flow path. 
     In at least one aspect, the subject technology relates to a relief valve. The relief valve includes a body defining an inlet and outlet flowpath. The relief valve includes a support member secured to the body. The support member defines a lockout bore and also includes a proximal portion defining a spring rod opening and a distal portion. The relief valve includes a lockout lever against the support member, the lockout lever having a spring rod bore. The relief valve includes a lever arm having a fixed end pivotally coupled to the support member and a free end defining a spring rod hole. The relief valve also includes a spring rod which guides movement of a spring along an elongated length of the spring rod, the spring rod passing through the spring rod bore of the lockout lever, the spring rod opening of the support member, and the spring rod hole of the lever arm. In a lockout position, the lockout lever is moved to pull the spring rod causing further compression of the spring to increase a cracking pressure of the relief valve. In a flush position, the free end of the lever arm is moved upward to create a fluid communication between the inlet and outlet flowpath. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       So that those having ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosed system pertains will more readily understand how to make and use the same, reference may be had to the following drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is a front-side perspective view of a valve in accordance with the subject technology. 
         FIG. 2A  is a vertical cross-sectional view of the valve of  FIG. 1 , taken from the center of the valve, with the valve in a closed position. 
         FIG. 2B  is a zoomed-in view of a portion of the valve of  FIG. 2A . 
         FIG. 3A  is a vertical cross-sectional view of the valve of  FIG. 1 , taken from the center of the valve, with the valve in an open position. 
         FIG. 3B  is a zoomed-in view of a portion of the valve of  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 4A  is a rear-side view of the valve of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4B  is a rear-side view of the valve of  FIG. 1  in a locked-out position for testing. 
         FIG. 5  is a horizontal cross section of the body of the valve of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6A  is a side exploded view of the components of the valve of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6B  is a perspective exploded view of the components of the valve of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is a rear, perspective view of a relief valve including a second implementation of the lockout position shown in accordance with the subject technology. 
         FIG. 8  is a rear, perspective view of the relief valve of  FIG. 7  with the inner workings revealed. 
         FIGS. 9A-9B  include a front perspective view and a side view of the relief valve of  FIG. 7  in a locked-out position for testing. 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the relief valve of  FIGS. 9A-9B . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The subject technology overcomes many of the prior art problems associated with relief valves. In brief summary, the subject technology provides a reliable, high pressure rated relief valve with a lockout feature. The advantages, and other features of the systems and methods disclosed herein, will become more readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art from the following detailed description of certain preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawings which set forth representative embodiments of the subject technology. Like reference numerals are used herein to denote like parts. Further, words denoting orientation such as “upper”, “lower”, “distal”, and “proximal” are merely used to help describe the location of components with respect to one another. For example, an “upper” surface of a part is merely meant to describe a surface that is separate from the “lower” surface of that same part. No words denoting orientation are used to describe an absolute orientation (i.e. where an “upper” part must always be at a higher elevation). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of a relief valve  100  in accordance with the subject technology is shown. The valve  100  has a body  102  which includes an inlet  104  and an outlet  106 . The inlet  104  connects to a water pipe of a fire protection system (not distinctly shown), and forms an inlet flowpath  108  from the fire protection system into the valve  100 . The outlet  106  connects to a drain pipe (not distinctly shown) or the like, forming an outlet flowpath  110  which passes water from the valve  100  to a drain. A cover  112  provides a protective housing for the inner workings of the valve  100 , and also functions as part of a lockout feature, as will be discussed in more detail below. A faceplate  105  is secured to the top of the cover  112  by a screw  103 . The faceplate  105  can include information about the valve  100 , such the valve specifications, the valve manufacturer, a logo, or the like (not distinctly shown). Notably, while a fire protection system is used herein by way of example, it should be understood that the valve is equally suited for other systems, and particularly other high pressure water distribution systems. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B , vertical cross-sectional views from the center of the relief valve  100  are shown. In  FIGS. 2A-2B , the valve  100  is shown in a closed position, while in  FIGS. 3A-3B  the valve  100  is shown in an open position with the lever arm  128  rotated upward, as will be discussed in more detail below. For clarity, exploded views of the valve  100  components can be seen in  FIGS. 6A-6B . 
     The valve  100  includes a plunger assembly  120  with a disk  126 . The plunger or plunger assembly  120  includes a plunger stem  118  and a plunger head  124 . An adaptor  116  within the valve body  102  has an upper section  113  that forms a passage  114  which guides vertical movement of the stem  118 . The passage  114  and plunger assembly  120  are sized and configured to create ample freedom of movement with robust repeatability without finicky alignment or a requirement of a large spring load. 
