MUELLER® A-20806/A-20807

SHALLOW BURY ADJUSTABLE

VERTICAL INDICATOR POST
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

GENERAL DESCRIPTION Fig. A

Vertical Indicator Posts (Ref. Figure A) are designed
to operate non-rising stem (inside screw) gate valves,
which are used to control an underground water supply
to automatic sprinkler, water spray deluge, foam-water
deluge, or standpipe fire protection systems. They permit
operation of underground valves while providing an above UL/FM APPROVED
SUPERVISORY
ground visual indication as to whether the valves are CONTROL VALVE
open or shut, in addition to a means for locking the valves SWITCH
(supplied by customer)
in a particular position. Indicator posts provide for valve
operation from outside of the protected property and,
therefore, the opportunity for more prompt valve operation PADLOCK

in an emergency situation.

Model A-20806/A-20807 Indicator Posts feature a

telescoping Stem that can be adjusted to its final position
without field cutting of the Stem. The telescoping Stem also
permits: easier setting of the “OPEN” and “SHUT” Target
Plates (before the Post is extended to its final position);
easier adjustment of the post length during the initial
installation; and, ready re-adjustment of the post length, if
there is a modification in the location of the final grade.

A-20806 Indicator Posts will accommodate 4 through

14 inch size post indicator valves (PIV) requiring 14
to 43 turns to open and that are listed or approved for
fire protection system service. The A-20807 Post will
accommodate 16-24 inch size post indicator valves
TYPICAL INSTALLATION OF:
requiring 49 to 75 turns to open. A-20806 - 4”-14” POST INDICATOR VALVES
A-20807 - 16”-24” POST INDICATOR VALVES
Indicator Posts are provided “standard order” for use
with left hand opening valves; however, they may be
“special ordered” for use with right hand opening valves
or converted in the field for use with a right hand opening WARNING
valve by changing the left hand opening Post Head to a
right hand opening Post Head. The Model A-20806/A-20807 Indicator Posts described
herein must be installed and maintained in compliance
Indicator Posts accept direct attachment of a 1/2 inch with this document, as well as with the applicable
NPT mounting electric supervisory switching device standards of the National Fire Protection Association,
which can be used by proprietary and central stations to in addition to the standards of any other authorities
monitor the open position of the Indicator Post. Detailed having jurisdiction. Failure to do so may impair the
information on attaching a UL/FM approved Supervisory integrity of these devices.
Control Valve Switch (supplied by customer) is given in the
Technical Data section. The owner is responsible for maintaining their fire
protection system and devices in proper operating
APPROVALS AND STANDARDS condition. The installing contractor or manufacturer
Model A-20806/A-20807 Indicator Posts are listed by should be contacted relative to any questions.
Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL). Model A-20806
Indicator Posts are approved by Factory Mutual Research Removing or disabling the tamper resistant feature of
Corporation. the special key wrench screw used to secure the cover
of the Supervisory Control Valve Switch will void its
listings and approval.

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 MUELLER® A-20806/A-20807
SHALLOW BURY ADJUSTABLE
VERTICAL INDICATOR POST
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

Fig. B
TECHNICAL DATA
Indicator Posts:
The A-20806/A-20807 Indicator Post bolts directly onto
the stuffing box flange of 4 through 24 inch post indicator
valves (PIV) employing 2 inch operating nuts. The Bell
attaches to a PIV mounting flange having four bolt holes
spaced at 90° on a 10-1/2 inch diameter bolt circle. The
Bell has 3/4 inch clearance holes for the mounting bolts.

The A-20806 Indicator Post has a Threaded Sleeve which

can readily accommodate field positioning of the “OPEN”
and “SHUT” Targets for 4 through 14 inch PIVs requiring 14
to 43 turns to open. The A-20807 has a Threaded Sleeve for
16 through 24 inch PIVs requiring 49 to 75 turns to open.

The Shallow Bury A-20806/A-20807 Indicator Post provides

for adjustment of dimension “D” in Figure B, as indicated in
Table 3. The Post Head can be adjusted relative to the Lower
Barrel by using the two Set Screws located at the base of the
Upper Barrel. The Stem requires no field cutting within the
indicated adjustment range of each “Order Length.”

