T&D Keraflo Main UK Distributor
Today T&D present a Guest Blog from Neil Weston, Sales Manager at leading float valve manufacturer Keraflo about how the practice of tampering with cold water tank equipment could land you in hot water.
More than half of all cold water storage tanks sold in the UK are fitted with a raised float valve chamber. This is a small housing on top of the tank where the valve is installed to either maximise the tank’s capacity or enable the obligatory air gaps that are required by water companies.
However, problems may arise when it comes to fitting the float valve in the chamber. Installers are running into problems when they try to install a standard “ballcock” valve. This type of valve cannot work effectively because the “arm” is not long enough to reach down into the main part of the tank. While this can be overcome simply by using a ballcock valve fitted with a “drop arm”, it can be viewed as an expensive alternative. So some installers are choosing to fit their own drop arm –which essentially means that the valve has been modified beyond its original design parameters.
Ballcock Valve Fitted With A Drop Arm – Not Recommended
This type of float valve modification will almost certainly have inherent design issues which can present major problems – with serious consequences for the building.
If the float valve is not correctly aligned it could twist and therefore fail, resulting in flooding. Furthermore, if the valve leaks (which they can be prone to), the excess force on the float can cause the valve either to twist or fail at the pivot point. Another potential problem when the valve opens fully (either due to supply out-stripping demand or the tank being emptied for cleaning or maintenance) is that the ball may go back on itself and jam against the side wall causing the valve to fail in the fully-open position – a major flood risk.
With so much potential for failure, this then begs the question; who is culpable if a modified valve fails?
Would the building insurance cover the owner in the event of a failed valve that was modified beyond its original spec? Or would the insurance become invalid and therefore leave the owner liable to pay out for the damage?
It is a hot topic at the moment. Ultimate responsibility could lie with the installer personally, the building owner, or even the specifier, landing someone with a hefty clean-up bill. The culprit could also find themselves in deep water as such practice will render the valve’s approval invalid.
It is a legal requirement in England and Wales to conform to the Water Regulations Act 1999. WRAS approved products, including Keraflo float valves, have been tested and proven to have met the Act’s requirements. If a product is not WRAS approved a water company can insist that it is removed.
According to Item 2.7 of the Standard Terms and Conditions of WRAS Fittings Approval: “It is a condition of WRAS Fittings Approval that no changes or modification to the Application / Approved Product, fitting, assembly or range of fittings, including changes, substitutions or modifications to the materials of construction, components or sub-assemblies, be made without the Applicant / Approval Holder first notifying WRAS Ltd. Full details of the proposed changes must be provided to the Scheme and if required Samples supplied for testing and reassessment. Failure to comply with this condition will immediately invalidate a previously granted Approval.
“With respect to water inlet valves; if an aftermarket drop arm is added to a WRAS approved float valve, then the modified assembly will not be considered WRAS approved.”
Thankfully, there are a range of specifically designed Keraflo float valves available that will work in tanks with raised float valve chambers, without the need for modification.
WRAS contributes to the protection of public health by preventing contamination of public water supplies and encouraging the efficient use of water by promoting and facilitating compliance with the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations and Scottish Water Byelaws in the UK.
The Aylesbury Delayed Action Float Valve Range is designed to provide an accurate and efficient method of controlling the level of stored cold water in tanks with and without raised float valve chambers. All Keraflo float valves are WRAS approved.
Keraflo Aylesbury Delayed Action Float Valves Brochure
Overview of the range of WRAS Approved Keraflo float valves:
Keraflo are renowned for their ‘Aylesbury™’ range of delayed action float valves. Launched in 1987, the design pioneered the use of ceramic discs in valves for cold water storage tanks. Keraflo float valves are designed to provide an accurate and efficient method of controlling the level of stored cold water in tanks with and without raised float valve chambers and are constructed to operate over long periods without the need for maintenance.
