What feature indicates that a fire valve is closed?

A fire valve being closed can be indicated by a raised operating stem. When the stem is raised, this typically means that the valve is in the off position, preventing the flow of water or other extinguishing agents through the valve. This design is intentional, allowing personnel to easily assess the status of the valve at a glance, as the physical elevation of the stem indicates that further action is needed to open the valve if firefighting efforts are to proceed.

In contrast, while a colored indicator may provide visual cues, it is not as universally reliable as the mechanical aspect of a raised operating stem. A chain lock may secure the valve, but it does not intrinsically indicate whether the valve is open or closed; rather, it suggests that access to the valve may be restricted. Flashing lights can serve as alarms in various systems, but they are not standard indicators for fire valve status. Thus, the raised operating stem most directly signifies a closed fire valve.