TOPIC 5: VALVES AND TAPS
Topic overview
This topic is about the various types of valves and taps used in water supply network. It enables
the trainee to understand the different types of valves and taps used for domestic and agricultural
water supply.
Specific Objectives
At the end of the training, the student will be able to:
Identify different types of valves and taps
Select the right valves and taps for water supply systems
Topic content
Content is attached as appendix one
Activity
References
Steve Muscroft (2011): Plumbing. 2nd Edition
5.0. Introduction
Water supply valves are grouped into the following broad categories based on their functions.
Isolation valves: are used to isolate mains or sections of mains.
Control Valves: are used to control flow direction, volume or pressure in an area of the
distribution network.
Valves control the flow of water in the distribution system by isolating areas for repair, or by
regulating flow volume or pressure. It does so by opening, closing, partially obstructing various
passageways. Valves can be operated manually or automatically via control systems. It is
important to disinfect or chlorinate all distribution parts such as valves. Valves should be
installed with valve boxes and covers.
The direction (clockwise or counter clockwise) used to open or close a valve can vary from valve
to valve. The proper direction to open the valve is usually indicated by an arrow on the valve
bonnet. However, most systems typically standardize all valves in the system to operate the
same.
When exercising a valve, the operator should make sure that a valve is properly returned to its
original position. This is done by considering the number of valve turns required to fully open or
close the valve.
When exercising valves, be aware of water hammer.
Water hammer is the momentary increase in pressure inside a pipe caused by a sudden
change of direction or velocity of the liquid in the pipe. Basically, water rushing through
a pipe comes to an abrupt stop. The sudden stop creates a shock wave.
Water hammer can cause pressure spikes 10 times higher than normal operating
pressures.
Water hammer can be particularly dangerous because the increase in pressure can be
severe enough to rupture a pipe or cause damage to equipment.
Note: Therefore, to avoid water hammer, slowly open and close valves.
ISOLATION VALVES
Gate Gate Valves are used to isolate mains
or sections of mains.
Valve
Isolation may be necessary when
repairing main breaks or leaks or
performing other distribution network
maintenance activities.
Used to completely shut off or open a
waterway. Does not control the
volume of flow.
Uses a sliding wedge to move across
the waterway, in either a rising or non-
rising action.
In some models, either opening of a
gate valve may face the pressure side
of the line, while in others; an arrow
indicates the direction of water flow.
Are used to control the flow of fluids
in low pressure systems, such as
distribution pipework from storage
cisterns, or heating systems
N/B: Gate valves are mainly used to
isolate sections of water mains. Not to
be used to throttle or regulate flow.
HDPE
compressi
on gate
valve
Sluice
Sluice and gate valve are used
interchangeably but sluice valves are
valve
many times used to refer large
diameters (> 50mm) valves with
flanged connections
It is fitted at an important place like at
the entrance of a pipe, pipe junctions,
It may be the start of a new pipe from a
tank, or a number of branches from the
tank.
This valve isolates the water-supply,
as and when required. The sluice
valve is specified by the pipe bore
(diameter) of the water-way
Stop Are used on high pressure water
mains to shut off water flow.
cork/valve
Internal stop cock will turn off the
whole supply to the house.
External stop cork will shut-off the
whole plumbing system that is under
mains pressure
CONTROL VALVES
Ball A ball valve is a valve with a spherical
center which controls the flow through
Valve/ball
it. The sphere has a hole, or port,
lever through the middle so that when the
port is in line with both ends of the
valve
valve, flow will occur.
When the valve is closed, the hole is
perpendicular to the ends of the valve,
and flow is blocked.
The handle or lever is also in line with
the port through the sphere which
allows the operator to know whether
the valve is opened or closed.
They offer perfect shutoff even after
years of disuse and are suitable for
high pressures and temperatures.
Angle All angle valves are equipped with a
right angle with inlet and outlet
valve
openings.
They also have a valve mechanism
which can be altered to control flow.
Each angle valve is equipped to handle
a certain amount of pressure based on
mechanical function and materials
used.
Butterfly The butterfly valve can be used for
opening and closing flows, isolating or
valve
regulating flow.
Butterfly valves are generally favored
because they are lower in cost to other
valve designs as well as being lighter
in weight, meaning less support is
required.
Mostly used in pumping station
reservoir treatment plant
Majorly used for large diameter pipes
Globe Used to control volume of flow.
Valve Has a hand wheel that turns a disc
that opens or closes the valve.
Used when a valve must be opened
and closed frequently under high
water pressure.
Should not be used for occasional
shut-off purposes in water supply
lines.
Easy to repair.
One type is an angle valve, which
has ports at right angles. It allows
for greater water passage than a
globe valve.
N/B: Globe valves should be used to
control the flow of water.
Check Operates automatically, permitting
flow in one direction only.
Valve/
Check valves are often used before and
Non return after pumps to ensure that they do not
valve run dry once they have been primed or
to prevent a system from draining if a
Reflux pump was to fail.
valve They also prevent damage of pumps
due to backflow once pumping is
stopped.
swing- Also used to prevent water pumped to
an overhead tank from flowing back
type check when the pump stops.
valve, Some check valves are designed for
use with vertical pipes only. Therefore,
it will not work if installed upside
Metal down.
