FM Approved Valves: Why Certification Matters for Fire Safety

When reliability is a matter of life and safety, choosing the right valve isn’t just about performance—it’s about certification. An FM approved valve ensures that your system meets the highest safety and reliability standards in fire protection and other critical applications.

Certification

When reliability is a matter of life and safety, choosing the right valve isn’t just about performance—it’s about certification. An FM approved valve ensures that your system meets the highest safety and reliability standards in fire protection and other critical applications.

What Does FM Approval Mean?

FM Approval is a globally recognized certification issued by FM Approvals, an independent third-party testing and certification organization.

  • Products are tested against rigorous fire safety, quality, and reliability standards.
  • An FM approved ball valve guarantees proven performance under extreme conditions, including fire exposure.
  • Certification provides peace of mind for engineers, insurers, and facility managers who need to comply with strict fire safety codes.

FM Approval vs UL Listing

While both FM Approval and UL Listing are respected certifications, they serve slightly different purposes:

  • FM Approval focuses on performance under fire safety conditions and reliability in real-world scenarios.
  • UL Listing verifies compliance with safety standards but may not always cover the same fire endurance testing as FM.

When to use each?

  • FM is often required in fire suppression systems, oil & gas projects, and international markets.
  • UL is more common in North American building and equipment compliance.

Industries Requiring FM Approved Valves

FM approved valves can be required for:

  • Fire Protection Systems – sprinklers, deluge systems, hydrant networks
  • Marine Applications – onboard fire suppression and fuel line safety
  • Oil & Gas – pipelines, storage, and offshore platforms where fire risk is critical
  • Industrial Facilities – chemical plants, power generation, and warehouses with strict insurance requirements

FM Approved Solutions

Gemini Valve offers FM fire safe valves designed to perform reliably in the most demanding environments:

  • Engineered with fire-tested materials and robust sealing technology
  • Available in multiple sizes and pressure classes
  • Backed by Gemini’s decades of experience as a trusted FM approval valves supplier

How to Verify Certification

To confirm if a valve is FM approved:

  1. Check the FM Approvals Product Certification Guide online.
  2. Verify the FM Approval mark on the product and datasheet.
  3. Request certification documents directly from the supplier.