These devices are used to shut portions of the fire sprinkler system off for maintenance or repair work without taking the entire system offline, endangering building occupants in case of fire. While not required in all circumstances, they should be considered as another fire safety mechanism.

Health care needs in rural areas may differ from urban areas, but facilities are usually sparse, and services are more limited and less specialized. Designing simple, maintainable and resilient plumbing systems helps avoid additional challenges to health-care facilities with limited resources.