Tables 4a and 4b indicate the nominal trench depths which

can be accommodated for 4 through 24 inch Mueller®
Resilient Wedge PIVs based on the typical diameter of
underground pipe.

“Standard order” Posts are factory set with the “OPEN”

and “SHUT” Targets positioned for use with left hand
(counter-clockwise) opening valves. An arrow on the
Post Head indicates the left hand direction of opening.
The position of the Targets may be reversed in the field,
in order to accommodate a right hand opening valve,
provided that the Post Head is changed to one indicating
right hand opening.

The Post Head and Bell are ASTM A126 Class B gray iron.
The Cap is polypropylene; Operating Nut and A-20806
Wrench are ASTM A536 (Grade 64-45-12) ductile iron.
The Windows are made from plexiglass. The Lower Barrel
is PVC DR14 (UL Listed). The Upper Barrel, Upper Stem,
Lower Stem, Coupling, Coupling Insert, and A-20807
Wrench are carbon steel. The Targets for both posts
are Nylon. The A-20806 Threaded Sleeve is Nylon; the
A-20807 Threaded Sleeve is Aluminum. The Post Head,
Upper Barrel, and Wrench are painted red.

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 MUELLER® A-20806/A-20807
SHALLOW BURY ADJUSTABLE
VERTICAL INDICATOR POST
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

Table 1 Dimension ‘B’ Table 2 Dimension ‘C’ - 1/2 of Pipe O.D.

for Mueller Resilient Wedge Post Indicator Valves (Typical for underground pipe)

Dimensions in Inches Pipe Size Dimension ‘C’ in Inches

Valve Size Turns To Open
B 4" 2.40
4" 10.95 14 6" 3.45
6" 14.91 20-1/2 8" 4.53
8" 18.02 26-1/2 10" 5.55
10" 21.62 33 12" 6.60
12" 24.52 38-1/2 14" 7.65
14" 29.13 43-1/2 16" 8.70
16" 32.35 49 18" 9.75
18" 38.35 57 20" 10.80
20" 41.48 63 24" 12.90
24" 47.94 75

Table 3 Dimension ‘D’ Adjustment Range

Minimum Maximum
3" 14"

Table 4a Nominal Trench Depths

for Mueller A-20806 Resilient Wedge Post Indicator Valves

Order Length S
Part Number Valve size Minimum Maximum
4" 1' - 4" 2' - 3"
6" 1' - 9" 2' - 8"
8" 2' - 1" 3" - 0"
A-20806
10" 2' - 6" 3" - 5"
12" 2' - 10" 3" - 9"
14" 3" - 4" 4' - 3"

Table 4b Nominal Trench Depths

for Mueller A-20807 Resilient Wedge Post Indicator Valves

Order Length S
Part Number Valve size Minimum Maximum
16" 3' - 8" 4' - 7"
18" 4' - 3" 5' - 2"
A-20807
20" 4' - 7" 5' - 6"
24" 5' - 4" 6' - 3"

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 MUELLER® A-20806/A-20807
SHALLOW BURY ADJUSTABLE
VERTICAL INDICATOR POST
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