     The adaptor  116  also includes a lower section  115  which forms a circular cavity  122 . Flow through the valve body  102  is controlled by the positioning the plunger assembly  120  within the cavity  122 . In one embodiment, the adaptor  116  is integral with the valve body  102 . As shown, the adaptor  116  threads into an opening  117  formed in the valve body  102 . The adaptor  116  also has an upper flange  119 . 
     The plunger assembly  120  includes a circular disk  126 , adjacent to the plunger head  124  and fixed within the cavity  122  between the plunger head  124  and a seat surface  129  of the body  102 . The lower section  115  of the adaptor  116  is shaped as a circular ring. Thus, as the adaptor  116  is threaded into the valve body  102 , the lower section  115  presses the periphery of the disk  126  against the seat surface  129  to fix the disk  126  in place. As a result, the disk  126  is robustly sealed in place about the openings  109 ,  111  for very high pressure applications. Additionally, the disk  126  seals the moving parts (e.g., spring  130 , lever arm  128 , plunger head  128  etc.) so that moving parts are not exposed to water. As best seen in  FIG. 3B , when the disk  126  flexes upward, a flowpath portion  123  of the cavity  122  is formed to create the fluid communication between the inlet flowpath  108  and the outlet flowpath  110 . Still further, the disk  126  is set so that risk of damage during hydro testing is reduced. 
     The disk  126  selectively seals the opening  109  to the inlet flowpath  108  and the opening  111  to the outlet flowpath  110 . As best seen in  FIGS. 2A and 3A , the openings  109 ,  111  into the cavity  122  are necked down compared to the respective inlet flowpath  108  and outlet flowpath  110 . As best seen in  FIG. 5 , the inlet opening  109  forms an annular trough and the outlet opening  111  is a smaller circle centered in the inlet opening  109 . However, there is still a large effective diaphragm area for opening the valve  100  by deflecting the disk  126  for opening pressure accuracy with the smaller diameter outlet opening  111  for faster reseating performance. 
     The disk  126  can be a rubber silicone, or the like, and forms a flexible membrane. In the closed position ( FIGS. 2A-2B ), the plunger head  124  of the plunger assembly  120  holds the disk  126  against the seat surface  129  of the cavity  122  to seal the opening  109  to the inlet flowpath  108  and opening  111  to the outlet flowpath  110  such that fluid does not pass through the valve body  102 . During normal operation, when the pressure in the inlet channel  108  exceeds a predetermined cracking pressure for the valve  100 , the valve  100  is forced into the open position ( FIGS. 3A-3B ). In such a case as sown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , fluid from the inlet channel  108  applies pressure to the disk  126 , causing the disk  126  to flex and move the plunger assembly  120  upward, creating a fluid communication through the cavity  122  between the openings of the inlet flowpath  108  and the outlet flowpath  110 . Fluid can then pass from the inlet flowpath  108 , underneath the flexed disk  126 , and to the outlet flowpath  110  to a drain. Notably, while the use of the disk  126  has been found to be advantageous, it should be noted that the disk  126  need not be used in all cases, and other mechanisms can be used to create a seal between the inlet and outlet flowpaths  108 ,  110  when the valve  100  is in the closed position. 
     Being designed for pressure relief, the valve  100  is configured to open, during normal operation, once pressure within the fire protection system (from the inlet flowpath  108 ) exceeds a predetermined pressure. In particular, the valve  100  is designed for use in a high pressure fire protection system (i.e. greater than 300 PSI), and therefore is configured to open only if the current pressure is greater than the expected operating pressure of the system by a reasonable margin. To help ensure that the valve  100  remains closed even when exposed to the high operating pressure of the system, a lever arm  128  is used in combination with a spring  130 . 
