Interface & Cartridge Architecture

Fluid Interfaces govern the transfer of liquids or gases between components. This includes potable water, non-potable water, wastewater, stormwater, air, ventilation streams, hydronic fluids, refrigerants, fire-suppression media, fuels, and other controlled substances.

Each Fluid Interface shall declare:

fluid identity;

permitted fluid composition;

temperature range;

normal and maximum pressure;

vacuum conditions where applicable;

nominal and maximum flow;

direction of flow;

allowable leakage;

cleanliness class;

material compatibility;

sealing method;

connection orientation;

drainage behavior;

freeze protection;

test method;

isolation requirements.

Physically incompatible or hazardous fluid systems shall use distinct keying, geometry, color identification, machine-readable classification, or a combination of these measures.

Potable and non-potable systems shall not depend solely upon labeling to prevent cross-connection.

Pressure-containing interfaces shall provide a defined sequence for isolation, depressurization, drainage, engagement, pressure testing, commissioning, and release. A connector shall not be removable while hazardous pressure remains unless it is specifically designed and certified for such operation.

The Fluid Interface shall identify the location of the primary seal, backup seal where required, structural restraint, shutoff mechanism, drainage path, leakage-detection zone, and inspection access.

Sealing elements shall be replaceable where their expected service life is shorter than that of the surrounding assembly. Seal identity, material, installation date, compatible fluids, temperature limits, and replacement requirements shall be traceable.

Wastewater interfaces shall additionally address slope, gravity flow, solids passage, cleaning access, trap relationships, venting, odor containment, and tolerance to limited movement.

Air and ventilation interfaces shall address pressure loss, airflow leakage, acoustic transfer, condensation, cleaning, filtration, and fire/smoke control where applicable.

Refrigerant and fuel interfaces shall require domain-specific safety rules and shall not be generalized from water-connection requirements.

Connector families, nominal diameters, pressure classes, seal types, leakage thresholds, and test pressures remain TBD and shall be assigned through fluid-specific Engineering Profiles.