Supervisory Control Valve Switch: Fig. C

Figures E and F illustrate attachment of the Supervisory
Control Valve Switch (supplied by customer).
1. Post Head
2. Upper Barrel
3. Lower Barrel
INSTALLATION 4. Bell
Post Targets must be positioned for use with the 5. Lower Stem Assembly
a. Lower Stem
appropriate number of turns to open the post indicator b. Coupling
c. Coupling insert
valve. Improper positioning of the Targets can result in d. Cotter Pin,
an erroneous indication of the open or shut position of 1/4” x 3” (2 req’d)
6. Hex Head Cap Screw
the valve. The A-20806 Indicator Post will accommodate 3/4-10UNC x 1”
(5 req’d)
positioning of the Targets to operate PIVs requiring 7. Hex Socket Set Screw
14 to 43 turns to open; the A-20807 Indicator Post will 3/4-10UNC x 1”
8. Pipe Plug, 1/2” NPT
accommodate positioning the Targets to operate PIVs 9. Window (2 req’d)
11. Wrench
requiring 49 to 75 turns to open. 12. Upper Stem Assembly
a. Operating Nut
b. Spring Pin,
NOTE 1/8” x 2-1/4”
c. Cotter Pin,
The Targets for the A-20806 Indicator Post have been 1/8” x 1-1/2”
factory set for use with a 6 inch Mueller® PIV and the d. Threaded sleeve
e. Upper Stem
Targets for the A-20807 Indicator Post have been factory set 13. Weather Cap
14. Retaining Ring
for a 24 inch Mueller PIV. Consequently, Steps 6 through 15. “OPEN” Target
10 need not be performed when installing the A-20806 Post 16. “SHUT” Target
17. Hex Head Cap Screw,
with a 6 inch Mueller PIV (or with a PIV that requires 20-1/2 5/8-11UNC x 2-1/4
(4 req’d)
turns to open) or the A-20807 Post with a 24 inch Mueller 18. Hex Nut, 5/8-11UNC
PIV (or with a PIV that requires 75 turns to open). (4 req’d)

Proceed to install the Post as follows:

1. Completely close the PIV.

2. Place approximately 5 inch high blocks onto the stuffing

box flange of the installed valve. Set the Indicator Post
onto the blocks and generally centered over the PIV
operating nut.

3. Slide out the Shipping Disk, and allow the Coupling

(5b) to drop down over the PIV operating nut. Attach the
Coupling to the operating nut with the Cotter Pin (5d).

4. Remove the blocks and lower the Indicator Post onto

the PIV stuffing box flange. Bolt the Bell and stuffing box
flange together using the four Cap Screws and Nuts (17,
18). Also at this time make certain that the three Cap
Screws (6) securing the Bell (4) to the Lower Barrel (3) are
uniformly tightened.

MODEL A-20806/A-20807
VERTICAL INDIATOR POST ASSEMBLY

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 MUELLER® A-20806/A-20807
SHALLOW BURY ADJUSTABLE
VERTICAL INDICATOR POST
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

NOTES Fig. D
If the pipe is sloped, it may be necessary to shim some of
the Cap Screws (17) with steel washers, so that the Post
will be plumb and the Stem will run true with the center of
the Post Head. Coupling clearances can accommodate a
maximum pipe slope of 5 degrees.

It is recommended that a spirit level be used to set the

vertical alignment of the Indicator Post.

5. Loosen the Set Screw (7), and lift the Post Head/
Upper Stem Assembly (1, 12) just high enough to insert
a philips head screwdriver through Hole “A” in the Upper
Stem (12e). The philips head screwdriver will temporarily
hold the Post Head (1) above the upper Barrel (2).

6. Remove the Wrench (11), pry off the Cap (13), remove
the Retaining Ring (14), and then lift the Post Head clear of
the Upper Stem Assembly (12).

7. Position the Targets per Figure D.

8. Replace the Post Head (1), Retaining Ring (14),

and Cap (13).
NOTES
A-20806 INDICATOR POST
1. SET SHUT TARGET FIRST.
2. FOR 16" MUELLER CO. VALVE SET TODIMENSION "X" - 3.5".
9. Remove the phillips head screwdriver, lower the Post NOTES
3.
1. FOR
SETVALVES
SHUTMANUFACTURED
TARGET FIRST. BY OTHER THAN MUELLER COMPANY,
Head, and tighten the Set Screw (7). SET TO DIMENSION "X" CALCULATED AS FOLLOWS:
2. FOR VALVES MANUFACTURED BY OTHER THAN MUELLER COMPANY,
SET TO DIMENSION ‘X’ CALCULATED AS FOLLOWS:
NO. OF TURNS TO OPEN VALVE
"X" IN INCHES = 14 TO OPEN VALVE
10. Using the Wrench (11), open and close the valve