     The spring  130  is positioned around a spring rod  132 , which guides movement of the spring  130  along the elongated length of the spring rod  132 . The spring rod  132  is fixedly connected to the valve body  102  by a support member  134 . The spring rod  132  passes through a bore  149  in the support member  134  and a bore  151  in the lever arm  128 . The support member  134  can be secured between the valve body  102  and the adaptor  116  such that the support member  134  is held in a fixed orientation with respect to the valve body  102 . Preferably, the adaptor  116  passes through a large hole  147  in the support member  134 . A flange  119  on the adaptor  116  captures the plate  134  against the valve body  102 . The spring rod  132  is positioned on a first side of the plunger assembly  120 , while the support member  134  forms a fulcrum plate  136  on the second, opposite side of the plunger assembly  120 . The lever arm  128  has arms  138  seated in slots  139  in the fulcrum plate  136  to pivot vertically, with the fulcrum plate  136  as a fixed pivot point. The lever arm  128  extends between the fulcrum plate  136  and the spring  130 . A second end  140  of the lever arm  128  is configured to engage a spring end fixture  131  coupled to the spring  130  such that the spring  130  resists vertical movement of the lever arm  128 . 
     The top  141  of the plunger assembly  120  contacts an intermediate location  142  of the lever arm  128 , between the fulcrum plate  136  and the spring  130 . Therefore, when the plunger assembly  120  is forced upwards by fluid pressure from the inlet flowpath  108 , the plunger assembly  120  contacts the lever arm  128  and urges the lever arm  128  to rotate vertically around the fulcrum plate  136 . The upward force from the rotation of the lever arm  128  then urges the spring  130  to compress against an upper lock nut  144 . Thus, the compression force of the spring  130  resists the pivoting motion of the lever arm  128  and maintains the valve  100  in the closed position unless the compression force of the spring  130  is overcome. Adjustments can be made to the lock nut  144  or spring rod  132  to increase or decrease the compression of the spring  130  in an at rest position, changing the cracking pressure required within the inlet  108  to open the valve  100 . The spring  130  is shown at a default, exemplary level of compression in  FIGS. 2A, 3A . 
     The positioning of the lever arm  128  provides a much greater moment at the spring  130  than at the plunger assembly  120  for the same amount of force. This is accomplished through the differences in where the spring  130  and plunger assembly  120  contact the lever arm  128 , with respect to the fulcrum plate  136 , which acts as the hinge for the lever arm  128 . The spring  130  contacts the lever arm  128  at the second end  140  furthest from the fulcrum plate  136 , while the plunger assembly  120  contacts the lever arm  128  at an intermediate point  142  on the lever arm  128 . Therefore, the force from the plunger assembly  120 , as a result of fluid pressure from the inlet flowpath  108 , acts on the lever arm  128  at a much shorter distance D 1  from the fulcrum plate  136  than the distance D 2  between the fulcrum plate  136  and the spring  130 . The spring  130  is able to match the moment in the lever arm  128  with a much smaller force than that applied to the lever arm  128  by the plunger assembly  120 . This way, the valve  100  can maintain a closed position even when the pressure within the inlet flowpath  108  would ordinarily cause the spring  130  to compress in the case where no lever arm  128  were implemented. This advantageous positioning eliminates the need to provide a significantly more robust spring, or implement alternative options that could result in a costly and/or cumbersome valve, to allow the valve  100  to effectively operate effectively in a high pressure environment. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4A, 4B , perspective views of a fire protection valve  100  in accordance with the subject technology are shown. The fire protection valve  100  can be configured in accordance with the valves  100  discussed above, except as otherwise shown and described herein. As shown in  FIGS. 4A, 4B , the valve  100  is in the closed position, and in  FIG. 4B , a hex wrench  402  and tie wrap  404  are interlocked with the valve  100  to lock-out the valve  100 , preventing the valve  100  from opening during testing of a fire protection system. 
     As can be seen in  FIGS. 1-4B , the valve cover  112  engages with the lever arm  128 . In particular, the second end  140  of the lever arm  128  forms two pins  146  which are seated within guide slots  148  of the cover  112 , on the side of the cover  112  proximal the spring  130 . On the same side of the cover  112 , a tailgate  150  extends outwardly. When the valve  100  moves from the closed position of  FIG. 2A  to the open position of  FIG. 3A , the pins  146  of the lever arm  128  act on the guides  148  of the cover  112  such that the cover  112  pivots upwards with the lever arm  128 . In another embodiment, the guide slots  148  are sized so that the pins  146  simply move within the slots  148  and the cover remains stationary. 
     The pins  146  of the lever arm  128  being engaged in the slots  148  of the tailgate  150  allows the valve  100  to be manually flushed by lifting the tailgate  150 , which in turn lifts the lever arm  128  and allows the plunger assembly  120  to move upward so that the disk  126  can easily deflect to open the valve  100 . Manual flushing by lifting the tailgate  150  can help quickly and efficiently clear the valve  100  of debris, and/or ensure that the valve  100  has not become stuck during an extended period of non-use. 