Keraflo Aylesbury K Type Float Valve (Delayed Action) – Open / Closed Position Illustration
Keraflo Aylesbury KB Type Float Valve (Delayed Action) – Open / Closed Position Illustration
Keraflo have a free download, Keraflo “Think Tank” best guide to Water Tank Management. The guide is intended to be a useful summary or professional good practice in the management, maintenance and care of cold water storage tanks in commercial, industrial and institutional buildings.
Hazardous Area Valves Selection Guide For Process Industries.
ATEX Solenoid Valves – ASCO Valves for International Hazardous Area Installations
ASCO Valves – Selecting & Ordering The Correct Valve
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ABOUT US
Thorne & Derrick International are your single-source supplier of Electrical, Mechanical, Process & Instrumentation Equipment. T&D provide an outstanding service to UK and international customers – we are highly customer responsive and absolutely committed to providing a world-class service.
T&D supply utilities, power, renewable energy, construction, rail, manufacturing, food/beverage, mining, oil, gas and petrochemical industries – distributing 100,000+ products from 100+ manufacturers from multi-million pound stocks. Since 1985 we have established a solid reputation based on service, integrity and trust.
Hazardous Area Valves With ATEX Certification
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By Chris Dodds : estimated reading time 3 minutes
uploaded by Chris Dodds - Sales & Marketing Manager (Thorne & Derrick)
Thorne & Derrick are an ASCO Numatics Authorised Distribution Channel and suppliers of ASCO Solenoid Valves to the oil, gas, chemical and process industries – this includes the most extensive range of hazardous area solenoid valves for all Zone, Class & Division with ATEX and IECEx certifications
T&D are pleased to present the new ASCO Hazardous Area Location Solutions Catalogue : the publication assists, informs and supports the specification and selection of the correct solenoid valve with ATEX certification for hazardous area locations and process industry applications, including Ex d flameproof valves and explosion proof solenoid operators.
“ATEX” is an acronym for “ATmosphere EXplosive” i.e. explosive atmosphere. An explosive atmosphere is a mixture of flammable gases, vapours, mists or dusts with air, under specific atmospheric conditions in which, after ignition has occured, combustion propagates to the flammable mixture.
In order for a potentially explosive atmosphere to form, the flammable substances must be present in a certain concentration. If the concentration is too low (lean mixture) or too high (rich mixture), no explosion occurs: instead there is just a slow combustion reaction or no reaction at all.
To summarise, the explosion can occur only in the presence of an ignition source and when the concentration is within the explosive range of substances i.e. between the lower explosive limit (LEL) and upper explosive limit (UEL). The explosive limits depend on the ambient pressure and the percentage of oxygen in the air.
The European Union has implemented two harmonized hazardous area directives, known as ATEX 94/9/EC (also ATEX 100a, which, as of April 2016, will be replaced by the new directive 2014/34/UE and ATEX 99/92/EC (also ATEX 137).
For further information about ATEX click here.
ASCO manufacture globally approved three-way and four-way solenoid valves for a wide variety of process applications in hazardous areas or potentially explosive environments. The majority of the valves included in the catalogue are part of the ASCO Express Shipping Program and can be shipped by T&D within five days or less.
ASCO – don’t delay, call T&D today. 2000+ ASCO products ready for immediate shipment.
Here is a Slideshare of the Hazardous Area Valve Guide – a download version is at the bottom of this page.
Hazardous area solenoid valves from ASCO include : EX Proof, Intrinsically Safe, Non-Incendive Field Wiring and Harsh Environment valves with UL, CSA, FM, ATEX, IECEx, NEPSI and TR CU approvals.
T&D – The Specialist Supplier of ASCO ATEX Solenoid Valves
ASCO Valves – Stainless steel spool valves for hazardous area oil and gas projects
Fluid automation equipment must operate flawlessly in hazardous areas and explosive environments. Solenoid-operated valves from ASCO are essential flow control components in these challenging applications. Solenoid valves must comply with the strictest safety regulations while staying up and running, cycle after cycle, year after year.
ASCO offers the world’s most comprehensive family of ATEX solenoid valves that hold approval from the leading global hazardous area certification agencies – UL, CSA, FM, ATEX, and IECEx.