Swing-type check valve is a small,
spring smooth swing-type gate located in the
check center of the valve.
As water is pumped through the flow
valve side of the valve, a gate swings open to
allow water to pass.
If water attempts to back up through
the valve, the gate is forced shut
against the pressure side of the valve.
Mixing Valves and Thermostatic
Mixing Valves blend hot water with
Mixing cold water to maintain a constant and
safe temperature outlet.
valves Found in residential, commercial, and
institutional applications where water
temperature control is critical to avoid
legionella growth, thermal shock, and
scalding.
Foot Foot valve is a kind of non-return valve
used in centrifugal pumps.
valve:
It is fitted at the bottom most end of
the suction pipe (Foot) to stop flow in
the downward direction for priming
purpose.
The strainer restricts the entry of
floating materials to the pipe line.
Figure gives the details of the foot
valve. The material used may be cast
iron, brass, or PVC.
v
Air relieve Air relief or air release valves relieve
pockets of air which typically
valves/
accumulate at high elevation points in
Air a distribution network.
vacuum Installed at high points in the water
supply line.
It is fitted to release the air
valves/ automatically when the pipe is filled
with water.
Combinati
Vacuum relief valves allow air into the
on air distribution network to protect the
system against low pressures,
relieve
including vacuum conditions.
valves Vacuum relief valves are commonly
used along transmission mains and at
the discharge of pump stations to
protect against low pressures that can
occur as a result of sudden large
changes in flow velocity.
Vacuum conditions can result to
bursting of pipes
Pressure
Reducing Pressure reducing valves are used to
Valve create head loss and "break" pressure
to keep system pressures less than the
pressure ratings in pipes and to avoid
other adverse impacts of high pressure
It reduces the pressure of a fluid
immediately downstream of its
position in a pipeline to a preselected
value or by a predetermined ratio.
Pressure A self-acting valve that automatically
Relief opens to prevent a predetermined safe
Valve pressure being exceeded.
Used to protect water heaters or hot
water storage tanks.
When the water pressure reaches a
dangerous level, the valve opens and
discharges water. Cold water then
flows into the tank and stabilizes the
water pressure.
Drain A tap without a handle, opened by
valve turning the spindle with a drain valve
key.
It is normally kept closed, but has a
ribbed outlet for attaching a hose when
draining is
A drain valve is fitted in those parts of
the plumbing system that cannot be
drained through household taps – for
instance, in the boiler or central-
heating systems and on the rising main.
Scour This valve is provided at the lower
level in a pipeline, so that such
valve/
sections can be supplied and
blow off drained for maintenance purpose.
valves/
drain The water is distributed into natural
drains
valves The arrangement should be as short
as possible
The arrangement should be as low
as possible in order to clear most of
the settled materials
The spout should be as near as
possible to notice when the
cleaning process is over by looking
at the clean water coming out.
Ball float
Ball float valves are types of flow
valve
control valves that control flow in and
out of storage facilities based on water
level.
When a tank reaches a maximum level
the valve closes, preventing the tank
from overflowing.
When the water level in the tank drops
due to system demands, the valve
opens.
Altitude They are mainly used on those lines
which supply water to elevated tanks
valve
or stand pipes.
They close automatically when the
tank is full and open when the pressure
of the pump side is less than that of the
tank side of the valve.
Fire For firefighting in urban areas
hydrant At strategic points in urban area and on
major main lines along streets
TAPS
There are many types of taps used for supplying sanitary appliances. They all work under similar
principals
Pillar tap Are manufactured with long inlet
threads which allow them to be fitted
through sanitary appliances and thereby
clamped in position.
When fitting pillar taps it is essential to
ensure that an adequate “air gap” is
allowed for, to prevent back siphonage.
Bib tap Are fixed to the wall with a back
plate. They are used with Belfast and
Hose union
cleaner’s sinks and are useful for
bib tap filling buckets.
Bib taps are often fitted externally
for outside use.
A hose union connection is also
available. Bib taps can be plain or
chromium plated.
Push taps According to the structural design of
the push type water tap,
a push button is set on the main
body of the water tap, enabling
upward resetting with the bracing of
a spring when pressing
the push button.
While the push button is released
and goes back to its normal position,
a check valve at bottom is driven to
cause water stop and supply
Mixer tap Are designed to deliver hot and cold
water through a common spout. There
are two basic designs of mixer taps: in
Exposed which the hot and cold water is mixed in
concealed the tap body or spout (single outlet
mixer), and those in which the hot and
cold water do not actually mix until it is
discharged from the outlet nozzle
(double outlet mixer).
The first type is only suitable for use
when the water from the hot and cold
supplies are at equal pressures
One major drawback to mixer taps with
a swivel outlet is the fact that the
neoprene “O” ring used to ensure a
watertight seal tends to wear out and
therefore requires frequent replacement