     The valve  100  also includes a lower lockout lever  152 , forming an effort arm  154 , which extends out of a passage  155  in the cover  112  adjacent to the tailgate  150 . On a resistance arm  156  of the lockout lever  152 , the spring rod  132  runs through a spring rod bore  158  of the lockout lever  152 . A wide lower bolthead  160  of the spring rod  132  secures the lockout lever  152  between the support member  134  and the spring rod  132 . As the bolthead  160  is normally biased upward by the spring  130 , the resistance arm  156  of the lockout lever  152  is also normally biased upward. 
     In order to lockout the valve  100 , the lockout lever  152  is moved upwards at the effort arm  154 , causing resistance arm  156  of the lockout lever  152  to pivot downward, with the end  135  of the support member  134  acting as an intermediate pivot point. The downward motion of the resistance arm  156  of the lockout lever  152  pulls the spring rod bolthead  160  down, further compressing the spring  130  against the lever arm  128 . The hex wrench  402  can then be inserted between the tailgate  150  and the effort arm  154  of the lockout lever  152  to maintain this position. With the spring  130  compressed in this manner, the cracking pressure required from the inlet flowpath  108  to move the lever arm  128 , and thus the spring  130 , is greater. Therefore, the valve  100  can be locked out in this manner, increasing the cracking pressure above the test pressure required for testing the high pressure relief valve  100 . The system can then be tested at a high pressure above the set cracking pressure without risk of the valve  100  opening. 
     Notably, while a hex rod  402  is given as an exemplary tool for locking out the valve  100 , it should be understood that other functionally similar tools could also be used. For example, a screwdriver, bar, or other device could be inserted between the lockout lever  152  and tailgate  150  to hold the lockout lever  152  in the elevated, locked out state. The tailgate  150  also includes a support bar  162  and the lockout lever  152  includes an aperture  164  on the effort arm  154 . As an additional or alternative lock out mechanism, the tie wrap  404  shown in  FIG. 4B  can be included. The tie wrap  404  loops through the aperture  164  in the lever arm  152  and around the support bar  162 , locking with itself to hold the lockout lever  152  in the elevated position with respect to the tailgate  150 . Notably, while the tie wrap  404  is shown as being used in addition to the hex wrench  402  in  FIG. 4B , it should be understood that the tie wrap  404 , or similar looping mechanism, could also be used as an alternative to the hex wrench  402 . It is noteworthy that when the hex rod  402  and/or tie wrap  404  are removed, the valve automatically returns to the nominal setting without further user intervention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a horizontal cross section of the valve body  102  taken from just below the cavity  122  is shown. The inlet flowpath  108  feeds into the cavity  122  through the inlet opening  166  in the valve body  102 . Fluid can then flow out of the cavity  122  by entering the outlet flowpath  110  through the outlet opening  168 . Notably, it can be a challenge to balance the flow of liquid into the cavity  122  from the inlet flowpath  108  and the flow of liquid out of the cavity  122  through outlet flowpath  110 , since it is difficult for both flowpaths  108 ,  110  to feed to or from the center of the disk  126  and cavity  122 . As such, in the example given, the outlet opening  168  is circular and positioned in the center of the valve body  102 , which is also centrally within the cavity  122 . The inlet opening  166  is ring-shaped, such that pressure from the inlet flowpath  108  acts on an extensive area of the disk  126 . Further, the position of the inlet opening  166 , surrounding the entire centrally placed outlet opening  168 , allows pressure from the inlet flowpath  108  to act around the center of the disk  126 , causing the disk  126  to flex and expand uniformly around the center while fluid can still easily flow between the inlet flowpath  108  and outlet flowpath  110 . 