‘X’ IN INCHES =
NO. OF TURNS
14
and check to see that the “SHUT” and “OPEN” Targets
A-20807 INDICATOR POST
are clearly in view in the Windows, at their respective
positions, and that there is no feeling of binding of NOTES
1. SET SHUT TARGET FIRST.
the Upper or Lower Stem Assemblies (5, 12). It is 2. FOR VALVES MANUFACTURED BY OTHER THAN MUELLER COMPANY,
SET TO DIMENSION ‘X’ CALCULATED AS FOLLOWS:
recommended that the turns to open/close be counted
and compared to the valve manufacturer’s specification, in

NO. OF TURNS TO OPEN VALVE
‘X’ IN INCHES = 22
order to verify full valve opening.
POSITIONING OF TARGETS
NOTES
If there is any indication of binding of the internal operating parts, 12. Back-fill to final grade and repeat Step 11.
the vertical alignment of the Indicator Post must be corrected.
13. Tighten the switch mounting hole plug if the Supervisory
If the Target Plates are not properly in view, completely Control Valve Switch is not to be immediately attached.
close the PIV and then repeat Steps 6 through 11.
14. Proceed to install the Supervisory Control Valve Switch
11. Loosen the two Cap Screws (6) at the base of the (supplied by customer) - continued on next page.
Upper Barrel (2) and then slide the Post Head up until the
Bury Line of the Post Head coincides with the planned 15. Remove the Cover from the assembly, and then loosen
finished grade. Tighten the two Set Screws (6) at the base the Trip Rod Locking Screw. Adjust the position of the Trip
of the Post Head with a torque of 40 to 60 ft.lbs. When Rod so that it extends about 1-3/8 inches beyond the Nipple,
properly installed, the centerline of the Target Windows will and then securely tighten the Trip Rod Locking Screw.
be 30 inches above the finish grade.

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 MUELLER® A-20806/A-20807
SHALLOW BURY ADJUSTABLE
VERTICAL INDICATOR POST
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

15a. Rotate the Post Operating Nut until the PIV is fully open. Fig. E
Note the position of one of the “OPEN” Targets in its Window.

15b. Rotate the Operating Stem until the “OPEN” Targets

are out of the Post Windows. Note the direction in which
the “OPEN” Target will move when it is returned to the
Post Window.

15c. Remove the Nipple from the assembly, and then with
the Locknut screwed over the Nipple threads, hand
tighten the Nipple into the 1/2 inch NPT hole provided in
the Post Head, and then tighten the Locknut against the
Post Head to secure the Nipple firmly in place.

15d. Refer to Figure E or F as appropriate, and note the

direction in which the Trip Rod must move when the
“OPEN” Target is returned to the Post Window.

Slide the assembly as far as possible onto the Nipple while

maintaining proper orientation of the assembly, and then ATTACHMENT OF THE SUPERVISORY CONTROL VALVE
tighten the Set Screw that holds the assembly onto the Nipple. SWITCH FOR LEFT HAND OPENING VALVES

15e. Attach leads from an electrical continuity meter to the

appropriate terminals. Fig. F

15f. Return the valve to its fully open position. Verify that
the “OPEN” Target returns to the position noted in Step b.
Also, verify that the Switch contacts change position within
two turns of the valve being fully open.

15g. Begin to return the valve to its closed position. Verify

that the Switch contacts change back to their original
position within two turns from full open.

NOTE
If the Upper Stem Assembly binds before the “OPEN”
Target reaches its full open position, or the switch contacts
do not change position as described in Steps g and h, then
the Targets must be readjusted.

If the Targets require readjustment, close the PIV, remove

the Switch assembly, and repeat Steps 6 and 11; however,
when positioning the Targets, rotate both Targets at the
same time as necessary so that the “OPEN” target will ATTACHMENT OF THE SUPERVISORY CONTROL VALVE
SWITCH FOR RIGHT HAND OPENING VALVES
trip the Actuator Rod of the Switch. Repositioning of the
“OPEN” and “SHUT” Targets relative to each other should
NOTE
not be necessary. Repeat Steps b through h.
Use of a weathertight conduit connector with a gasket seal
is recommended.
15h. Remove the electrical continuity test leads. The external
field wiring connections can now be made to the Switch.

