Final answer:
Isolation valves allow for the isolation of specific areas or floors in a building without causing impairment to additional floors. They are used in high-rise buildings to control the flow of water and prevent water damage.
Step-by-step explanation:
Isolation valves are designed to allow isolation of a standpipe system or certain floors/areas without causing an impairment to additional floors. These valves are typically used in high-rise buildings to control the flow of water and prevent it from affecting the entire building.
For example, in a multi-floor building, if there is a fire on one floor, isolation valves can be closed to prevent water from flowing to that floor and causing water damage to other floors. This allows firefighters to focus the water supply on the specific floor that needs it.
In order to achieve this, isolation valves are set up in many small, protected areas throughout the building. These valves can be selectively closed to isolate specific standpipes or floors, without affecting the rest of the building.