     Further, it should be noted that the tailgate  150 , and related lockout and flush capabilities as shown and described in the above exemplary embodiments are optional features which need not be included in all cases. For example, in another embodiment, no tailgate  150  is included. The cover  112  still includes a passage  155  and support member  134  extends outward therefrom, adjacent to lower lockout lever  152 . The effort arm  154  of the lockout lower lever arm  152  includes a downward bend spaced from the support member  134 . Manually pushing the downward bend on the effort arm  154  upwards, such that the downward bend approaches support member  134 , causes the lockout lever  152  to pivot around a contact point with the support member  134 . This moves the bolthead  160  downward to further compress the spring  130 , increasing the cracking pressure required to open the valve  100 . The pivoting motion of the lower lockout lever  152  also causes the resistance arm  156  of the lower lockout lever  152  to separate from the support member  134 . The cover  112  can include an opening adjacent the area of the separation. A tool can then be inserted into the opening such that the tool is wedged between the support member  134  and the resistance arm  156  of the lower lockout lever  152  to maintain the separation, ensuring increased cracking pressure during testing. Alternatively, the support member  134  includes an aperture so that a tie wrap can be used to retain the lever arm  152  in the locked out position. Further, the valve  100  may also include an extension of lever arm  128  which extends past the spring  130  and protrudes from the passage  155 , such that the extension is accessible to a user. The extension of the lever arm  128  may then be lifted manually to flush the valve  100 . Releasing the extension of the lever arm  128  will then allow the valve  100  to return to its normal position. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a perspective view of a relief valve  700  in accordance with the subject technology is shown. As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art, the relief valve  700  discussed herein utilizes similar principles to the relief valve  100  described above. Thus, like reference numbers in the “ 700 ” series are used to refer to like components whenever possible. The relief valve  700  differs from the relief valve  100  of  FIGS. 1-6B  in that a different lockout lever arrangement is employed and the following description is directed to these differences. 
     Similar to relief valve  100 , relief valve  700  includes a body  702  defining an inlet  704  and an outlet  706 . The inlet  704  connects to a water pipe of a fire protection system (not distinctly shown), and forms an inlet flowpath  708  from the fire protection system into the valve  700 . The outlet  706  connects to a drain pipe (not distinctly shown) or the like, forming an outlet flowpath  710  which passes water from the valve  700  to the drain pipe. A cover  712  houses and protects the inner workings of the valve  700 . A faceplate  705  is secured to the top of the cover  712  by a screw  703 . The faceplate  705  can include information about the valve  700 , such as the valve specifications and instructions, the valve manufacturer, a logo, or the like (not distinctly shown). Notably, while a fire protection system is used herein by way of example, it should be understood that the valve is equally suited for other systems, and particularly other high pressure water distribution systems. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a rear, perspective view of the relief valve  700  of  FIG. 7  is shown. The cover  712  is omitted from the implementation shown in order to reveal inner workings of the relief valve  700 . The normal operation of the valve  700  is very similar to the operation of the valve  100  discussed above. In brief overview, in the normally closed position, a spring  730  exerts a closing force on a plunger assembly  720  so that a lever arm  728  presses a plunger stem  718  so that a plunger head  724  is against a flexible disk  726  (shown best in  FIG. 10 ) to seal the inlet flowpath  708  from the outlet flowpath  710 . In the open position, fluid passing into the inlet flowpath  708  overcomes the closing force and deforms the flexible disk  726  to push the plunger head  724 . As a result, the plunger stem  718  pushes the lever arm  728  to overcome the closing force of the spring  730 . Thus, the outlet flowpath  710  is in fluid communication with the inlet flowpath  708 . 
     The lever arm  728  pivotally couples to a support member  734  which is fixedly mounted to the body  702 . The support member  734  has depending sides  735  that each define a portion of a transverse lockout bore  707 . The cover  712  also forms apertures  721  in each side  725  aligned with the lockout bore  707  so a rod shaped structure, such as a hex wrench  727 , can be inserted through the apertures  721  and lockout bore  707 . The hex rod  727  maintains a lockout position of the relief valve  700 , explained in greater detail below. While a hex rod  727  is given as an exemplary tool for locking out the relief valve  700 , it should be understood that other functionally similar tools could also be used. For example, a screwdriver, bar, or other device could be utilized for setting the lockout position, wherein the lockout position maintains the spring  730  in a compressed configuration to increase a cracking pressure of the valve  700 . In one embodiment, the cover  712  has a tailgate that may retain an implement to accomplish setting the lockout position or a mounting feature  751  for coupling a tool thereto. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 9A and 9B , front and side perspective views of the relief valve  700  are shown. For purposes of explanation, the hex rod  727  of  FIG. 8  is not shown in the lockout bore  707  but the relief valve  700  is otherwise in the lockout position. The valve  700  is configured to open once pressure within the fire protection system (from the inlet flowpath  708 ) exceeds a predetermined cracking pressure (e.g., normal operation). As noted above, manual flushing or opening the valve  700  can help quickly and efficiently clear the valve  700  of debris, and/or ensure that the valve  700  has not become stuck during an extended period of non-use. To this end, a free end  733  of the lever arm  728  includes an imprint of the word “FLUSH” to indicate to a technician how to manually flush the valve  700  by simply lifting upward on the free end  733  of the lever arm  728 . This movement removes the force against the plunger stem  718  of the plunger assembly  720  so that the flexible membrane disk  726  creates a fluid communication between the inlet flowpath  708  and the outlet flowpath  710 . The cover  712  may again move upward with the lever arm  728  or simply provide clearance for the upward motion. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 7 , as noted above, putting the valve  700  in a lockout position for hydro-testing quickly and easily is very efficient. To this end, an effort arm  754  of a lockout lever  752  includes an imprint of the word “HYDRO” to indicate to a technician how to manually put the valve  700  in the lockout position for hydro-testing as discussed in more detail below. The lockout lever  752  extends out of the cover  712 , proximate to the free end  733  of the lever arm  728 . The free end  733  and the effort arm  754  each form rectangular holes  737 ,  739 . A tie wrap (not shown) may be utilized in the holes  737 ,  739  to put the valve in the lockout position by the same motion described below using a hex wrench. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , a cross-sectional view of the relief valve  700  is shown with the lockout lever  752  in the lockout position. The effort arm  754  of the lockout lever  752  bends at a first angle a relative to a resistance arm  743  of the lockout lever  752 , forming a vertex  745  in the lockout lever  752 . The resistance arm  743  bends at a right angle  R  to form a depending portion  757 . The depending portion  757  is somewhat flush against the body  702  so that inadvertent pushing downward of the effort arm  757  does not occur. In effect, the depending portion  757  acts as a travel stop in that direction. Alternatively, the lockout lever  752  may not have a depending portion. The lockout lever  752  may form a U-shape, an L-shape, a V-shape, and variations thereof, with one or more vertices formed therein. 
     In the normally closed position, the resistance arm  743  is pulled flush against the support member  734  by the spring force on the bolthead  760 . In order to use a hex wrench to lockout the relief valve  700 , the effort arm  754  of the lockout lever  752  is manually pulled upwards, causing the first fulcrum point or vertex  745  to make contact with the support member  734  acting as a fulcrum plate. As a result, resistance arm  743  of the lockout lever  752  pivots away from the support member. The motion of the resistance arm  743  pulls the spring rod bolthead  760  further into a spring rod opening  749  of the support member  734 , further compressing the spring  730  against the lever arm  728 . As a result, the spring compression force on the lever arm  728  of the plunger assembly  720  is increased to raise the cracking pressure of the valve  700 . 
     When the resistance arm  743  seesaws downward to separate from the support member  734 , the resistance arm  743  unblocks the lockout bore  707 . Upon insertion of the hex wrench  727  through the apertures  721  and the lockout bore  707 , the lockout position is maintained because the hex wrench  727  prevents return of the lockout lever  752 , maintaining the orientation shown in  FIG. 10 . With the spring  730  further compressed and fixed in this manner, the cracking pressure required from the inlet flowpath  708  to move the lever arm  728 , and thus still further compress the spring  730 , is greater. Therefore, the valve  700  is locked out, increasing the cracking pressure above a test pressure required for testing the high pressure relief valve  700  and the technician is free to perform the testing. Thus, the entire system can then be tested at a high pressure above the set cracking pressure without risk of the valve  700  opening. 
     By removing the hex wrench  727 , the resistance arm  743  rotates flush against the support member  734  so that the bolthead  760  moves toward the support member  734  and the spring  730  decompresses. In turn, the cracking pressure required from the inlet flowpath  708  to move the lever arm  728 , and thus the compression of the spring  730 , returns to a normal operating condition. As can be seen, the arrangement of valve  700  is relatively more compact and easy to move between positions. 
     All orientations and arrangements of the components shown herein are used by way of example only. Further, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art that the functions of several elements may, in alternative embodiments, be carried out by fewer elements or a single element. Similarly, in some embodiments, any functional element may perform fewer, or different, operations than those described with respect to the illustrated embodiment. Also, functional elements shown as distinct for purposes of illustration may be incorporated within other functional elements in a particular implementation. 
     While the subject technology has been described with respect to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various changes and/or modifications can be made to the subject technology without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject technology. For example, each claim may depend from any or all claims in a multiple dependent manner even though such has not been originally claimed.