INSTALLATION, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE
VSI AWWA C508 RUBBER FLAPPER CHECK VALVE
© 2014 VSI Waterworks LLC
VRSG-3
02-16
5
Sec. 5.2 Installation
Valves in water-distribution lines shall, where practical, be located in easily accessible areas.
5.2.1
During installation, there is the possibility of foreign materials inadvertently entering the valve.
Foreign material can damage internal working parts during operation of the Check Valves. For this reason,
Check Valves should be installed in the closed position with the embossed flow arrow on the valve body
pointing in the direction of flow. Each valve should be placed on firm footing in the trench to prevent settling
and excessive strain on the connection to the pipe. Piping systems should be supported and aligned to avoid
damage to the valve.
Sec. 5.3 Inspection
After installation and before pressurization of the valve, all pressure-containing bolting (top cover plate, seals,
and end connections) should be inspected for adequate tightness to prevent leakage. In addition, an inspection
should be made for adequate tightness of all tapped and plugged openings to the valve interior. Proper
inspection at this time will minimize the possibility of leaks after pressurization of the piping system.
Sec. 5.4 Hydrostatic testing
To prevent time lost searching for leaks, it is recommended that valve excavations not be backfilled until after
pressure tests have been made. After installation, it is desirable to hydrostatically test newly installed piping
sections, including Valves, at some pressure above the system design pressure. The test pressure should not
exceed the rated working pressure of the Valve. After the test, steps should be taken to relieve any trapped
pressure in the body of the valve. The Rubber Flapper Swing Check Valve should not be operated in either the
opening or closing direction at differential pressures above the rated working pressure. It should be noted that
Valves seat better at or near the rated working pressure of the valve. It is also recognized that wear or foreign
material may damage valve seating surfaces and may cause leakage (Ref. AWWA C600).
Sec. 5.5 Records
Upon completion of the installation, valve location, size, make, type, date of installation, number of turns to
open, direction of opening, and other information deemed pertinent should be entered on permanent records.
Sec. 5.6 Application Hazards
Rubber Flapper Swing Check Valves should not be installed in applications or for service other than those rec-
ommended by the manufacturer. The following subsections for precautions are not all inclusive but will help
avoid some application hazards.
a. Rubber Flapper Swing Check Valves should not be installed in lines where service pressure will exceed
the rated working pressure of the valve.
b. Rubber Flapper Swing Check Valves should not be used in applications that are exposed to freezing
temperatures.
c. Thrust blocks, restrained joints, or other means of restraint are needed on or adjacent to valves on
pipelines or where unusual conditions exist, such as high internal pressures, adjacent fittings, or
unstable soils.