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 MUELLER® A-20806/A-20807
SHALLOW BURY ADJUSTABLE
VERTICAL INDICATOR POST
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

CARE AND MAINTENANCE REPLACEMENT PARTS:

Model A-20806/A-20807 Indicator Posts do not require any Specify: (specify description) for use with
regular schedule maintenance. Model A-20806/A-20807 Indicator Post, Part No. (specify).

It is recommended that Indicator Posts used to operate 1. O.L. Post Head (A-20806)............................... 148692
fire protection system water control valves be locked in 1. O.R. Post Head (A-20806).............................. 148649
the fully-open position using the Post Wrench as shown 1. O.L. Post Head (A-20807)............................... 241029
in Figure A. The locks must be sturdy and resistant to 1. O.R. Post Head (A-20807).............................. 241030
breakage except by heavy bolt cutters. 2. Upper Barrel “S”.............................................. 241261
3. Lower Barrel “S” PVC...................................... 241259
It is also recommended that once a month a visual 3. Lower Barrel “S” DI.......................................... 241262
inspection procedure be followed, with the following items 4. Bell................................................................... 148689
checked: 5a. Lower Stem Assembly “S”............................... 287857
5b. Coupling.......................................................... 290155
1. The Post Head, Upper Barrel, and Windows have not 5c. Coupling Insert................................................ 290156
been damaged. 5d. Long Cotter Pin............................................... 290154
6. Hex  Head Cap Screw, 3/4 - 10 UNC x 1”....... 190560
2. The Targets indicate that the valve is open. 7. Hex Socket Set Screw 3/4 - 10 UNC x 1”....... 198428
8. Pipe Plug 1/2” NPT.......................................... 198582
3. The Wrench is in place on the Indicator Post, and it is 9. Window............................................................ 148790
properly locked open. 11. Wrench (A-20806)........................................148690-1
11. Wrench (A-20807)........................................... 241013
In addition, on a quarterly basis, the Indicator Post should 12. Upper Stem Assembly (A-20806).................... 287855
be closed two turns and then reopened tight to verify that 12. Upper Stem Assembly (A-20807).................... 287859
the PIV is in the full open position and properly engages 12a. A Square Op Nut...................................Right 14969-1
with the Post and, that the Supervisory Switch contacts (if 12a. A Square Op Nut...................................... Left 148691
applicable) properly change position. 12b. Springpin......................................................... 190330
12c. Short Cotter Pin............................................... 290158
Any damaged parts must be immediately replaced. 12d. Threaded Sleeve (A-20806)............................ 148634
The Indicator Post should also be physically tried to be 12d. Threaded Sleeve (A-20807)............................ 241011
sure that the valve is in the fully-open position, if there are 12e. Upperstem....................................................... 241260
any damaged parts, sign of tampering, or the position of 13. Weather Cap................................................... 290143
the valve is questionable. 14. Retaining Ring................................................. 290157
15. Target Open (A-20806).................................... 290144
NOTES 15. Target Open (A-20807).................................... 290552
Before closing a fire protection system main valve for 16. Target Shut (A-20806)..................................... 290145
maintenance work on either the Indicator Post or fire 16. Target Shut (A-20807)..................................... 290553
protection systems which it controls, permission to shut 17. Hex Bolt........................................................... 290191
down the affected fire protection systems must first be 18. Hex Nut........................................................... 190939
obtained from the proper authorities and all personnel who NOTE: For models with handwheels, contact customer service for replacement parts.
may be affected by this decision must be notified.

It is recommended that fire protection systems be

inspected by a qualified Inspection Service.

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 MUELLER® A-20806/A-20807
SHALLOW BURY ADJUSTABLE
VERTICAL INDICATOR POST
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

CUSTOMER SERVICE - Decatur, IL (217) 423-4471

Canada – Mueller Canada Inc., Barrie, ON (705) 719-4959

Form 12970 - Rev 11/14 Printed in U.S.A.