In addition, ASCO valves are inspected and certified to ATEX in Europe, NEPSI in China, INMETRO in Brazil, and TR CU in Russia.
ASCO users can specify highly reliable ASCO valves in their designs and be assured they are approved for use in dangerous conditions — anywhere in the world.
ASCO Hazardous Area Solenoid Valves – ATEX • CSA • FM • UL • IECEx • INMETRO • TR CU
Solenoid Valves : International Hazardous Area Classifications
ATEX Certified Valves
The hazardous area classification of an installation into distinct zones has two objectives (according to ATEX 1999/92/EC) : –
Consult T&D Technical Sales Engineers for specification support in determining the correct ATEX solenoid valves.
For expert technical support in Hazardous Area Valve selection, just call T&D.
Age builds trust.
ASCO, in 1888 started out manufacturing elevator, compressor and generator controls.
In 1910 ASCO became the first company to develop and manufacture a new electrically operated control device known as the solenoid valve.
Since then, ASCO have pioneered and patented many designs of ATEX solenoid valves for flow control in hazardous areas – a track record that extends back decades but continues to innovate in the field of flow control today.
ASCO offers hundreds of solenoid valve constructions, many with ATEX certification and various global approvals that can be exported worldwide.
ASCO solenoid valves are famous for their robust operator heads and extended service lives – the valves are ideal for the mission-critical demands of power generation, chemical processing, oil, gas, and refining applications, plus general machinery, wellhead control, mining equipment and measuring and controlling devices.
ASCO 551 solenoid valves are primarily used for valve piloting applications. The pilot exhaust is collected in the main valve exhaust for dust and water protection. Valve actuator and pilot valve are isolated from the main environment.
➡ ASCO Valves – Selecting & Ordering The Correct Valve
All T&D Sales Engineers hold CompEx Certificates (Hazardous Awareness Course EX F) and undertake advanced and ongoing technical training with suppliers – we can be safely trusted to specify and supply Electrical, Mechanical, Process & Instrumentation Equipment for use in hazardous areas and explosive atmospheres.
The CompEx Scheme is now the global solution for validating core competency of employees and contract staff of major users in the gas, oil & chemical sectors, both with offshore and onshore activities – designed and developed by industry for industry.
T&D UK & International: Project Suppliers To The Onshore & Offshore Oil, Gas, Petrochem & Hazardous Area Industries.
Thorne & Derrick are inviting you to join LinkedIn’s fastest growing Discussion Group – Process & Hazardous Area Industries : Heat Tracing, Gas Detection, Fluid Control & Flow Measurement. News, projects, videos, promotions, whitepapers, jobs, webinars, press plus much more.
Electrical & Process Instrumentation Equipment for Explosive Atmospheres
Thorne & Derrick are Specialist Distributors of Hazardous Area & Explosion Proof Equipment with IECEx & ATEX Certifications to the onshore and offshore oil, gas, petrochemicals and process industries.
We supply major UK and international infrastructure projects and also MRO (Maintenance, Repair, Operations) requirements for both planned and unplanned plant shutdowns – we react with a rapid response to customer demand to ensure downtime is minimised and reliable Power, Light & Heat is restored or provided.
Working closely with clients and our supply chain we can assess the condition and degradation of your hazardous area installations and implement specifications to manage the planned replacement of legacy equipment conformant with international classifications including ATEX and IECEx.
Key Product Categories: Control Panels | Plugs & Sockets | Isolators | Enclosures & Junction Boxes | Lighting | Control Stations | Motor Starters | Heat Trace Cables & Systems | Gas Detection & Detectors | Fire Detection & Detectors | Heat Detectors | Electrical Heating & Heaters
➡ Also Process Instrumentation Products: Ashcroft Pressure Gauges | ASCO Valves | Katronic Flow Meters | KROHNE Flow Meters | VEGA Level Sensors | Rotronic Temperature & Humidity Sensors | SIKA Pressure Gauges
Published 13 Mar 2020
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